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BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to rotary machines, and in particular, to an air deflector for an air cycle machine.
[0002] Air cycle machines are used in environmental control systems in aircraft to condition air for delivery to an aircraft cabin. Conditioned air is air at a temperature, pressure, and humidity desirable for aircraft passenger comfort and safety. At or near ground level, the ambient air temperature and/or humidity is often sufficiently high that the air must be cooled as part of the conditioning process before being delivered to the aircraft cabin. At flight altitude, ambient air is often far cooler than desired, but at such a low pressure that it must be compressed to an acceptable pressure as part of the conditioning process. Compressing ambient air at flight altitude heats the resulting pressurized air sufficiently that it must be cooled, even if the ambient air temperature is very low. Thus, under most conditions, heat must be removed from air by the air cycle machine before the air is delivered to the aircraft cabin.
[0003] To condition the air as needed, air cycle machines include a fan section, a compressor section, and a turbine section that are all mounted on a common shaft. The compressor receives partially compressed air from the aircraft and further compresses the air. The compressed air then moves through a heat exchanger and is cooled by the fan section. The air then moves through the turbine section where it is expanded for use in the aircraft, for example, for use as cabin air. The turbine section also extracts energy from the air and uses the energy to drive the fan section and the compressor section via the common shaft.
[0004] Air cycle machines also include bearings that are positioned around the common shaft. The bearings are cooled by passing a cooling air flow through a cavity that is adjacent the bearing. The cooling air flow then exits the cavity and is discharged from the air cycle machine into an ambient. The cooling air flow is limited in that it can only cool the bearing using convective heat transfer. The cooling air flow is further limited in that the cooling air flow in the cavity flows through a center of the cavity, meaning a majority of the cooling air flow does not flow across a surface of the bearing.
SUMMARY
[0005] A rotary machine includes a shaft extending through the rotary machine; a bearing positioned around the shaft; and an air deflector mounted on the shaft between the bearing and the shaft, wherein the air deflector has a first cylindrical body portion that is connected to a second cylindrical body portion with a ramp portion.
[0006] A method for cooling a bearing positioned around a rotating shaft includes providing air to a cavity that surrounds a rotating shaft; deflecting the air towards an inner surface of a bearing that is positioned radially outward of the rotating shaft, wherein the air is deflected with an air deflector that is mounted on the rotating shaft; and flowing the air between an outer surface of the air deflector and the inner surface of the bearing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an air cycle machine.
[0008] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an air deflector.
[0009] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of the air deflector seen in FIG. 2A .
[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the air deflector in a fan section of the air cycle machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] In general, the present disclosure is an air deflector for use in a rotary machine. The air deflector can be mounted on a shaft between a bearing and the shaft to dissipate heat away from the bearing and out of the rotary machine. The air deflector includes a body with a bore running through the body in which a shaft can be positioned. The body of the air deflector includes a first body portion, a ramp portion, and a second body portion. The ramp portion is positioned between the first body portion and the second body portion. The ramp portion has a conical shape with an incline to force cooling air flowing around the air deflector outwards towards the bearing. The cooling air flowing across the bearing can cool the bearing with convective heat transfer.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of air cycle machine 10 . Air cycle machine 10 includes fan section 12 , compressor section 14 , and turbine section 16 that are all mounted on shaft 18 . Shaft 18 rotates around central axis 20 . Fan section 12 includes fan blade 30 . Compressor section 14 includes compressor inlet 40 , compressor outlet 42 , and compressor nozzle 44 . Turbine section 16 includes turbine inlet 50 , turbine outlet 52 , and turbine nozzle 54 . Also shown in FIG. 1 is heat exchanger 60 , housing 70 , bearing 72 , bearing sleeve 74 , bearing foil 76 , bearing journal 78 , cooling air flow 80 , cooling air flow inlet 82 , cavity 84 , opening 86 , and air deflector 100 .
[0013] Shaft 18 is a rod, such as a titanium tie-rod, used to connect other components of air cycle machine 10 . Central axis 20 is an axis with respect to which other components may be arranged.
[0014] Fan section 12 includes fan blade 30 . Fan section 12 is mounted on shaft 18 . Fan blades 30 rotate around shaft 18 . Fan section 12 typically draws in ram air from a ram air scoop or alternatively from an associated gas turbine or other aircraft component. Fan section 12 may also be used to draw air through heat exchanger 60 .
[0015] Compressor section 14 includes compressor inlet 40 , compressor outlet 42 , and compressor nozzle 44 . Compressor section 14 is mounted on shaft 18 . Compressor inlet 40 is a duct through which air is received to be compressed. Compressor outlet 42 is a duct through which air can be routed to other systems after it has been compressed in compressor section 14 . Compressor nozzle 44 is a nozzle section that rotates through the air in compressor section 14 . In particular, compressor nozzle 44 is a rotor or impeller.
[0016] Turbine section 16 includes turbine inlet 50 , turbine outlet 52 , and turbine nozzle 54 . Turbine section 16 is mounted on shaft 18 . Turbine inlet 50 is a duct through which air passes prior to expansion in turbine section 16 . Turbine outlet 52 is a duct through which air can be routed after it has been expanded to be used in other areas on an aircraft. For example, air can be routed out of turbine outlet 52 and into a cabin for use as cabin air. Turbine nozzle 54 is a nozzle section that extracts energy from air passing through turbine section 16 . In particular, turbine nozzle 54 is a rotor or impeller. Air passing through turbine section 16 drives the rotation of turbine section 16 and any attached components, including shaft 18 , fan section 12 , and compressor section 14 .
[0017] Air is received in air cycle machine 10 at compressor inlet 40 . The air can be ram air from a ram air scoop or the air can be pulled into air cycle 10 using fan section 12 from an associated gas turbine or other aircraft component. The air passes through compressor section 14 where it is compressed with compressor nozzle 44 and then discharged out of compressor outlet 42 . From compressor outlet 42 , the air can pass through heat exchanger 60 . Fan section 12 may be used to draw air through heat exchanger 60 . Air that exits heat exchanger 60 is then routed into turbine inlet 50 . The air expands as it passes through turbine section 16 and it drives turbine nozzle 54 before it is discharged out of turbine outlet 52 . Air that is discharged out of turbine outlet 52 can then be routed to other parts of the aircraft, for example, for use as cabin air.
[0018] Adjacent fan section 12 in air cycle machine 10 is housing 70 . Housing 70 forms an outer portion of air cycle machine 10 . Bearing 72 is positioned between shaft 18 and housing 70 . Bearing 72 is a foil bearing in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 . Bearing 72 includes bearing sleeve 74 , bearing foil 76 , and bearing journal 78 . Bearing foil 76 is positioned between bearing sleeve 74 and bearing journal 78 . Bearing sleeve 74 forms an outer surface of bearing 72 and bearing journal 78 forms an inner surface of bearing 72 . The inner surface of bearing journal 78 faces shaft 18 . Air deflector 100 is mounted on shaft 18 between bearing 72 and shaft 18 to dissipate heat out of bearing 72 .
[0019] Cooling air flow 80 is bled from the air being routed from heat exchanger 60 to turbine inlet 50 . Cooling air flow 80 is routed through cooling air flow inlet 82 and through air cycle machine 10 to cavity 84 . Cavity 84 is an open area surrounding shaft 18 that is defined by fan section 12 and turbine section 16 . Air deflector 100 is positioned in cavity 84 adjacent fan blade 30 . Cooling air flow 80 will flow through cavity 84 and will pass around air deflector 100 to cool bearing 72 . Cooling air flow 80 will then exit through opening 86 that is formed between housing 70 and fan blade 30 and will be discharged into an ambient out of air cycle machine 10 .
[0020] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of air deflector 100 . FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of air deflector 100 seen in FIG. 2A . Air deflector 100 includes body 102 and bore 104 . Air deflector 100 further includes first body portion 110 , ramp portion 112 , and second body portion 114 . Also shown in FIGS. 2A-2B are first diameter D 1 , second diameter D 2 , and slope S.
[0021] Air deflector 100 includes body 102 . Air deflector 100 can be made out of thermally conductive materials or thermally insulating materials. This can include metallic materials, plastic materials, ceramic materials, or any other suitable material. Bore 104 extends axially through body 102 with a first opening at a first end of body 102 and a second opening at a second end of body 102 . Bore 104 runs through air deflector 100 so that a shaft or other part can be positioned in bore 104 of air deflector 100 .
[0022] Body 102 of air deflector 100 includes first body portion 110 , ramp portion 112 , and second body portion 114 . First body portion 110 has a cylindrical shape with first diameter D 1 . A first end of first body portion 110 forms the first end of air deflector 100 , and a second end of first body portion 110 is connected to a first end of ramp portion 112 . Ramp portion 112 has a conical shape and extends from first diameter D 1 to second diameter D 2 . Ramp portion 112 has an incline with slope S. The second end of ramp portion 112 is connected to a first end of second body portion 114 . Second body portion 114 is cylindrically shaped with second diameter D 2 . A second end of second body portion 114 forms the second end of body 102 .
[0023] Air deflector 100 can be used in any rotary machine that has a shaft and a bearing positioned around the shaft. This can include air cycle machines and other turbine and motor driven compressors and fans. Air deflector 100 is advantageous, as ramp portion 112 of air deflector 100 forces cooling air to flow closer to a surface of a hot part that is positioned around air deflector 100 . The cooling air flow will absorb heat from the hot part as it flows across a surface of the hot part to cool the hot part. Air deflector 100 is further advantageous, as it is low weight and is easy and cost effective to manufacture.
[0024] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of air deflector 100 in fan section 12 of air cycle machine 10 . The portion of air cycle machine 10 shown in FIG. 3 includes fan section 12 (including fan blade 30 ), shaft 18 , housing 70 , bearing 72 , bearing sleeve 74 , bearing foil 76 , bearing journal 78 , cavity 84 , opening 86 , and air deflector 100 . Air deflector 100 further includes body 102 , including first body portion 110 , ramp portion 112 , and second body portion 114 .
[0025] Air cycle machine 10 includes fan section 12 that is mounted on shaft 18 . Shaft 18 is a common shaft that runs through air cycle machine 10 and that rotates around central axis 20 . Fan section 12 includes fan blade 30 that rotates with shaft 18 around central axis 20 . Adjacent fan blade 30 is housing 70 . Housing 70 forms an outer portion of air cycle machine 10 .
[0026] Positioned between shaft 18 and housing 70 is bearing 72 . Bearing 72 is a foil bearing that includes bearing sleeve 74 , bearing foil 76 , and bearing journal 78 . Bearing foil 76 is positioned between bearing sleeve 74 and bearing journal 78 . Bearing sleeve 74 forms an outer surface of bearing 72 and bearing journal 78 forms an inner surface of bearing 72 . The inner surface of bearing journal 78 faces shaft 18 . Cavity 84 is formed between shaft 18 and the inner surface of bearing journal 78 . Cooling air flow can be routed through cavity 84 to cool bearing 72 . The cooling air flow can then exit through opening 86 . Opening 86 is an opening through bearing journal 78 between fan blade 30 and housing 70 . After cooling air flows through opening 86 it can be discharged from air cycle machine 10 into an ambient.
[0027] Positioned in cavity 84 around shaft 18 is air deflector 100 . Air deflector 100 is mounted on shaft 18 so that it rotates with shaft 18 around central axis 20 . Air deflector 100 includes body 102 with first body portion 110 , ramp portion 112 , and second body portion 114 . Ramp portion 112 is positioned between first body portion 110 and second body portion 114 . Ramp portion 112 has a conical shape with an incline to force cooling air flowing through cavity 84 into an area between second body portion 114 and the inner surface of bearing journal 78 .
[0028] Air deflector 100 transfers heat out of bearing 72 by forcing the cooling air closer to the inner surface of bearing journal 78 . This allows for convective heat transfer, as heat is being transferred into the air that is flowing across the inner surface of bearing journal 78 . The cooling air flow that is flowing through cavity 84 between the second body portion 114 of air deflector 100 and bearing journal 78 flows through opening 86 where it is discharged out of air cycle machine 10 . This discharges heat from bearing 72 into an ambient through the cooling air flow.
[0029] Without air deflector 100 , bearing 72 would be cooled by flowing air through cavity 84 . That cooling method would be inefficient, as cooling air flowing through cavity 84 would have a large area through which it flows. A majority of the cooling air would flow through the center of cavity 84 between shaft 18 and journal bearing 68 . This would make the cooling method inefficient, as a majority of the cooling air would not come into contact with the inner surface of bearing journal 78 .
[0030] Air deflector 100 is advantageous over prior art cooling systems, as the cooling air flow is forced into a smaller area between second body portion 114 of air deflector 100 and the inner surface of bearing journal 78 . This increases the effectiveness and efficiency of the convective heat transfer, as more cooling air flow is coming into contact with the inner surface of bearing journal 78 . Air deflector 100 thus improves the cooling of bearing 72 to make bearing 72 more reliable.
[0031] Air deflector 100 also provides several advantages for air cycle machine 10 . First, air deflector 100 makes air cycle machine 10 more effective, as less cooling air flow is needed to cool bearing 72 . This means less cooling air flow needs to be routed away from the main flow path through air cycle machine 10 , thus improving the overall efficiency of air cycle machine 10 . Second, as more air is kept in the main flow path through air cycle machine 10 , the heat exchanger has to do less work. This means the size and weight of the heat exchanger can be reduced. The improved efficiency and effectiveness of air cycle machine 10 with air deflector 100 outweighs any concerns about the weight or cost of adding air deflector 100 to air cycle machine 10 . Air deflector 100 greatly improves the thermodynamic performance of air that is flowing through air cycle machine 10 .
[0032] 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.
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A rotary machine includes a shaft extending through the rotary machine; a bearing positioned around the shaft; and an air deflector mounted on the shaft between the bearing and the shaft, wherein the air deflector has a first cylindrical body portion that is connected to a second cylindrical body portion with a ramp portion. A method for cooling a bearing positioned around a rotating shaft includes providing air to a cavity that surrounds a rotating shaft; deflecting the air towards an inner surface of a bearing that is positioned radially outward of the rotating shaft, wherein the air is deflected with an air deflector that is mounted on the rotating shaft; and flowing the air between an outer surface of the air deflector and the inner surface of the bearing.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-189256, filed on Jun. 28, 2004, the entire content of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) control unit for an internal combustion engine, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an EGR control unit that avoids an increase in a surge (torque fluctuations).
2. Description of Related Art
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-048011, surge level index calculating means is provided for calculating a surge level index to detect a surge occurring in the engine on the basis of information related to an angular velocity of an engine crankshaft, and surge-level determining means is provided for determining the surge level from a comparison between the surge level index and a determination threshold. Accordingly, an opening degree of an EGR valve is controlled on the basis of the change in the surge level and the surge level.
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-048011, for controlling the opening degree of the EGR valve, particularly a step motor type EGR valve, a basic amount of EGR based on an engine speed and an engine load is multiplied by a limit value based on a target value which is increased/decreased on the basis of a change in a surge level and the surge level, thereby to calculate the amount of the EGR. Then, based on the amount of EGR, a motor target position of the step motor type EGR valve is determined. The step motor type EGR valve is driven according to a comparison result between the motor target position and a current motor position.
Also in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-199454, an atmospheric pressure and an intake negative pressure are monitored, respectively and a ratio of an exhaust pressure to an intake pressure is calculated and divided by the flow of EGR in order to calculate an effective opening area, thereby estimating a shift in an opening area of the EGR valve (initial stage/degradation).
When the surge increase is detected to correct the amount of the EGR, it is difficult to properly determine a correction amount of feedback unless different correcting methods are used between a case that a tolerance ratio of the EGR due to an environmental change is reduced and a case that the opening area of the EGR valve is shifted (initial stage/degradation). For this reason, in the multiplication correction (gain correction) disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-048011, it is possible to deal only with an environmental change. However, it is difficult to deal with the shift of the opening area of the EGR valve. When an operating point is shifted, the surge increase continues until the surge level determination is performed again.
As another method of correcting the opening area of the EGR valve, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-199454, the atmospheric pressure and the intake negative pressure are monitored respectively, thereby estimating the shift of the opening area of the EGR valve. However, it is necessary to provide an atmospheric pressure sensor and an intake negative pressure sensor, thus increasing complexity and cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an EGR control unit for an internal combustion engine. The surge increase is caused by the environment change and the component variation, and tends to occur when the environment change and the component variation are combined. In the invention, an EGR ratio is minimized, so that the surge increase due to the environment change is eliminated. Accordingly, in the present invention, it is possible to reliably deal with the surge increase due to the component variation.
In a feature the present invention, a surge-increase index is calculated on the basis of rotational fluctuations in the engine, then the surge-increase index is compared with a determination threshold to determine the presence or absence of the surge increase, then a correction value with respect to a target amount of EGR is calculated on the basis of the determination of the presence of the surge increase, and then the correction value is added to or subtracted from the target amount of the EGR to correct the target amount of the EGR.
When the surge increase caused by the shift of the opening area of the EGR valve occurs, a proper correspondence with the correction value is achieved by performing an addition/subtraction correction, namely an offset correction, resulting in a good balance of fuel efficiency and drivability.
According to a feature of the invention, a surge-increase index is calculated on the basis of engine rotation fluctuations, then the surge-increase index and a determination threshold are compared to determined the presence or absence of the surge increase, and then a correction value for a target amount of EGR is calculated on the basis of the determination of the presence of the surge increase. Then, the correction value is added to/subtracted from the target amount of the EGR to correct the target amount of the EGR. Thereby, an addition/subtraction correction, namely an offset correction is performed for the surge increase caused by the shift of the opening area of the EGR valve, and therefore it is possible to properly correspond the addition/subtraction correction to a correction value and a good balance of fuel efficiency and drivability (surge reduction) is obtained.
According to another feature of the invention, during the ignition ON position, whenever the presence of the surge increase is determined, a predetermined value is added to the correction value to increase the correction value, thereby avoiding the surge increase with reliability.
According to a further feature of the invention, by providing a limiter for limiting the correction value to a maximum value when the correction value exceeds a predetermined maximum value, it is possible to prevent overcorrection.
According to yet another feature of the invention, when the ignition is shifted from OFF to ON or is started, by changing the correction value to a predetermined initial value, with consideration to the fact that surge increase does not occur unless the environmental changes and the component variations overlap inconveniently, it is possible to avoid the undue correction produced from the history, and to simplify the memory function during the ignition OFF state.
According to an additional feature of the invention, regardless of an operation condition in which the presence of the surge increase is determined, the correction value is used to correct the target amount of the EGR in all operation conditions, thus performing a simple control by allowing for the characteristics of component variations.
According to still another feature of the embodiment, instead of the target amount of the EGR, a target EGR-valve-opening area or a target number of steps is used to calculate, as the correction value, an alternative correction value for the target EGR-valve-opening area or the target number of the steps is calculated, then the correction value is added to/subtracted from the target EGR-valve-opening area or the target number of the steps to correct the target EGR-valve-opening area or the target number of the steps, that is, the amount of feedback correction does not correspond to the opening degree, but corresponds to the target EGR-valve-opening area or the target number of the steps. Thereby, it is possible to reliably deal with the shift in the opening area of the EGR valve, and further, even when the component characteristics such as a diameter of the EGR valve and a stroke are changed, it is possible to deal with the changed component characteristics by modifying the opening area and the number-of-steps characteristics, resulting in reduction of adapting processes.
According to an aspect of the invention, an EGR control unit for an internal combustion engine includes an EGR passage configured to recirculate a portion of an exhaust gas from an exhaust system to an intake system, an EGR valve disposed in the EGR passage configured to control an amount of EGR, an index calculator configured to calculate a surge-increase index according to a variance in rotation of the engine, a detector configured to compare the surge-increase index with a determination threshold to detect a surge increase, a corrector configured to calculate a correction value relative to a target amount of the EGR according to an output of the detector, an adjuster configured to adjust a correction value relative to a target amount of the EGR according to an output of the detector, and a target-amount calculator configured to calculate the target amount of the EGR by subtracting the correction value from a reference target amount of the EGR determined based upon an engine operating condition.
In another aspect of the invention, the adjuster may be configured to increase the correction value by a predetermined value every time the detector detects the surge increase while an ignition is ON.
In a further aspect of the invention, a limiter configured to limit the correction value to a maximum value when the correction value exceeds a predetermined maximum value, may be provided.
In an additional aspect of the invention, an initializer may be provided to set the correction value at a predetermined initial value when an engine is started.
In still another aspect of the invention, the target amount calculator may be further configured to apply the correction value adjusted by the adjuster in one operating condition to the reference target amount of the EGR in all operating conditions.
Another aspect of the invention provides a corrector configured to calculate a correction value relative to an opening area of the EGR valve according to an output of the detector, and an adjuster configured to adjust the correction value to correct the target opening area of the EGR valve.
Still another aspect of the invention provides a step motor that drives the EGR valve, a corrector configured to calculate a correction value relative to a target number of steps of the step motor according to an output of detector, and an adjuster configured to adjust the correction value to correct the target number of steps of the step motor.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for controlling EGR, the method including calculating a surge-increase index according to a variance in rotation of the engine, comparing the surge-increase index with a determination threshold to detect a surge increase, adjusting a correction value relative to a target amount of the EGR according to an output of the comparing, and calculating the target amount of the EGR by subtracting the correction value from a reference target amount of the EGR determined based upon an engine operating condition.
In another aspect of the invention the adjusting may increase the correction value by a predetermined value every time the comparing detects the surge increase while an ignition is turned ON.
In still another aspect of the invention, limiting the correction value to a maximum value when the correction value exceeds a predetermined maximum value may be performed. Additionally, setting the correction value to a predetermined initial value when an engine is started may be performed.
In yet another aspect of the invention, applying the adjusted correction value in one operating condition to the reference target amount of the EGR in all operating conditions may be performed.
Another aspect of the invention provides an EGR control unit having an EGR passage configured to recirculate a portion of an exhaust gas from an exhaust system to an intake system, an EGR valve disposed in the EGR passage configured to control an amount of EGR, a calculator configured to calculate a surge-increase index according to a variance in rotation of the engine, a detector configured to compare the surge-increase index with a determination threshold to detect a surge increase, a corrector configured to calculate a correction value according to an output of the detector, and an adjuster configured to adjust the correction value.
According to another feature of the invention, the corrector may be configured to calculate the correction value relative to a target opening area of the EGR valve, and the adjuster may be configured to adjust the correction value to correct the target opening area of the EGR valve.
According to a further feature of the invention, the corrector may be configured to calculate the correction value relative to a target number of steps of the step motor, and the adjuster may be configured to adjust the correction value to correct the target number of the steps of the step motor.
According to still a further feature of the invention, the corrector may be configured to calculate the correction value relative to a target amount of the EGR according to an output of the detector, and the adjuster may be configured to adjust the correction value to correct the target amount of the EGR.
Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of an engine illustrating an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exemplary flowchart of a correction routine for EGR control (a target number of steps);
FIG. 3 is an exemplary timing chart of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an exemplary graph showing the relationship between the number of steps and the EGR flow;
FIG. 5 is an exemplary map of engine speeds and engine loads in each gear position for calculating a determination threshold;
FIG. 6 is an exemplary map of engine speeds and engine loads for calculating a reference target number of steps; and
FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart of an initialization routine for EGR control.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following will explain, with reference to the above-described drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which like characters represent like elements. The particulars shown herein are by way of illustrative example of the embodiments of the invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual versions of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.
FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a vehicle engine (internal combustion engine) illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. Air is introduced from an air cleaner 2 via an intake duct 3 , a throttle valve 4 and an intake manifold 5 into the combustion chamber of each of cylinders of an engine 1 . A fuel injection valve 6 is provided for each cylinder in each branch portion of the intake manifold 5 . Note that the fuel injection valve 6 may be placed in a position directly facing the combustion chamber.
The fuel injection valve 6 is an electromagnetic fuel injection valve (injector) which is opened by power supply to a solenoid and closed by stopping the power supply thereto, and is opened by being energized by a drive pulse signal sent from an engine control unit (hereinafter referred to as “ECU”) 12 which will described later, to inject and supply fuel which has been pressure-delivered from a fuel pump (not shown) and then adjusted to a predetermined pressure by a pressure regulator.
A spark plug 7 is provided in each combustion chamber of the engine 1 , thereby creating a spark to ignite and burn a mixture. An ignition timing of the spark plug 7 is also controlled by the ECU 12 .
An exhaust gas from each combustion chamber of the engine 1 is discharged through an exhaust manifold 8 . An EGR passage 9 diverges from the exhaust manifold 8 , thereby recirculating a portion of the exhaust gas through an EGR valve 10 into the intake manifold 5 . An opening degree of the EGR valve 10 is also controlled by the ECU 12 .
In a non-limiting embodiment, the ECU 12 is equipped with a computer including, e.g., a CPU, ROM, RAM, an A/D converter, an I/O interface and the like, and receives input signals from various sensors (described below), and controls the operations of the fuel injection valve 6 , the spark plug 7 , the EGR valve 10 and the like.
The various sensors may be provided as follows: a crank angle sensor 13 that generates a reference crank angle signal (REF signal) at every 180° turn of an crank angle, in the case of four cylinders, in synchronization with a crankshaft rotation of the engine 1 , and is capable of detecting an engine speed “Ne” from the period of the “REF” signal; an air flow meter 14 that detects an intake air quantity “Qa” in the intake duct 3 ; a throttle sensor 15 detecting an opening degree “TVO” of the throttle valve 4 ; a water-temperature sensor 16 detecting a cooling water temperature “Tw” of the engine 1 ; a vehicle speed sensor 17 detecting a vehicle speed “VSP;” further an ignition switch (IG/SW) 18 ; and the like.
An output shaft of the engine 1 is coupled to an automatic transmission (not shown) equipped with a torque converter with a lockup clutch. A control unit for controlling the automatic transmission (hereinafter referred to as “A/T-CU”) 20 is connected through a communication line with the ECU 12 . The ECU 12 receives inputs of gear position information and lockup information from the A/T-CU 20 .
The ECU 12 controls the EGR valve 10 as follows. A target amount of EGR (EGR ratio) which is set based on operation conditions (readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to include, but not be limited to, e.g., engine speed, intake air quantity, throttle position, cooling water temperature and vehicle speed) of the engine 1 is converted to a target opening area of the EGR valve, then the target opening area of the EGR valve is converted to an opening degree of the EGR valve, and then the EGR valve 10 is controlled on the basis of the opening degree of the EGR valve. When the EGR valve 10 is driven by a step motor, a target EGR amount (ratio) is converted to a target number of steps, and the EGR valve 10 is controlled on the basis of the target number of the steps.
In this connection, in the present invention, a surge increase index is calculated on the basis of the rotational fluctuations in the engine, then the surge increase index is compared with a determination threshold (described below) to determine the presence or absence of a surge increase, and then a target amount of EGR (a target opening area of the EGR valve or a target number of steps) is corrected on the basis of the determination of the presence of the surge increase, thereby avoiding an increase in a surge.
There are, however, various factors that may cause fluctuations in the amount of EGR, such as an environmental change (atmospheric pressure, humidity, intake-air temperature), intake-air measurement, the opening area of the EGR valve, and the isolating of the factors is difficult even when the surge increases.
If the object to which the correspondence control (described supra) is applied after the determination of the increase in surge is not selected carefully, a false correspondence results. For example, when a surge increase due to the variation in the opening area of the EGR valve occurs, the surge increase improves by correcting the variation of the opening area. If the target EGR ratio, however, is corrected, the surge is terminated in a certain region but increases at another operating point because the opening area and the EGR ratio differ according to the operating point.
On the other hand, when a combustion limit (i.e., the ratio of tolerance to EGR) decreases due to an environmental change, if the correspondence is applied to the opening area of the EGR valve, a false correspondence may result because the opening area and the EGR ratio differ according to the operating point.
A possible solution of the above-mentioned problem is to increase the feedback frequency. However, a wrong surge increase index may be calculated because of acceleration/deceleration or a change in running resistance. It is impossible to take measures against the surge increase during vehicle travel in which no surge determination is permitted.
Therefore, according to a feature of the present invention, adaptation is accomplished (i.e., the EGR ratio is minimized) in such a way as to prevent the surge increase even during environmental changes or variations in intake-air measurements, and thus the surge increase caused by variations in the opening area of the EGR valve is detected. Then, a correction value is calculated for a target opening area of the EGR valve or a target number of steps, and then an addition/subtraction correction (i.e., offset correction) is performed on the target opening area of the EGR valve or the target number of steps, thereby avoiding a surge. More specifically, when the valve position of the EGR valve is shifted within the range close to the open position with respect to the reference opening area, the opening area or the number of steps is corrected through a subtraction, thereby terminating the surge. It is evident to those of ordinary skill in the art that because the component characteristics (i.e., the opening area of the EGR valve) vary, the correction value for the opening area or the number of steps may be changed in all the operational areas without variation.
Next, an example of specific control will be described with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is an exemplary flow chart of a correction routine for EGR control (a target number of steps) which is executed every 10 ms in time synchronization by the ECU 12 .
At S 1 , a surge-increase index “FILD” per unit time is calculated on the basis of rotational fluctuations in the engine.
More specifically, a period “TREF” (ms) of a “REF” signal is measured in another routine executed in rotation synchronization (an interruption by a REF signal), and based on the period TREF, engine speed Ne(rpm)=30/TREF (in the case of a four-cylinder engine) is calculated. Then, the amount of fluctuations of the engine speed Ne is calculated and assumed as a surge-increase index FILD.
Note that since the rotational fluctuations in the engine include a noise component irrelevant to combustion stability, the noise component is eliminated by a method as known in commonly-assigned Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 7-259627 and its U.S. family member, U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,336, both of which the entire content is expressly incorporated by reference herein. In other words, so that the quality of combustion stability is reflected to the frequency characteristics of rotational fluctuations, even though the rotational fluctuations in the engine are detected, from the detected rotational-fluctuation components the noise component coming from an error introduced in a process for the crank angle sensor is eliminated through a first BPF (Band Pass Filter), and a first BRF (Band Reject Filter) normalized by engine rotation frequency. Further, through a second BGF in which a gear ratio is detected and a coefficient is set according to the detected gear ratio, a noise component coming from deformation in a vehicle drive system is eliminated. Further, the rotation fluctuation component (frequency component) causing vibration making persons unpleasant is filtered through the second BPF, and then an effective value calculation is performed on the thus obtained signal to calculate a surge increase index FILD.
At S 2 , a determination is made whether or not the vehicle is in a stable state. At this point, whether or not the vehicle is in a stable state is determined by whether or not all of the following conditions (1) to (5) are satisfied.
(1) The vehicle state is in the EGR region (EGRQ>0). In other words, the vehicle state is in the process of performing EGR.
(2) A difference between a target EGR ratio and an actual EGR ratio is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In other words, the condition is that the EGR control is terminated, namely not in a transient state.
(3) The same transmission gear position is held continuously for a predetermined amount of time. In other words, the condition is that the gear is not in the process of being shifted.
(4) A basic amount of fuel injection “Tp” calculated on the basis of the amount of cylinder intake air is within a predetermined range.
(5) The vehicle is in steady running (#FCNST2=1).
#FCNST2 is calculated in the following conditions (5-1) to (5-3):
(5-1) Determination of a change in a vehicle speed (DVSP)
When DVSP≧a predetermined value is obtained continuously a predetermined number of times, #FDVLLC=1 is assumed.
When DVSP≧a predetermined value is obtained continuously a predetermined number of times, #FDVLLC=0 is assumed.
(5-2) Determination of a change in rotation (DNe)
When DNe≧a predetermined value obtained continuously a predetermined number of times, #FDNLLC=1 is assumed.
When DNe≧a predetermined value obtained continuously a predetermined number of times, #FDNLLC=0 is assumed.
(5-3) Determination of steady running
When the state of #FDVLLC=1 (a small change in a vehicle speed) continues for a predetermined time period in the non-lockup state, or alternatively when the state of #FDNLLC=1 (a small change in rotation) continues for a predetermined time period in the lockup state, #FCNST 2=1 (steady running) is assumed.
When the state of #FDVLLC=0 (a large change in a vehicle speed) continues for a predetermined time period in the non-lockup state, or alternatively when the state of #FDNLLC=0 (a large change in rotation) continues for a predetermined time period in the lockup state, #FCNST 2=0 (unsteady running) is assumed.
On the other hand, if as a result of the above determinations, the vehicle is out of the stable state, that is, if any of the conditions (1) to (5) are not satisfied, the procedure goes to S 3 and S 4 to respectively set zero for a surge-increase index (integration value) SFILD and zero for an integration time TIME, and a current target-number-of-steps correction value “ELCFB” (initial value is zero) remains and the procedure goes to S 15 described later.
As a result of the determinations, if the vehicle is in the stable state, that is, if the conditions (1) to (5) are all satisfied, the procedure goes to S 5 .
At S 5 , as the following equation expresses, a latest surge-increase index FILD per unit time is added to a surge-increase index (integration value) “SFILD.”
SFILD=SFILD(a value of the previous time)+FILD
At S 6 , as the following equation expresses, an execution time interval Δt of the routine is added to the integration time TIME.
TIME=TIME(a value of the previous time)+Δt
At S 7 , a determination is made whether or not the integration time TIME reaches a predetermined sampling time TIME 0 (e.g. 2 sec).
If the integration time TIME does not reach the predetermined sampling time, there is no change, that is, the procedure goes to S 15 described later while the current target-number-of-steps correction value ELCFB (initial value is zero) is retained.
If the integration time TIME reaches the predetermined sampling time (when TIME≧TIME 0 ), the procedure goes to S 8 .
At S 8 , the integration time TIME is cleared (TIME=0).
At S 9 , from a map of engine speeds and engine loads in each gear position, a determination threshold “ELSL” for determining the surge increase is calculated.
FIG. 5 is an exemplary set of maps of engine speeds and engine loads (each combination being an operating point or operation condition as described herein) in each gear position for calculating a determination threshold. As shown in FIG. 5 , the map is typically a series of X-Y grids, from which the determination thresholds may be retrieved, e.g., according to a corresponding ELSL quadrant, or by interpolation between corresponding ELSL nodes.
It is evident to those of ordinary skill in the art that the determination thresholds corresponding to the operating conditions may be dependent upon many factors, including the geometry of the engine, and may be different for each engine configuration and different for the goals of the engine design (e.g., depending on a balance of desired performance, efficiency, emissions, surge suppression, and/or other goals). The invention does not depend upon the particular criteria considered in setting determination thresholds for the map. As noted herein, the determination threshold is generally set at a level where the surge-increase index, which is determined according to measurements relating to rotational fluctuations in the engine, is at a level such that the operation of the engine is deemed to be in a surge-increase state, and would benefit from a change in the amount of opening of the EGR valve.
At S 10 , the surge-increase index (integration value) SFILD and the determination threshold ELSL are compared to determine whether or not SFILD≧ELSL (surge-increase state).
If SFILD<ELSL is established, namely the surge-increase state is not established, the procedure goes to S 14 (described later) while the current target-number-of-steps correction value ELCFB (an initial value is zero) is retained.
If SFILD≧ELSL is established, namely the surge-increase state is established, the procedure goes to S 11 .
At S 11 , as the following equation expresses, a predetermined value ΔS is added to the target-number-of-steps correction value ELCFB.
ELCFB=ELCFB(a value at the previous time)+ΔS
At this point, the initial value of the target-number-of-steps correction value ELCFB is zero, as shown in FIG. 7 , and the initialization is performed when the ignition is changed from OFF to ON.
Further, the predetermined value ΔS is set at a minimum number of steps, and the switching between 1-phase excitation and 2-phase excitation is possible. If the drive at every 0.5 steps by 1-phase excitation (weak excitation) is possible, the predetermined value ΔS is set at 0.5, for example.
At S 12 , the target-number-of-steps correction value ELCFB is compared with a predetermined maximum value “ELCFBMX” to determine whether or not ELCFB>ELCFBMX. If NO, any change is not made. If YES, ELCFB=ELCFBMX is established (as a limit) in S 13 . Thereafter, the procedure goes to S 14 . Note that the maximum value ELCFBMX results from the conversion of flow fluctuations caused by the variation of an assumed maximum opening area of the EGR valve into the number of steps, for example, 1.5 steps is assumed.
At S 14 , the surge-increase index (integration value) SFILD is cleared (SFILD=0) for the next integration.
At S 15 , as the following equation expresses, the target-number-of-steps correction value ELCFB (offset) is subtracted from a reference target number of steps which is determined based upon the engine speed and the engine load, thereby obtaining a final target number of steps.
Target number of steps=reference target number of steps-ELCFB
It should be noted that the correction value ELCFB employed in step S 15 can be used at any operating condition, not just the operating condition in which the surge increase was detected. Operating conditions that use the correction value ELCFB are not limited to the operating condition at which the correction value ELCFB is calculated. When the surge increase is detected in one operation condition, the correction value ELCFB can be used to correct the target amount of EGR in all operation conditions.
FIG. 6 is an exemplary map of engine speeds and engine loads (each combination being an operating point or operation condition as described herein) in for calculating the reference target number of steps. As shown in FIG. 5 , the map is typically an X-Y grid, from which the reference target number of steps may be retrieved, e.g., according to a corresponding reference target number of steps quadrant, or by interpolation between corresponding reference target number of steps nodes.
It is evident to those of ordinary skill in the art that the reference target numbers of steps corresponding to the operating conditions may be dependent upon many factors, including the geometry of the engine and EGR valve, and may be different for each engine and EGR valve configuration and different for the goals of the engine design (e.g., depending on a balance of desired performance, efficiency, emissions, surge suppression, and/or other goals). The invention does not depend upon the particular criteria considered in setting reference target numbers of steps for the map. As noted herein, the reference target number of steps is generally set at a higher (e.g., close to open) level, and the ELCFB correction is used to decrease the reference target number of steps.
By determining the target number of the steps in this manner, a command signal is output to the step motor for driving the EGR valve.
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary timing chart for EGR control, in which when the surge level changes toward an increasing state and the surge-increase index (integration value) SFILD exceeds the determination value threshold, the target-number-of-steps correction value ELCFB is increased from the initial value (0) to the predetermined value ΔS, and the target number of the steps is corrected toward a decrease side corresponding to the increase.
FIG. 4 shows a contrast between gain correction, which lacks the offset correction employed by the invention, and the offset correction employed by the invention. In FIG. 4 , the graph depicts a relationship between the number of the steps and the EGR flow. As shown in FIG. 4 , when flow increases with respect to a design center value due to, e.g., component variations, according to an embodiment of the invention, a surge increase is detected and the target number of the steps undergoes an offset correction, thereby making it possible to bring the EGR flow characteristics back to the design center value. However, in gain correction, it is nearly impossible to bring the EGR flow characteristics back to the design center value.
Although when the surge increase is detected in one operation condition, the adjuster is further configured to adjust the correction value to correct the target amount of the EGR in all operation conditions.
It is noted that appropriate data for generating the maps of FIGS. 5 and 6 can be empirically determined or modeled, but the generation of the maps of FIGS. 5 and 6 for a particular engine configuration or EGR valve configuration is a task that can be carried out by the exercise of ordinary skill.
It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its versions. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular structures, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Alternative structures discussed for the purpose of highlighting the invention's advantages do not constitute prior art unless expressly so identified. No one or more features of the present invention are necessary or critical unless otherwise specified.
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An EGR control method and unit for an internal combustion engine includes an EGR passage configured to recirculate a portion of an exhaust gas from an exhaust system to an intake system. An EGR valve, disposed in the EGR passage, is configured to control an amount of EGR, and an index calculator is configured to calculate a surge-increase index according to a variance in rotation of the engine. A detector is configured to compare the surge-increase index with a determination threshold to detect a surge increase, an adjuster is configured to adjust a correction value relative to a target amount of the EGR according to an output of the detector, and a target-amount calculator is configured to calculate the target amount of the EGR by subtracting the correction value from a reference target amount of the EGR determined based upon an engine operating condition.
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CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/937,077, filed on Feb. 7, 2014, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Camping is a popular pastime and activity. Often times, campers will go hiking or fishing or engage in other activities where their clothing and footwear may become wet or soiled. It is often not desirable to place the wet or soiled items inside the tent cabin where the camper is sleeping. It is also often not desirable to place the wet or soiled items in a vehicle upon leaving the campsite. What is needed is a functional door mat for a tent wherein a camper can wipe their feet and remove their wet or soiled footwear and/or clothing prior to entering the tent cabin or once just inside the tent cabin. The door mat would further include storage compartments in which the wet or soiled items could be stored during the camping trip and the return trip home. This would free up interior space within the tent and would also assist in maintaining the cleanliness of the tent interior as well as the interior of the user's vehicle. The door mat and integrated storage compartments would fold up for easy transport and storage.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
[0004] In an embodiment described herein, a camp mat comprises a flexible base having first and second opposing longitudinal ends and first and second layers, two storage compartments are attached to the flexible base, one at each opposing longitudinal end. Each compartment comprises four lateral panels, defining a cavity therein, the four lateral panels attached to the base and extending upward from said base. In a first position, the camp mat is in a flat expanded configuration and the compartments are spaced apart from each other. In a second collapsed position, the compartments are adjacent each other. Each compartment has a top panel for selectively controlling access to the compartment cavity, the top panel may be hingedly connected to one of the four lateral panels and may include a closure mechanism. Each compartment includes a handle, the handles of each compartment being capable of attaching to each other when said camp mat is in the second collapsed position.
[0005] In embodiments described herein, the camp mat comprises at least one storage compartment attached to the top face of a flexible base and extending upward therefrom. The storage compartment comprises at least two lateral panels defining a cavity and at least one reinforcing member for the cavity. The storage compartment further comprises a top panel for selectively controlling access to the cavity. The top panel may be hingedly connected to one of the at least two lateral panels. A closure mechanism such as a zipper may be provided to secure the top panel to the storage compartment. The camp mat also comprises a handle attached to the at least one storage compartment.
[0006] For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the storage mat of the present invention, shown in use outside of a tent.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the storage mat of FIG. 1 , shown with phantom structural lines.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows a close up view of a storage compartment of the mat of FIG. 1 .
[0010] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the storage mat of FIG. 1 in an expanded configuration.
[0011] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the storage mat of FIG. 1 in a partially collapsed configuration.
[0012] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the storage mat of FIG. 1 in a collapsed configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.
[0014] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a camp mat 10 for a tent or shelter T. Camp mat 10 includes base 12 , first storage compartment 14 and second storage compartment 16 . Base 12 comprises top layer 18 and bottom layer 20 . Bottom layer 20 is attached to the underside of top layer 18 . Top layer 18 is preferably a carpet fabric or polyethylene fabric but it is also possible to use a natural fiber like coconut fibers as long as the material is durable and textured to assist in wiping the bottoms of footwear. Bottom layer 20 is preferably a polyethylene fabric having a polyurethane coating or other backing material having similar water proof characteristics to protect mat 10 when it is laying on the ground. Top layer 18 and bottom layer 20 are attached to each other by stitching. It is also possible for top layer and bottom layer to be attached by use of an adhesive. As shown in FIG. 2 , base 12 is generally rectangular in shape to maximize the functional space available for a door mat as well as storage. It is within the scope of the invention, however for base 12 to have shapes other than rectangular such as semi-circular, oval and the like.
[0015] First storage compartment 14 is located at a first longitudinal end 12 a of base. Second storage compartment 16 is located at a second, opposing longitudinal end 12 b of base. First storage compartment 14 and second storage compartment 16 preferably have the same construction so the description herein will be made with reference to a single storage compartment but it should be understood that the same or similar construction will apply to both storage compartments 14 and 16 .
[0016] First storage compartment 14 comprises front 24 , back 26 , first end 28 a, second end 28 b, top 30 and bottom 32 . Front 24 , back 26 , first end 28 a and second end 28 b are connected to each other in a generally rectangular configuration as shown in FIGS. 2-4 to form upstanding perimeter 22 of storage compartment 14 . Upstanding perimeter 22 is attached to bottom 32 and defines a cavity 33 therein ( FIG. 2 ). Top 30 is hingedly attached along the upper edge of back 26 but unattached along the upper edge of first end 28 a, front 24 and second end 28 b to allow access to cavity 33 when in a first, open position and to close off access to cavity 33 when in a second, closed position. Although it is preferred that top 30 is hingedly attached to back 26 for ease of use and maximum access to cavity 33 , it is within the scope of the invention for top 30 to be hingedly attached to any one of front 24 , back 26 , first end 28 a or second end 28 b and unattached on the remaining three sides.
[0017] Closure mechanism 34 is provided around the upper rim 22 a where top 30 abuts the upper edge of upstanding perimeter 22 but is not hingedly attached. The preferred closure mechanism 34 is a zipper, but other means knows in the industry such as hook and loop material, toggles, snaps and the like could similarly be used. If closure mechanism 34 comprises a zipper, the corners of upstanding perimeter 22 are preferably rounded to enable the zipper to function more smoothly, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
[0018] As shown in FIG. 3 , flap 36 extends around the unhinged portion of upper rim 22 a to protect closure mechanism 34 from dirt and moisture. Although is it preferred for top 30 to be hingedly connected to upstanding perimeter 22 along one side, it is also within the scope of the invention for top 30 to be completely removable from storage compartment 14 such that there are no hinged attachment points (not shown). In such case, storage compartment 14 could still have flap 36 which would extend around the entire upper rim 22 a of upstanding perimeter 22 and provide protection to closure mechanism 34 . In this embodiment, closure mechanism 34 would act to retain top 30 onto upstanding perimeter 22 and would similarly extend around the entire upper rim 22 a or could include a plurality of closure mechanism spaced apart from each other around the length of upper rim 22 a. Appropriate closure mechanisms would include any closures known in the industry such as hook and loop material, snaps, magnets or the like.
[0019] Storage compartment 14 is preferably made of 150 denier poly with a polyurethane coating. Other suitable materials include nylon and 300 denier poly and materials having similar characteristics. To create upstanding perimeter 22 , at least one of front 24 , back 26 , first end 28 a and second end 28 b preferably comprises a foam reinforcement member or other stiffener member. Appropriate materials would include a PE or PVC foam as well as plastic stiffener members. The foam or stiffeners would preferably be sewn between the faces of the fabric. It is also within the scope of the invention to include stiffener members or rods in at least one corner of upstanding perimeter 22 to provide a semi-rigid structure and maintain the height of the compartment (not shown).
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2-4 , back 26 is preferably slightly taller in height than front 24 , with first end 28 a and second end 28 b transitioning in height along their lengths respectively to assist in folding of mat 10 for storage and transport. It is certainly within the scope of the invention, however, for back 26 to be the same height as front 24 . Additionally, although storage compartment 14 is shown in a preferred generally rectangular shape to maximize storage space and mat space, other shapes are within the scope of the invention provided the shape of storage compartment corresponds to the contour of mat 10 . Mat 10 is preferably sized to fit across the front of a conventional-sized tent but no specific dimensions are required.
[0021] Storage compartment 14 includes handle 38 which is preferably a strip of webbing material such as nylon or polypropylene. Handle 38 is stitched to base 12 where front 24 abuts mat 10 but could also be secured to base 12 with adhesive. As shown in FIG. 3 , handle 38 comprises a securing mechanism 40 to secure handle to storage compartment 14 when mat 10 is in the expanded configuration and in use as a tent door mat. When mat 10 is in the folded configuration for transport, the handles 38 a and 38 b can be secured to each other with mating securing mechanisms 40 such as hook and loop material.
[0022] Mat 10 further includes loops 42 a, 42 b, 42 c and 42 d located at the corners of mat 10 to allow mat 10 to be secured to the ground surface by driving stakes through the loops 42 a - 42 d . Loops 42 a - 42 d are preferably made of webbing material or canvas commonly used in the industry. Loops additionally may have a securing mechanism such as hook and loop material to enable loops located on opposite longitudinal ends of base 12 a, 12 b to be secured to the corresponding loop (e.g. 42 a with 42 d and 42 b with 42 c ) when mat is in the collapsed and folded configuration. The securing mechanisms (not shown) function to retain the non-handled side of the storage compartments secured to each other for transport. Although not shown, mat 10 may include additional pockets, bungee cords, rings, cargo nets and other conventional organization accessories.
[0023] Storage compartments 14 and 16 are securely attached to mat 10 by stitching, although use of an adhesive could also be used. It is also within the scope of the invention for upstanding perimeter 22 to not be attached to bottom 32 and for the mat to not include a separate bottom 32 member. In this case, storage compartments 14 and 16 would be secured directly to the top layer 18 of base (not shown).
[0024] Mat 10 is useful as a door mat and as storage in a first, expanded configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 4 . When the user is ready to leave the campsite, the user grabs handles 38 a and 38 b and pulls up and inward which causes base 12 to fold as shown in FIG. 5 . FIG. 6 shows mat 10 in a second configuration where mat 10 is fully collapsed and folded for transport with handles 38 a, 38 b and loops 42 a, 42 d and loops 42 b, 42 c secured to each other. To deploy mat 10 , handles and loops are detached from the respective handle and loop on the opposite base end 12 a, 12 b and base 12 is expanded to lay flat.
[0025] Although two similarly sized storage compartments 14 and 16 are described herein, it is within the scope of the invention for each compartment to further contain dividers or smaller compartments for additional organization and storage. It is also within the scope of the invention for mat 10 to include multiple smaller compartments in place of the single storage compartment 14 .
[0026] Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
[0027] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
[0028] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
[0029] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
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A camp mat for a tent comprising a durable textured surface to function as a door mat, a waterproof backing to protect the camp mat when deployed on the ground and integrated storage compartments for storage of wet and soiled items outside of the tent. The storage compartment comprising selectively closable lids and also comprising handles for easy collapsing of the camp mat configuration from a flat, expanded configuration to a folded and compact configuration for transport.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to irrigation sprinklers, and more particularly, to an improved velocity control disc for an inlet valve assembly of a pop-up sprinkler.
The use of irrigation systems for watering plants where rainfall is inadequate is common throughout the world today. One of the most widely used systems, particularly for lawns and athletic fields, is a sprinkler system wherein a plurality of pop-up sprinklers are positioned about a land area for uniformly distributing water in accordance with a watering program executed by a controller. These sprinklers have a telescoping riser which retracts into a fixed sub-surface housing when not in use. When pressurized water is supplied to the sprinkler, the riser extends or pops-up from the sub-surface housing to eject a stream of water.
Sprinklers of this type are widely used on golf courses and other turf applications. These are usually high pressure systems and are frequently subjected to significant forces each time water is supplied to them, particularly when they are supplied with a high pressure combination of air and water. These high forces over a lifetime of use can damage sprinklers and reduce their useful life. The highest forces result when a sprinkler is subjected to surge conditions, such as when the system is being winterized or being refilled with water in the spring. In climates where irrigation systems are subject to freezing, the water must be removed from the system before winter. The water is purged from the system by means of compressed air. The compressed air acts much more rapidly than water and usually results in the risers shooting up rapidly with very high forces resulting in damage to the sprinklers. High surge forces also frequently occur when empty pipes are being filled with water. As the lines are being filled, air or a combination of water and air is forced into each sprinkler and vented through the same. Under these conditions the riser frequently shoots up at a high velocity and is slammed against the stationary outer housing with relatively great force.
Attempts to solve this problem by making the sprinklers heavier and stronger have been unsatisfactory because of increased costs. The dual medium of water and air makes unsatisfactory the use of slow opening valves to control the out-flow.
Another problem frequently encountered in so-called “valve-in-head” sprinklers is that large particles get trapped between the moving valve member and seat during closing of the valve. This results in continuous leakage until the sprinkler is cycled again. The valve seat can also be damaged.
Therefore, there is a need for a means for reducing the extension velocity of the riser of a pop-up sprinkler in order to prolong its life. There is also a need for a valve-in-head sprinkler design that reduces the tendency for large particles to become trapped against the valve seat.
Accordingly, it would be desirable that a sprinkler be available having a means for reducing the riser extension velocity to prevent the resultant high forces and consequential damage. It would also be desirable that a sprinkler have some means for reducing the tendency for large particles to become trapped against the valve seat.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a pop-up sprinkler having an improved inlet valve assembly for controlling riser extension velocities and reducing high forces normally resulting therefrom.
In accordance with the present invention, a pop-up sprinkler includes an outer housing having an inlet passage and an inlet for connection to a source of pressurized fluid. A riser is in the housing for moving from a normally retracted position to an operative extended position in response to fluid pressure. A pressure responsive inlet valve assembly is mounted in the outer housing adjacent the inlet passage and includes a valve seat and a valve member. The inlet valve assembly further includes a velocity control disc that is biased into engagement with the valve seat. The velocity control disc initially meters inlet fluid for limiting a rate of opening of the valve member for controlling flow of fluid through the inlet and extension of the riser to the extended position. The velocity control disc is made of an elastomeric material and is deflectable radially inwardly to accommodate debris.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a prior art pop-up sprinkler incorporating a conventional inlet valve assembly;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing further details of the inlet valve assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view showing details of the left half of a preferred embodiment of the inlet valve assembly of the present invention in its closed position;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing details of the right half of the inlet valve assembly in its open position; and
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the valve seat and velocity control disc of the inlet valve assembly of FIG. 3 when the inlet valve assembly is in its closed and a piece of grit is lodged against the valve seat and is deflecting the velocity control disc inwardly.
Throughout the drawing figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a conventional pop-up sprinkler 10 . It includes a generally cylindrical tubular outer housing 12 having a threaded inlet 14 at a lower end for mounting to the end of a threaded pipe or the like (not illustrated) connected to a supply line. The supply line is typically a PVC pipe that is connected to a source of pressurized fluid which may be water, air, or a combination of water and air. An upper outlet end of the housing 12 is provided with a split retaining ring 16 detachably mounted in an annular recess 18 for securing a retractably mounted cylindrical tubular inner housing or riser 20 .
The riser 20 (FIG. 1) is retractably mounted inside the outer housing 12 for extension upwardly therefrom. The riser 20 includes a nozzle 22 mounted in an upper or outer end thereof for distributing a stream of water therefrom. The nozzle 22 is mounted in a passage or socket 24 in a head 26 that is rotatably driven by means of a turbine 28 through a reduction gear drive train 30 , as more fully described hereafter.
The particular sprinkler 10 (FIG. 1) is designed for watering golf courses and playing fields. The nozzle 22 rotates in a partial or full circle about a central vertical axis of the outer housing 12 . A second nozzle 32 is mounted in the head 26 opposite the nozzle 22 . The nozzle 32 communicates via a port 34 with a through passage 36 to improve the distribution of the stream of water closer in to the sprinkler 10 .
The riser 20 (FIG. 1) is retractably mounted within a bore 38 of the outer housing 12 , and is oriented by a plurality of circumferentially spaced internal ribs 40 and by means of teeth 42 on radial flange 44 at the lower end thereof An elongated coil compression spring 46 engages a shoulder or flange 44 at the lower end of the riser 20 , and is confined within the bore by means of the retaining ring 16 at the upper end. The riser 20 is normally biased by the coil spring 46 to its lowermost or retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when the water pressure is shut off. The spring 46 is positioned between the annular flange 44 and a ring 48 at the upper end of the housing 12 , which biases against an outer annular seal assembly 50 retained in position by the retaining ring 16 .
The riser 20 (FIG. 1) carries the rotating head 26 from its retracted position in the outer housing 12 to an extended position above the ground surface where the head 26 rotates and distributes water. The riser 20 converges at the top with inwardly tapering walls to an opening 52 in which is rotatably mounted a tubular shaft 54 , having an upper end extending above the upper end of housing 20 and upon which the rotating head 26 is mounted. The shaft 54 serves to mount the head 26 to convey water from the inlet 14 to the outlet nozzles 22 and 32 . The shaft 54 also transfers torque from the gear drive train 30 to the rotating head 26 .
The driving assembly for rotating the head 26 is mounted in the riser 20 and includes support structure 56 having a journal 58 in which the lower end of the tubular shaft 54 is rotatably mounted. A shoulder surrounds the opening 52 and is engaged by a shoulder on rotary shaft 54 .
The turbine 28 rotates in response to water flowing upwardly through the sprinkler 10 . The turbine 28 is mounted on a shaft 60 which drivingly rotates a pinion gear which meshes with and drives a reduction gear unit 62 having a larger driven gear and a smaller pinion gear. The reduction gear unit 62 further drives a reduction gear 64 which in turn drives a reduction gear unit 66 further driving a reduction gear 68 . The reduction gear 68 is the final drive component in the reduction drive gear train 30 . The gear 68 meshes with a gear 70 on a shaft 72 for driving a pinion 74 which in turn drives an internal ring gear 76 which drives the tubular shaft 54 . inlet valve assembly 80 (FIG. 1) is mounted inside the lower end of the outer housing 12 adjacent the inlet 14 and controls fluid entering the sprinkler 10 . The valve assembly 80 also functions as a check valve in that it prevents back flow. The valve assembly 80 comprises a housing 82 (FIG. 2) which may or may not be integral with the outer housing 12 . The housing 82 is shown as a separate insert in FIG. 2 . The housing 82 is of a generally cylindrical configuration and is positioned coaxially within the bore of outer housing 12 adjacent the inlet 14 . The housing 82 includes an outer cylindrical wall 84 having an internal bore 86 in which a generally cylindrical valve member 88 is reciprocally mounted.
The valve member 88 (FIG. 2) has a generally cylindrical configuration including a circular face 90 (FIG. 1) on which is mounted an elastomeric valve seal 92 (FIG. 2) for sealingly engaging an annular valve seat 94 surrounding the inlet 14 . The valve member 88 is reciprocally mounted in the bore 86 by means of an annular seal 96 and guided by a plurality of ribs 98 . An annular retainer ring 100 threadably mounts to the interior of the valve seal 92 and retains the seal 96 in place. A coil-type spring 102 normally biases the valve member 88 to its closed or seated position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The valve member 88 (FIG. 2) closes the bore 86 forming a closed chamber 104 which is normally pressurized to maintain the valve member 88 in its closed or seated position. A rivet 106 engages a retaining and strainer washer disc 108 which engages and retains the valve seal 92 on the face of the valve member 88 . Pressurized fluid from the inlet 14 flows very slowly past slots in the edge of disc 108 via a tortuous passage through the face 90 of valve member 88 into chamber 104 and maintains the valve member 88 in its normally closed position. Further details of this construction are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,863, of Bradley M. Lousberg, granted Nov. 9, 1999, entitled, “Irrigation Control Valve and Screen”, the entire disclosure of which is specifically incorporated herein by reference.
The chamber 104 is vented via a passage 110 (FIG. 2) in the housing 82 and an outlet 112 in the outer housing 12 by a remotely controlled solenoid or hydraulically actuated valve (not shown). The outlet 112 is connected to the solenoid or hydraulically actuated valve by a hose 114 . This venting enables inlet fluid to open the valve member 88 . When the valve member 88 is in its raised open position, water from the inlet 14 can flow radially outwardly past the valve seat 94 and through flow passages between circumferentially spaced ribs 116 . When the incoming fluid is air or a mixture of air and water, the valve member 88 may open rapidly causing a very rapid extension of the riser 20 , which may damage the sprinkler 10 .
In accordance with the present invention, the sprinkler 10 has a modified inlet valve assembly 120 illustrated in FIG. 3 . An elastomeric velocity control disc 122 is mounted in overlapping fashion concentric with the circular base 124 a of a cylindrical valve member 124 . A lower valve metering assembly 126 surrounds a metal metering rod 127 . The velocity control disc 122 is sandwiched between the lower valve metering assembly 126 and the circular base 124 a of the valve member 124 . The valve member 124 is supported for vertical reciprocation by a flexible elastomeric hinge valve member 128 . The radially inward lip 128 a of the hinge valve member 128 is held against the upper circular edge of the valve member 124 by the wrap-around upper annular edge of a cylindrical mounting cup 130 . The radially outward lip 128 b of the hinge valve member 128 is clamped between a lower cylindrical retainer 132 and an upper cylindrical cover member 134 . The upper end of the metering rod 127 is snugly received inside a socket 136 integrally formed on the underside of the cover member 134 . A plurality of radially, extending, circumferentially and axially spaced fins 140 connect the cover member 134 to a circular rim 142 held in place in the outer housing 12 by a split snap ring 144 . The fins 140 center the cover member 134 . The spaces between the fins 140 define major flow paths for water flowing from the inlet 14 past the valve seat 94 when the inlet valve assembly 120 is in its raised open position illustrated in FIG. 4 . The lower retainer 132 and upper cover member 134 have inclined opposing walls that form a region with a V-shaped cross-section for limiting upper and lower movement of the central flexible web 128 c of the elastomeric hinge valve member 128 . The upper end of a coil spring 146 surrounds a cylindrical shoulder 148 integrally formed on the underside of the cover member 134 . The lower end of the coil spring 146 engages the flat bottom wall of the mounting cup 130 to bias the inlet valve assembly 120 to its closed position illustrated in FIG. 3 .
An upper pressure chamber 150 (FIG. 3) in the inlet valve assembly 120 is selectively vented via passage 152 (FIG. 4) through a C-shaped hose 154 terminating in a barbed fitting 156 . The barbed fitting 156 is connected via another hose (not illustrated) to a solenoid actuated or hydraulically actuated pilot valve (not illustrated).
The velocity control disc 122 (FIG. 3) has a generally disc shaped configuration with a serpentine cross-section. The velocity control disc 122 has a radially inwardly tapered outer peripheral wiper 122 a (FIG. 5) that engages (or provides a close fit with) the wall of the valve seat 94 and the passage leading to the inlet 14 to meter the incoming air and/or water during initial opening of the inlet valve assembly 120 . This results in a slower pop-up stroke of the riser 20 and/or a lower impact at the end of its stroke. The velocity control disc 122 also acts to strain relatively large debris particles such as 160 during closing as the velocity control disc 122 can deflect radially inwardly and keep the debris particle 160 from being trapped between the velocity control disc 122 and valve seat 94 . The valve member 124 has a radially inwardly tapered wall 124 b that normally provides a gap between the velocity control disc 122 and the valve member 124 . This gap is visible in FIGS. 3 and 4. The gap disappears when the large debris particle 160 (FIG. 5) pushes the outermost portion of the velocity control disc 122 inwardly.
In operation, when a fluid such as air and/or water is supplied under high pressure to the inlet of the sprinkler 10 and the chamber 150 (FIG. 3) is vented. The inlet fluid acts against the lower face of the inlet valve assembly 120 to force it away from the seat 94 . Fluid initially begins flowing around the peripheral edge of the velocity control disc 122 and is initially metered, resulting in a slower opening of the valve member 124 and a slower flow of fluid into the sprinkler 10 . This results in a slower movement of the riser 20 to its extended position and lessens the resulting impact force when the coil spring 46 (FIG. 1) reaches the end of its compression. The velocity control disc 122 thus serves as a metering or damping means. When the inlet valve assembly 120 is being closed or shut down after a run cycle of the sprinkler 10 , the elastomeric velocity control disc 122 extends into the inlet passage immediately upstream of the female threaded inlet 14 . The velocity control disc 122 begins metering the water and forcing it at high across the valve seat 94 . This flushes debris such as the particle 160 away from the seat 94 to insure a more complete seal. The disc 122 also deflects or deforms to prevent damage to the valve seat 94 by the debris particle 160 . The velocity control disc 122 may have notches around its peripheral edges, as shown in FIG. 5 of my U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,607. This provides additional fluid bleed.
While I have illustrated and described my invention by means of specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims:
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A pop-up sprinkler includes an outer housing having an inlet passage and an inlet for connection to a source of pressurized fluid. A riser is mounted in the housing for moving from a normally retracted position to an operative extended position in response to fluid pressure. A pressure responsive inlet valve assembly is mounted in the outer housing adjacent the inlet passage and includes a valve seat and a valve member. The inlet valve assembly further includes a velocity control disc that is biased into engagement with the valve seat. The velocity control disc initially meters inlet fluid for limiting a rate of opening of the valve member for controlling flow of fluid through the inlet and extension of the riser to the extended position. The velocity control disc is made of an elastomeric material and is deflectable radially inwardly to accommodate debris.
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This invention relates to the technologies disclosed in patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,636 (Ward+Burd, 26 Oct. 2004).
That publication describes the synergistic effect, in the treatment of sewage sludge, of subjecting the de-watered sludge to a combination of violent shearing, raised temperature, and raised pH. The discovered synergy makes it possible to increase the cost-effectiveness of the various components and operational effectiveness of the sludge treatment station, in liquefying and reducing the viscosity of the sludge, and in producing other desired characteristics.
However, because the effects of the various components of the treatment are synergistic, it has been found to be largely unpredictable, theoretically, as to just what the levels of the various components of the treatment of the sludge should be, in order to achieve this or that desired property in the treated sludge.
An aim herein is to indicate the data that should be compiled, to enable a table to be created, showing what levels of the various components of the treatment should be engineered, in order to achieve this or that desired property in the treated sludge. Another aim is to show how such a table can be compiled, how the entries in the table can be verified, and how the table should be revised if conditions change.
In principle, an aim is to compile a look-up table showing what designers of a sludge treatment station have to do, and have to provide, in order to optimise the treatment. It is recognised that the treatment depends on the nature of the incoming sludge, and the resources available, and the desired target levels of viscosity and other properties in the treated sludge, and an aim is to predict the most economical, or the most cost-effective, way to produce sludge having those target levels, given those resources.
It might be considered that the simplest thing would be to over-provide the de-watering, shearing, and heating, equipment and power needed to accomplish whatever treatment is desired. Indeed, stations are designed on that basis, when cost is no object. However, it is recognised that, in many cases, the engineers have to deal with a station as it exists. Thus a station might increase its through-put rate if the station had a large reactor capacity; but increasing reactor capacity is very expensive, and the engineers might instead be forced to reduce the through-put rate, or increase the treatment time, to cater for the lack of (volumetric) capacity. Similarly, the de-watering facility at the station might be less than ideal, but the engineers have no option but to work with the level of de-watering that it achieves. It is recognised that these practical limitations are a reality in many sludge treatment stations, and the technology described herein is aimed at enabling the design engineers, in their quest for cost-effectiveness and efficiency, to pick their way through the imposed limitations.
It is recognised that, if the system were being designed from scratch to cater for a particular known invariable through-put of sludge, the destiny of which is also already known and invariable, and particularly if the set-up and running costs are of no concern, then there would be little point in resorting to the detailed data collection, compilation, and presentation, as described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An example as to how collection of data can be compiled into a useful table will now be described. The scope of the patent protection sought is defined by the accompanying claims, and not necessarily by specific features of exemplary embodiments.
In the example, reference is made to three types of data parameters. These are:
(a) the various given/input/start conditions; (b) the various target properties (including viscosity) that might be desired in the treated and discharged sludge; and (c) the engineered levels of the various treatment parameters that will procure those properties, given those inputs.
The input conditions, i.e the data parameters in the above category (a), in the example, include the following:—
(a) (1 ) Input data: de-watering, degree of Various technologies are available for de-watering sludge, and existing sludge-treatment stations often have a de-watering facility already available.
For a small town, for example, the de-watering facility might consist of, or include, a simple screw-press. Such a press is capable of de-watering sludge from a solids content of e.g 5% to a sludge having a solids content of e.g 12% or 15%. (Percentages mentioned herein are by weight.) That is to say, the sludge has typically been de-watered from 95% water to 85% water. A sludge that has been de-watered from 95% water to 85% water is sludge from which approx 70% of the water has been removed. This squeezed-out water is recirculated, from the sludge treatment station, to be treated in the usual way as liquid sewage.
For a larger town, the expense of a belt-press de-watering facility might be justified. With a belt-press, the sludge can be de-watered to 20% or 25% solids. (De-watering from 5% to 25% solids means squeezing out more than 80% of the water from the sludge.)
For a large city, in addition to the belt-press, the city might go to the further expense of providing a centrifuge, which is capable of de-watering sludge to e.g 30% solids or more (usually with some chemical addition to facilitate the processing). Sometimes, separation of the solid component from the liquid component of the sludge is done, also, at a traditional sewage treatment station, e.g by settling. Various other treatments can be carried out, such as procuring (micro-biological) digestion reactions, both aerobic and anaerobic.
The correlation is not always a strict one, but it may be regarded that sludge that has been de-watered to 10% to 12% biosolids is liquid enough for a measurement of its viscosity to be meaningful, and such sludge has a viscosity, typically, of perhaps 100,000 centipoise. Sludge that has been de-watered to 20% solids, is basically more of a stiff and sticky solid than a liquid, to the extent that its viscosity is unmeasurably high. Sludge that has been de-watered to 30% solids is dry and solid and cake-like, and again its viscosity, as such, is unmeasurable.
Table.1 sets out what the relationship between the different sludge de-watering apparatuses, and the expected level of de-watering that can be expected therefrom:
Type of de-watering
Typical/possible % of biosolids,
apparatus
after de-watering
simple screw-press
15% biosolids (1 ton solids + 5.7 tons water)
belt-press
20% biosolids (1 ton solids + 4 tons water)
belt-press + centrifuge
30% biosolids (1 ton solids + 2.3 tons water)
Table.2 sets out the usual equivalence of biosolids content to viscosity, in sludge that has been de-watered, but not yet subjected to treatment for liquefaction
Biosolids content Viscosity of untreated sludge 10% biosolids just barely liquid 20% biosolids stiff and sticky 25% biosolids dry, cake-like, solid
At these levels, the sludge is basically unpumpable, assuming the use of conventional centrifugal pumps, for liquid and manure handling.
Table.2A shows some actual viscosity measurements on a batch of anaerobically digested de-watered biosolids, at a temperature of 20° C.
Biosolids content
Viscosity
0%
2
2%
12
3%
292
4%
552
5%
1,250
6%
3,500
8%
8,800
10%
35,500
12%
250,000
15%
over 2,000,000+
17%
over 2,000,000+
(a) (2) Input data: ambient conditions
When compiling the data for the table, it is recognised that not all sludges are the same with respect to these physical properties. Notionally, one could compile respective tables for all the different sludges. However, it is also recognised that sludges are, by and large, the same—at least to the extent that sludge from town P will be the same as sludge from a neighbouring town Q. Even though town P might have decided to incinerate their sludge where town Q decided to spread theirs on easily-accessible farm fields, they are working with basically the same sludge.
However, sewage sludge arising from a town in a cold climate can be expected to be different from the sludge arising in a hot climate. And, from cities in climate areas that have markedly different seasons, the nature of the sludge can be expected to vary, winter to summer. Thus, ambient conditions can affect the amount of resources that have to be expended to convert the incoming sludge into sludge that has the desired discharge properties. Ambient conditions can also affect how the treated sludge can be stored and/or disposed of.
(a) (3) Input data: size of treatment reactor, and rate of through-put. The sludge treatment station has a reactor vessel (or vessels), having a certain capacity (measured in cubic meters, or tonnes, of sludge). The capacity is related to the through-put of sludge, which is dictated by the size and nature of the catchment area from which the station draws its sludge. Naturally, the capacity or size of the reactor should be such that it can deal with whatever through-put is fed to it, both on an instant basis and averaged over an appropriate period e.g one whole day. Designers of sludge treatment systems typically specify a residence time of the sludge in the reactor vessel of e.g one hour.
Thus, a particular typical sludge treatment station might have to handle a sludge through-put of one-tonne per day. (It is stressed that this through-put rate, of one tonne per day, refers to one tonne of biosolids content. The weight of the solids content of the sludge is the same after de-watering as before; the overall through-put, which also includes the weight of the water content of the sludge, of course varies according to the level of de-watering.) A sludge containing one tonne of solids, which has been de-watered to e.g fifteen percent, preparatory to entering the reactor, comprises an overall weight of seven tonnes, i.e the one tonne of solids in the sludge is accompanied by six tonnes of water (approximately). Seven tonnes of 15% sludge has a volume of around six cubic meters. Naturally, the designer will add whatever margins are deemed appropriate, to cater for overloads, servicing, breakdowns, etc.
(a) (4) Input data: power of shearing apparatus. The shearing apparatus is located in the reactor vessel, and is capable of violently shearing the sludge, to the extent of being capable of tearing open the cellular structure of the biological solids component of the sludge, and thereby enabling water locked up in the cells to be released. The motor driving the shearing apparatus associated with the reactor should be rated in terms of the number of kilowatts of shearing power per tonne of biosolids present in the reactor. Typically, engineers specify a shearing motor rated at twenty kW per tonne of biosolids in the reactor vessel. So, for a reactor containing seven tonnes of 15% sludge (which includes one tonne of biosolids) the engineers might typically have specified a shearing motor sized at twenty kilowatts.
It should be understood that the term “reactor” refers also to a sludge treatment station that includes two or more reactor vessels. If the vessels are arranged in parallel, the rating of the shearing motor per vessel is simply a matter of dividing the overall through-put into the appropriate fractions. Alternatively, it might be arranged that the sludge is physically transported from one vessel to the next, in series, and in that case it might be appropriate for the power rating of the first vessel in line to be different from the second vessel. The sludge entering the first vessel is inevitably stiffer and less tractable than the already-partially-liquefied sludge entering the second vessel in line.
(a) (5) Input data: restrictions re length of shearing time In many sludge treatment stations, a key factor is the rate of sludge through-put that can be handled by the station. The prudent engineer therefore seeks to optimise the station in terms of its through-put handling ability (i.e the tonnes per day of sludge that is admitted into the station, treated, and then discharged from the station). Given that the sludge is treated by a combination of shearing, raised temperature, and (usually) raised pH, the investment is made in providing heaters that will quickly raise the temperature of the sludge in the reactor, and in shearing equipment that will impose a maximum violence of shearing into the sludge in a minimum time.
In other types of treatment station, and other destinies of the final sludge, the emphasis might be different—where it is desired for the final sludge to have a high pH, for example.
(b) Desired results of treatment: reduced viscosity. One of the main aims of sludge treatment is to liquefy the sludge, and to reduce the viscosity of the liquid sludge—without, of course, adding water to the sludge. That is to say, the “treatment” should be regarded as a “sludge-liquefaction-event”. The lower the viscosity of the liquid sludge, generally the easier the sludge is to handle and to transport. Achieving a low viscosity by retaining a high water content is rather counter-productive. A low-solids (e.g 5% solids) sludge might be easy to pump, but the overall mass of 5% sludge is huge—at 5%, every tonne of biosolids is accompanied by nineteen tonnes of water, all of which has to be transported and stored if the sludge is not de-watered. The aim is to reduce the high-solids (e.g 15%, 20%, 30% solids) de-watered sludges to a viscosity level at which they, too, can be pumped. (This is not to say that adding water is ruled out: there are a number of reasons why engineers might find it economically appropriate to add water to already-dewatered sludge, e.g as the sludge passes through a number of storage and treatment stations.)
On the other hand, it is not true of sludge viscosity that it should always be “the lower, the better”. It takes a good deal of resources to liquefy sludge, as explained herein, and so the sludge should only be liquefied or liquidised (i.e its viscosity should be lowered) to the target level required by whatever the sludge is destined for. That is to say: the destiny of the sludge should determine to what viscosity the sludge should be lowered.
(b) (1) Target viscosity: disposal as dried fertiliser pellets One way in which sludge is disposed of is by de-watering the sludge, then turning the sludge into a very viscous liquid, then forming that just-liquid sludge into pellets, then drying the pellets. The pellets are usable (and even saleable) as fertiliser.
For this, the sludge should be de-watered preferably to 30% solids or higher, then treated by a combination of shearing, heat, and pH, until liquefied to a viscosity of about 10,000 centipoise. This (homogeneous) liquid sludge is dried using conventional systems such as drum driers, dehumidifiers, pelletisers, or the like, or combinations of such methods. If the pH of the sludge is raised using potassium salts, the residual K enhances the fertiliser properties. Disposing of the sludge as dried fertiliser pellets can be desirable in that, in many jurisdictions, regulations governing such disposal are less stringent than those governing e.g the spraying of liquid sludge, and transport and storage costs are lower.
(b) (2) Target viscosity: disposal by incineration Sludge may also be disposed of by incineration. Incineration is carried out after the sludge has been thoroughly de-watered and dried. A number of technologies exist for incinerating sludge. The dried sludge is ignited, and the carbon content thereby burns. One factor affecting the efficiency of the incineration is the fact that even dried sludge still contains much water. For incineration, the engineers should seek to remove as much water as possible from the sludge—however, if the sludge is liquidised, and is even marginally pumpable, the ease and economy of handling are very much improved. Sludge that is to be incinerated should be de-watered as much as possible—to 35% solids, or more, if possible. And preferably, the sludge should be still hot, from being heated in the reactor vessel, when it is sent into the incinerator.
(b) (3) Target viscosity: disposal by application to fields using an injector with mobile tank Sludge to be applied on agricultural fields may be carried in a mobile tank, e.g pulled by a tractor. Sludge can be applied by injection conveniently at viscosities of up to e.g 10,000 cP. Even higher viscosities can be accommodated if the injector apparatus can operate with an elevated injection pressure.
(b) (4) Target viscosity: disposal by application on fields using a mobile injector with static tank Sludge may also be sprayed from a fixed static tank, using a long drag-hose feeding the mobile injector. The length of the long drag-hose will provide more resistance to flow of a viscous liquid passing through the hose, and hence the engineer will usually specify that the viscosity of the sludge to be applied by this method be lower than that for a mobile tank system—more preferably in the range e.g 2,000 cP to 5,000 cP.
(b) (5) Target viscosity: transport Sewage sludge is transported, typically, from a central treatment station to the final disposal site. The sludge might have to be kept in storage for a time, at various points along the chain of events from initial collection to final disposal. Liquid, low-viscosity, sludge can be pumped, which simplifies these required transfers. Moving a pumpable liquid is very much more convenient, and much cheaper, than moving the corresponding quantity of solid cake-like material (which has to be done by costly moving conveyors). Even transport of the sludge within the treatment station, say from the treatment reactor to a storage tank, is much more convenient when the sludge is liquid.
Notionally, any substance that is liquid, even a viscous liquid, can be pumped, using conventional centrifugal pumps, if a high enough pressure is available and can be applied. However, liquid sludge of course is a slurry, containing solids in suspension. Viscosity measurements remain meaningful—that is to say, sludge can be regarded as liquid, or quasi-liquid—at viscosities up to about 20,000 cP. A sludge can be regarded as being liquid enough to be pumpable at viscosities below about 10,000 cP, or even 15,000 cP with available high pressure. “Pumpable”, in this sense, means pumpable at rates appropriate to sludge handling—meaning, at a minimum, pumpable through a ten-cm hose, at a rate of about one tonne per hour.
(b) (6) Other aspects re target viscosity For application to fields, the liquid sludge has to be monitored as to possible contamination by pathogens and toxins. The pH of the on-field sludge also has to be within regulated limits. Violent shearing ensures that the liquefied sludge is extremely homogeneous—that is to say, there are substantially no differences or gradients of concentration throughout the body of liquefied sludge, of materials or properties, and there are no unbroken pockets or clumps in which the properties might be very different, and in which residuating microbe colonies might be viable.
Because of the homogeneity of the liquefied sludge, also, measurement readings of temperature, pH, etc now can truly be regarded as measuring not just the property of the liquid between the solid clumps (as can happen when taking measurements in the pre-treated sludge), but a property of the overall whole body of liquefied sludge. Also, any remaining microbe colonies residuating in the treated sludge tend not to be viable, such that live microbial counts remain low for a very long time (e.g months, or even years). These are desirable qualities in any event, but especially so in the case of sludge that is to be spread on agricultural fields in climates where the sludge has to be stored, in the open, for months, before application—e.g over the winter.
In fact, the low viscosity can be regarded as a measure, not just of ease of transport and physical movement of the liquefied sludge, but as a measure also of the homogeneousness of the sludge, and of the advantageous effects arising therefrom. Thus, the engineer might be motivated to specify a lower target viscosity than is actually needed for transport and handling purposes.
Batch vs continuous In full-continuous treatment, de-watered sludge is added, at a slow rate, to an already existing large body of sludge undergoing treatment in the reactor. Treated sludge is drawn off from the reactor, at the same rate. The charge and discharge rates are slow enough, and continuous enough, that e.g concentration gradients and gradients and levels of other parameters remain substantially constant despite the addition and removal of materials.
In full-batch treatment, the reactor is emptied after each batch of sludge. A charge of new sludge is placed in the reactor, and brought up to temperature and pH as required. Shearing is carried out as required, and then the now-treated sludge is all discharged from the reactor.
In partial batch treatment, new material is added into the reactor at such a rate, and with such discontinuity, that the addition of the new charge does make a significant change in the gradients of the physical parameters, temperature, etc.
Generally, full-continuous treatment is preferred, for efficiency's sake. But the reality of varying loading rates can mean that full-batch and partial-batch treatment cannot be ruled out.
It can be economical to provide two reactors at a sludge treatment station. One reactor operates in full-continuous mode, catering for the base through-put loading of the station, while the other operates in batch mode, and caters for the variations and peaks.
In calculating the amount of shearing power to be applied to the sludge, the calculation is done differently depending on whether treatment is being done on a continuous basis or on a batch basis. If the reactor is operated in full-continuous mode, the appropriate measurement is the operating power (in kW) of the shear motor, divided by the through-put rate (in dry tonnes/hour) at which the sludge passes through the vessel. This gives a measurement of so many kW of shearing power applied, per dry tonne/hour of the through-put of sludge being treated. If the reactor is operated in full-batch mode, the appropriate measurement is the power (in kW) of the shear motor, multiplied by the length of time (hours) of the shearing operation on that batch, divided by the number of tonnes of sludge in the vessel. This gives a measurement of so many kW-hrs of shearing energy per tonne of sludge in the batch. (Of course, kilowatts per tonne/hour is dimensionally the same as kilowatt-hours per tonne.)
As to the size of the reactor: for full-batch treatment, of course, the reactor has to be of a size that will accommodate the batch. For full-continuous treatment, the flowrate of the sludge determines the product of the size of the reactor and the residence time that the sludge spends within the reactor. Compare a flowrate of one tonne/hour passing through a large reactor containing e.g five tonnes, with the same flowrate passing through a small reactor containing e.g only one tonne. In the large reactor, the shearing power is applied to five times more kilograms of sludge than in the small reactor, but each kilogram of sludge takes five times longer to pass through the large reactor. Given that the size of the reactor has a major effect on cost, the engineer will often prefer to use the highest-powered shearing unit (and heater), together with the smallest size of reactor, as may be consistent with the need to ensure that all of the sludge receives its proper share of the kilowatts. In this regard, it is noted that shearing produces generally very highly-homogenised sludge, so neither a large reactor nor a long residence time are needed to ensure good mixing and even treatment.
(c) (1) Engineering parameters: degree of de-watering Obviously, the degree of de-watering is limited to the maximum level that the de-watering machinery will produce. Usually, the engineer will specify that the sludge be de-watered to the maximum degree. However, sometimes, a reduced degree of de-watering might be specified. This might happen, if, for example, a very low viscosity is required in the final sludge, and if that very low viscosity simply cannot be achieved with sludge of too high a solids content, even with a maximum liquefaction treatment. Thus, if a viscosity as low as 1,000 cP is required, for example, the sludge had better not be de-watered to as much as 30% solids, because 30% sludge simply cannot be treated in such manner as to be left with a viscosity as low as 1,000 cP.
(c) (2) Engineering parameters: the heater The heater in the reactor vessel has to be appropriately rated to be capable of heating the sludge in the vessel to the desired temperature. In a typical case, in full-continuous treatment, the heater in a particular vessel, which has to be able to raise the temperature to e.g 70° C., on a cold day, should be rated at e.g twenty kilowatts per tonne/hour of flowrate of the overall sludge (i.e solids plus liquids—the liquids have to be heated too) passing through the reactor vessel. Thus, in a typical case: incoming sludge has been de-watered to 15% solids, and the sludge is passing through the reactor vessel at the rate of e.g seven tonnes/hour of overall sludge (of which one tonne is solids); in that example, the heater should be rated at 140 kW.
(Again, it will be understood that this same parameter can be expressed alternatively in terms of the product of residence time and capacity. Thus, the 140 kW heater, being geared to a sludge flowrate of seven tonnes/hour, is appropriate where the amount of sludge in the reactor vessel at any one time is seven tonnes and the sludge has a residence time, in the vessel, of one hour; the same 140 kW heater would be appropriate also when the in-vessel amount is fourteen tonnes, and the residence time is half an hour.)
Having noted the magnitude of the through-put rate of sludge to be accommodated by the reactor, in tonnes per day, the designer notes what power of heater is available, and what power might be required to maintain that flow of sludge at the highest temperature that might be desired. This would be specified in terms of kilowatts of heater power per tonne of overall sludge (i.e solids plus water) in the reactor. It is noted that the more de-watered the sludge, the smaller the expenditure on heating required to bring the sludge up to temperature, or to maintain it at temperature, since both the solids content and the water content have to be heated.
Typically, as mentioned, the heater would be rated at twenty kilowatts per tonne/hour of overall sludge flowrate, for continuous processing. In the case of batch treatment, the heater probably would be rated somewhat higher, in order to quickly bring the new batch of sludge in the reactor up from cold.
(c) (3) Engineering parameters: the pH-raising facility Raising the pH of the sludge in the reactor requires comparatively little capital equipment. Rather, the cost lies in the large quantities of alkali salts that have to be tipped into the reactor, to affect the pH of the sludge. To raise the pH of homogeneously-liquefied 15%-solids sludge, from pH-eight to pH-ten, for example, takes about thirty-five kilograms of (dry) potassium hydroxide, per (dry) tonne of sludge.
(c) (4) Engineering parameters: the shearing apparatus The operation of shearing the sludge is responsible not only for tearing open the biological cell material in the sludge solids, but also for thoroughly mixing and stirring the sludge. It is this combination of effects that leaves the liquefied sludge so highly homogeneous, i.e homogeneous on a scale even smaller than that of the biological cells. It is this violent stirring also that ensures the pH salts reach every cranny of the whole body of sludge (and not just the liquid parts of the sludge between solid macro-clumps of sludge—which can be the case when sludge is not thoroughly stirred.) The inherently-vigorous stirring that goes with shearing also ensures there are no gradients of temperature, throughout the sludge in the reactor, again on a smaller-than-cellular scale.
The engineer should note the power rating of the (electric) motor of the shearing apparatus, and whether it is sufficient to liquefy the discharged sludge down to the lowest viscosity likely to be required, within an appropriate processing time. Typically, the engineer will select a shearing motor power rating of about forty kilowatts per tonne/hour of the dry-solids content of the sludge passing through the reactor on a continuous basis. On a batch treatment basis, equivalently, the engineer would provide for forty kilowatt-hours per tonne of the solids content of the sludge in the batch. However, for the less efficient batch treatment, the engineer would typically specify a shearing motor that will impart power at e.g fifty kilowatt-hours per tonne of sludge in the batch. (These power figures would typically be measured simply as the volts x amps of the electricity supplied to the shearing motor.)
(c) (5) Engineering parameters: processing time The liquefaction of high-solids sludge is done most efficiently when the shearing, heating, and pH-raising aspects of the treatment are carried out all at once. Thus, a charge of sludge resides in the reactor vessel, where is it subjected to all three aspects of the treatment simultaneously. As mentioned, usually the engineer will be aiming to minimise the time the sludge resides in the reactor vessel, so as to maximise through-put of the sludge. Generally, the more powerful the shearing motor, the shorter the time it will take for a given quantity of sludge to be liquefied to a particular target viscosity. However, sometimes there is plenty of time for sludge treatment, in which case a reduced shearing power may be employed. Thus, it is the amount of energy expended on shearing, rather than just the power of the shearing, that determines the degree of liquefaction.
With shearing, there is diminishing-returns effect. That is to say, a particular level of simultaneous shearing, heating, and pH-raising, even if continued indefinitely, still will not lower the viscosity of the sludge below a particular asymptote. Thus, it is usually uneconomical to continue with the treatment, once the sludge has been liquefied to within say 20% of its lowest possible limit of viscosity.
Now, upon coordinating the above items, it is recognised that it possible to construct a table, in which the various items of input data are entered, along with the various disposal regimes for which the sludge might be destined. That having been done, entries can also be made as to what the levels of the engineered processes need to be, in order to bring about those destinies. That is to say: event-records are kept, and listed, of several sludge-liquefaction-events; these can be records of actual sludge-liquefaction-events in already-existing treatment stations, and can include event-records of laboratory tests carried out simply for the purpose of securing the data.
(a) The input data may be summarised as:
(1) The type of de-watering apparatus, and the consequent maximum degree (measured as a percentage of solids) to which the sludge can be de-watered. Knowing the de-watering percentage of the sludge is basically equivalent to knowing also what will be the handling properties of the sludge, i.e whether the sludge will be cake-like, paste-like, viscous-liquid-like, etc, before treatment commences. (2) The ambient temperature and other ambient conditions, as they affect the nature of the incoming sludge; as they affect the target viscosity (and other parameters) needed in order to achieve a particular destiny of the sludge; and as they affect the type and degree of treatment needed to achieve that viscosity. (3) The size or capacity of the reactor at the treatment station, which may be measured as a volume in cubic meters, or as a weight in tonnes of (overall) sludge. (4) The maximum power rating of the motor that drives the shearing apparatus associated with the reactor. (5) Any restrictions/flexibilities regarding the time available for the shearing operation.
(b) The target viscosity to be aimed for, as dictated by the particular destiny of the treated sludge, whether the sludge is destined for disposal or for further treatment, may be summarised in tabular form, in Table.3:—
Typical
Target
Intended destiny of treated sludge
viscosity
the as-treated sludge is to be:-
(centipoise)
processed directly to dried form (e.g pellets)
10,000
incinerated
8,000
transported by tanker truck
5,000
on-field pressure-injected using a mobile tanker vehicle
4,000
on-field pressure-injected using a mobile injector coupled
2,000
to a static tank via a long drag-hose
on-field gravity-injected using a mobile tanker vehicle
1,500
stored over a winter, including freezing/thawing, and then
1,000
on-field gravity-injected via long drag-hose in the spring.
The entries in the Table.3 should be understood as being typical target viscosities that an engineer might specify as being appropriate to those destinies. Another engineer (e.g one who can use higher injection pressures, or who has access to a less powerful pelletisation press) might specify different target viscosities.
(c) The engineering treatment event-parameters can be summarised as follows:—
(1) How much de-watering in the sludge entering the reactor? (2) What temperature in the reactor? (3) What pH in the reactor? (4) How much shearing power/energy? and how long for, in the reactor?
De-watering The engineer's task is to specify whether de-watering is to be done at the maximum level at which the de-watering apparatus can operate—which it usually will be, unless the desired viscosity simply cannot be reached from that level, in which case the de-watering apparatus is operated below its capacity. As mentioned, specifying the de-watering level may be regarded as being equivalent to specifying the pre-treatment viscosity of the sludge, as shown in Tables.1,2. Thus, the engineer might specify an appropriate one of e.g 30% solids=dry, cake-like, sludge for which a viscosity figure is meaningless; 20% solids=stiff, sticky, sludge; 10% solids=wet sludge having a viscosity of 35,500 cP; and so on.
Heating Similarly, the engineer should specify to what temperature to raise the sludge in the reactor vessel. Typical values might be 40° C., 55° C., 70° C., 85° C., etc.
pH. The engineer should specify the pH level to which the sludge is to be elevated. This might be 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, etc. The pH of the sludge typically is raised by adding chemicals into the reactor.
Shearing power and processing time The engineer should specify what degree of shearing is required. This is measured in kilowatt-hours of shearing energy per tonne of sludge in the reactor vessel (for batch operation); or (for continuous operation) in kilowatts of shearing power per tonne of sludge through-put per hour. The engineer might specify shearing at e.g five or ten kilowatts of shearing power per tonne/hour of (solids content of the) sludge, if there is plenty of time for treatment, or e.g at twenty or fifty kilowatts per tonne/hour of sludge flowrate, if it is desired to maximise the through-put rate.
In order to determine just what numbers to specify for the various engineering event-parameters, the engineer constructs a table as in the following example, or such part of the table as will cover the range of relevant operational conditions. The data for the table comes from observed and experimental data. It is recognised that it would be practically impossible to construct the different data items by theoretical calculation, because of the synergistic nature of the interaction between the treatment parameters. Once the data has been assembled and presented, the engineer can then read off the optimum values of the parameters.
Table.4, below, indicates how the various resources available for overall treatment preferably should be noted, in respect of several actual sludge treatment stations. Table.4, when built up, displays the different resources available at several different treatment stations.
Sludge available available reactor available available available batch/ treatment max de- volume + weight shear heat time for continuous/ station watering (overall) power power shearing partial % cu · m + tons kW kW
In Table.4:
“available max dewatering” is the available maximum level of de-watering that can be provided by the de-watering apparatus of the station. The level is measured as the percentage of solids in the de-watered sludge. “available reactor volume” is the maximum volume of sludge (solids plus water) that can be accommodated in the reactor vessel at one time. Measured as a capacity, in cubic meters. “available reactor weight” is the maximum overall weight of sludge (solids plus water) that can be held in the reactor vessel at one time. This weight depends on the degree to which the sludge has been de-watered. (The available reactor capacity, if low, can be a limitation as to what sludge through-put rate can be achieved.) Measured in overall tonnes of sludge. (Overall=solids plus water.) “available shear power” is the maximum power that can be applied to the sludge in the vessel, using the available shearing apparatus associated with that vessel. (The available shearing capacity, if low, can be a limitation as to how much the viscosity of the liquefied sludge can be reduced, which might mean that the sludge should not be de-watered so much.) For continuous treatment, measured as kilowatts of power available from the (electric) motor driving the shearer blades, per tonne/hour of dry solids content of the sludge flowrate through the reactor. For batch treatment, measured as kilowatt-hours of energy per (dry) tonne of sludge in the batch. “available heater power” is the maximum heating power that can be applied to the sludge in the vessel, using the available heating apparatus associated with that vessel. (This available power, if low, can be a limitation as to what temperature can be reached, of the sludge in or passing through the reactor vessel. Also, the available heater power affects how quickly the sludge being processed can be brought to the optimal processing temperature. When seeking to maximise flowrate, this speed would be important.) For continuous treatment, available-heater-power is measured as kW of heating power per overall tonne/hour of sludge passing through the reactor vessel. Of course, the heater has to heat the liquids and the solids to the same temperature. For batch treatment, measured as kW-hours of heat energy to be supplied, per tonne of overall sludge in the batch. “available time for shearing” refers to any limitations as to time constraints. The designer of the system usually aims to maximise the rate of through-put (i.e to minimise the residence time the sludge spends in the station). However, sometimes the aim is to minimise expenditure of resources other than time. “batch/continuous/partial” refers to whether the station will operate in continuous mode, as is preferred when seeking to maximise economy, or whether, e.g for reasons of flexible response to varying through-put, the station will operate in batch or partial batch mode.
In Table.4, the data items represent the maximum available levels at which the various apparatuses can act, the values of which have been entered for the particular sludge stations. when designing a new treatment station, the engineers must make sure that the operational performance required to procure a given viscosity is in fact available at the particular station. By the use of Table.4, designers can relate the resources that are available in the station being designed to the resources that were available in existing stations.
Table.5 presents the operational performance parameters that, in the past, have resulted in the particular target viscosity. Thus, the several lines or rows of Table.5 represent respective actual sludge treatment stations, operating at particular levels of performance. Thus, row A might present data as to what the performance parameters actually were, as a matter of recorded fact, which resulted in liquefying sludge at S% solids down to a target viscosity of TV centipoise, at a particular existing station. Row B of Table.5 might contain data derived from testing laboratory samples. In row C of Table.5, the data items might be estimates (i.e guesses), and subject to e.g experimental confirmation.
applied level of through-put applied applied amount dewatering; of dewatered target shear required heat required added Data start viscosity sludge viscosity power temperature power pH salt Set % cP tons/day cP kW deg C. kW pH tons/day A B C N
In Table.5:
“applied level of dewatering” is the degree to which the sludge is actually de-watered, which might or might not be the maximum. “start viscosity” is the viscosity of the sludge after it has been de-watered, and before it enters the reactor. The viscosity of the sludge only approximately corresponds to the level of de-watering; so, the level to which the sludge has been de-watered prior to treatment should preferably be recorded, even if pre-treatment viscosity is recorded as well. “through-put of dewatered sludge” is the through-put rate of sludge the station has to cope with, measured in tonnes per hour of overall (solid plus liquid) de-watered sludge—which depends on the level to which the sludge has been de-watered. “target viscosity” is the viscosity that is to be procured in the treated sludge emerging from the reactor, given the destiny of the sludge after treatment. “applied shear power” is the power at which the motor of the shearing apparatus of the reactor is driven, which might or might not be all the available shear power, in procuring the required viscosity. “required temperature” is the temperature to which the sludge in the reactor is raised, in seeking to achieve the required viscosity. “applied heat power” is the heating power needed to achieve the required temperature, which might or might not be all the available heater power. “required pH” is the pH to which the sludge in the reactor is raised, in seeking to achieve the required viscosity, and where needed to maintain a low microbial count in stored treated sludge. “amount applied salt” is the quantity or rate at which pH-raising alkali salts etc are fed into the reactor, to achieve the required pH. Measured e.g in tonnes per day.
Again, it should not be understood that every single one of the lines of data on Table.5 must have been derived from an actual existing station (or laboratory), or must have been the subject of a specific physical experiment. It is possible to place a few actually-determined figures in the table, and then to make estimates for the interpolations between them. However, the aim should be to provide enough actually-determined figures that interpolations made later by users of the table, to design their own new stations, can be relied upon. Estimating should be regarded as second best. At least notionally, all the entries should be confirmed by actual experiment.
Again, it is noted that the combination of heating and shearing produces unpredictable synergistic effects, particularly as regards the viscosity thereby achieved, whereby engineers designing a new sludge liquefaction station should be reluctant to rely upon interpolation and extrapolation—at least when more than one of the event-parameters has been changed—because of the unpredictable synergy.
Again, one of the main reasons for compiling and tabulating the data on past liquefaction-event-records is to provide a look-up table. An engineer seeking to design a new station (or to modify an old station, or to determine whether an old station will be capable of a new level of performance) can, from the table, look up the previous liquefaction-events that have produced final-viscosities close to the target-viscosity the engineer has in mind for the new station. From the data on those tabulated events, the engineer can zero-in on a good “fit”—given the constraints on the design of the new station—of the target-procurement-levels, and particularly of the shearing and temperature parameters.
The reluctance to rely on interpolation and extrapolation may be particularised as follows. Preferably, the table should include enough liquefaction event-records that there is at least one record, in the table, in which the final-viscosity of that record is within twenty percent of the target-viscosity.
Preferably, also, the sludge temperature to be used in the new station should be within ten degrees of the sludge temperature recorded in that event-record.
Preferably also, the shearing power or energy to be employed in the new station should be within twenty percent of the shearing power or energy that was recorded in the event-record.
Preferably, also, these preferred maximum differences between the target parameters and the event-parameters listed in the nearest event-record, should be reduced, and preferably halved, in a case where both the target heating and the shearing power, in the new station, appear to be substantially different, simultaneously, from the heating and shearing power employed in procuring the final-viscosity recorded in the event-record.
That is to say, when two of the target-procurement-parameters are simultaneously substantially different from the corresponding parameters in the nearest event-record, the maximum allowable differences between the target-procurement-parameters in the new station and the event-parameters listed in the nearest event-record preferably should be within half the above figures.
Prudent design engineers should, if the event-parameters in the event-records in the table are further away from the target-viscosity and the target-procurement-levels, than indicated by the above maximum differences, add to the table by procuring some further liquefaction event-records, aimed at filling in the gaps in the table. (These can mostly be done by liquidising samples of sludge in a small reactor, on a laboratory basis.)
It is not ruled out that the data compiler might initially guess most of the entries. The guesses can then be gradually confirmed or revised by experiment, and the other numbers can be revised in the light of that experience. Eventually, the whole table can be populated with actual physical test results. It is noted, again, that the effects of simultaneously varying two (or more) of the liquefaction-event-parameters, are largely unpredictable, because of the synergistic nature (i.e not simply additive nature) of the combinations of the treatment components, with the result that the initial guesses are likely not to be accurately predictive.
Also, the data that is actually recorded in the table can be refined, and added to, over time. Thus, the compiler might compile the table initially using just a few data components (columns of the Table), then add some more data components (columns) later, as this or that parameter, which might have been overlooked originally, is now found to have a significant effect, when it comes to designing new stations.
The acquired data preferably is compiled in such manner as would enable Table.5 to be constructed—but it is not necessary that a Table.5 actually be constructed, as a table. On the other hand, of course, a table such as Table.5 is a very convenient way of presenting the data. Again, the entries in Table.5 are unpredictable, because the effects of the components are complexly synergistic. If the effects were simply additive, preparing the table would be trivial. This is not to say that some of the data entries would or might not be inferrable, given the other entries; but notionally, all the data items should be subjected, eventually, to experimental verification.
It is recognised that if the results did not need to be checked physically, i.e if Table.5 could be filled in from theoretical calculations alone, there would be little need for the described innovation. It is recognised, also, that carrying out inexpensive experiments on small samples does in fact give rise to data that is, in the present case, very well predictive of what will actually be encountered in the real commercial sludge treatment station. (By contrast), in many activities associated with sludge treatment, data derived from testing laboratory samples turns out to have little correlation or predictability when compared with real life performance. It might be surmised that the good correlation or predictability, between experiments and actuality, arises from the extreme homogeneousness of sludge that has been treated by shearing—which is likely not present in sludge that has not been sheared.)
Once Table.5 is constructed, the engineers now have a look-up tool, which will enable them to optimise the physical attributes of a new (or modified) sludge treatment station, and to arrange its operational parameters in the most cost-effective way.
It might be considered possible for the designers to decide upon the physical and operational parameters that will be needed, by trial and error. One aim of the present innovation is to avoid having to resort to the wastefulness of trial and error. Now, the engineers can look up the Table.5 data, and can predict whether, and to what extent, a particular apparatus and procedures will be successful. The engineers do not have to over-engineer the sludge treatment system (or at least, not for reasons of ignorance)—which can be a large cost saving. And they can see and avoid cases where a particular treatment station just cannot achieve what directors and investors want.
It should be noted that the numbers in Table.5 might need to be changed, over time, e.g as de-watering or shearing techniques become more efficient, or as energy or pH salts become more or less costly.
In using Table.5, the design engineers typically proceed as follows. Using the table, they check whether the data on the particular input conditions respecting the installation under consideration have been encountered before, either in commercial operation or in experiments, and have been entered into the table. They check also whether the particular target viscosity has been produced before, using similar input conditions. If so, the operational parameters that produced (and assumedly will again produce) that viscosity can be read off Table.5.
If the conditions of a sludge treatment station under consideration are not to be found on Table.5, with at least some reasonable degree of similarity and equivalence, the engineers now will have to resort to further experimentation in order to establish what are the most cost-effective levels of the operational parameters to produce the desired target viscosity, in the new station, or under the new conditions. But that means that a new line has been added to Table.5, i.e those experiments have now been done for the new conditions, so Table.5 itself will have been extended, which will enable some further future variations to be accommodated without having to resort to trial and error.
In determining what treatment parameters to use in a given case, the engineer prepares a table (i.e a two-dimensional spreadsheet) along the lines of Table.5. From the rows or lines of treatment records in the spreadsheet, a line is picked out that gives rise to a final viscosity at or near to the desired target viscosity. Then, a check is made that the picked-out treatment parameters of that treatment record actually do lie within the capabilities and restrictions of the equipment available, restrictions as to cost, etc.
The engineer might also look at other targets besides viscosity, e.g a target pH—even a target temperature, if the particular case requires that. Thus, if the sludge is destined for incineration, it can make sense to heat the sludge to a high temperature while shearing. If there are several lines (i.e records of treatment parameters) on the spreadsheet which all result in viscosities near to the target, which are within the available equipment capabilities, presumably the treatment parameters will be chosen according to the one that works out cheapest for the particular new (or modified) station. Again, it is not suggested that the spreadsheet cannot be refined to include some other components, if that is deemed advantageous.
Table.6, following, represents a preferred minimum of data that should be preferably tabulated, in order to gain the benefits, as described herein, of avoiding costly trial and error.
required shear
power
start
target
kW-hrs per ton
required
required
Data
viscosity
viscosity
or
temperature
pH
Set
cP
cP
kW per ton/hour
deg C.
pH
A
B
C
It should be noted, in respect of Table.6, that the required temperature needed to achieve a given target viscosity might be so low that no expenditure of energy in the form of heating is required. Equally, the needed pH might be so low that no pH-altering substances need be added into the reactor. That is to say, it might even be possible, in some cases, if the desired reduction in viscosity is a modest one, for the target viscosity to be achieved by shearing alone, without raising either the pH or the temperature of the sludge in the reactor.
In compiling the table or spreadsheet, either on the minimal basis of Table.6, or preferably the more detailed basis of Table.5, what is required is to record a number of sets of treatment parameters, which together result in respective particular viscosities in the treated liquefied sludge. These sets of values of the different parameters may appear as the respective lines or rows of the table, while the types of parameters may appear as the respective columns of the table.
Again, it is recognised that the records can be records of real treatments of sludge, in a full-size reactor, or the records can be records of testing small samples in a test reactor, and again it is recognised that small-scale experimental results can be read as full-scale results with good predictability. As mentioned, the records might even be estimates, or guesses, of what viscosity will or might result from a particular set of treatment parameters—although the level of predictability here is so low as to make some actual results (experimental or full-scale) highly preferable.
The number of records or lines (rows) of the Table.5 or Table.6 represents the number of tests carried out (or guessed at). These might encompass the full range of sludge treatment, including all variations of shearing power and time, temperature, and pH, and wide variations in target viscosities. Or the table might concentrate on just one aspect, such as minimising cost at the expense of processing time. In any event, the more records in the table, generally the more accurately and quickly the engineer can zero in on the best set of treatment parameters for a particular new treatment facility, without having to resort to further trial and error testing. There is no upper limit to the advantageousness of providing more records in the table, other than practicality; at the other end of the scale, the table should include more than two records, or lines, in that a table with as few as just two records would hardly be useful in helping the engineer design a new station.
This specification deals with dimensions and units. It should be understood that some of the units mentioned are, or can be, derived from other units. Thus, a quantity of sludge might be actually measured in terms of the volume of sludge, but might be expressed in terms of the mass of the sludge. The mass can be derived from the volume, once the density of the sludge is known. In other words, there is a known equivalence between mass and volume, whereby measuring one enables the other to be derived. Equally, measuring a flowrate of sludge as so many cubic meters per day enables the flowrate to be derived in terms of tonnes of sludge per hour. Similarly, there is a known general or approximate equivalence, as shown in Table.2, between the solids content of untreated sludge and the viscosity of that sludge. Where dimensions and units are expressed herein, that expression should be construed to include also the other units for which a known equivalence enables the other units to be derived. This manner of construing the expressions of units applies whether the expressions are guesses, or are the results of actual physical measurements.
In this specification, the expressions liquefaction, liquidising, etc, should be construed, in relation to sewage sludge, to include not only converting a solid or almost solid sludge into a liquid sludge, but to include also reducing the viscosity of a sludge that is (or might be) characterisable already as a liquid sludge.
The drawing shows a flow-chart, to facilitate understanding of the invention.
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When liquefying sludge, e.g as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,636, the combination of temperature, pH, and shearing, is synergistic. Described here is a system that provides for collating test sampling and full-scale data inputs, recording achieved results and the engineering parameters that achieved those particular results. The data is presented in e.g a table format, which assists design engineers to zero-in on the combinations of parameters that will likely give the desired results.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In paper making industry, cationic starch has widely been used by including the same in pulp at the time of paper making thereof as dry strength agent, retention aid, drainage aid, printability improver and the like. Furthermore such cationic starch has variously been utilized as warp sizing agent and finish in textile industry, besides as flocculant, emulsifier and the like in other industries.
As the process for producing cationic starch as described above, generally practiced is such a process which comprises either reacting pasty or slurry starch with an alkylamine halide such as diethylaminoethyl chloride or an aminochlorohydrin compound such as 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, or with a glycidylamine such as 2, 3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride in the presence of strong alkali as described in Starch: Chemistry and Technology, vol II, 1967, pp. 403-420, Academic Press Co.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contemplates to provide a process for the production of cationic starch having remarkable advantages as a dry strengthening agent which comprises the steps of reacting starch or quaternary aminoalkylated starch with acrylonitrile in the presence of alkali to cyanoethylate hydroxyl groups of the starch, and further reacting the thus cyanoethylated starch with hydroxylamine or the salts thereof to amidoximate the cyanoethyl groups.
Such cyanoethylated starch has been publicly known (U.S. Pat. No. 2,316,129), and furthermore the amidoximating reaction has been publicly known as a method for modifying acrylonitrile polymer (U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,959,574 and 2,959,514 as well as British Pat. No. 786,960 etc.), such reaction being expressed by the following equation: ##STR1##
Such amidoximated starch obtained by reacting cyanoethylated starch with hydroxylamine is cationic starch in which amidoxime groups dissociate in acid conditions to exhibit cationic activity. When such cationic starch is included in pulp as a dry strengthening agent and examined, absorption to the pulp is favorable in acidic paper making so that the cationic starch exhibits remarkable dry strengthening effect. In this respect, the present inventors continued their study and as a result, they have found not only such fact that the amidoxime groups in said amidoximated starch dissociate in acidic condition to afford cationic acitivity to the starch, thereby permitting the starch to be adsorbable to pulp so that improvement for dry strength due to the starch appears, but also that the amidoxime groups themselves contribute for the dry strength. Namely, dry strengthening effect of conventional cationic starch exhibits some improvement with a rise in degree of cationic activity, but there is, in general, no increase further in such effect, whilst it has been observed in the amidoximated starch according to the present invention that the dry strengthening effect is also substantially continuously elevated. However, since the amidoxim group is a primary or secondary amine, it does not dissociate in neutral or alkaline conditions so that there is no adsorption of amidoximated starch to pulp in case of neutral or alkaline paper making. As a result, no dry strengthening effect was observed in such case as mentioned above. For solving this problem, quaternary aminoalkyl groups are further introduced into said admidoximated starch. Thus it was observed that remarkable improvement in dry strength with an increase in degree of amidoximation in also achieved in neutral or alkaline paper making wherein amidoxime groups do not dissociate as in the case of acidic paper making of amidoximated starch without any modification. In this case, since amidoxime groups are not dissociated, it has been found that dry strengthening effect of the amidoxime groups is irrespective of dissociation.
Furthermore, quaternary aminoalkylated starch being a starting material of the present invention has been used as a dry strengthening agent in the paper making industry. However, when the present inventors studied effect of quaternary aminoalkylated starch as dry strengthening agent for including the same in pulp in case of neutral or alkaline paper making, it became apparent that quaternary aminoalkyl groups are indispensable for adsorption of starch with respect to pulp, but it was difficult to observe such effect of a dry strengthening agent in the quaternary aminoalkyl groups themselves, and improvement in dry strength was derived from the adsorbed starch. As a matter of course, if quaternary aminoalkyl groups are increased with respect to starch, a degree of cationic activity of such starch rises and adsorption of the starch for pulp increases also, so that some improvement in paper strength may be observed. However, significant elevation of dry strength cannot be expected from that attained by increasing amount of starch.
From the above results, we have found that both of amidoximated starch and quaternary aminoalkylated starch exhibit excellent dry strengthening effects in acidic and neutral or alkaline paper making, respectively. It is needless to say that amidoximated aminoalkylated starch is also effective for case of acidic paper making.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The process for the production of cationic starch having remarkable advantages as a dry strength agent according to the present invention and the application thereof as a dry strengthening agent will be described hereinbelow.
Gelatinization is effected in accordance with conventional procedure by adding water to starch to prepare a slurry mixture, and further adding alkali to the slurry mixture. Powdery or liquid quaternary aminoalkylated starch is commercially available.
Such quaternary aminoalkylated starch has the following general formula: ##STR2## wherein R 1 is C 1 -C 4 alkylene group, R 2 , R 3 or R 4 is C 1 -C 4 alkyl group, X is hydrogen atom or hydroxyl group, and A is acid residue.
In the present invention, either such commercially available quaternary aminoalkylated starch may be used as the starting material, or such starch may originally be prepared in accordance with such a manner that starch is gelatinized in alkaline condition, then 2, 3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride or 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride is added thereto, and the resulting mixture is warmed at a temperature of around 60° C. to react the same. This reaction may also be carried out at the same time or after the undermentioned cyanoethylation.
When the aforesaid gelatinized starch liquid or quaternary aminoalkylated gelatinized starch liquid is mixed with a prescribed amount of acrylonitrile in strong alkaline condition and the mixture is reacted with stirring, each of the corresponding cyanoethylates can be obtained. The cyanoethylating reaction is very rapid in strong alkaline conditions i.e., the reaction terminates at room temperature at around 6 hours, and the reactivity thereof reaches 90% or more.
The cyanoethylated starch liquid thus obtained is mixed with equimolar hydroxylamine salt with respect to the acrylonitrile added to be adjusted such that a pH of the solution becomes 7.0 to 9.0. While hydroxylamine is commercially available in the form of hydrochloride or sulfate, it is required in this case to adjust pH such that hydroxylamine is in a free state by adding alkali or acid in case of the reaction in response to an amount of the existing alkali at the time of cyanoalkylation. The amidoximating reaction is carried out at a temperature of 60° C. or more. The reaction time thereof depends on the reaction temperature, i.e., about 60% of cyanoethyl groups are amidoximated at 70° C. for 3 to 4 hours, and 85° C. for around 2 hours, respectively. After the reaction, an acid corresponding to the amidoxime groups is added to the reaction product to neutralize it. Furthermore, when quaternary aminoalkylated starch which has been previously cyanoethylated is subjected to amidoximation, quaternary amidoximated starch may be obtained.
The above reaction may be schematically expressed as follows, when quaternary aminoalkylated starch is used as its starting material: ##STR3##
A degree of conversion of the amidoximated starch thus obtained can be estimated with respect to the amidoximation thereof in accordance with conventional colloidal titration method. Such colloidal titration method has been reported in J. Poly. Sci., 8, 243 (1952) where a sample corresponding to 10 mg of starch is weighed, diluted with distilled water, and the titration is effected with N/400 potassium polyvinylsulfonate in acetic acid acidified and ammoniacal conditions by using Toluidine Blue as an indicator. As a result of the titration, the total amine and quaternary amine are determined in acetic acid acidified and ammoniacal conditions, respectively. In this reaction, however, carboxylic acid is produced by partial saponification at the time of cyanoethylating and amidoximating reaction, and such carboxylic acid combines intermolecularly with quaternary amine, so that amount of the quaternary amine measured is less than that existing the actual. Thus, actually amidoximated amount must be somewhat lower than the value obtained by subtracting the ammoniacally measured value (amount of quaternary amine) from acetic acid acidified measured value (total amine content).
In case of starting from starch, it is sufficient that only the acetic acid acidified value (total amine content) is measured.
The aforesaid amidoximated starch is included in pulp slurry at the time of paper making as in the case where a usual dry strengthening agent is used. As a result, it was observed that amidoximated agents derived from starch or quaternary aminoalkylated starch and amidoximated agents of quaternary aminoalkylated starch exhibited remarkable improvement in dry strength in acid and neutral or alkaline paper making, respectively, in response to their degrees of amidoximation. Particularly, significant elevation of dry strength was observed with respect to amidoximated agents of quaternary aminoalkylated starch in case of neutral or alkaline paper making as compared with quaternary aminoalkylated starch being the starting material. On the other hand, a rise in degree of aminoalkylation scarcely exhibited advantage in dry strength.
The effect for dry strength is measured herein in accordance with "Bursting Strength of Paper" TAPPI T 403 OS-76.
Pulps such as LUKP, NUKP, corrugated waste pulp and the like other than ordinary LBKP and NBKP are also effective for those used in the present invention.
By the use of the amidoximated cationic starch according to the present invention, not only dry strength attained by including such cationic starch in pulp slurry, but also drainage retention and the like are improved, and surface strength of papers can be elevated by means of sizing press. It is a matter of course that the cationic starch of the present invention may also be utilized for other general applications of cationic starch.
The present invention will be specifically described hereinbelow in conjunction with the following examples, but it is to be noted that the invention is not limited thereto.
EXAMPLE 1
Preparation of Amidoximated Starch
(1) Cyanoethylating reaction
46 g of cornstarch (13% moisture content, 0.247 mol starch) are weighed out and placed into a three-necked flask equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser. 300 ml of distilled water are added to the cornstarch, the mixture is sufficiently dispersed, 30 ml of 5N NaOH are added to the dispersion, and it is agitated at 80° C. for 30 minutes to gelatinize the same.
After the gelatinization, the resulting product is cooled to room temperature, 3.3 g of acrylonitrile (0.062 mol with respect to 25 mol % starch) are added thereto, and the resulting mixture is reacted at room temperature for 6 hours.
(2) Amidoximating reaction
5.1 g (0.062 mol) of equimolar hydroxylamine sulfate of said acrylonitrile are dissolved in 20 ml of distilled water, the solution is added to the product of (1), and they are reacted at 70° C. for 3 hours. At the time of starting the reaction, 16 ml of 5N H 2 SO 4 are added to adjust pH of the reaction solution to 8.0. After completing the reaction, the product is neutralized by the use of sulfuric acid to obtain a pH of 3.0. The resulting final product will be hereinafter referred to as "Sample I".
(3) Measurement for degree of amidoximation
A certain amount of sample corresponding to 10 mg of starch was weighed out from Sample I, diluted with 100 ml of distilled water, and the resulting solution was titrated with N/400 potassium polyvinylsulfonate (hereinafter referred to simply as "PVSK") in acetic acid acidified condition by utilizing Toluidine Blue as the indicator, whereby a measured value of 4.2 ml was obtained. This value corresponds to a rate of addition of amidoxime groups with respect to 17 mol % starch.
EXAMPLE 2
Preparation of Amidoximated Starch
The starch sizing solution obtained in accordance with the same manner as that of Example 1 was mixed with 6.6 g (0.124 mol with respect to 50 mol % starch) of acrylonitrile to effect cyanoethylation. Thereafter 10.2 g (0.124 mol) of hydroxylamine sulfate were added to the resulting product thereby amidoximating the same. At the time of amidoximating reaction, 4 ml of 5N H 2 SO 4 were added to adjust pH to 8.0. The conditions other than those described above are the same with those of Example 1. A PVSK consumption of the product was 6.9 ml, and a rate of addition for amidoxime groups was 28 mol % to starch. The resulting product will hereinafter be referred to as "Sample II".
EXAMPLE 3
Preparation of Quaternary Amidoximated Starch
(1) Quaternary aminoalkylating reaction
46 g of cornstarch (13% moisture content, 0.247 mol starch) are weighed out and placed into a three-necked flask equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser. 300 ml of distilled water are added to the cornstarch, the mixture is sufficiently dispersed, 30 ml of 5N NaOH are added to the dispersion, and they are agitated at 80° C. for 30 minutes to gelatinize the same.
After the gelatinization, bulk temperature of the product is lowered to 60° C., 7.5 g (0.025 mol with respect to 10 mol % starch) of 50% aqueous 3-chloro-2-hydroxy-propyl-trimethylammonium chloride are added thereto, and the resulting mixture is reacted for 2 hours. As a result of colloidal titration, quaternary aminoalkylation was 6.0 mol % with respect to starch. The product thus obtained will be hereinafter referred to as "Sample A".
(2) Cyanoethylating reaction and amidoximating reaction
Acrylonitrile and hydroxylamine sulfate were reacted with the quaternary aminoalkylated starch solution of Sample A in accordance with a similar manner to that of Example 1 with each varying amount of both the acrylonitrile and hydroxylamine sulfate shown in the following Table 1, whereby samples 25-A, 50-A, and 70-A (each charging mol% being shown by a figure) of various degrees of amidoximation were obtained.
TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________Raw MaterialAcrylonitrile Analytical ValueName of Amount Hydroxylamine Total Quater- Degree ofSampleTo Starch Added Sulfate Amine nary Amine Amidoximation__________________________________________________________________________25-A 25 mol % 3.3 g 5.1 g 23.3 mol % 6.5 mol % 15.8 mol %50-A 50 mol % 6.6 g 10.2 g 32.8 mol % 6.0 mol % 26.8 mol %70-A 70 mol % 9.3 g 14.4 g 49.4 mol % 6.1 mol % 43.3 mol %__________________________________________________________________________
EXAMPLE 4
Preparation of Quaternary Amidoximated Starch
(1) Quaternary aminoalkylating reaction
By varying an amount of 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (hereinafter referred to simply as "CTA") to be added in Example 3- (1) as shown in the following Table 2, various quaternary aminoalkylated starch of different amounts of addition were experimentally prepared.
TABLE 2______________________________________ Amount Added 50% CTA of QuaternaryName of Sample To Starch Amount Added Amine______________________________________B 5 mol % 3.8 g 3.2 mol %C 15 mol % 11.3 g 8.5 mol %______________________________________
(2) Cyanoethylating reaction and amidoximating reaction
Acrylonitrile and hydroxylamine sulfate were amidoximated with 50 mol % charging with respect to starch in accordance with a similar manner to that of Example 1 by using quaternary aminoalkylated starch solution of said Samples B and C, and the results thereof are shown in Table 3.
TABLE 3______________________________________ Analytical Value Quaternary Degree ofName of Sample Total Amine Amine Amidoximation______________________________________50-B 32.2 mol % 3.2 mol % 28.0 mol %50-C 34.4 mol % 8.5 mol % 25.9 mol %______________________________________
(Figure in the Name of Sample indicates charge mol % of acrylonitrile.)
EXAMPLE 5
Dry Strength Test
Dry strength tests were made in acid paper making with respect to amidoximated starch Samples I and II prepared experimentally in Examples 1 and 2, and as a control, quarternary aminoalkylated starch Sample A prepared experimentally in Example 3.
Paper making conditions were as described hereinbelow. An LBKP of 400 ml C.S.F. degree of beating was used, and subjected to paper making under condition of 50 g/m 2 basis weight in accordance with TAPPI standard. The samples were mixed with respect to pulp with two levels of 0.5% and 1.0%, and 3% alum, respectively, and paper making pH was 5.7. Dry strength is represented by specific burst strength, and the results thereof are shown in the following Table 4.
TABLE 4______________________________________Specific Burst Strength Degree of Acid Paper MakingName of Sample Amidoximation 0.5% 1.0%______________________________________I 17 mol % 2.59 3.12II 28 mol % 2.79 3.38A *6.0 mol % 2.16 2.43blank -- 1.80 --______________________________________ *A = quaternary aminoalkylated starch, numerical value: amount of quaternary amine.
As is apparent from Table 4, it is observed that there is remarkable improvement in dry strength of the amidoximates starch Samples I and II according to the invention of this application as compared with Sample A corresponding to commercially available cationic starch, and dry strengthening effect is also elevated with the increase of degree of amidoximation.
EXAMPLE 6
Dry Strength Test
Dry strength tests were effected in both acid paper making (addition of 3% alum) and alkaline paper making (pH 8.5) with respect to quaternary amidoximated starch prepared experimentally in Example 3 in accordance with a similar manner to that of Example 5.
TABLE 5______________________________________Specific Burst StrengthAnalytical Value Degree of Degree of Acid Sheet Alkaline SheetName of Quarternary Amidoxi- Making MakingSample Amination mation 0.5% 1.0% 0.5% 1.0%______________________________________A 6.0 mol % -- 2.09 2.37 2.10 2.4325-A 6.5 mol % 15.8 mol % 2.25 2.60 2.37 2.8050-A 6.0 mol % 26.8 mol % 2.41 2.77 2.47 2.9270-A 6.1 mol % 43.3 mol % 2.48 2.89 2.52 3.08blank -- -- 1.71 -- 1.74 --______________________________________
As is apparent from Table 5, it is observed that the cationic starch samples (25-A-70-A) prepared by amidoximating quaternary aminoalkylated starch (A) according to the present invention exhibit remarkably elevated specific burst strength in both acid and alkaline paper making as compared with the quaternary aminoalkylated starch (A) being the starting material, and advantages of the amidoximated cationic starch of this invention increase with the elevation in degree of amidoximation.
EXAMPLE 7
Dry Strength Test
Samples wherein degree of amidoximation is kept at a substantially constant value are used with respect to quaternary cationic starch of various degrees of quaternary aminoalkylation, and dry strength was tested in respect of quaternary aminoalkyl groups in alkaline paper making in accordance with a similar manner to that of Example 5.
TABLE 6______________________________________Specific Burst StrengthAnalytical Value Degree of Alkaline SheetName of Quarternary Degree of MakingSample Amination Amidoximation 0.5% 1.0%______________________________________50-A 6.0 mol % 26.8 mol % 2.47 2.7750-B 3.2 mol % 28.0 mol % 2.53 2.8350-C 8.5 mol % 25.9% 2.47 2.80blank -- -- 1.77 --______________________________________
As is clear from Table 6, it is observed that dry strength is not influenced by degree of quaternary amination, if the samples have substantially the same degrees of amidoximation with each other.
EXAMPLE 8
Surface Strength Test of Paper
Surface strength of the papers which were subjected to alkaline paper making by employing Samples A and 50-A was tested with the use of an IGT tester in accordance with a similar manner to that specified in TAPPI T499 Su-64.
Printing conditions for the test were spring A, ink tacking 15, and printing pressure 50 kg/cm 2 , and results of the test were judged by printing speed in respect of fluffing.
TABLE 7______________________________________Printing SpeedAnalytical Value Degree of Printing SpeedName of Quarternary Degree of Cm/SecSample Amination Amidoximation 0.5% 1.0%______________________________________50-A 6.0 mol % 26.8 mol % 115 178A 6.0 mol % -- 102 128blank -- -- 88 --______________________________________
As is apparent from Table 7, it is observed that the cationic starch (50-A) prepared by amidoximating quaternary aminoalkylated starch (A) exhibits remarkably elevated surface strength of paper in comparison with the quaternary aminoalkylated starch (A) being the starting material.
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The present invention relates to a process for producing novel cationic starch comprising the step of reacting starch having cyanoethyl groups or starch having cyanoethyl groups and quaternary aminoalkyl groups with hydroxylamine or the salts thereof to amidoximate the reaction product.
The resulting cationic starch of the invention exhibits significant advantages as compared with those of conventional cationic starch as a dry strengthening agent.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a socket connector, and in particular, to a collapsible socket connector for reducing the space occupied thereby when not in use.
2. The Prior Art
Electrical connectors are used to establish electrical connection between electronic devices and elements. The trend of miniaturization of the electronics industry requires an electronic product to accommodate a high density of connectors for providing expanded functions. Thus, an efficient use of space within the electronic product must be promoted. A collapsible structure provides an effective means to reduce the space occupied by a connector when the connector is not in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible socket connector having a cover pivotally attached to a base whereby the cover is movable between a closed position and an open position for reducing the space occupied by the connector when not in use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible socket connector having a cover pivotally attached to a base whereby the cover is movable between a closed position and an open position, contact elements being fully retained in the base at the closed position thereby protecting the contact elements from oxidation and corrosion.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible socket connector having a cover pivotally attached to a base whereby the cover is movable between a closed position and an open position, a space being defined between the cover and the base at the open position for receiving a plug connector whereby electrical connection may be established between the socket connector and the plug connector.
To achieve the above objects, a collapsible socket connector in accordance with the present invention comprises a base retaining a plurality of contacts therein and a cover pivotally attached to the base. The cover is movable with respect to the base between a closed position where the cover shields the contacts and an open position where the contacts are exposed and a space is defined between the base and the cover for receiving a mating plug connector therein whereby the contacts electrical engage with conductive elements of the plug connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a bottom exploded view of a collapsible socket connector constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top exploded view of the collapsible socket connector;
FIG. 3A is a side elevational view of the assembled collapsible socket connector mounted to a circuit board, the socket connector being at a closed position;
FIG. 3B is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 3A showing the socket connector at an open position;
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the collapsible socket connector at the open position before a mating plug connector engages therewith;
FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the collapsible socket connector after the plug connector engages therewith; and
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the collapsible socket connector mounted to a casing of an electronic device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, a collapsible socket connector in accordance with the present invention comprises a base 2 defining a cavity 25 therein exposed to a top face 21 thereof. A plurality of channels 251 are formed in communication with the cavity 25. The base 2 has a rear wall 230 defining a slot 231 therein in communication with the cavity 25 for receiving a contact module 4.
The contact module 4 comprises a number of contacts 41 fixed in a spacer 42. Each contact 41 has a mounting end section 412 and a mating end section 411 respectively extending beyond opposite faces of the spacer 42. The spacer 42 is inserted into the slot 231 and has a rib 421 engaging with an edge of an inner face of the cavity 25 for retaining the spacer 42 in the slot 231. The mating end sections 411 of the contacts 41 extend through the cavity 25 and are received in the channels 251. The mating end sections 411 form an arcuate portion for engaging with contacts (not shown) of a mating plug connector 6 (FIGS. 4A and 4B).
The base 2 defines a pair of pivot holes 24 therein exposed to opposite side faces 20 of the base 2. Each side face 21 also has a projection 26 formed thereon.
A cover 3 comprises two spaced side walls 30 defining an interior space 31 therebetween. Each side wall 30 has an inside face 301 on which a trunnion 321 is formed extending into the interior space 31. The trunnions 321 are received in the corresponding pivot holes 24 of the base 2 thereby rendering the cover 3pivotable about the trunnions 321 with respect to the base 2 between a closed position (FIG. 3A) and an open position (FIG. 3B). The cover 3 may be provided with grooves 34 on an outer surface thereof for facilitating the manual pivotal movement of the cover 3.
At the closed position, the base 2 is received in the interior space 31 of the cover 3 whereby the base 2 and the mating end sections 411 of the contacts 41 are enclosed by the cover 3 and the interior space 31 of the cover 3 is enclosed by the base 2. At the open position, the cover 3 is pivoted away from the base 2 thereby exposing the mating end sections 411 of the contacts 4 and the interior space 31 of the cover 3. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a space is defined between the base 2 and the cover 3 at the open position and the space, including the interior space 31 of the cover 3, is large enough to receive the mating plug connector 6 thereby forming electrical engagement between the mating end sections 411 of the contacts 41 and the contacts of the mating connector 6.
The collapsible structure of the socket connector 1 of the present invention allows the socket connector 1 to occupy a smaller amount of space when the plug connector 6 is removed and the socket connector 1 is not in use. Thus, an efficient use of space is promoted within an electronic device in which the connector is mounted. Furthermore, by closing the cover 3 after the plug connector 6 is removed, the contacts 41 are shielded and separated from the external environment thereby protecting the contacts 41 from oxidation and corrosion.
Each side wall 30 of the cover 3 defines a hole 331 therein exposed to the inside face 301 thereof. The holes 331 corresponds to the projections 26 of the base 2 and snappingly engage therewith for retaining the cover 3 at the closed position with respect to the base 2. Preferably, a recess 33 is defined on the inside face 301 of each side wall 30 and the hole 331 is defined in the recess 33.
The base 2 has a bottom face 22 on which two positioning pins 28 are formed. The positioning pins 28 are inserted into holes 51 defined in a circuit board 5 for properly positioning the connector 1 on the circuit board 5 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The base 2 is positioned on the circuit board 5 whereby the mounting end sections 412 of the contacts 41 electrically engage with the circuit board 5.
Referring to FIG. 5, the base 2 further comprises a dovetailed tenon 27 engageable with a dovetailed mortise 71 defined in a casing 7 of an electronic device for fixing the connector 1 to the casing 7. The casing 7 may further define a recess 72 for accommodating the mounting end sections 412 of the contacts 41 therein. Wires or a flexible printed circuit board 8 extend into the recess 72 for electrically engaging with the mounting end sections 412 of the contacts 41 and connecting the connector 1 to the printed circuit board 5 via another connector 52 mounted on the circuit board 5.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.
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A collapsible socket connector includes a base retaining a plurality of contacts therein and a cover pivotally attached to the base and movable with respect thereto between a closed position where the cover shields the contacts and an open position where the contacts are exposed and a space is defined between the base and the cover for receiving a mating plug connector therein whereby the contacts electrically engage with conductive elements of the plug connector.
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This application is related to patent application ST98-005, Ser. No. 09/174,620 filed on Oct. 19, 1998, assigned to a common assignee.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the fabrication and the testing of Integrated Circuit (IC) devices, and, more particularly, to an apparatus for a robust Universal Docking System that is used for purposes of docking and undocking of an electronic test head with a semiconductor device handler.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
In the automatic testing of Integrated Circuits (IC) and other electronic devices, special device handlers are used to place the device that is to be tested in position. The electronic testing itself is provided by a large and sophisticated automatic testing system that includes a test head. The test head is required to connect to and dock with the device handler. In such testing systems, the test head is usually very heavy. The reason for this heaviness is that the test head uses high-speed electronic timing signals. The electronic test circuits must therefore be located as close as possible to the device under test. Accordingly, the test head has been densely packaged with electronic circuits in order to achieve high speed testing of state of the art devices.
The state of the art leaves much to be desired in providing a manipulator or positioner that readily and accurately moves the heavy test head in position with respect to the device handler mechanism. The user typically must move the heavy device handler or the heavy positioner in order to provide alignment. When the test head is accurately in position with respect to the device handler, the test head and the device handler are said to be aligned. After the test head and the device handler have been aligned, the fragile test head and the device handler electrical connections can be brought together (that is docked) thereby enabling the transfer of test signals between the test head and the device handler. Prior to docking, the test head and the device handler electrical connections must be precisely aligned to avoid damaging the electrical connectors.
In a typical operational environment that has as function the electrical testing of semiconductor devices, the test head is manually guided to connect delicate electrical pins to the contacting plate of the device handler, without thereby making use of alignment guides. After this operation of guiding the test head has been completed (that is the test head has been positioned in the location where the test head can be connected and docked with the device handler) the test head is locked or kept level by means of a device manipulator. This often presents problems during production testing. For instance, the position of the test head can change as a consequence of which the electrical connections with the device handler are interrupted. Or the device handler vibrates causing intermittent electrical connections with the device test head or even causing damage to the electrical equipment.
Due to the complexity and density of advanced, sophisticated semiconductor devices, the number of connections that must be provided to the semiconductor device during the test operation can be very large resulting in a heavy cable that must be connected to the device under test. This heavy cable provides increased weight and mass that further aggravates the problem of establishing and maintaining firm positioning between the test head and the device handler of the semiconductor device. Special arrangements are typically provided for the heavy interconnect cable, which address problems of being able to position the test head into the desired position without interference by the cable, providing flexibility in positioning of the test head without interference by the heavy cable, avoiding interference of the cable with freedom of movement that must by provided to the operator of the test equipment, keeping the length of the cable at a minimum to avoid negative electrical performance aspects that can be introduced as a consequence of a long electrical path to the device under test, maintaining mechanical stability to the combined and interlocked device handler and the test head thereby negating the need for mechanical counterbalancing arrangements, and the like.
Prior Art methods of positioning the test head with respect to the device handler frequently use lead screws and sliding/rotating mechanisms of various designs that assisted in the positioning of the test head with respect to the device handler. These mechanisms are in addition frequently aided by electrical motors that provided three-dimensional degree of movement in addition to rotational movement of the components of the test assembly. The various motions that are provided in this manner are however difficult to control to the required degree of accuracy leading to potential damage to device or test head pins, pins that are in most cases of a delicate nature and therefore easily damaged. The addition of the indicated components such as electrical motors and the like further require extensive floor space and do therefore not meet the need that positioning apparatus must be of a simple but sturdy design.
Semiconductor device testing can further take place in a clean room environment. Where this ability to perform device testing in a clean room environment is required, this requirement must not add a significant amount of either expense or complexity to device testing components such as device handler, test head and positioning and docking arrangements that are required for the device testing. Usable space within a clean environment usually involves considerable expense in providing this clean room environment, further emphasizing the need for test components that are simple in design and sturdy in their application.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,943 (Holt et al.) shows test head manipulator that facilitates docking and docking of the test heads and device handlers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,074 (Holt et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,029 (Smith) show other testing systems with test heads and device handlers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,258 (Graham et al.) (inTEST Corporation) shows an automated docking test head and device handler.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses the problem of quickly and reliably positioning and interlocking a Universal Docking system (UDS) handler plate with respect to a UDS test head plate.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for establishing quick and reliable connections between a semiconductor device handler plate and a semiconductor device test head plate.
Another objective of the present invention is to reduce the negative effect on device yield caused by unreliable interconnection between a device handler plate and a device test head plate.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to reduce the need for device re-testing due to unreliable testing results caused by unreliable device handler plate to device test head plate connections (re-screen downtime reduction).
Yet another objective of the present invention is to reduce the downtime required for changing equipment set-up in semiconductor testing and manufacturing environments.
In accordance with the objectives of the invention a new method and apparatus is provided to quickly and reliably position, connect and dock a handler plate with a test head plate of a Universal Docking System. The handler plate is provided with at least two roller assemblies whereby each roller assembly consists of a main body or block to which four roller bearings or dowel pins are connected whereby the roller bearings protrude from the vertical body of the roller assembly in a horizontal plane. The test head plate is provided with at least two matching (with the roller assemblies of the handler plate) receiver block assemblies to which a sliding block is attached. Each receiving block assembly of the test head plate is provided with a sliding block whereby the sliding blocks are interconnected with a pivoting linkage assembly such that the movements of the sliding blocks (and with that the movements of the receiving blocks) are synchronized with respect to each other. Each sliding block is provided with a cutout that is designed such that a roller bearing (of the roller assembly) can slide through this cutout. After positioning the roller block with respect to the receiver block and engaging (by the sliding block) at least one of the roller bearings of the roller assembly, the sliding block will be (manually) forced in a direction such that the roller bearing (that now slides through the cut-out of the sliding block) will be further inserted into the receiving block. Since the roller assembly is attached to the handler plate and the receiver block is attached to the test head plate, the action of forcing the roller bearing into the receiver block results in forcing the handler plate closer to the test head plate. The pivoting arrangement that is part of the sliding block assembly synchronizes the motions of the sliding blocks such that, for all receiving blocks, the roller bearings will enter the receiving blocks at the same rate resulting in the plane of the handler plate and the plane of the test head plate remaining parallel during the process of bringing the two plates together. After the roller bearings of the roller assemblies have been forced into the receiver blocks, thereby positioning and locking the handler plate with respect to the test head plate, electrical contact between the electrical contacts of the device handler and the electrical contacts of the device test head has been established. The device is now securely positioned for testing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 a shows a three-dimensional view of the device handler plate and the device test head plate, components that are part of these two assemblies are highlighted.
FIGS. 1 b and 1 c show a side view and a cross section of two interacting components that are part of the test head plate of the invention.
FIG. 1 d shows the relative positioning of major system components, such as device handler, a device prober and the like, that make use of the docking system of the invention.
FIG. 2 a shows a cross section of the handler plate and the test head plate at the time when these two plates are not engaged but are in approximate alignment with each other. Cross sections of the components that are part of the two assemblies are also indicated.
FIG. 2 b shows a three dimensional view of a receiver block and a sliding block.
FIG. 2 c shows a three dimensional view of a roller assembly with roller bearings.
FIG. 2 d shows the UDS handler plate in more detail.
FIG. 3 a shows a cross section of the handler plate and the test head plate during the initial step of the docking process between the handler plate and the test head plate.
FIG. 3 b shows further detail regarding the test head plate.
FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the handler plate and the test head plate at the point during the docking process when the roller bearings of the roller assembly have been partially inserted into the receiver block assembly of the test head plate.
FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the handler plate and the test head plate at the point during the docking process when the pivoting link assembly of the sliding blocks (that are attached to the receiver blocks of the test head plate) pushes the sliding blocks in a horizontal direction forcing the roller assembly down along a sloping cavity that is provided in the sliding block thereby forcing the roller bearing/roller assembly into the receiver block.
FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the handler plate and the test head plate at the point during the docking process when the roller bearings (of the roller assembly of the handler plate) have been fully inserted into the receiver assemblies (of the test head plate) thereby positioning and docking the handler plate with respect to the test head plate and thereby furthermore establishing electrical contact between the electrical contacts of the handler plate and the electrical contacts of the test head plate.
FIG. 7 shows a docking square.
FIG. 8 shows a docking triangle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now specifically to FIG. 1 a , there is shown a three dimensional view of the device handler plate 10 and the device test head plate 12 . The handler plate 10 is provided with roller assemblies, the test head plate 12 is provided with receiver blocks to which sliding plates are attached.
The operation of the apparatus of the invention can be summarized as follows: the roller assemblies (part of the handler plate) are aligned with and minimally inserted into the receiver block assemblies (part of the test head plate). Operator action further forces the complete entry of the roller assembly into the receiver block assembly. Operator action requires the turning of a handle, which motion is translated into a motion of sliding plates that are part of the receiver block assembly. This sliding motion results in the indicated insertion of the roller assemblies into the receiver block assemblies.
The components that are part of these two assemblies are the following:
10 is the handler plate
12 is the test head plate
14 is a roller assembly that is part of and attached to the handler plate 10 . The handler plate 10 is provided with at least two roller assemblies 14 , the three dimensional view that is shown in FIG. 1 a shows two roller assemblies 14 that are mounted on opposing corners of the handler plate 10 . The handler plate can be provided with a total of four roller assemblies 14 whereby these four roller assemblies are mounted on the four corners of the handler plate 10 with one roller assembly 14 on each of the four corners of the handler plate 10 . The method and apparatus of the invention are not limited to four roller assemblies per handler plate but can, dependent on specific design requirements, be extended beyond the number of four; this number can also be reduced to two or three roller assemblies. Roller block assemblies 14 have been provided in the X-direction of the handler plate 10 at a first Y-coordinate of the handler plate
15 is one of the (four) roller bearings that is attached to and forms part of the roller assembly 14 ; the construct is not limited to four roller bearings per assembly and is dependent on specific design requirements; the number of roller bearings can range from two roller bearings and up
16 is the relative vertical motion (Z-direction, see Cartesian diagram of FIG. 1 a ) of the handler plate 10 with respect to the test head plate 12
17 is (one of two) roller assemblies that have been provided in the X-direction of the handler plate 10 at a second Y-coordinate of the handler plate
18 is the relative X-direction motion of receiver block assemblies 20 / 21 and 23 / 25 with respect to the test head plate 12
20 is a first receiver block assembly that is part of the test head plate 12
21 is a second receiver block assembly that is part of the test head plate 12 ; receiver block assemblies 20 and 21 are mounted in the X-direction of the test head plate 12
22 is a receiver block that is part of the receiver block assembly 20 . The test head plate can be provided with a total of four receiver block assemblies 22 whereby these four receiver block assemblies are mounted on the four corners of the test head plate with one receiver block assembly on each of the four corners of the test head plate 12 . The method and apparatus of the invention are not limited to four receiver block assemblies per test head plate but can, dependent on specific design requirements, be extended beyond the number of four or can be reduced to two or three receiver block assemblies
23 and 25 are receiver block assemblies that are mounted in the X-direction of the test head plate 12 but that have Y-coordinates of the test head plate 12 that differ from the Y-coordinates of the receiver block assemblies 20 / 21
24 is a cavity that has been provided in the receiver block 22 whereby the horizontal cross section of cavity 24 is essentially the same as the horizontal cross section of the roller block assembly 14 such that the roller assembly 14 can penetrate cavity 24 and is, in this penetration, guided by the inside walls of cavity 24 (see FIGS. 2 b and 2 c following). Each receiver block of the invention is provided with a cavity that is identical to cavity 24
26 is a sliding block that is attached to the receiver block 22 such that the sliding block 26 and the receiver block 22 form one mechanical unit that moves in unison. Key to the method of the invention is that the sliding block 26 has been provided with a cavity (not shown in FIG. 1 a ) that matches and aligns with one of the roller bearings of the roller assembly 14 . The function of this cavity will become clear under the following artwork of the present invention
28 is a pivot linkage assembly that contains components 30 , 32 , 34 , and 36 , these components will be explained following
30 is an X-directional cross-link bar that interconnects receiver block assembly 20 with receiver block assembly 21 . The distance between receiver block assembly 20 and receiver block assembly 21 remains fixed once these two receiver block assemblies have been interconnected by the X-directional cross link bar 30
32 is an Y-directional cross-link bar that interconnects receiver block assemblies 20 / 21 with receiver block assemblies 23 / 25 . The distance between receiver block assemblies 20 / 21 and receiver block assemblies 23 / 25 remains fixed once these two receiver block assemblies have been interconnected by the Y-directional cross link bar 32
34 is an insertion handle that is used (by an operator) to force the roller assembly into the cavity 24 of the receiver block 22 by means of the cavity (not shown in FIG. 1 a ) that has been provided for this purpose in the sliding block 26
36 is an insertion plate to which the insertion handle 38 is mechanically and fixedly attached, the insertion plate 36 translates the rotational motion of insertion handle 34 into a sliding motion of the sliding block 26 (see FIGS. 1 b and 1 c following)
37 is the point at which the insertion plate 36 is rotationally attached to the test head plate 12
38 is the direction of rotation that is provided by an operator to the insertion plate 36 by means of the insertion handle 34
39 is a cut-out in the insertion plate 36 through which a motion pin (not shown) that is attached to the sliding block 26 can slide thereby translating the rotational motion 38 of handle 34 into a sliding motion of the sliding block 26 (see FIGS. 1 b and 1 c following). At the time that the roller bearing has been (manually) inserted into the cavity (not shown in FIG. 1 a ) that has been provided for this purpose in the sliding block 26 to the point where the roller bearing can be engaged by the cavity, the operator turns the insertion handle 34 thereby rotating the insertion plate 36 thereby translating the rotation of the insertion plate 36 into a sliding motion of the sliding block 26 . The sliding motion of the sliding block 26 forces the roller assembly 14 further into the cavity 24 of the receiver block 22 in a direction 16 and toward the test head plate 12 , and
40 is the pivoting point for the Y-directional cross link bar 32 ; by providing the Y-directional cross link bar 32 the insertion of roller bearings that belong to roller assemblies 14 that have been provided in the X-direction of the handler plate 10 at a first Y-coordinate of the handler plate is coordinated with the insertion of the roller bearings that belong to roller assemblies 17 that have been provided in the X-direction of the handler plate 10 at a second Y-coordinate of the handler plate. This latter action that is provided by the pivot link assembly 28 is important for the concurrent and accurate insertion of X-directional roller bearings that have been provided at different Y-dimensions of the handler plate 10 .
FIGS. 1 b and 1 c further highlight the operation of the insertion plate 36 in conjunction with the sliding block 26 . The views that are shown in FIGS. 1 b and 1 c demonstrate how the rotational action of the plate 36 is transposed into a sliding action of the sliding plate 26 . The components that are shown in FIGS. 1 b and 1 c have previously been highlighted under FIG. 1 a with the exception of the pin 27 , which is attached to and forms part of the sliding block 26 . Pin 27 is inserted into the slot 39 that has for this purpose been provided in plate 36 , plate 36 rotates around point 37 as a consequence of the rotating action 38 (FIG. 1 a ). During the rotation of plate 36 therefore pin 27 will be moved to different positions inside slot 39 , which in turn forces the sliding block 26 to move to different positions. In short: by turning the handle 34 , the sliding block 26 is moved under the actions that are highlighted by FIGS. 1 b and 1 c.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 1 d , there is shown the relative positioning of the device handler 1 , the device prober 5 , the device test head 4 , and the two Universal Docking System (UDS) plates, that is the UDS handler plate 2 and the UDS test head plate 3 . The UDS handler plate 2 together with the UDS test head plate 3 form a mechanical system, which aligns, connects and disconnects with respect to each other by means of four pairs of interlocking mechanical sub-assemblies.
The UDS handier plate 2 (FIG. 1 d ) is attached to the device handler 1 (FIG. 1 d ) or the device prober 5 (FIG. 1 d ). Its function is equivalent to the test handler function, the UDS test head plate 3 (FIG. 1 d ) is attached to the device test head plate 4 (FIG. 1 d ). The UDS handler plate 2 (FIG. 1 d ) with its subassembly plus the UDS test head plate 3 (FIG. 1 d ) with its subassembly form the Robust Universal Docking System (R-UDS). The UDS serves as the mechanism for aligning, connecting and disconnecting the two systems with they interface. In FIG. 1 d , these two systems are device handier and the device tester.
FIG. 2 a shows a cross section of the handler plate 10 and the test head plate 12 at the time when these two plates are not engaged but are in approximate alignment with each other. Cross sections of the components that are part of the two assemblies are the following:
42 is an assembly of electrical contact points that are provided in the handler plate
44 is an assembly of electrical contact points that are provided in the test head plate
46 is a cavity that has been provided in the sliding block 26 and that is used for the insertion of the roller assembly by means of the roller bearings as detailed above
47 is the slope of cavity 46 , and
48 are the roller bearings of the roller assembly 14 .
The profile of the cavity 46 that is provided in the sliding block 26 is such that if the sliding block 26 is moved in direction 45 after a roller bearing 48 has been inserted into the cavity 46 to the point where the upper surface of the roller bearing is at the level or slightly below the slope 47 of the cavity 46 , the slope 47 will press the roller bearing 48 in a downward direction (Z-direction) as a result of the force 34 (FIG. 1 a ). The receiving block assemblies 20 / 21 (FIG. 1 a ) will, as a result move in the direction 45 which further results, as detailed above and by the means of the pivot linkage assembly 28 and the pivoting of the cross link bar 32 that pivots around the pivoting point 40 , in a movement of block assemblies 23 / 25 in a direction that is opposite to direction 45 .
FIG. 2 b shows three dimensional views of the receiver block 22 with the matched sliding block 26 and the groove 46 that has been provided in the sliding block 26 . It is clear from FIG. 2 b that if a roller assembly is entered into cavity 24 whereby one roller bearing 48 (FIG. 2 c ) protrudes through opening 29 and into groove 46 , the slope 47 of groove 46 can further force the roller assembly into the cavity 24 if the sliding block 26 moves in direction 45 .
FIG. 2 c shows a three dimensional view of the roller assembly 14 with the thereto attached roller bearings 48 .
FIG. 2 d provides additional detail regarding the UDS handier plate 20 . In a typical application, the UDS handier plate 20 is an 8 mm thick aluminum plate that is 876×876 mm square in size. The dimensions for this plate are however not limited to the typical dimensions indicated, the center 31 of the UDS handier plate 20 is cut out so as not to interfere with any electrical or mechanical components of the test head. The UDS handler plate 20 is mounted against the device handler base plate. Threads are tapped into the handler base plate for screws to fasten the UDS handier plate 20 with the handier base plate.
FIG. 2 d also shows the UDS handier plate 20 with adjustment slot guides 41 and side adjustment hole locations 43 . For conversions of the tester where testing is required on more than one center site, such as a second or third site testing, the slot guides 41 are used in conjunction with a suspended screw (not shown) attached to the device handler 1 (FIG. 1 d ) to shift the UDS handler plate 2 (FIG. 1 d ) into the second or third test position. The site adjustments have the same function in adjusting the UDS handler plate 2 (FIG. 1 d ) to positions other than the central test position with respect to the test head 4 (FIG. 1 d ).
FIG. 3 a shows a cross section of the handler plate 10 and the test head plate 12 during the initial step of the docking process between the handler plate and the test head plate. The roller assemblies 14 are initially positioned into the openings 24 (FIG. 1 a ) of the receiver block 22 . The cone shaped extension 50 of the roller assembly aids in positioning the roller assembly with respect to the geometric center of the openings 24 . Further shown in FIG. 3 a are the regions within the openings 24 where the parts that make up the roller assembly will penetrate the opening, as follows:
the regions highlighted as 52 that are bounded by the dotted lines on each side of the regions are the regions where the roller bearings of the roller assembly will penetrate the opening 24 , and
the regions highlighted as 54 that are bounded by the dotted lines on each side of the regions are the regions where the main body of the roller assembly will penetrate the opening 24 .
FIG. 3 b shows the test head plate 70 , this assembly has three main bar members (not highlighted) which are mounted in a “U” shape structure. The U-shaped structure mounts around the device test head 4 (FIG. 1 d ) using adjustable “Zee mounting brackets” 71 . The Zee mounting brackets help to adjust and lock the test head plate 70 in a required position in the “Z” direction, depending on the thickness of the test socket interface.
Basic geometry teaches that three points fixed in space define a plane. It is therefore apparent that, in order to accomplish the alignment of one plane with another, such as the UDS handier plate 2 (FIG. 1 d ) with the UDS test head plate 3 (FIG. 1 d ), three points of suspension suffice for each of these two plates. This leads to the concept of the three point docking system. This as opposed to the four point docking system as highlighted in FIG. 2 d and FIG. 3 b where the UDS handler plate 20 and the UDS test head plate 70 are detailed. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 highlight the concept of the four and three point docking system respectively, this is further highlighted below.
FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the docking process when the roller bearings 48 of the roller assembly 14 have been partially inserted within the receiver block assemblies 20 and 21 (or 23 / 25 ) of the test head plate 12 . The roller bearings 48 are at this point far enough inserted into opening 24 of the receiver block assemblies that the slope 47 of cavity 46 that has been provided in the sliding block 26 can engage the roller bearings. This engaging of the roller bearings is achieved by the rotating motion of insertion handle 38 (FIG. 1 a ). The sloping profile of the cavity 47 will, as previously highlighted under FIG. 2 a , further force the roller bearings into the cavity 24 of the receiver block thereby pressing the handler plate 10 closer to the test head plate 12 . It must be noted that, at the time that the roller bearings can be engaged by the sloping cavity 46 , the points of electrical contact that are present in the handler plate 10 and in the test head plate 12 are aligned even though at this time these contact points are yet are not touching (FIG. 4 ).
FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the handler plate 10 and the test head plate 12 at the point during the docking process when the pivoting link assembly of the sliding blocks (that are attached to the receiver blocks of the test head plate) pushes the sliding blocks in a horizontal direction 45 , forcing the roller bearings 48 down along the sloping surface 47 of cavity 46 (FIG. 2 b ) that is provided in the slider block 26 (FIG. 2 b ), thereby forcing the roller assembly 14 into the receiver blocks 20 / 21 and 23 / 25 . Concurrent with this motion the electrical contact points provided in assemblies 42 (for the handler plate 10 ) and 44 (for the test head plate 12 ) are brought closer together.
FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the handler plate 10 and the test head plate 12 at the point during the docking process when the roller bearings 48 (of the roller assemblies 14 of the handler plate 10 ) have been fully inserted into the receiver assemblies 20 / 21 and 23 / 25 (of the test head plate 12 ) thereby positioning and docking the handler plate with respect to the test head plate and thereby furthermore establishing electrical contact between the electrical contacts 42 of the handler plate 10 and the electrical contacts 44 of the test head plate 12 . It must be noted from the cross section that is shown in FIG. 6 that the sloping nature of cavity 47 is, at the end of the trajectory of the roller bearings 48 into cavity 24 , the sloping nature of the cavity is converted into a horizontal top surface of the cavity. This horizontal or end section of cavity 47 provides the point where the roller bearings come to rest after insertion and is therefore needed as a horizontal surface (for the roller bearings) in order to provide stability in the (final) positioning of the roller bearings.
It further deserves pointing out that the cross section that is shown in FIG. 6, which shows a set of two roller assemblies and two receiver block assemblies, can be replicated by a similar cross section that can be made of the second set of two roller assemblies and two receiver block assemblies that are part of the method and apparatus of the invention. This second cross section will look similar to the cross section that is shown in FIG. 6 due to the action of the cross bar 32 and the pivoting action 40 that is provided to this cross bar 32 . This cross bar engages the second set of roller assemblies and receiver block assemblies causing these roller assemblies and receiver block assemblies to be engaged and lock as shown for the first set of roller assemblies and receiver block assemblies in FIG. 6 .
Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown how the four points 1 ′, 2 ′, 3 ′ and 4 ′ provide docking possibilities of 0-degree, 90-degree and 180-degree docking rotation.
Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a three point docking configuration whereby three points 1 ″, 2 ″ and 3 ″ provide less freedom in possible docking configurations since this configuration limits the docking to one configuration. This limitation is however not to be considered a drawback or limitation of the present invention since there are conditions of device testing where this configuration, due to its very simplicity, can be a configuration of choice, most notably where considerations of high device throughput, speed of test set up and the like are of importance.
It is clear that the method and process of the invention, that has as objective the positioning and docking of a handler plate with respect to a test head plate, can be provided with a number of variations that are directly derived from the method and process that has been described in detail. For instance, the number of roller assemblies can be varied as can the number of receiver block assemblies. The method and process of the invention can in this manner be applied to a large surface where such an application is of benefit. Increasing the number of roller assemblies and receiver block assemblies can also result in increased accuracy of alignment and in increased stability of the docking condition. The method and process of the invention is therefore not limited to the steps and apparatus that has been described above and that serve as an example that can readily be extended in order to extend the use and benefit that is provided by the invention.
Although the invention therefore has been described and illustrated with reference to specific illustrative embodiments thereof, it is not intended that the invention be limited to those illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within the invention all such variations and modifications which fall within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
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A new method and apparatus is provided to quickly and reliably position, connect and dock a handler plate with a test head plate of a Universal Docking System. A handler plate is provided with roller assemblies while a test head plate is provided with matching receiver block assemblies. The roller assemblies are aligned with and partially inserted into the receiver block assemblies. Part of the roller assembly is mechanically engaged by the receiver block assembly, a mechanical linkage between an operator handle and the receiver block assembly allows the operator to complete the locking of the test head plate with the handler plate thereby at the same time establishing electrical contacts between arrays of pins that are mounted on surfaces of the handler base plate and the test head.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a lubrication structure for an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to a lubrication structure permitting optimum arrangement of lubrication system components and size reduction of an internal combustion engine for a vehicle.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Generally, a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine guides oil from a pump chamber arranged near an inner side of the internal combustion engine to the oil filter arranged near the outer side of the internal combustion engine. An example of a similar arrangement is shown in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei. 9-88538.
[0005] [0005]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a section of an internal combustion engine taken in the vicinity of an oil pump shaft as found in the conventional art. A clutch cover 02 ′ is joined to a right surface of a right crankcase 01 ′. An oil pump shaft 04 ′ is pivotally supported between the right crankcase 01 ′ and the clutch cover 02 ′ oriented in a lateral direction parallel to a crankshaft 03 ′.
[0006] An oil pump 05 ′ is provided at an end of this oil pump shaft 04 ′ at the right crankcase 01 ′ side, and is connected to an oil filter 06 ′ provided in a manner projecting from the clutch cover 02 ′ by an oil passageway 07 ′.
[0007] The main oil passageway 07 ′ is formed having an oil passageway 7 c ′ passing an oil passageway way 07 b ′ curving upwards from an oil passageway 07 a ′ extending to the left from the side surface of the pump chamber of the oil pump at the right crank case 01 ′ side. The main oil passageway 07 ′ curves vertically and extends in a lateral direction, the oil passageway 07 c ′ communicating with an oil passageway 07 d ′ on the clutch cover 02 ′ side. At the end of the oil passageway 07 d ′ one branch passageway 07 e ′ branches upwards to an oil filter 6 ′, and another branch passageway 07 f ′ is connected to an oil relief valve arranged between an oil pump shaft 04 ′ and the oil passageway 07 d′.
[0008] Since the oil filter 06 ′ is provided on the clutch cover 02 ′ at the outside of the internal combustion engine, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the oil filter 06 ′ is low, and oil passageways 07 a ′, 07 b ′, 07 c ′ guiding oil from the oil pump 05 ′ provided at the right crank case 01 ′ inside the internal combustion engine to the oil filter 06 ′ detour in an open-ended square shape, making the passageway complicated and difficult to manufacture.
[0009] As the oil passageways 07 a ′, 07 b ′, 07 c ′, 07 d ′ form an open-ended square while detouring around the oil relief valve 08 ′, a wide space is required to arrange the oil distribution route. Furthermore, this causes the oil filter 06 ′ to be arranged in a further extended condition. These conditions make it further difficult to reduce the size of the internal combustion engine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings associated with the related art and achieves other advantages not realized by the related art.
[0011] An aspect of the present invention is to provide a lubrication structure for an internal combustion engine that permits a reduction in size of the internal combustion engine.
[0012] An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a high degree of freedom with respect to oil filter arrangement that benefits from a simple oil passageway that is easy to process and requires relatively small spaces for arrangement.
[0013] These and other aspects of the present invention are accomplished by a lubrication structure for an internal combustion engine comprising an oil pump provided at a first end of an oil pump shaft, the oil pump shaft arranged in parallel with a crankshaft; a plurality of oil passageways extending from a side surface of a pump chamber of the oil pump to a second end of the oil pump shaft, the oil passageways arranged in parallel with the oil pump shaft; an oil filter positioned facing towards the oil passageways; and an oil communicating passageway extending vertically from a first oil passageway to the oil filter.
[0014] These and other aspects of the present invention are accomplished by a lubrication structure for an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine including a crankcase divided into a left crankcase and a right crankcase along a longitudinal centerline, and having a crankshaft arranged transversely therein, the lubrication structure comprising an oil pump having a pump chamber provided at a first end of an oil pump shaft, the oil pump shaft arranged in parallel with the crankshaft; a plurality of oil passageways extending from a side surface of the pump chamber of the oil pump to a second end of the oil pump shaft, the oil passageways arranged in parallel with the oil pump shaft; an oil filter positioned facing towards the oil passageways; an oil introduction passageway extending vertically from a first oil passageway to the oil filter; and an oil discharge port forming an oil supply passageway from an oil pan positioned in a lower portion of the crankcase.
[0015] With this simple oil passageway arrangement having an oil passageway formed from a side surface of the pump chamber of the oil pump to another end of the oil pump shaft parallel to the oil pump shaft, and a communicating passageway extending to the oil filter towards the oil passageway vertically without bypassing the oil passageway, the lubrication system is easy to manufacture, the space for arrangement can be reduced, and the protrusion of the oil filter from the internal combustion engine can be suppressed. Therefore the size of the internal combustion engine can be reduced.
[0016] As it is capable of extending the communicating passageway vertically from any position of the oil passageway to connect to the oil filter, the degree of freedom of oil filter arrangement is increased.
[0017] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are 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 from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not intended to limit the present invention to the embodiments shown, and wherein:
[0019] [0019]FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] [0020]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an internal combustion engine and belt-type automatic transmission according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] [0021]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1;
[0022] [0022]FIG. 4 is a right side view of an internal combustion engine having a case cover removed according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] [0023]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V and line V 1 -V 1 of FIG. 4;
[0024] [0024]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4;
[0025] [0025]FIG. 7 is a frontal view of lower parts of the internal combustion engine; and
[0026] [0026]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a section of an internal combustion engine taken in the vicinity of an oil pump shaft as found in the conventional art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7. FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an internal combustion engine and belt-type automatic transmission according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a right side view of an internal combustion engine having a case cover removed according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V and line V 1 -V 1 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a frontal view of lower parts of the internal combustion engine.
[0028] An internal combustion engine in a preferred embodiment is applied to a scooter-type motorcycle. A side view of a scooter-type motorcycle is shown in FIG. 1.
[0029] In the vehicle frame of the scooter-type motorcycle 1 , a pair of left and right main pipes 3 , 3 extend from an upper part of head pipe 2 diagonally downwards and rearward, and in a straight line when viewed from the side. A pair of support pipes 4 , 4 extending substantially horizontal from the head pipe 2 are connected to the main pipes 3 , 3 , and support front parts of the main pipes 3 , 3 .
[0030] From the middle part of the support pipe 4 , 4 , a pair of down pipes 5 , 5 extend laterally and steeply diagonally downwards to form front side vertical sections 5 a , 5 a . The down pipes 5 , 5 then each bend rearward at a lower end to form central horizontal sections 5 b , 5 b , and bend upwards at the rear end to form rear side sloping sections 5 c , 5 c.
[0031] The rear ends of the main pipes 3 , 3 are connected to lower parts of the rear side sloping sections 5 c , 5 c , and a reinforcing pipe 6 is interposed between the main pipe 3 and the down pipe 5 , forming a substantially triangular shape in side view.
[0032] Seat rails 7 , 7 , the front ends of which are fixed to sections slightly rearward from the center of the main pipes 3 , 3 , extend slightly diagonally upwards, nearly horizontal, and rearwards to the rear part of the vehicle body. Upper ends of the rear side sloping sections 5 c , 5 c of the down pipes 5 , 5 are connected to the center parts of the seat rails 7 , 7 , and support the seat rails 7 , 7 from underneath.
[0033] A head pipe 2 pivotally supports a steering shaft 11 . Handlebars 12 , 12 are formed spreading out laterally above the head pipe 2 . A front fork 13 extends underneath, and a front wheel is pivotally supported at the lower end thereof.
[0034] At the upper part and lower part of the rear side sloping section 5 c of the down pipe 5 , support brackets 5 d and 5 e are provided protruding rearwards. The internal combustion engine 20 is suspended from a respective pair of support brackets 5 d and 5 e on both the left side and right side of the vehicle.
[0035] The internal combustion engine 20 is a four cycle, two-cylinder internal combustion engine having a crankcase 21 arranged rearward of the rear side sloping section 5 c of the down pipe 5 , and a cylinder block 22 , cylinder head 23 , and cylinder head cover 24 sequentially stacked together with a crankcase 21 . The cylinder block 22 , cylinder head 23 , and cylinder head cover 24 are provided in a position forward of the rear side sloping section 5 c and tilting significantly to the front.
[0036] The cylinder block 22 , cylinder head 23 , and cylinder head cover 24 are arranged in the triangular shape formed by the rear side sloping section 5 c , the rear part of the main pipe 3 , and the front part of the seat rail 7 on both the left side and right side when viewed from a side of the vehicle. Each of the mounting brackets 21 a provided at the upper part, and the mounting bracket 21 b provided at the front part of the crankcase 21 in a protruding state are supported by the support brackets 5 d , 5 e via support shafts 8 and 9 . Accordingly, the internal combustion engine 20 is suspended from the vehicle frame.
[0037] The front part of a belt-type automatic transmission 50 is mounted on the crankcase 21 of the internal combustion engine 20 . The transmission 50 extends rearwards and pivotally supports a rear wheel 15 at a rear portion thereof.
[0038] Intake pipes 31 , 31 , extending upwards from each cylinder of the cylinder head 23 at a forward-bending position of the internal combustion engine, are curved rearwards and are connected to carburetors 32 , 32 provided parallel to each other on the crankcase 21 . Further, the carburetors 32 , 32 are connected to an air cleaner 33 provided rear of the carburetors.
[0039] The air cleaner 33 is provided between the seat rails 7 , 7 on left side and right side. A helmet storage box 34 is suspended and supported by the seat rails 7 , 7 in a position above the air cleaner 33 .
[0040] A driver's seat is provided that is capable of opening and closing covers over the internal combustion engine 20 and carburetor 32 . A pillion seat 36 is also provided that is capable of opening and closing covers over the helmet storage box 34 and the rear part.
[0041] The exhaust pipes 37 , 37 , each extend downwards from the cylinder head 23 , and extend in front of the crankcase 21 along its right side to the rear. The exhaust pipes combine into a single pipe at a position to the rear of the crankcase. The single exhaust pipe then extends diagonally upwards on the right side of the vehicle body and is connected to the muffler 38 supported at the right side of the rear wheel 15 .
[0042] A fuel tank 39 surrounded by four pipes, namely two left and right main pipes 3 , 3 above and two left and right down pipes 5 , 5 in front and below, is suspended and supported in front of the internal combustion engine 20 .
[0043] The configuration of a scooter-type motorcycle 1 according to a preferred embodiment is as described hereinabove. The structure of the internal combustion engine 20 and the belt-type automatic transmission mounted on a crankcase 21 will now be described hereinafter.
[0044] The divided crankcase 21 includes a combination of left and right crankcases 21 L, 21 R, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, an outer rotor 29 a of the AC generator 29 is attached to the right end of the crankshaft 25 oriented horizontally in a lateral direction in the crankcase 21 . A case cover 28 is fixed to the right crankcase 21 R and covers the side. An inner stator 29 b of the AC generator 29 is supported by the case cover 28 .
[0045] Pistons 26 , 26 each reciprocate inside the 2 cylinder sleeves 30 of the cylinder block 22 . The pistons 26 are connected to the crank pins of the crankshaft 25 via connecting rods 27 , 27 . Both of the crank pins have a phase angle of 360 degrees.
[0046] A valve gear mechanism 40 is provided on the cylinder head 23 . A timing chain 44 is suspended between cam chain sprockets 42 , 42 fitted to the right ends of the upper and lower cam shafts 41 , 41 oriented horizontally in a lateral direction. A drive chain sprocket 43 is fitted to the base part of crankshaft 25 protruding from the right crankcase 21 R, to transmit the driving power.
[0047] The timing chain 44 passes through the cam chain chambers 22 a , 23 a arranged on the right side of the cylinder block 22 and the cylinder head 23 . Cam shafts 41 , 41 drive the intake valve 45 and exhaust valve 46 at the prescribed timing.
[0048] The belt-type automatic transmission 50 is mounted on the crankcase 21 of the internal combustion engine 20 .
[0049] A case cover 28 , blocking off the right opening of the right crankcase 21 R and covering the AC generator 29 , has an opening coaxial with the crankshaft 25 . A rotating shaft 55 is provided to the right in the opening via a bearing 54 so as to protrude from the right side of the crankcase 21 R. The base end section 51 a of the right side transmission case 51 of the belt-type automatic transmission case 50 is also fitted into this protruding section.
[0050] The right side transmission case 51 has a connection section 51 b which runs from the base end section 51 a circling around along the rear surface of the right crankcase 21 R and to an inner side.
[0051] A mounting boss section 51 c protrudes rearwards from respective upper and lower positions on the rear surface of the connection section 51 b . A left side joining surface of the front end of the right fork member 53 is joined to the right side joining surface of the mounting boss section 51 c , and the two upper and lower positions are screwed together with the bolt 56 to integrally connect the right fork member 53 to the right side transmission case 51 , and extend rearward.
[0052] The left end of the crankshaft 25 protrudes leftward piercing through the left crankcase 21 L. A drive pulley 60 with a centrifugal transmission mechanism is provided at the protruding section.
[0053] An annular support member 57 is fixed around the crankshaft 25 on the outer surface pierced by the crankshaft 25 of the left side crankcase 21 L. A base end section 52 a of the left side transmission case 52 is swingably supported by the annular support member 57 via a bearing 58 .
[0054] The left side transmission case 52 has a connection section 52 b , which runs from the base end section 52 a circling around along the rear surface of the left crankcase 21 L and into the inner side. A left fork section 52 c extends further rearward.
[0055] The connection section 51 b of the right side transmission case 51 circling clockwise along the rear surface of the crankcase 21 , and the connection section 52 b of the left side transmission case 52 circling counterclockwise along the rear surface of the crankcase 21 , are joined to each other on their connection joining surfaces. The left and right side transmission cases 51 , 52 are screwed to each other with bolts 59 (four bolts 59 in a preferred embodiment), and the left fork member 52 c and right fork member 53 face each other and are integrally connected.
[0056] The connected right side transmission case 51 is swingably supported by the bearing 54 on the crankshaft 25 , and the left side transmission case 52 is swingably supported by a bearing 58 on the crankshaft 25 . Therefore the left fork member 52 c and right fork member 53 facing each other are integrally supported swingably up and down on the crankshaft 25 .
[0057] A rear section of the left fork member 52 c of the left side transmission case 52 includes a transmission chamber. A driven shaft 64 is rotatably supported, and the driven pulley 62 is pivotally supported on the driven shaft 64 via a central clutch 63 . A V-belt 61 is suspended between the driven pulley 62 and the drive pulley 60 and constitutes a belt-type automatic transmission mechanism.
[0058] In the transmission chamber at the rear section of the left fork member 52 c , a reduction gear includes a set of transmission gears 65 a , in which drive force is transmitted from a driven shaft 64 to an axle 66 via an intermediate shaft 65 .
[0059] The axle 66 is rotatably suspended between the left fork section 52 c and the right fork member 53 . The rear wheel 15 is supported by the axle 66 between the left fork section 52 c and the right fork member 53 .
[0060] As a result, the left and right side transmission cases 51 and 52 supporting the belt-type automatic transmission pivotally support the crankshaft 25 with the left fork section 52 c , right fork member 53 and the rear wheel 15 swingable/pivotable up and down.
[0061] The center of the swingable rear wheel 15 is set coaxially with the crankshaft 25 . Therefore, the length between the internal combustion engine 20 and the rear wheel 15 in a longitudinal direction can be shortened, and the overall length of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction can be shortened.
[0062] A rear cushion 67 is interposed between the rear end of the left side transmission case 52 and the rear end of the seat rail 7 .
[0063] A belt cover 68 blocks off the left side opening of the left side transmission case 52 which stores the belt-type automatic transmission 50 , and covers the belt-type automatic transmission from its left side.
[0064] The internal combustion engine 20 has a pair of balancer shafts 71 and 72 above and below the crankshaft 25 . The balancer driven gears 74 and 75 , each being respectively attached to each of the balancer shafts 71 and 72 , mesh with the drive gear 73 fitted to the crankshaft 26 along the inner side surface of the bearing section of the right crankcase 21 R at the same time. The rotation of the crankshaft 25 makes the two balancer shafts 71 , 72 rotate in opposite directions.
[0065] Above the upper side balancer shaft 71 , a mounting bracket 21 a is mounted on the crankcase 21 so as to protrude therefrom. The starter motor 78 is arranged in front of the mounting bracket 21 a . The starter motor 78 , mounting bracket 21 a and the upper side balancer shaft 71 , are arranged centrally (refer to FIG. 4).
[0066] A pump drive shaft 80 is horizontally suspended diagonally forward under the lower side balancer shaft 72 . A chain 82 is suspended between the drive sprocket 72 , which is fitted to the right end of the lower side balancer shaft 72 protruding from the right crankcase 21 R, and the driven sprocket 80 a , which is fitted to the right end of the pump drive shaft 80 (refer to the FIG. 4 and FIG. 5).
[0067] Accordingly, the rotation of the crankshaft 25 causes rotation of the pump drive shaft 80 via the balancer shaft 72 .
[0068] The two ends of the pump drive shaft 80 are arranged at an outer position of the two crank weight sections of the crankshaft 25 . The oil pump 85 is provided between the right crankcase 21 R of the pump drive shaft 80 and the driven sprocket 81 at the right end. The water pump 86 is provided at the part of the pump drive shaft 80 protruding from the left crankcase 21 L.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 5, an intake connection pipe 87 protrudes forward from the left space in the center of the impeller 86 a of the water pump 86 . An exhaust connection pipe 88 protrudes upwards from the side of the impeller 86 a . The exhaust connection pipe 88 and the connection pipe 91 , which is provided at the cooling water inlet provided on the left side surface of the cylinder block 22 in a protruding state, are connected together with a hose 89 (refer to the FIG. 2).
[0070] An oil intake passageway toward the oil pan at the lower part of the crankcase 21 is formed at the intake port 85 a , which is provided on the left surface of the pump chamber of the oil pump. An oil strainer 93 is interposed at the mid-point of the oil intake passageway 92 (refer to the FIG. 5).
[0071] As shown in FIG. 6, the oil passageway 94 is formed parallel to the pump shaft 80 to the left of the exhaust port 85 b which is provided separately from the intake port 85 a on the left side surface of the pump chamber of the oil pump 85 and from the right crankcase 21 R to the left crankcase 21 L in front of the water pump 86 .
[0072] An oil introduction path 95 , which bends forward vertically at the left end of the oil passageway 94 , is a connection passageway for introducing oil into the oil filter 96 provided protruding forward from the lower part of the front wall of the left crankcase 21 L.
[0073] The oil discharge path 97 extends rearward from the center of the jointing surface on the rear surface of the oil filter 96 . The oil introduction path 95 is arranged above the oil discharge path 97 in the center (refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 7).
[0074] The oil discharge path 97 extends straight rearward to the vicinity of the lower side of the crankshaft, and is connected to the oil supply path 98 which supplies oil to the various bearing sections, etc. of the internal combustion engine 20 .
[0075] A relief communication passageway 99 protrudes rearward from the lower side of the oil discharge path 97 in the center of the rear surface of the oil filter 96 to the lower side of the oil passageway 94 (refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 7), and bends rightward horizontally at the rear end. A relief passageway 100 parallel to the oil passageway 94 is formed therein.
[0076] The oil passageway 94 and the relief passageway 100 are formed at the upper and lower position of the oil discharge path 97 parallel to each other, and can be arranged while reducing the width in the longitudinal direction, which contributes to the reduction of the length of the internal combustion engine 20 in the longitudinal direction.
[0077] [0077]FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view along line V-V and line V 1 -V 1 of FIG. 4. The right end of the relief passageway 100 , which is arranged at the left crankcase while referring to the cross-section cut along the line V 1 -V 1 , is opened in the vicinity of the joining surface against the right crankcase 21 R. A relief valve 101 is arranged fitted to the opening from its right side, and is attached coaxially to the relief passageway 100 .
[0078] A protuberance 102 , which holds the relief valve 101 from its right side, protrudes from the right crankcase 21 R.
[0079] The configuration of the oil lubrication structure is as described above. When the oil pump 85 is driven by the rotation of the pump shaft 80 , the oil pump 85 takes in the oil accumulated in the oil pan 103 at the lower part of the crankcase 21 via the oil strainer 93 , and discharges the oil to the discharge port 85 b.
[0080] The oil discharged to the discharge port 85 b flows leftwards in the oil passageway 94 , and enters the oil filter 96 via the oil introduction path 95 .
[0081] The oil enters the outer side of the filter element of the oil filter 96 , gets filtered and enters the inner side. Oil in the inner side of the filter 96 then flows out rearward via the oil discharge path 97 , and is then supplied to the various bearing sections, etc. of the internal combustion engine 20 via the oil supply path 98 .
[0082] The outer side of the filter element of the oil filter 96 is connected to the relief passageway 100 via the relief communicating passageway 99 . When the fluid pressure at the outer side of the filter element becomes higher than a prescribed value due to the filter element being blocked/clogged, the relief valve 101 provided at the relief passageway 100 opens and discharges the oil to the crankcase 21 .
[0083] The oil passageway 94 is arranged from the discharge port 85 b on the side surface of the oil chamber of the oil pump 85 at the right end of the oil pump shaft 80 toward the left end parallel to the oil pump shaft 80 . The oil introduction path 95 extends vertically without bypassing the oil passageway 94 , and forms a simple oil passageway reaching the oil filter 96 . The crankcase 21 is divided into a left part and a right part. Therefore, the oil passageway can be manufactured easily.
[0084] Also, the relief passageway 100 arranged at the left crankcase 21 L extends rightward horizontally, and has an opening for attaching the relief valve 101 in the vicinity of the dividing surface. Therefore this relief passageway 100 can also be manufactured easily.
[0085] The oil passageway 94 is in the vicinity of the pump shaft 80 . Therefore the oil introduction path 95 can be shortened, and the size of the space required for passageway arrangement can be reduced.
[0086] As a result, the position for mounting the oil filter 96 can be arranged closer to the pump shaft 80 and can be prevented from protruding forward, and therefore the size of the internal combustion engine can be reduced.
[0087] The relief passageway 100 is oriented horizontally in the lateral direction in the vicinity of the lower side of the oil passageway. Since the relief valve 101 is attached coaxially, it does not require as much space for the arrangement of the relief passageway 100 and the relief valve 101 . This further contributes to the reduction of the size of the internal combustion engine.
[0088] The oil introduction path 95 can be extended from any part of the oil passageway 94 oriented horizontally in the lateral direction and can be connected to the oil filter 96 . Therefore, the degree of freedom provided for arranging the oil filter 96 in the lateral direction can be increased.
[0089] In this embodiment, the exhaust pipe 37 is arranged at the right side of the vehicle body, and the oil filter is arranged offset to the left side of the center of the engine, which is the opposite side of the oil pump 85 .
[0090] The exhaust pipes 37 , extending from the lower surface of the cylinder head 23 in a steeply forward bending position, are arranged parallel to each other between the crank weights on the left and right side in the crankshaft 25 , and extend substantially downward (refer to FIG. 7).
[0091] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 4, the left side exhaust pipe 37 L, which extends from the lower surface of the left side of the cylinder head 23 , detours around the oil filter 96 arranged in a protruding condition offset to the left side of the center of the engine. The left side exhaust pipe 37 L bends rightward at the same height as its front part, extends rightward along the front surface of the right crankcase 21 R, then circles around rearward along the side surface at the lower part of the case cover 28 . The left side exhaust pipe 37 L then extends rearward along the outer side surface of the case cover 28 .
[0092] The right side exhaust pipe 37 R, which extends from the lower surface on the right side of the cylinder head 23 , extends downward in front of the left side exhaust pipe 37 L extending rightward on the front surface of the right crankcase 21 R. The right side exhaust pipe 37 R circles around into an indentation 21 Ra at the lower right corner of the right crankcase 21 R, then extends rearward.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 4, the lowest point of the right side exhaust pipe 37 R, which is arranged at a lower position of the left side exhaust pipe 37 L, is at substantially the same height as the lowest point of the crankcase 21 . Therefore, the exhaust pipe 38 arrangement does not affect the minimum ground clearance of the vehicle body.
[0094] The oil filter 96 protruding forward from the lower part on the front surface of the crankcase 21 has a high degree of freedom with respect to arrangement in the lateral direction. Therefore, the two exhaust pipes 37 R, 37 L, which extend from the cylinder head 23 on the front surface of the crankcase 21 , and the oil filter 96 , can be arranged closer to each other without overlapping and protruding. Therefore, the size of the vehicle can be reduced.
[0095] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
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A lubrication structure for an internal combustion engine including an oil pump provided at a first end of an oil pump shaft arranged parallel to a crankshaft. Oil passageways are formed from a side surface of a pump chamber of the oil pump to another end of the oil pump shaft in parallel with the oil pump shaft. An oil filter is provided facing towards the oil passageways. A communicating passageway extending vertically from the oil passageways to the oil filter is also provided. This arrangement provides a lubrication structure for an internal combustion engine with a high degree of freedom with respect to oil filter arrangement with a simple oil passageway that is easy to manufacture, requires relatively small space for arrangement, and thus makes it possible to reduce the size of the internal combustion engine.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fasteners, and in particular to fasteners suitable for fixing into a wall or other panel by passing though an opening in the wall and extending a catch member to prevent subsequent withdrawal, when access is restricted to one side of the wall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A number of fastener designs of this general kind are known. The present invention has one object to provide an improvement in such designs, and in certain embodiments to provide a fastener which can withstand large withdrawal forces without damage, and also to provide a fastener which can be withdrawn even when there is no access to the catch mechanism.
Generally, this invention is concerned with a fastener comprising a shank for extending through an opening from a near side to a far side of a wall and a catch retained in the shank of the fastener, in which the catch has first and second orientations in which, respectively, it projects less and more beyond the profile of the shank, whereby the catch can pass through a suitably sized opening in the first orientation but the catch engages the far side of the wall and prevents withdrawal of the shank from the opening in the second orientation. Means are suitably provided for tensioning the shank in the opening by reaction against the near side of the wall.
In certain embodiments of the invention, the catch may be adapted to swivel from the first orientation to the second orientation, and/or from the second orientation to the first orientation, by means of gravity. In some embodiments of the invention, the catch may rely on the sides of the opening to retain it in the first orientation while the shank is inserted in through the opening. In some embodiments, it may not be possible to return the catch from the second orientation to the first orientation, but, especially in cases where the fastener is not being inserted vertically through an opening, the catch may be arranged to swivel under the action of gravity when the shank is rotated in the opening, according to the rotary position of the shank.
In a preferred embodiment, the catch may comprise a retaining arm mounted in the shank of the fastener, movable between a first orientation in which it lies substantially wholly within the profile of the shank, and a second orientation in which it extends beyond the profile of the shank, whereby it can engage the far side of the wall when the fastener is subjected to tension forces tending to withdraw it from the opening.
In particular preferred embodiments of the invention, the shank is provided with an abutment supporting the catch in its second orientation.
The shank may be provided with a slot extending diametrically through the shank. The arm may be swivel mounted on a pin extending across the slot. The aforesaid abutment may be formed by a shoulder at one end of the slot.
The catch may be adapted to pivot on an axis that is offset from its centre of gravity. In certain embodiments, intended for fixing the fastener with its shank vertical, the centre of gravity of the catch is offset from the pivot axis in a direction radially outwardly of the longitudinal axis of the shank when the catch is in its first orientation, contained within the profile of the vertical shank, so that gravity tends to turn the catch and swivel it into its second orientation. In other embodiments, intended for use with the shank horizontal, the centre of gravity of the catch may be displaced from its pivot axis in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shank, so that gravity tends to swivel the catch into its second orientation when the fastener is inserted horizontally through an opening. The centre of gravity may be offset both axially and radially of the shank to enable the fastener to be used in a variety of orientations, and in particular also to enable the catch to be switched between the first and second orientations by rotating the fastener on its longitudinal axis.
The movement of the retaining arm is desirably restricted by abutments or other means in order to permit it to swivel from the first orientation to the second orientation in one direction only, and/or to swivel from the second to the first orientation in one direction only, normally the opposite direction. By limiting the freedom of the swivel arm to rotate, it can more easily be controlled.
The tensioning means may comprise nut means in screw threaded engagement with the shank. Other means having equivalent effect may equally be used.
The fastener may be provided with marking whereby the orientation of the shank may be indicated, even when the part of the shank holding the catch is invisibly contained in or beyond the opening, so that a user can more conveniently control the orientation of a gravity operated catch by appropriately turning the fastener in the opening. Such marking may be on an end of the shank directed, in use, towards the near side of the wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Two embodiments of the invention are illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the shank of a first fastener according to the invention, showing a slot in which a catch can be mounted;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a catch for the fastener;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of the shank with a near side of the slot cut away to show the catch in a first orientation in the slot, contained wholly within the profile of the shank;
FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 but with the shank turned 180° on its axis to invert it, allowing the catch to turn 90° to a second orientation in which it extends beyond the profile of the shank;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view showing the complete first fastener assembled through an opening in a wall;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the shank of a second fastener according to the invention, showing a slot in which a catch can be mounted;
FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a catch for the second fastener;
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side view of the shank with a near side of the slot cut away to show the catch in a first orientation in the slot, contained wholly within the profile of the shank;
FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8 but with the shank turned 180° on its axis to invert it, allowing the catch to turn 90° to a second orientation in which it extends beyond the profile of the shank; and
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic side view showing the complete second fastener assembled through an opening in a wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The illustrated fasteners are constructed entirely of steel, for strength. In the illustrations of the first embodiment, FIG. 1 shows the shank 10 which consists of a steel rod having threads 12 on one end and slot 14 cut diametrically through the shank between the threaded potion of the rod and its far end. The end face of the threaded end of the shank is diametrically incised to form a groove 16 aligned with the slot, so that the orientation of the groove indicates the orientation of the slot. A suitable marker is applied at one end of the groove, as an indication of which way up the fastener shank is lying, to distinguish between the positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 2 shows a catch 20 , formed from a small steel plate of a width just less than the width of slot 14 . A dashed outlined indicates a rectangular shape to the plate from which material has been removed to form the catch, and on which a pair of nibs 22 , one on each end of the bottom edge 24 of the catch, have been formed. An aperture 26 for a pivot pin is provided through the plate centrally of the rectangular outline. The top edge 28 of the rectangle has been removed by an angled cut at one corner to leave an inclined edge portion 30 , and a central part in the region of the aperture 26 has been removed to a lesser extent to reduce weight and form a flat abutment portion 32 . The top corner opposite the inclined edge portion 30 has been retained to form an ear 34 to increase the weight differential between the two ends of the catch. These two ends form arms which, each with its nib 22 , may take up positions inside or outside of the profile of the shank according to the orientation of the catch.
As compared with the original rectangular outline, and dividing the catch by notional horizontal and vertical lines through the pivot aperture 26 , the lower half of the catch is heavier than the upper half, and the arm with the ear 34 is heavier than the arm with the inclined edge portion 30 , so that as seen in FIG. 2, the centre of gravity of the catch is in the lower right hand quadrant.
FIG. 3 shows how the catch is mounted in shank 10 by pivot pin 40 in slot 14 , which corresponds in shape substantially to the outline of catch 22 , except where additional material of the shank is removed in order to allow the catch to pivot on pin 40 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4 . In particular, the slot is shorter at its upper opening than at its lower opening, as a result of conforming to the inclined edge portion 30 of the catch. Where the correspondingly inclined end of the slot emerges on the top of the shank, there is an abutment formed by a shoulder 42 which bears against the flat abutment portion 32 of the catch when the shank is inverted and the catch swings into the position shown in FIG. 4 .
It will be appreciated that, when the shank is as shown in FIG. 3, gravity tends to turn the catch clockwise and the catch is therefore retained in the slot wholly within the profile of the shank by the abutment of inclined edge portion 30 with the correspondingly shaped end of the slot. However, when the shank is turned axially through 180 ° to the inverted position shown in
FIG. 4, gravity turns the catch to the position there shown. Rotation of the shank through another 180° will of course return the catch to its FIG. 3 orientation.
In use, as shown in FIG. 5, a nut 50 is applied to the threaded end of the shank, preferably following a washer 52 . A wall 54 is illustrated, comprising a near panel 56 and a far panel 58 with a continuous opening 60 through both wall panels, drilled to allow the shank of the fastener to pass through from the rear side to the far side. This is done with the shank of the fastener in its FIG. 3 orientation, so that the catch does not contact the opening. The fastener is then rotated on its axis 180° so that the catch swivels into its second orientation, nibs 22 facing the far wall panel 58 . The shank is then withdrawn until the catch abuts the wall, whereupon nut 50 can be tightened to achieve the fastened arrangement shown in FIG. 5 . Groove 16 can be used as a screwdriver slot to turn the shank, and to hold it while nut 50 is tightened. A very substantial torque can be used on the nut, without overstressing the pivot pin 40 , because of the support provided by the shoulder 42 pressing against the flat abutment portion 32 of the catch.
The fastener can be withdrawn from the opening 60 by reversing the installation procedure, that is to say by slackening the nut 50 , pushing the fastener shank further into the opening, rotating 180° to drop the catch into the slot, and withdrawing the shank from the opening.
The second exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 10 which are views corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 5 respectively. Comparison of the corresponding drawings will show the modifications that are incorporated into this second embodiment. The following description will concentrate on the differences between the two embodiments, and if no change to a feature of the fastener is mentioned, that feature may be assumed to be unchanged.
The fastener of the second embodiment has a shank 70 in which the flat, square shoulder 42 shown in FIG. 1 is replaced, for ease of manufacture, with a rounded concave shoulder 72 as shown in FIG. 6 . The orientation of slot 74 (corresponding to slot 14 ) is shown by a simple depression or punch mark 76 on the threaded end of the shank.
Catch 80 , as seen from the viewpoint shown in FIG. 7, has a greater weight bias towards the bottom half and towards the right hand half of the notional rectangular outline 88 into which it fits, and at the centre of which a pivot pin aperture 86 is located. This is achieved by omitting the nibs 22 of catch 20 , replacing inclined edge portion 30 by flat portion 90 and inclined transitional portion 91 , and by moving abutment portion 32 closer to the axis of the fastener, as abutment portion 92 .
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show that the action of the fastener is unchanged in principle, but that slot 74 has an internal shape that is adapted to the shape of catch edge portions 90 , 91 and 92 . In particular, the abutment formed by shoulder 72 is longer than in shoulder 42 , which enables the forces experienced between the abutment portion 92 of the catch and the shoulder 72 to be distributed over a larger area, especially if the surface shape of portion 92 is curved to match shoulder 72 .
The absence of nibs 22 also allows a greater area of force distribution between catch 70 and wall panel 58 . Larger force distributions imply lower local pressures, which may be beneficial in terms of increasing the range of materials that can be used or fastened, or allowing higher forces to be used.
The same pivot pin 40 is used in the two embodiments. It should be noted that this pin transmits negligible force during operation of the fastener. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, when the fastener is tightened by means of the nut 50 to grip the panels 56 , 58 of wall 54 between the catch and washer 52 , pin 40 becomes redundant. Catch 20 is pressed against the wall by shoulder 42 of shank 10 , and catch 80 is pressed against the wall by shoulder 72 of shank 70 . The purpose of pin 40 is to hold the catch in place in its slot while allowing it to swivel through approximately 90°, and It may suitably be made of a self-lubricating plastics material such as a polyamide, and preferably one that is flexible and resilient, so that any distortion is less likely to be permanent and stiffen the action of the catch.
Similar fasteners can be used in vertical orientations. According to whether the fastener is intended to be inserted upwardly or downwardly, the two ends of the slots 14 , 74 and the catches 20 , 80 can be as shown or reversed. The balance of the catches can be adapted as well, by altering the positions of the pivot pin apertures 26 , 86 , or extending the length of either end. When the fastener is inserted vertically, the catch can be deployed by a sharp rotation of the shank, to use centrifugal force to pivot the out-of-balance catch. To remove a vertical fastener, it may be necessary simply to undo the nut and push the fastener inwardly through the opening, allowing it to fall away on the far side.
The invention is useful in many applications, but because the fastener is capable of exerting high pressures between two elements without failure, it can be used where great structural strength is required, or where relatively heavy materials, such as thick steel sheets, are to be fastened together.
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A fastener comprises a shank 10 for extending through an opening 60 from a near side 56 to a far side 58 of a wall and a catch 20 retained In the shank of the fastener, in which the catch has first and second orientations in which, respectively, it projects less and more beyond the profile of the shank, whereby the catch can pass through the opening in the first orientation but the catch engages the far side of the wall and prevents withdrawal of the shank from the opening in the second orientation, the catch being supported by a shoulder 42 when the shank is tensioned by a nut 50 . Swivelling of the catch is controlled by rotation of the shank.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to digital oscilloscopes and logic analyzers. More particularly, the invention presents a way of reducing "display-locking" in which digital oscilloscopes or logic analyzers may display one phase of a multi-phase signal to the exclusion of other phases.
2. Statement of the Problem
A typical digital oscilloscope or logic analyzer arms its trigger then acquires sampled data until the trigger point has been found and all the samples to be displayed have been stored. This process is termed the acquire ("ACQ") cycle. After that, the instrument calculates which of the acquired points are to be displayed, and where to display them on the screen. This process is termed the "unload" cycle. Often, the time from when a trigger is found to the end of the unload cycle is reasonably constant. This occurs because the calculations required for a given trigger, and the number of points to be transferred to the screen in the unload cycle, are, for the most part, the same each time. If the next acquisition begins a fixed period of time after the previous unload cycle, the time from the previous trigger to the time when the system is armed for the next trigger will also be reasonably constant. This situation can lead to "display lock." Display lock is a situation where the instrument's display "locks" onto one particular phase of the signal, while potentially missing others.
For example, take a signal that consists of two groups of pulses spaced 75 μs apart, which re-occur every 200 μs. The first group consists of two pulses, the second group, three. Now take an instrument that completes an acquisition and re-arms its trigger about every 150 μs. The instrument will "display lock" and only show the first group of pulses. This leads the user to believe that the signal consists only of groups which have two pulses. The "display lock" occurs because once the instrument has triggered on the first set of pulses, it misses sampling the second set of pulses because it is busy during the unload cycle and the trigger is unarmed. By the time the trigger is rearmed each time, the set of three pulses has passed, and the event that is going to trigger the instrument is the next set of two pulses. Therefore, only the set of two pulses is ever displayed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention reduces display locking by the introduction of a non-constant time delay to each acquisition cycle. This time delay may be determined through random methods, or follow a predetermined algorithm. Decreased throughput of the instrument caused by introducing this time delay can be minimized by alternately storing acquired data in two acquisition memories. Display locking may also be reduced by rejecting selected triggers. The data acquired from these selected triggers is not processed for display by the instrument. The triggers whose data is not processed for display may be randomly chosen or they may be chosen by a predetermined algorithm. Rejecting triggers and the addition of a non-constant time delay may be used individually, or in combination, to reduce display locking.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a time line which illustrates the introduction of a randomly selected time delay.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the steps for one acquisition cycle with a time delay introduced.
FIG. 3 is a time line which illustrates the introduction of a time delay which uses two acquisition memories to maintain system throughput.
FIG. 4 is a time line which illustrates the rejection of triggers.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the steps for one acquisition cycle with the rejection of triggers.
FIG. 6 is a time line which illustrates the combination of introducing a time delay and the rejection of triggers.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the steps for one acquisition cycle with the combination of introducing a time delay and the rejection of triggers.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the steps for introducing a time delay and using two acquisition memories to maintain system throughput.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention will be described in terms of a number of different embodiments. The preferred embodiment reduces display locking by introducing a time delay between acquisitions and by selectively rejecting triggers when the trigger rate is higher than the acquisition rate. In the preferred embodiment, the time delay is randomly chosen each acquisition cycle and the rejected triggers are selected at random.
FIG. 1 shows a sequence of tasks and events versus time. At the start of each acquisition, "start," the trigger is armed and the instrument begins sampling and storing data. This is also the beginning of the ACQ cycle. Later, a trigger event occurs. The instrument keeps storing sampled data until it has gathered enough points to display through the right edge of the screen. This ends the ACQ cycle and begins the unload cycle. During the unload cycle, the instrument calculates which points are to be displayed and where on the screen they should be displayed. When this task is complete, the unload cycle ends. At this point, the instrument waits an amount of time. This time delay is limited to a maximum magnitude that is approximately the time necessary for one ACQ cycle and one unload cycle. This time delay may be chosen at random, or follow a predetermined algorithm. After the time delay, the instrument has completed one acquisition cycle. Then, the instrument starts another acquisition by rearming the trigger and sampling and storing data. An alternative embodiment may insert the time delay between the ACQ and the unload cycle, or at any time during the acquisition.
The introduction of a time delay which is selected each acquisition cycle ensures that the time between each trigger and the start of the next acquisition is never constant. This is true even if the time for the ACQ and unload cycles is constant for every acquisition. The time from one trigger to the beginning of the next acquisition cannot be constant from acquisition to acquisition since there is always non-constant element introduced by the time delay between acquisitions. This is shown in FIG. 1 by t n and t n+1 , t n and t n+1 show the time from the trigger to the start of the next acquisition for two successive cycles. Notice that each contains a non-constant element due to the non-constant time delay between acquisitions.
FIG. 2 illustrates the steps for one acquisition which has a time delay inserted after the unload cycle. At the start of an acquisition (200) the trigger is armed, the ACQ cycle begins (202), and data starts to be sampled and stored (204). Data continues to be sampled and stored (204), until a trigger is found (206). After a trigger is found (206) data is sampled and stored until enough points have been gathered to display the waveform through the right edge of the screen (212). When this is complete, the ACQ cycle ends and the unload cycle begins (214). The instrument then displays the points it has gathered (216). When this is complete, the unload cycle ends (218). The instrument then selects an amount of time to wait (219) and waits that selected amount of time (220). The time selected to wait should be non-constant. Once that wait is over, this acquisition ends (222). At this time, a new acquisition may begin (200).
Unfortunately, introducing a time delay decreases the instruments throughput in waveforms per second. The time delay is essentially "wasted" time that could have been used to acquire and display another waveform. FIG. 3 illustrates one way that throughput may be maintained without sacrificing performance. In FIG. 3, two memories are used to store acquired data. Acquired data from successive acquisitions is stored in alternate memories. This allows the time delay inserted into the acquisition cycle for memory #1 to occur during the unload cycle of memory #2, and visa versa. Accordingly, no time is wasted with the instrument sitting idle waiting for the time delay to expire.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the steps for introducing a time delay that maintains system throughput by using two acquisition memories. The instrument begins with an ACQ cycle for memory #1 (800, 801). After the instrument completes the first ACQ cycle for memory #1 (801) it starts an unload cycle for memory #1 and a delay for memory #2 (802). When the delay for memory #2 is complete (804) the instrument does an ACQ cycle for memory #2 (806). After the ACQ cycle for memory #2 is complete, the instrument waits for the unload cycle for memory #1 to complete (808). Once the unload cycle for memory #1 is complete (808), an unload cycle for memory #2 and a delay for memory #1 are started (810). When the delay for memory #1 is complete (812) the instrument does an ACQ cycle for memory #1 (814). After the ACQ cycle for memory #1 is complete, the instrument waits for the unload cycle for memory #2 to complete (816). After the unload cycle for memory #2 is complete, the instrument repeats itself by starting an unload of memory #1 and a delay for memory #2 (802). The delays for memory #1 and #2 should be kept less than the unload time minus the ACQ time to maximize throughput. When the ACQ time is greater than the unload time, rejection of triggers may be used.
FIG. 4 illustrates the rejection of triggers. Assume, for example, that there are two types of trigger events, trigger A and trigger B. Assume also that these are each caused by a different part of the waveform, such as the two pulse and three pulse groups discussed earlier. During the first acquisition which starts at "start #1," the portion of the waveform associated with trigger A is captured and displayed. During the first unload cycle, however, a trigger B event occurs but that portion of the waveform is not captured because the instrument is busy with an unload cycle and the trigger is disarmed. After the first unload cycle is complete, a second acquisition is started at "start #2." Since the next trigger to occur is a trigger A, this acquisition would also capture the part of the waveform associated with trigger A, and, if left alone, miss the trigger B event during the second unload cycle. This process could repeat itself forever such that the trigger B part of the waveform would never be displayed. A classic "display lock" situation.
The second trigger, however, is rejected. It's data is never processed through the unload cycle. Instead, another acquisition is started at "start #3." This acquisition will then sample, trigger, unload, and display the part of the waveform associated with trigger B. This effectively "unlocks" the acquisition from the trigger A part of the waveform. If a sufficient number of triggers are rejected per second, many different phases of the waveform will be displayed at any one time. Trigger rejection may be enabled when the instrument detects that triggers are occurring more often than acquisitions and disabled otherwise. If triggers are occurring at a lower rate than acquisitions, the instrument is able to process all the trigger events and no phase of the waveform will fail to be displayed. The triggers to be rejected may be chosen at random or by some other means.
FIG. 5 illustrates the steps for an acquisition cycle which may reject triggers. Like FIG. 2, in FIG. 5 an acquisition is started and data sampled until a trigger occurs (200, 202, 204, 206). After a trigger is found (206), the instrument may choose to reject that trigger (508). If a trigger is rejected (508), the ACQ cycle ends (510), the trigger is re-armed and a new ACQ cycle is begun (202). If the trigger is not rejected, data is sampled through the right edge of the screen (212) and displayed (214, 216, 218). After the data has been displayed, the acquisition is complete (222) and a new acquisition may be started (200).
FIG. 6 illustrates how introduction of a time delay and trigger rejection may be combined to reduce display locking. Integrating both of these techniques ensures that the time from one trigger to the beginning of the next acquisition is not constant and forces the instrument to display the samples from many different phases of the input waveform.
FIG. 7 illustrates the steps for an acquisition which combines trigger rejection and a time delay to reduce display locking. Like FIG. 5, in FIG. 7 an acquisition is started (200). The trigger is armed and ACQ cycle begun (202). The data is sampled and stored (204) until a trigger occurs (206). When a trigger occurs, that trigger may be rejected (508), and a new ACQ cycle begun (510, 202). If the trigger is not rejected (508), the data through the right edge of the screen is sampled and displayed (212, 214, 216, 218). Then the instrument selects an amount of time to wait (219) and waits that amount of time (220). After the delay (220), the acquisition is complete (222).
It is to be understood that the claimed invention is not to be limited by the preferred embodiments, but encompasses other modifications and alterations within the scope and spirit of the inventive concept. For example, the time delay is shown and described as occurring after the unload cycle. One alternative would be to insert the time delay after the ACQ cycle. Another example involves using a "smart" algorithm to pick triggers to be rejected instead of randomly selecting triggers. Such a "smart" algorithm may base its decision on heuristics such as the average value of the acquired points, or the number of trigger events that occur during the ACQ and unload cycle.
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In a test instrument, display locking is reduced by the addition of a non-constant time delay to each acquisition cycle. The time delay may be randomly chosen or follow a predetermined algorithm. Decreased system throughput caused by the addition of a non-constant time delay may be minimized by alternately storing acquired data in two acquisition memories. Display locking may also be reduced by rejecting selected triggers. The data acquired from these selected triggers is not processed for display. The triggers whose data is not processed for display may be randomly chosen or they may be chosen by a predetermined algorithm. Rejecting triggers and the addition of a non-constant time delay may be used in combination or individually to reduce display locking.
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CROSS-REFERENCES TO MOST RELATED APPLICATIONS
U.S. Pat.
Nos.
Title
7,199,481
Wave energy conversion system
6,857,266
Wave energy converter
6,812,588
Wave energy converter
6,772,592
Float dependent wave energy device
6,791,205
Reciprocating generator wave power buoy
6,765,307
Wave energy converter (WEC)
6,392,314
Wave energy converter
6,226,989
Wave energy converter
5,027,000
Method and apparatus for generating electricity using
wave energy
4,412,417
Wave energy converter
4,359,868
Ocean wave energy converter
4,345,434
Sea and ocean wave energy converter
4,258,269
Wave power generator
4,077,213
Wave driven generator
20030091393
Wave power machine
4,078,871
Sea wave energy conversion
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable. No others have rights to this patent. Dennis Gray is the sole inventor and the invention was not created under any federally sponsored programs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Populations grow exponentially, world economies are expanding, demand for energy is escalating, and fossil fuels are running out. Political tensions regarding hydrocarbons are increasing to say the least. Greenhouse effects and global warming trends have become more evident. In light of these issues the U.S. Department of Energy has placed Renewable Energies as a focal point to their programs.
When one looks across an open ocean and views the large rolling waves the energy is glaringly obvious. However, when one thinks of how that energy could be extracted they are immediately discouraged by the randomness of wave heights, randomness of wavelengths, and randomness of wave frequencies. Water is 800 times as dense as air and carries far more energy. Winds travel for hundreds of miles and beautifully store and compact their energy into waves. The magnitude of energy in ocean waves is fairly easy to comprehend. The difficult part is envisioning how organized and consistent energy can be extracted from what appears to be chaos. The invention herein solves this greatest challenge and more.
To be cost effective and viable, a wave energy transformation device must be strong and robust to survive punishing ocean environments. To be reliable it must be simple in design, avoid sophisticated components, and have any critical components protected from the harsh oceanic environment. Simplicity in design also ensures low capital investment, low operating costs, and low maintenance costs. An energy transformation device should also demonstrate mass interconnectivity and not require individual mooring systems. Ideally, these devices should float and either be capable of withstanding storm events or be towed away when the largest of storms arise.
Upon review of similar patents one will find that most have addressed only a few of the challenging design requirements mentioned above. Without addressing all of them an energy transformation device cannot produce power cost effectively. The novel invention presented herein overcomes all of the above challenges. Particular features not found in prior inventions make this invention considerably more viable.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of this invention is to efficiently and cost effectively transform water wave energy into useful electrical energy with little or no environmental impact. There are numerous advantages of this particular invention in comparison to others conceived before.
The novelty and effectiveness of this invention is primarily due to many beneficial features. First, maximum available wave power, not partial available power, is extracted and it is extracted on both up and down strokes. Torque arms, acting as levers, multiply the power output. Flywheel gearing ensures power is produced constantly, not intermittently, regardless of ocean waves being sinusoidal and random in nature. The randomness of waves becomes therefore irrelevant. The design is strikingly simple ensuring capital costs are very low and reliability is extremely high. Critical components are 100% protected from oceanic spray keeping maintenance costs negligible. Hundreds of units can be interconnected together without a need for individual, and costly, mooring systems. Unlike offshore wind turbines, where huge permanent structures are driven well into the seabed, hundreds of units simply float and can be interconnected. Many units interconnected is considered an “array”. Mooring of an array can consist of just four wire ropes and anchors at the corners. At approximately yearly intervals, arrays can be towed to shoreside facilities for maintenance. Costly offshore work is therefore eliminated. Units can be spaced close to one another, unlike offshore wind turbines, which concentrates the energy output for a given area occupied. Also unlike wind turbines they are invisible on the horizon at just a few miles out. Finally, with 70% of the world covered by oceans “site availability” is not an issue.
A novel system for interconnecting energy transformation devices is included herein that utilizes a unique combination of rigid members, flexible members, and pivoting components. This system makes the interconnectivity possible, eliminates the need for individual mooring systems, and allows hundreds of units to be towed via a single tugboat. Towing of many units is desirable since production-line maintenance onshore is far less expensive than offshore maintenance. It also permits the initial installation of many units to be performed in a single step which greatly reduces overall capital investment costs. Finally, with many units connected together it becomes viable to install thrusters and a global positioning system vs. cables and anchors. If thrusters and a global positioning system are utilized then arrays can self-propel themselves around oncoming hurricanes or typhoons.
Critical Impact of this Particular Invention
1. In comparison with wind energy, this invention uses inexpensive steel buoys and torque arms instead of expensive wind turbine blades made from exotic lightweight materials. Although the device essentially has the same gearbox and generator, it eliminates 40%+ of a wind turbine's remaining costs (no tower structure, no tower foundation, no yaw drives, no real estate costs, etc.)
2. Waves are known to be more powerful than wind (higher energy density).
3. Waves are more consistent and reliable than wind (higher utilization factor).
4. With the novel system for interconnectivity, devices can be mass installed and maintenance can be performed in assembly-line fashion (both are physically impossible with wind turbines).
Given the multiple reasons listed above, not just one, this device and interconnect system can logically deliver energy at lower costs than wind energy (5 cents/kwh) and far less than solar energy (20 cents/kwh).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment to better display internal components.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing several of the devices connected together.
FIG. 5 is an isometric view providing a zoom of interconnection components.
FIG. 6 is a plan and elevation view showing a desirable flywheel location
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The figures illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention. The invention can be designed and scaled for any size waves. A preferred embodiment would primarily be constructed of steel or other suitable marine materials. Components of the device include two or more floats ( 1 ) connected by torque arms ( 2 ) that pivot relative to one another around a central bushing or bearing ( 3 ). The float movements generate torque which rotates gears ( 4 ), ( 5 ), ( 6 ), ( 7 ), ( 8 ), ( 9 ), ( 10 ), ( 11 ), and ( 12 ) which in turns drives a generator ( 13 ) at higher speeds for electrical output.
Note that the height of this invention is unnecessarily tall in this illustration due to the vertical stacking of gears. This was done only to better illustrate gearing concepts. Actual gears in energy transformation devices will likely be more efficiently arranged to shorten the invention's height. Reduced height results in reduced visibility from shore. Painting energy transformation devices ocean blue in color makes them virtually invisible on the horizon. As a result, energy transformation devices can be far less of an eyesore than offshore wind turbines.
Although it is desirable that energy transformation devices be relatively invisible on the horizon, corners/edges of energy transformation device arrays (hundreds of units linked together) will likely be marked with traditional lighted buoys. This will ensure that they are visible from ships at night and in fog.
All critical components are enclosed and protected since the floats ( 1 ) themselves function as protective shells. The only exposed moving joints are the watertight bushings/bearings ( 3 ) that are properly designed for submersion in salt water. Common propeller shafts of ships have very similar watertight bearings. If desired, and since the torque arms do not rotate in excessive angles, a sleeve can be installed to cover any bearings ( 3 ) from salt water contact.
In this embodiment the floats ( 1 ) are somewhat cylindrical in shape but in other embodiments the floats could be a wide range of volumetric shapes. Floats are deliberately weighted in this embodiment such that they float at about mid level. Weights ( 14 ) could be made of concrete, other solid materials, or liquid materials. Buoyancy provides an upward force while weight provides a downward force, both of which generate useful torque. As a result, both upward and downward float motions generate torque which ultimately drives generators ( 3 ). Note that in this embodiment only one generator ( 13 ) is used but it is possible to install multiple generators. Without weights ( 14 ) the resistance of generators ( 13 ) and gears would likely cause floats to “stick” in an upward position upon the first wave crest.
As mentioned previously, floats are connected via torque arms ( 2 ). Torque arms may have the capability of automatically extending or retracting themselves via auto-lengthening mechanisms ( 16 ). Auto-lengthening mechanisms will accommodate varying wavelengths as sea conditions changed on any given day. Arm length adjustability increases energy production since distances between outer floats can better match wavelengths for optimized power output. In a preferred embodiment, one energy transformation device within a large array could measure wave heights and wave periods. A computer program could then estimate average wavelengths from the recorded data and instruct all torque arms within that array to lengthen or shorten accordingly. In the preferred embodiment, the auto-lengthening mechanisms ( 15 ) are actuated electromechanically but they could also be actuated via hydraulics or other means. Auto-lengthening mechanisms ( 15 ), like the primary bearings ( 3 ), can be protected from saltwater contact by waterproof sleeves.
With wave movements the motion of one float relative to the other float or floats creates extremely high torque. Very high torque is a result of the large displacement of a float coupled with the long torque arm lengths. The very high torque is next directly transferred via the torque arms ( 2 ) to a primary shaft which rotates a bull gear ( 4 ). The bull gear rotates gears in a gearbox ( 19 ), and the gears in the preferred embodiment are designed to perform as flywheels ( 20 ), which efficiently transfer the mechanical energy and store momentum between wave strokes. The bull gear rocks back and forth sending a tremendous amount of force in each rotational direction but at relatively slow speed. This very high torque at low speed is eventually converted via the gears to lower torque at high speed. Once at higher speed an output shaft spins an electric generator ( 13 ). Note that gears, chains and sprockets, or other means can serve to transfer torque to one or more generators.
When the bull gear rocks forward a smaller gear ( 5 ) and shaft is driven. The smaller gear's shaft system, by design in this embodiment, is driven forward but capable of free spinning backward via “clutch” ( 21 ) or “ratchet” when the bull gear eventually rotates backward. This feature is much like that applied in bicycles where pedals can be driven forward but free spin backward. However, unlike a bicycle, when the bull gear rocks back the force/energy is not wasted. Upon backward rotation the bull gear drives a different smaller gear ( 6 ) with free spinning shaft, which in turn drives another gear ( 7 ), which returns the force to an output gear ( 8 ) in the desired forward direction. This type of gearing system ensures that regardless of up or down float movement the gears ( 5 ) and ( 8 ) ultimately drive the same output shaft in a single direction. Furthermore, once the output shaft is spun in one direction the remaining downstream gears ( 9 ), ( 10 ), ( 11 ), and ( 12 ) as well as the generator ( 13 ) can maintain flywheel momentum for constant electrical output between wave cycles. Momentum, or storing of the wave energy between cycles, improves energy production efficiency. Gears, in this embodiment, are an efficient means of transferring wave energy to generators but other mechanisms of transferring rotational energy can be used.
Similar to arrays of offshore wind turbines, electrical processing equipment can take the electrical output of each generator ( 13 ), process and combine it at a central electrical processing station, and send it to shore via a single subsea cable, multiple batteries, or other means. In preferred embodiment a central electrical processing station is enclosed within a windowless room and located on a small barge near the center of an array. The windowless room could be climate controlled and dehumidified to better protect the equipment within the electrical processing station.
Components of energy transformation devices that are exposed to the elements, which include floats and torque arms, can be structurally designed for storm and hurricane forces. Offshore oil platforms have similar pontoons and tubulars that are designed for such storms. In a preferred embodiment, if excessively large waves were encountered, smaller gears ( 5 ) and ( 6 ) could automatically disengage from the bull gear ( 4 ). This disengagement feature permits energy transformation devices to simply ride out storms without any damaging effects to internal components.
In rough seas, wave energy transformation devices would have a naturally tendency to collide with one another within their arrays. Note that any point on an individual energy transformation device will move through all six degrees of translation and rotation within a wave cycle. Consequently, there is no single point on an energy transformation device that can be “grabbed” or “held” rigidly in an attempt to interconnect them. To avoid the need for individual mooring systems these devices can be “flexibly” connected yet at the same time be “rigidly” held apart from one another.
In a preferred embodiment, steel posts ( 16 ) link energy transformation devices in both transverse and longitudinal directions but have pivoting end connections ( 17 ). Pivoting end connections can consist of loose fitting shackles or other similar devices. Stretchable or flexible cords ( 18 ) installed in “X” shaped patterns ensure that steel posts ( 16 ) stay fairly close to perpendicular with one another. With this unique but important interconnection system the energy transformation devices will naturally return to their original locations upon being excessively displaced by wave motions, currents, winds, or other forces. This system eliminates the need for individual mooring systems and allows hundreds of units to be towed via a single tugboat. Towing of many units is desirable since production-line maintenance onshore is far less expensive than offshore maintenance. This also permits the initial installation of many units to be performed in a single step which greatly reduces overall capital investment costs. Finally, with many units connected together it becomes viable to install thrusters and a global positioning system vs. cables and anchors. If thrusters and a global positioning system are utilized the arrays can self-propel themselves around oncoming hurricanes or typhoons.
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This invention is a device for transforming the energy of water waves into useable energy. The device comprises two or more floats, structural members connecting the floats, a means for transferring torque, and one or more generators.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a device and non-surgical method for percutaneously shunting certain arterial systems, venous systems and internal organs. More particularly, the present invention relates to a low profile shunting device suitable for non-surgical creation of a communication or “shunt” between, for example without limitation, the portal vein and the hepatic vein using catheter techniques introduced through the jugular vein. The device made in accordance with the invention reduces the likelihood of migration of the shunt and is retrievable during the delivery procedure. The device is particularly well suited for delivery through a catheter or the like to a remote location in the patient's intravenous system or in a vessel or organ within the patient's body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wide variety of shunting devices are used in various medical procedures. Certain intravascular devices, such as catheters and guide wires, may be used to deliver these shunting devices to a specific location within a patient. For example, a catheter may be used to reach a selective coronary artery within the vascular system wherein a shunt is desired. Alternatively, a catheter and/or guidewire may be used to deliver a shunting device to, for example, an interior chamber of the patient's heart. Certain forms of cogenital disease may require a communication between the right atrium and left atrium. If such a communication is nonexistent or inadequate in size, typically, a communication is created by passing a balloon catheter from the left atrium to the right atrium. This procedure may be referred to as a Rashkind procedure or an atrial septostomy. Over time these communications tend to decrease in diameter. Hence, there is a need for a non-migrating shunt suitable for positioning within a communication formed in the atrial septum. Other uses of a shunt may include delivery of the shunting device to another preselected internal region of the patient. At times it may be desirable to retrieve or reposition the device after it has extended out of a distal end of a delivery catheter. Hence, it would be desirable for the shunting device to be self-expanding yet retrievable.
Shunting devices may be required for treating specific abnormal conditions, such as bi-passing vascular occlusions or some other occlusion within an internal passageway. Without any limitation intended, a patient may require a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) to provide a communication or shunt between the portal vein and the hepatic vein. In order to interconnect the portal vein and hepatic vein an opening must be created in each vein. The shunt between the portal vein and hepatic vein preferably should expand and have an inner diameter greater than the opening created in the veins. It is desirable for the shunting device to firmly lodge in the veins to avoid rotation and loosening from the veins.
Further, it would be advantageous to provide a shunting device that automatically adjusts to the shape and thickness of the defect. Also, the shunting device should have a means for anchoring each end of the shunt to the corresponding portion of the arterial system, venous system or organ. The inventors of the present invention are not aware of a retrievable, self-expanding shunting device suitable for percutaneous delivery for connecting arterial systems, venous systems, and/or organs. Thus, without limitation, there is a need for a non-invasive, self-expanding, retrievable shunting device. The present invention addresses these and other needs that will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the description of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a reliable, retrievable, low-profile, self-expanding, shunting device, wherein the device is suitable for connecting arterial systems, venous systems, or organs percutaneously. The device of the present invention is preferably formed from a continuous tubular metal fabric and includes two opposing spaced apart “discs”, patches, or retention skirts interconnected by a central member. Each “disc” includes a bore extending therethrough and the center member includes a central passage interconnecting the bore of each disc, thereby providing a passageway between an outer surface of one disc to an outer surface of the other disc.
When forming these intravascular devices from a resilient metal fabric a plurality of resilient strands or wires are provided, with the metal fabric being formed by braiding the resilient strands to create a resilient material. This braided fabric is then deformed to generally conform to a molding surface of a molding element and the braided fabric is heat treated in contact with the surface of the molding element at an elevated temperature. The time and temperature of the heat treatment is selected to substantially set the braided fabric in its deformed state. After the heat treatment, the fabric is removed from contact with the molding element and will substantially retain its shape in the deformed state. The braided fabric so treated defines a relaxed state of a medical device which can be stretched or expanded and deployed through a catheter into a channel in a patient's body. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the cavities of the molds must mirror the desired shape of the device. Additionally, the mold may include cores and/or cams to adequately form the desired shape and passages there through.
Without any limitation intended, one embodiment of the present invention has a specific shape that is particularly well suited for connecting arterial systems, venous systems, or organs. For example, without limitation, one embodiment of the present invention is particularly well suited for creating a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. In the preferred embodiment, the device is constructed from a metal fabric having a plurality of woven metal strands. The device has a relaxed low-profile configuration and includes clamps that allow attachment of the device to an end of a delivery device or guide wire (allowing recovery of the device after placement). The device has a proximal end and a distal end, and clamps or means for securing the metal fabric attached to each end. The clamps inhibit unraveling of the metal fabric. The configuration of the preferred embodiment has a relaxed configuration including two enlarged diameter portions and a central portion disposed between the two enlarged diameter portions wherein the central portion includes a passageway extending between an outer surface of each of the two enlarged diameter portions.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a center axis of at least one of the enlarged diameter portions is offset from a center axis of the center portion. Alternatively, the center axis of each of the enlarged diameter portions may be aligned along the same longitudinal axis and/or may be offset from the center axis of the center portion. Further, the separation distance between the two enlarged diameter portions may be less than a separation distance between a portal vein and hepatic vein, for example, thereby ensuring a taught interconnection between the portal vein and the hepatic vein.
Without any limitation intended, the use of the device of the present invention will be described with respects to creating a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the shunt of the present invention may be useful in several other applications including for example: shunting the aorta and pulmonary artery to increase blood flow which may be required by patient's having cyanotic cogenital heart disease; cyanotic infants may require a patent ductus arteriosus during development; and/or connection of the gall bladder to the bowel for patient's with wide spread inoperable cancer on the common bile. Further, the device of the present invention may be positioned within a septal defect to reduce but not eliminate the shunting between the left and right chambers of the heart. Although this identification of suitable uses of the present invention is not exhaustive, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the device of the present invention is not limited to a particularly specialized use.
In use, a guide catheter is positioned and advanced in a patient's body such that the distal end of the catheter is adjacent a desired treatment site for treating a physiological condition. The medical device of the present invention having a predetermined shape is then stretched and inserted into the lumen of the catheter. The device is urged through the catheter and out the distal end, whereupon, due to its ability to retain the relaxed configuration, it will tend to substantially return to its relaxed state adjacent the treatment site. Once the device is fully deployed, the physician or user may confirm proper deployment through radiographs or other known non-intrusive means of observing the position of the device within the patient. The guide wire or delivery catheter is then released from the clamp and removed.
Hence, the present invention provides a self-expanding, retrievable device suitable for connecting an arterial system a venous system and/or an organ while providing an inward tension between the connecting vessels or tissue. Further, the present invention is particularly well suited for delivery through a catheter or the like to a desired remote location in the patient's body, wherein the device may be subsequently retrieved. Also, the present invention provides a retrievable, self-expanding shunting device having outer anchoring portions and a central passage. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying claims and drawings in which like numerals in the several views refer to corresponding parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a TIPS shunting device in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevational view of the medical device of the type shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the medical device of the type shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional side elevational view of an alternate preferred shunting device in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the shunting device of the type shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a partial sectional side elevational view of an alternate preferred shunting device in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a partial sectional side elevational view of an alternate preferred shunting device in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the shunting device of the type shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the shunting device of the type shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the shunting device of the type shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 11 is a partial sectional side elevational view of the medical device of the type shown in FIG. 1, shown partially extending from a delivery catheter;
FIG. 12 is a partial sectional side elevational view of an alternate preferred shunting device in accordance with the present invention, having an occluding member extending about the central portion;
FIG. 13 is a partial sectional side elevational view of an alternate preferred shunting device in accordance with the present invention, having an occluding member engaged to an inner wall of the central portion;
FIG. 14 is a partial sectional side elevational view of an alternate preferred shunting device in accordance with the present invention, having an occluding member engaged to an outer perimeter of the shunting device;
FIG. 15 is a sectional side elevational view of the medical device of the type shown in FIG. 2 having the clamp extending above the planar surface of the enlarged diameter portions;
FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the medical device of the type shown in FIG. 3 having the clamp extending above the planar surface of the enlarged diameter portions;
FIG. 17 is a partial sectional side elevational view of the medical device of the type shown in FIG. 4 having the clamp extending above the planar surface of the enlarged diameter portions;
FIG. 18 is a partial sectional side elevational view of the medical device of the type shown in FIG. 6 having the clamp extending above the planar surface of the enlarged diameter portions;
FIG. 19 is a partial sectional side elevational view of the medical device of the type shown in FIG. 7 having the clamp extending above the planar surface of the enlarged diameter portions;
FIG. 20 is a partial sectional side elevational view of the medical device of the type shown in FIG. 15, shown partially extending from a delivery catheter;
FIG. 21 is a partial sectional side elevational view of the medical device of the type shown in FIG. 12 having the clamp extending above the planar surface of the enlarged diameter portion and having an occluding member extending about the central portion;
FIG. 22 is a partial sectional side elevational view of the medical device of the type shown in FIG. 13 having the clamp extending above the planar surface of the enlarged diameter portion and having an occluding member engaged to an inner wall of the central portion;
FIG. 23 is a partial sectional side elevational view of the medical device of the type shown in FIG. 14 having the clamp extending above the planar surface of the enlarged diameter portion and having an occluding member engaged to an outer perimeter of the shunting device;
FIG. 24 is a partial sectional side elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 24 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention represents broadly applicable improvements to self-expanding, retrievable shunting devices. The embodiments detailed herein are intended to be taken as representative or exemplary of those in which the improvements of the invention may be incorporated and are not intended to be limiting. Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention provides a percutaneous catheter directed self-expanding retrievable shunting device 10 that is particularly well suited for use in creating a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. The shunting device 10 includes two spaced apart enlarged diameter portions 12 and 14 interconnected by a central portion 16 disposed between the two enlarged diameter portions 12 and 14 . The central portion 16 includes a passageway 18 extending between outer surfaces 20 and 22 of respective enlarged diameter portions 12 and 14 . The shunting device 10 is preferably made from a tubular metal fabric including a plurality of woven metal strands. A clamp 24 is attached to each outer end of metal fabric, thereby inhibiting unraveling of the metal fabric. At least one of the clamps 24 is adapted for coupling to the end of a guidewire or catheter for delivery to a pre-selected site within the patient.
The tubular “fabric” is formed from a plurality of wire strands having a predetermined relative orientation between the strands. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the pick and pitch of the braided wires may be varied depending upon the desired density of the fabric. The tubular fabric has metal strands which define two sets of essentially parallel generally spiraling and overlapping strands, with the strands of one set having a “hand”, i.e. a direction of rotation, opposite that of the other set. This tubular fabric is known in the fabric industry as a tubular braid.
The pitch of the wire strands (i.e. the angle defined between the turns of the wire and the axis of the braid) and the pick of the fabric (i.e. the number of turns per unit length) as well as some other factors, such as the number of wires employed in a tubular braid, the size or diameter of each wire in the braid, and the diameter of the braid are all important in determining a number of important properties of the device. For example, the greater the pick and pitch of the fabric, and hence the greater the density of the wire strands in the fabric, the stiffer the device will be. Also, the greater the diameter of each wire of the braid, the stiffer the device will be. Having a greater wire density will also provide the device with a greater wire surface area, which will generally enhance the tendency of the device to occlude around the perimeter of the device. This thrombogenicity can be either enhanced by a coating of a thrombolytic agent, or abated by a coating of a lubricious, anti-thrombogenic compound. When using a tubular braid to form a device of the present invention, a tubular braid of about 4 mm in diameter having approximately 72 braided wires is suitable for fabricating devices capable of creating a shunt.
The wire strands of the tubular metal fabric are preferably manufactured from so-called shape memory alloys. A device may be manufactured from a shape memory alloy, wherein the shape of the device may be dependant on temperature or may be manufactured to be independent of temperature. When manufacturing a device from shape memory alloys to be independent of temperature changes, the alloys tend to have a temperature induced phase change which will cause the material to have a preferred configuration which can be fixed by heating the material above a certain transition temperature to induce a change in the phase of the material. When the alloy is cooled back down, the alloy will “remember” the shape it was in during the heat treatment and will tend to assume that configuration independent of temperatures less than the heat treatment temperature, unless constrained from so doing.
Without any limitation intended, suitable wire strand materials may be selected from a group consisting of a cobalt-based low thermal expansion alloy referred to in the field as ELGELOY, nickel-based high temperature high-strength “superalloys” (including nitinol) commercially available from, for example, Haynes International under the trade name HASTELLOY, nickel-based heat treatable alloys sold under the name INCOLOY by International Nickel, and a number of different grades of stainless steel. The important factor in choosing a suitable material for the wire strands is that the wires retain a suitable amount of the deformation induced by a molding surface (as described below) when subjected to a predetermined heat treatment.
In the preferred embodiment, the wire strands are made from a shape memory alloy, NiTi (known as nitinol) which is an approximately stoichiometric alloy of nickel and titanium and may also include other minor amounts of other metals to achieve desired properties. Handling requirements and variations of NiTi alloy composition are known in the art, and therefore such alloys need not be discussed in detail here. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,067,489 (Lind) and 4,991,602 (Amplatz et al.), the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference, discuss the use of shape memory NiTi alloys in guide wires. Such NiTi alloys are preferred, at least in part, because they are commercially available and more is known about handling such alloys than other known shape memory alloys. NiTi alloys may also be very elastic and are said to be “super elastic” or “pseudo elastic”. This elasticity allows a device of the invention to return to a preset configuration after deployment.
When forming a medical device in accordance with the present invention, an appropriately sized piece of tubular metal fabric is inserted into a mold, whereby the fabric deforms to generally conform to the shape of the cavities within the mold. The shape of the cavities are such that the metal fabric deforms into substantially the shape of the desired medical device. Cores within the cavities may be used to further form the shape of the fabric within the cavities. The ends of the wire strands of the tubular metal fabric should be secured to prevent the metal fabric from unraveling. A clamp 24 , welding, or other suitable fastening device may be used to secure the ends of the wire strands. Further, it is to be understood that other suitable fastening means may be attached to the ends in other ways, such as by soldering, brazing, use of biocompatible cementious material or in any other suitable fashion.
During the molding procedure, a molding element may be positioned within the lumen of the tubular braid prior to insertion into the mold to thereby further define the molding surface. If the ends of the tubular metal fabric have already been fixed by a clamp or welding, the molding element may be inserted into the lumen by manually moving the wire strands of the fabric apart and inserting the molding element into the lumen of the tubular fabric. By using such a molding element, the dimensions and shape of the finished medical device can be fairly accurately controlled and ensures that the fabric conforms to the mold cavity.
The molding element may be formed of a material selected to allow the molding element to be destroyed or removed from the interior of the metal fabric. For example, the molding element may be formed of a brittle or friable material. Once the material has been heat treated in contact with the mold cavities and molding element, the molding element can be broken into smaller pieces which can be readily removed from within the metal fabric. If this material is glass, for example, the molding element and the metal fabric can be struck against a hard surface, causing the glass to shatter. The glass shards can then be removed from the enclosure of the metal fabric.
Alternatively, the molding element can be formed of a material that can be chemically dissolved, or otherwise broken down, by a chemical agent which will not substantially adversely affect the properties of the metal wire strands. For example, the molding element can be formed of a temperature resistant plastic resin which is capable of being dissolved with a suitable organic solvent. In this instance, the metal fabric and the molding element can be subjected to a heat treatment to substantially set the shape of the fabric in conformance with the mold cavity and molding element, whereupon the molding element and the metal fabric can be immersed in the solvent. Once the molding element is substantially dissolved, the metal fabric can be removed from the solvent.
Care should be taken to ensure that the materials selected to form the molding element are capable of withstanding the heat treatment without losing its shape, at least until the shape of the fabric has been set. For example, the molding element could be formed of a material having a melting point above the temperature necessary to set the shape of the wire strands, but below the melting point of the metal forming the strands. The molding element and metal fabric could then be heat treated to set the shape of the metal fabric, whereupon the temperature would be increased to substantially completely melt the molding element, thereby removing the molding element from within the metal fabric.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the specific shape of the molding element produces a specific shape of the molded device. If a more complex shape is desired, the molding element and mold may have additional parts including a camming arrangement, but if a simpler shape is being formed, the mold may have few parts. The number of parts in a given mold and the shapes of those parts will be dictated almost entirely by the shape of the desired medical device to which the metal fabric will generally conform.
When the tubular braid, for example, is in its preformed relaxed configuration, the wire strands forming the tubular braid will have a first predetermined relative orientation with respect to one another. As the tubular braid is compressed along its axis, the fabric will tend to flare out away from the axis conforming to the shape of the mold. When the fabric is so deformed the relative orientation of the wire strands of the metal fabric will change. When the mold is assembled, the metal fabric will generally conform to the molding surface of the interior cavity. After undergoing the shape memory process, the resulting medical device has a preset relaxed configuration and a collapsed or stretched configuration which allows the device to be passed through a catheter or other similar delivery device. The relaxed configuration is generally defined by the shape of the fabric when it is deformed to generally to conform to the molding surface of the mold.
Once the tubular or planar metal fabric is properly positioned within a preselected mold with the metal fabric generally conforming to the molding surface of the cavities therein, the fabric can be subjected to a heat treatment while it remains in contact with the molding surface. Suitable heat treatment processing of nitinol wire to set a desired shape are well known in the art. Spirally wound nitinol coils, for example, are used in a number of medical devices, such as in forming the coils commonly carried around distal links of guide wires. A wide body of knowledge exists for forming nitinol in such devices, so there is no need to go into great detail here on the parameters of a heat treatment for the nitinol fabric preferred for use in the present invention. Briefly, though, it has been found that holding a nitinol fabric at about 500 degrees centigrade to about 550 degrees centigrade for a period of about 1 to 30 minutes, depending upon the softness or hardness of the device to be made will tend to set the fabric in its deformed state, i.e., wherein it conforms to the molding surface of the mold cavities. At lower temperatures, the heat treatment time will tend to be greater (e.g., about 1 hour at about 350 degrees centigrade) and at higher temperatures the time will tend to be shorter (e.g., about 30 seconds at about 900 degrees centigrade). These parameters can be varied as necessary to accommodate variations in the exact composition of the nitinol, prior heat treatment of the nitinol, the desired properties of the nitinol in the finished article, and other factors known to those skilled in this field.
Instead of relying on convection heating or the like, it is also known in the art to apply an electrical current to the nitinol to heat it. In the present invention, this can be accomplished by, for example, connecting electrodes to each end of the metal fabric. The wire can then be heated by resistance heating of the wires in order to achieve the desired heat treatment, which will tend to eliminate the need to heat the entire mold to the desired heat treating temperature in order to heat the metal fabric to the desired temperature. The materials, molding elements and methods of molding a medical device from a tubular or planar metal fabric is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,552.
Heat treating the metal fabric at temperatures ranging between 500-550 degrees centigrade substantially sets the shapes of the wire strands in a reoriented relative position conforming the shape of the fabric to the molding surface. When the metal fabric is removed from the mold, the fabric maintains the shape of the molding surfaces of the mold cavities to thereby define a medical device having a desired shape. After the heat treatment, the fabric is removed from contact with the molding cavity and will substantially retain its shape in a deformed state. If a molding element is used, this molding element can be removed as described above.
The time required for the heat treating process will depend in large part upon the material of which the wire strands of the metal fabric are formed and mass of the mold, but the time and temperature of the heat treatment should be selected to substantially set the fabric in its deformed state, i.e., wherein the wire strands are in their reoriented relative configuration and the fabric generally conforms to the molding surface. The required time and temperature of the heat treatment can vary greatly depending upon the material used in forming the wire strands. As noted above, one preferred class of materials for forming the wire strands are shape memory alloys, with nitinol, a nickel titanium alloy, being particularly preferred. If nitinol is used in making the wire strands of the fabric, the wire strands will tend to be very elastic when the metal is in its austenitic phase; this very elastic phase is frequently referred to as a super elastic or pseudo elastic phase. By heating the nitinol above a certain phase transition temperature, the crystal structure of the nitinol metal will tend to “set” the shape of the fabric and the relative configuration of the wire strands in the positions in which they are held during the heat treatment.
Once a device having a preselected shape has been formed, the device may be used to treat a physiological condition of a patient. A medical device suitable for treating the condition is selected. Once the appropriate medical device is selected, a catheter or other suitable delivery device may be positioned within a channel in a patient's body to place the distal end of the delivery device adjacent the desired treatment cite.
The delivery device (not shown) can take any suitable shape, but desirably comprises an elongate flexible metal shaft having a threaded distal end. The delivery device can be used to urge the medical device through the lumen of a catheter for deployment in a patient's body. When the device is deployed out the distal end of the catheter, the device will still be retained by the delivery device. Once the medical device is properly positioned within the patient the metal shaft or guidewire can be rotated about its axis to unscrew the medical device from the threaded distal end of the shaft. The catheter and guidewire are then withdrawn.
By keeping the medical device attached to the delivery means, the operator can retract the device for repositioning, if it is determined that the device is not properly positioned. A threaded clamp attached to the medical device allows the operator to control the manner in which the medical device is deployed out the distal end of the catheter. When the device exits the catheter, it will tend to resiliently return to a preferred relaxed shape. When the device springs back into this shape, it may tend to act against the distal end of the catheter effectively urging itself forward beyond the end of the catheter. This spring action could conceivably result in improper positioning of the device if the location of the device within a channel is critical, such as where it is being positioned as a shunt between two vessels. Since the threaded clamp can enable the operator to maintain a hold on the device during deployment, the spring action of the device can be controlled by the operator to ensure proper positioning during deployment.
The medical device can be collapsed into its collapsed configuration and inserted into the lumen of the catheter. The collapsed configuration of the device may be of any shape suitable for easy passage through the lumen of a catheter and proper deployment out the distal end of the catheter. For example, the TIPS occluding device may have a relatively elongated collapsed configuration wherein the device is stretched along its longitudinal axis (see FIG. 11 ). This collapsed configuration can be achieved simply by stretching the device generally along its axis, e.g. by manually grasping the clamps and pulling them apart, which will tend to collapse the relaxed diameter portions of the device inwardly toward the device's axis. Loading such a device into a catheter may be done at the time of implantation and does not require pre-loading of the introducer or catheter.
When the device is deployed in a patient, thrombi will tend to collect on the surface of the wires. By having a greater wire density, the total surface area of the wires will be increased, increasing the thrombotic activity around the perimeter of the device and permitting it to relatively rapidly create a shunt. It is believed that forming the shunting device from a 4 mm diameter tubular braid having a pick of at least about 40 and a pitch of at least about 30 will provide sufficient surface area to efficiently create the shunt. If it is desired to increase the rate at which the perimeter of the device occludes, any of a wide variety of known thrombotic agents can be applied to the device. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that an occluding membrane, fiber, or mesh may be partially or completely wrapped around or within the device to further define the shunt (see FIGS. 12 - 14 ).
The Figures illustrate several embodiments of the shunting device wherein a passageway extends through a central portion of the device. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the each embodiment may be particularly well suited for a particular medical procedure. Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 15 - 16 , the shunting device 10 is particularly well suited for creating a TIPS. In its relaxed, unstretched state (see FIGS. 2 and 15 ), the device 10 generally includes two aligned discs 12 and 14 linked together by a hollow central portion 16 . Without any limitation intended, during the formation of the device 10 , the tubular braid (in the region forming each enlarged diameter portion 12 and 14 ) is partially flattened (see also FIGS. 9-11) to reduce the overall size of the device. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the flattened diameter portions 12 and 14 may be curved inward towards each other to provide a sealing edge.
The clamps 24 tying together the wire strands at corresponding ends serve to connect the device 10 to a delivery system. In the embodiment shown, at least one of the clamps 24 are generally cylindrical in shape and have a threaded bore 26 (see FIG. 2) for receiving the ends of the metal fabric to substantially prevent the wires from moving relative to one another. The threaded bore 26 is adapted to receive and engage a threaded distal end of a delivery device. The clamp 24 may be recessed below the planar surface of the enlarged diameter portions (see FIGS. 2 and 3) or may extend above the surface (see FIGS. 15 and 16 ). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the device 10 is sized in proportion to the shunt to be created. Also, the length of the central portion may be varied depending upon the separation distance between the two members to be shunted.
The particular configuration of the shunting device 10 may be modified to meet the particular needs and applications. For example, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 5 , and 17 shows the central axis 28 and 30 of each enlarge diameter portion 12 and 14 respectively aligned but offset from the central axis 32 of the central portion 16 . FIGS. 6 and 18 show that the central axis 34 and 36 of each clamp 24 need not be aligned in the same plane. FIGS. 7, 8 , and 19 show that the central axis 28 and 30 of each enlarged diameter portion 12 and 14 may be offset relative to the other. FIGS. 24 and 25 shows an embodiment of the shunting device 10 of the present invention suitable to shunt a septal defect of a patient's heart. The patient having the septal defect may also suffer from high pulmonary hypertension. For example, it may be desirable to create a shunt in the atrial septum of a neonate with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) or with a transposition of the great arteries. In such instances it is desirable to create a shunting passage 52 to allow at least a certain amount of blood to pass between the chambers to accommodate the high pulmonary hypertension. In this manner, mixing of pulmonary and systemic venous blood increases, thereby improving oxygen saturation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more shunting passages 52 of varying size may be formed in the shunting device 10 , to attain the desired amount of shunting. For example, without limitation, the approximate diameter of the shunting passage 52 may be slightly greater than half the diameter of the central portion 16 . Depending upon the hemodynamics, one or more of the shunting passages can be closed by an occluding device later on.
Further, as described above, a portion of or all of the outer metal fabric surface or inner metal fabric surface of the shunting device 10 may be enclosed by a biocompatible occluding member 40 (see FIGS. 12-14 and 21 - 23 ). Without any limitation intended, the occluding member 40 may comprise a suitable fabric manufactured by Gore, Inc. of Delaware.
This invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the Patent Statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use embodiments of the example as required. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out by specifically different devices and that various modifications can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.
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A collapsible medical device and associated method for shunting selected organs and vessels, wherein the medical device is shaped from a shape memory metal fabric. The device may be used, for example, to non-surgically create a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. The device is preferably made from a continuous tubular metal fabric and includes two outer flanges that reduce device migration and includes a central passageway between the two outer flanges. The metal fabric may be heat treated within a mold in order to substantially set a desired relaxed shape of the device. The medical device includes a fastener for attaching to the end of a guide wire or delivery catheter. The medical device having the desired relaxed shape may be collapsed and delivered through a catheter or the like for deployment in a desired channel or opening in a patient's body and is retrievable after deployment.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a method for generating entries for a database, which database is destined for supporting a positioning of a mobile terminal, in particular a hybrid positioning of a mobile terminal. The invention relates equally to a unit realizing such a method and to a system realizing such a method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In a hybrid positioning of a mobile terminal, data from a main positioning system, e.g. a satellite based positioning system, are combined with data from a cellular network in order to determine the position of the mobile terminal.
[0003] A well known satellite based positioning system is GPS (Global Positioning System). In GPS, code modulated signals are transmitted by several satellites that orbit the earth and received by GPS receivers of which the current position is to be determined. Each of the satellites transmits two microwave carrier signals. One of these carrier signals L 1 is employed for carrying a navigation message and code signals of a standard positioning service (SPS). The L 1 carrier signal is modulated by each satellite with a different C/A (Coarse Acquisition) Code known at the receivers. Thus, different channels are obtained for the transmission by the different satellites. The C/A code, which is spreading the spectrum over a 1 MHz bandwidth, is repeated every 1023 chips, the epoch of the code being 1 ms. The carrier frequency of the L 1 signal is further modulated with the navigation information at a bit rate of 50 bit/s. The navigation information comprises in particular ephemeris data. Ephemeris parameters describe short sections of the orbit of the respective satellite. Based on these ephemeris parameters, an algorithm can estimate the position and the velocity of the satellite for any time of about 2-4 hours during which the satellite is in the respective described section. Ephemeris data also comprise clock correction parameters which indicate the current deviation of the satellite clock versus a general GPS time.
[0004] Further, a time-of-week TOW count is reported every six seconds as another part of the navigation message.
[0005] A GPS receiver of which the position is to be determined receives the signals transmitted by the currently available satellites, and a tracking unit of the receiver detects and tracks the channels used by different satellites based on the different comprised C/A codes. The receiver first determines the time of transmission of the ranging code transmitted by each satellite. Usually, the estimated time of transmission is composed of two components. A first component is the TOW count extracted from the decoded navigation message in the signals from the satellite, which has a precision of six seconds. A second component is based on counting the epochs and chips from the time at which the bits indicating the TOW are received in the tracking unit of the receiver. The epoch and chip count provides the receiver with the milliseconds and sub-milliseconds of the time of transmission of specific received bits. A detected epoch edge also indicates the code phase of a received signal.
[0006] Based on the time of transmission and the measured time of arrival TOA of the ranging code at the receiver, the time of flight TOF required by the ranging code to propagate from the satellite to the receiver is determined. By multiplying this TOF with the speed of light, it is converted to the distance between the receiver and the respective satellite. The computed distance between a specific satellite and a receiver is called pseudo-range, because the general GPS time is not accurately known in the receiver. The computed distances and the estimated positions of the satellites then permit a calculation of the current position of the receiver, since the receiver is located at an intersection of the pseudo-ranges from a set of satellites.
[0007] In weak signal conditions, however, GPS positioning cannot be carried out in a standalone fashion in the receiver. Assistance of some kind is needed to recover the positioning capability. If the GPS receiver is part of or connected to a mobile terminal operating in a cellular communication network, the simplest form of GPS assistance is to deliver navigation data over the cellular network to the receiver. Usually, missing navigation data is the key element why positioning cannot be maintained or initiated in weak signal condition for a long period.
[0008] A more sophisticated form of assisting the receiver is a delivery of the exact GPS time to the receiver. Exact time is needed e.g. to improve the sensitivity of the receiver. However, along the exact time also a reference location of some quality is basically mandatory. The reference location, i.e. a known position near to the expected location of the receiver, is needed for calculating geometrical distances between the satellites and the receiver. The calculated distances are then used for predicting navigation data bit edges and C/A-code phases, in order to improve the sensitivity of the receiver and to speed up the signal acquisition.
[0009] The availability of a reference location is thus a key factor for some time recovery and sensitivity improvement methods in assisted GPS. If the GPS receiver is part of or connected to a mobile terminal operating in a cellular communication network, the coordinates of the cell in which the mobile terminal is known to be located could be used as reference location. However, while a cellular communication network usually provides a mobile terminal with an identification of the cell in which it is currently located, this identification does not contain information about the geographical location of the cell. The geographical location information of the cells in a cellular network is usually controlled by the network operators. Thus, in order to obtain a reference location from the network, it is necessary to poll the location from the network, which might be time consuming. Especially in the case of emergency calls a delay in signal acquisition may be critical. Moreover, the network operators offer the position information usually as a chargeable service to their subscribers, unless it is required for an emergency call.
[0010] If an available reference location is too far from the receiver, it decreases the possibilities to assist GPS hardware in acquisition and in tracking and prohibits the use of some time recovery methods in the case that the time assistance is not exact. Thus, it is also useful to know the reliability of a provided reference position, i.e. the maximum distance from the current position of the receiver to the provided reference location. If the accuracy of the reference location is known to be good enough for some application, the reference position can even be used as such, and GPS is not required at all.
[0011] In conventional positioning systems, the accuracy of the reference location is either provided by a cellular communication network or not available at all.
[0012] Similar problems may also arise with other positioning systems than GPS.
[0013] In order to avoid the necessity of polling the cellular network each time a reference location is required, European patent application EP 1 237 009 A2 introduced the idea of a cell location database. The proposed database is used to store the geographical position of cells. In the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), each cell has a unique Cell Global Identity (CGI) identification. When a CGI has once been associated with a geographical position, this position can be stored and used as reference location also later on, whenever the receiver is in the coverage area of the cell with this particular CGI. The database can be stored in the non-volatile memory of a mobile terminal or be downloaded from a network independently from the operator of the cellular network, e.g. using the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). The cited patent application, which is incorporated by reference herein, also provides a detailed description on how the geographical information in the database can be used as reference location in the positioning of a mobile terminal. It does not specify, however, how the geographical information can be estimated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is an object of the invention to enable the generation of information on cells of a cellular network for a database which is to be used for a positioning of a mobile terminal.
[0015] A method is proposed which comprises as a first step calculating at least one position of a mobile terminal in a cell of a cellular network. This at least one position can be calculated for instance based on satellite signals using a satellite positioning system. It can be calculated equally, however, using some other positioning method like a network-based positioning method, e.g. E-OTD (enhanced observed time difference), or such positioning solutions as WLAN (wireless local area network) positioning or Bluetooth™ positioning. In a second step, geographical information on the cell is determined based on the at least one calculated position of the mobile terminal in the cell. The geographical information can comprise for instance coordinates, i.e. latitude and longitude values, which belong to a location within the cell. Finally, the determined geographical information is provided together with an identification of the cell, e.g. a CGI, for storage in the database.
[0016] The mobile terminal can be any device which is suited to exchange signals with a cellular network. The proposed method or parts of the proposed method can be implemented in the mobile terminal which comprises processing means to this end, or in another unit external to the mobile terminal which comprises processing means to this end. The method can be implemented for example in a network unit which receives the required information for the processing from the mobile terminal. Further, the mobile terminal may comprise a receiver for receiving satellite signals, which can be used for determining the at least one position of the mobile terminal, e.g. a GPS receiver, or it may be connectable to such a receiver.
[0017] Further, a system is proposed which comprises a mobile terminal with communication means for communicating with a cellular network, a database destined for supporting a positioning of said mobile terminal, and processing means for realizing the proposed method. These processing means can be distributed in any suitable way to the receiver, the mobile terminal and, if desired, to an additional network unit.
[0018] A cellular network usually provides a mobile terminal attached to the network with an identification of each cell of the network which is entered by the mobile terminal. The invention proceeds from the idea that an available information on the identity of a cell of a cellular network in which a mobile terminal is currently located can be combined with position information for this mobile terminal which is obtained by some positioning method. Since the mobile terminal is known to be located in a specific cell when a positioning is performed, the data of a recorded position can be used for geographical information on the cell for future visits of the cell, when it is stored in a database. In case several positions are available for one cell, a plurality of positions can be evaluated to determine the geographical information, in order to obtain a reference location which is as close as possible to the center of the cell. The location of the center of the cell is the preferred reference location, since the maximum distance of a mobile terminal located in the cell to some reference location in the cell is minimal, when the reference location correspond to the center of the cell.
[0019] It is to be noted that a mobile terminal will often be located within several cells at the same time, since it will usually be able to receive signals not only from the serving cell but equally from some of the neighboring cells, which could also function as serving cell. In such a case, the mobile terminal is able to receive an identification of all of these cells, e.g. the CGIs of all of these cells. Therefore, the mobile terminal may create database information for all of these cells according to the invention, not only for the current serving cell.
[0020] A mobile terminal which has access to the database for which the geographical information is provided is able to perform an assisted positioning under weak signaling conditions without having to poll the cellular network for reference location. The information stored in the database can also be used by itself for a rough positioning when the resolution of the cell locations is good enough for a desired purpose.
[0021] It is an advantage of the invention that it allows to generate the cell position information without requiring any assistance data from the cellular network. As a result, a positioning of a mobile terminal which is based on the available cell identity is not dependent on position information from cellular networks and their operators, and costs related to the delivery of reference locations by the operators can be avoided completely. Further, the time to first fix in a hybrid positioning might be reduced.
[0022] The determination of the geographical information can be based on a single calculated position, on two calculated positions or on a plurality of calculated positions. In case a plurality of positions are to be determined at different points of time, these positions can be determined for example in regular intervals.
[0023] Additionally to the geographical information, a cell range can be estimated and provided for storage in the database. The cell range can consist in particular in the radius of the cell. Such a cell range can, but does not have to be estimated equally based on calculated positions, e.g. the same positions which are used for determining the geographical information.
[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the determined geographical information and the estimated cell range can be updated. Usually, the serving cell and those neighboring cells which are “heard” by the mobile terminal change quite frequently, especially when there are many cells and there is a lot of communication traffic in the area. In such a situation, the position information for a specific cell is gathered during a very short period of time and in a very limited area, even if in reality the cell is rather large. The mobile terminal may leave the cell and enter it again later on, and each time at least one position is calculated for the cell. If all these pieces of position information are combined to provide the estimate of the geographical information and of the cell range, the result will be much closer to the real geographical information and the real cell range than if the estimates are based only on one gathering handled separately. This aspect of the invention is of particular advantage for large cells, but useful for cells of all sizes.
[0025] In one approach, the positions calculated during each serving period of a cell may be stored and be used together with positions calculated during later serving periods of the same cell for determining the geographical information and/or the cell range anew. In another, preferred approach, only the geographical information and the cell range determined for a specific serving period are stored. The positions calculated during later serving periods of the same cell are then combined with the stored geographical information and the stored cell range. The latter option has the advantage that it does not consume any extra memory for storing the calculated positions.
[0026] For the storage of the provided information in a database, the database may comprise different kinds of data structures.
[0027] Preferably, the data structure is hierarchical or comprises a hash table. Both approaches support a fast search for the information on a particular cell.
[0028] The database can be stored for example in a memory of the mobile terminal, which enables a particular fast access to the stored data. Alternatively or additionally, it could also be stored in a unit external to the mobile terminal. This external unit can be for example a network server, like an Internet server, in which the determined geographical location and possibly a cell range is generated, or to which this information is reported. A network server has the advantage that the available memory for storing the information can be larger. A network server could also maintain a global database for collecting geographical information provided by different mobile terminals. From this database, subsets can then be delivered upon request to various mobile terminals.
[0029] The method according to the invention can be implemented in particular by software.
[0030] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not drawn to scale and that they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0031] [0031]FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating in general embodiments of the method according to the invention;
[0032] [0032]FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of the method according to the invention;
[0033] [0033]FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the method according to the invention;
[0034] [0034]FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of the method according to the invention;
[0035] [0035]FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the method according to the invention;
[0036] [0036]FIG. 6 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the method according to the invention in an omni-directional cell;
[0037] [0037]FIG. 7 illustrates the fifth embodiment of the method according to the invention in a sectorized cell;
[0038] [0038]FIG. 8 a and b illustrate an update of stored geographical information;
[0039] [0039]FIG. 9 is a graph employed for storing data generated according to one of the first to fifth embodiment of the method according to the invention;
[0040] [0040]FIG. 10 shows details of the graph of FIG. 9; and
[0041] [0041]FIG. 11 represents a hash table employed for storing data generated according to one of the first to fifth embodiment of the method according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] In the following, various embodiments of the method according to the invention will be described. Each embodiment is implemented as software in a mobile terminal and is suited for creating and maintaining a database for positioning purposes.
[0043] The mobile terminal comprises means for communicating with a cellular GSM network via base transceiver stations (BTS) of this network. Each cell served by one of the BTS of the cellular network is identified by a unique code. In GSM, this unique code is called CGI, as mentioned above, and consists of four parts:
CGI=MCC+MNC+LAC+CI,
[0044] where MCC is a Mobile Country Code, MNC a Mobile Network Code, LAC a Location Area Code and CI a Cell Identity. The entire CGI has the form of a sequence of numbers.
[0045] The mobile terminal further comprises a non-volatile memory with a database. The database is used for storing coordinates of cells and the ranges of these cells, if available, associated to the CGI of the respective cell.
[0046] Moreover, the mobile station comprises a GPS receiver including an antenna for receiving signals from GPS satellites and processing means for determining the current position of the mobile terminal based on received satellite signals.
[0047] In good signaling conditions, the GPS receiver of the mobile terminal is able to determine the exact position of the mobile terminal based exclusively on received satellite signals, i.e. without any assistance data. The processing required for such a determination of the position is known from the state of the art.
[0048] In weak signaling conditions, the GPS receiver of the mobile terminal is able to determine the exact position of the mobile terminal based on the one hand on received satellite signals and on the other hand on assistance data. The assistance data comprises an exact GPS time and a reference location. The processing required for such an assisted determination of the position is known from the state of the art. The exact GPS time is provided to the mobile terminal by the cellular network. The reference location, in contrast, is extracted from the database in the non-volatile memory of the mobile terminal. That is, the coordinates stored for the cell in which the mobile terminal is currently located is used as reference location. In case an estimate of the range of this cell is stored as well in the database, this range can be used for determining the reliability of the reference location.
[0049] The database is created in the non-volatile memory of the mobile terminal when the terminal moves around in the area of a cellular network and the GPS receiver of the mobile terminal is switched on. The method implemented to this end in the mobile terminal on principle is illustrated by the flow chart of FIG. 1.
[0050] The mobile terminal receives a notification from the cellular network each time it enters a new cell, the notification comprising the CGI of the cell. When the mobile terminal is known to be located in a specific cell, it determines its own position based on GPS, either once or several times. One or more recorded positions are then used to compute cell coordinates and possibly a cell range estimate. The cell coordinates are computed as a set of latitude and longitude values. Preferably, they belong to a position close to the center of the cell. The cell range is a rough estimate on how far from the determined cell coordinates the mobile terminal may be when it is known to be located in the cell. The estimates are then stored by the mobile terminal in its database together with the currently valid CGI.
[0051] FIGS. 2 to 7 illustrate five specific embodiments of the method of FIG. 1. Each of the figures shows a BTS I and the boundaries of a cell 2 served by the BTS 1 . Further, the route 3 of the mobile terminal through the cell is depicted.
[0052] In the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the GPS receiver of the mobile terminal always determines the current position of the mobile terminal when the terminal is notified of a new cell CGI, i.e. after the terminal has entered a new cell. In FIG. 2, the recorded position is indicated with a small cross 21 close to the border of the cell 2 where the terminal entered the cell 2 . The coordinates of this first recorded position are determined to be the cell coordinates. The location identified by the cell coordinates, which corresponds to the recorded position, is indicated in FIG. 1 with a star 25 .
[0053] The method is easy to implement and requires only one GPS position fix per cell.
[0054] In the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the GPS position of the mobile terminal is equally recorded when it enters a cell. In addition, the GPS position of the mobile terminal is recorded at the moment when it exits the cell 2 . As time of exit, the time is selected when the terminal receives a notification of a new CGI since it enters the next cell. In FIG. 3, the first recorded position is indicated with a first small cross 31 and the second recorded position with a second small cross 32 . The cell coordinates are then computed as the mean of the coordinates of the first position and the coordinates of the second position. The location identified by the resulting cell coordinates is indicated in FIG. 3 with a star 35 .
[0055] The second embodiment of the invention is equally easy to implement. It further has the advantage over the first embodiment that the resulting position 35 is not as likely to be located at the border of the cell 2 .
[0056] Moreover, the cell range can be estimated based on the two recorded positions 31 , 32 . The cell range can be estimated more specifically as half of the distance between the entering and the exiting position 31 , 32 . The resulting cell range corresponds in the maximum to the radius of the cell. The resulting estimated cell range 36 is indicated in FIG. 3 with a bracket. Calculating in addition the cell range based on the first and second fixed positions 31 , 32 is also easy to implement, cheap to compute and does not require extra memory.
[0057] For the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the GPS positions of the mobile terminal are recorded in regular intervals, e.g. once a minute. Thus, a plurality of recorded positions are obtained while the mobile terminal is staying in the cell 2 . A maximum value is set for the number of GPS positions that are to be recorded. Various recorded position are indicated in FIG. 4 with small crosses.
[0058] Then, the mean, the geometrical center or some other statistical value of the coordinates of the recorded positions is computed. The resulting coordinates are employed as cell coordinates. In the example of FIG. 4, the mean of the coordinates of the recorded positions is used as cell coordinates. The location identified by the cell coordinates is indicated in FIG. 4 with a star 45 .
[0059] It is an advantage of this embodiment over the first and the second embodiment that the resulting cell coordinates will rather likely lie close to the center of the cell 2 .
[0060] In addition to the cell coordinates, also the cell range can be calculated in some suitable way based on the plurality of recorded positions.
[0061] For the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the GPS positions are recorded as well in regular intervals. Various recorded positions are indicated in FIG. 5 with small crosses. In this embodiment, however, next the two recorded positions which are most distant from each other are determined. These are likely to be located at opposite borders of the cell 2 . In the example of FIG. 5, the two most distant fixed positions are determined to be those indicated with cross 51 and cross 52 .
[0062] Thereafter, the mean of the coordinates of the two most distant fixed positions 51 , 52 is determined and used as cell coordinates. The location identified by the resulting cell coordinates is indicated in FIG. 5 with a star 55 .
[0063] The cell coordinates obtained with this embodiment of the method according to the invention will usually identify a location which is quite close to the center of the cell 2 . When selecting a specific embodiment for implementation, however, it has to be taken into account that the search for the longest distance between two positions requires a lot of computations, and the processing load grows fast as the number of fixed positions grows.
[0064] Also the cell range can be estimated based on two recorded positions 51 , 52 out of a plurality of recorded positions which are most distant to each other. Preferably, half of the distance between these two positions 51 , 52 is used as estimate for the cell range. The resulting cell range corresponds in this case in the maximum to the radius of the cell. For the example of FIG. 5, the resulting estimate for the cell range 56 is indicated with a bracket. This method of estimating the cell range is clearly to be favored in case the cell coordinates are determined based on the two most distant fixed positions.
[0065] The fifth embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. While in the preceding embodiments, the results of the processing are the same for omni-directional cells and sectorized cells, a differentiation has to be made for the fifth embodiment. Therefore, FIG. 6 shows the boundaries of a single, omni-directional cell 2 with the BTS 1 in the center of the cell 2 , and FIG. 7 shows the boundaries of a first sectorized cell 2 , in which the mobile terminal is currently located, and the boundaries of a second sectorized cell 4 . Both sectorized cells 2 , 4 are served by the same BTS 1 , which is located at the border between the two sectorized cells 2 , 4 .
[0066] In the fifth embodiment, the GPS positions are recorded as well in regular intervals. Various recorded positions are indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7 with small crosses.
[0067] For each recorded position, in addition a quantity called “timing advance” (TA) is determined.
[0068] In a GSM network, a BTS serving a specific cell sends to each mobile terminal for which this cell currently constitutes the serving cell a TA parameter according to a perceived round trip propagation delay of a signal transmitted from the BTS to the mobile terminal and back to the BTS. The mobile terminal is thereby able to advance its timing by this amount, with the result that signals from different mobile terminals arriving at the BTS are compensated for propagation delay.
[0069] The value of the TA parameter constitutes thus a measure of the approximate distance of the mobile terminal to the BTS 1 . Therefore, the recorded position which is associated to the minimum TA value can be assumed to be closest to the BTS 1 . The recorded position associated to the minimum TA value is indicated in FIG. 6 with a cross 61 and in FIG. 7 with a cross 71 . The coordinates of this recorded position can be used as cell coordinates. The location identified by such cell coordinates is indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively, with a star 65 , 75 .
[0070] In the omni-directional cell 2 of FIG. 6, the position with the minimum TA value is closest to the center of the cell 2 , since the BTS 1 is located in the center of the cell. However, this is not the case in the sectorized cell 2 of FIG. 7. Thus, in the case of sectorized cells, the cell coordinates are preferably determined somewhat differently, e.g. based on the mean of the coordinates of the recorded positions which are associated to the minimum and the maximum TA value.
[0071] It is an advantage of this method that it is rather easy to implement. Further, it provides cell coordinates which identify a location which is quite close to the center of the cell 2 in the case of omni-directional cells.
[0072] The value of the TA parameters received at the mobile terminal can moreover be used for estimating the cell range. The position at which the largest TA value was determined can be assumed to be farthest away from the BTS.
[0073] In omni-directional cells, the cell radius can thus be estimated to correspond to the distance of the mobile terminal to the BTS indicated by this largest TA value. The position corresponding to the largest TA value is indicated in FIG. 6 with a cross 62 , while the distance of this position to the BTS 1 is indicated with a bracket 66 . In sectorized cells, the distance of the mobile terminal to the BTS indicated by the largest TA value represents rather the cell diameter than the radius. The position corresponding to the largest TA value is indicated in FIG. 7 with a cross 72 , while the distance of this position to the BTS 1 is indicated with a bracket 76 . For determining the cell range based on the value of received TA parameters, the corresponding positions of the mobile terminal do not even have to be determined.
[0074] It is understood that the determination of the cell coordinates and the estimation of the cell range can be based on different ones of the presented embodiments of the method according to the invention.
[0075] While the first to fourth embodiments can be used in any cellular network, the fifth embodiment is suited in particular for GSM networks.
[0076] Since the cell coordinates and the cell ranges obtained by the presented embodiments are not always optimal, the entries in the database should be changeable, in order to allow a fine-tuning of the database during later visits of the mobile terminal in a respective cell. The cell coordinates obtained during a first visit may be located at one edge of the cell, and the cell range may be estimated to be much too short. In general, if an estimated cell range is larger than the stored cell range, the newly estimated cell range is probably more accurate. As consequence, at least the cell range should be changed in the database in such a case. Most likely, also the new cell coordinates are better than the previously stored ones, in case the estimate for the cell range is larger than before. Thus, also the cell coordinates should be changed.
[0077] The possibility of a refinement of the obtained cell coordinates and the cell ranges is of particular importance for areas in which there are may cells so that the cells are changed very frequently. A method that is based on one single visit in a cell will assume in this case that the cell is small. If the cell data is updated in a second short visit, the cell coordinates are simply set to a new position and the cell is again assumed to be small.
[0078] A possibility for an efficient update of the cell coordinates and the cell range will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 a and 8 b.
[0079] [0079]FIG. 8 a shows the boundaries of a cell 2 and two positions 81 , 82 recorded during a first visit in the cell. In addition, a first estimate of the cell coverage is indicated as a circle 83 . The center of the circle corresponds to the determined cell coordinates and the radius of the circle to the estimated cell radius. The cell coordinates and the cell radius are determined according to one of the methods described above.
[0080] [0080]FIG. 8 b comprises as well the information of FIG. 8 a and in addition information obtained during a second visit of the cell 2 .
[0081] During this second visit in the cell, one or more new positions 84 , 85 are recorded. In case at least one of these recorded positions 84 , 85 lies outside of circle 83 , the cell data is updated. To this end, first the newly recorded position 84 which is most distant from the center of the circle 83 is determined. A straight line 86 from this newly recorded position 84 to the center of the circle 83 is continued until it reaches the opposite edge of the circle 83 . Now, the new cell coordinates are determined to correspond to the mean of the coordinates of the endpoints of this straight line 86 , and the new cell radius is estimated to correspond to half of the length of this straight line 86 . The resulting new estimate of the cell coverage is indicated with circle 87 , which includes as well the old circle 83 as all of the newly recorded positions 84 , 85 . The new cell coordinates and the new cell range are stored in the database such that they replace the old cell coordinates and the old cell range stored for this cell 2 .
[0082] The benefit of this approach for an update is that no extra storage is needed for enabling the update and that the cell coverage is likely to be well modeled after a couple of visits in the cell.
[0083] As mentioned above, the database associates CGIs to determined cell coordinates, given by latitude and longitude, and possibly also to an estimate of the cell range of the corresponding cell. The database should support the operations search, insert and delete. Search is best performed using the CGI, which is the key field of the data entries, i.e. it is unique to each entry. Further, some maximum number M of supportable CGIs should be set, since the data resides in the memory of the mobile terminal, which has its limits. Thus, there has to be a way to cope with the M+1 st CGI. The natural choice is to remove one “unnecessary” CGI from the memory in order to clear space for a new CGI. The least necessary entry is probably the one that was least recently visited.
[0084] Now, two advantageous possibilities for creating and maintaining the database will be presented. Also this organization of the employed database is implemented in software.
[0085] The first possibility of organizing the database is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0086] [0086]FIG. 9 is a graph representing the general structure of the database.
[0087] The graph is divided to five different levels, arranged in the figure from top to bottom. Each level comprises nodes, which are represented by circles. The first level comprises only a single node serving as root. The root has a link to a first node of the second level. The nodes of the second level are organized in a line, each node having a link to the next node of the second level, and the last node of the second level is pointing to a null address or to a list end mark. Each node of the second level has a link to a similar line in the third level. Each node of the third level has a link to a similar line in the fourth level. Each node of the fourth level has a link to a similar line in the fifth level. From the nodes of the fifth level, there are no further links down to new nodes. Each node of the fifth level contains instead the actual data entries, which are indicated in FIG. 9 with rectangles. Every node of the graph reaches the data level, even though these connections are partly not shown in FIG. 9.
[0088] In a slightly different structure of the graph, the last node of each linked list could point to the upper level node. In this case, the graph would be cyclic.
[0089] The content of the graph is organized such that each level, except for the root, represents one part of the CGI.
[0090] [0090]FIG. 10 shows in more detail a selected path from the root of the graph of FIG. 9 to the data entries for a specific cell, in which the association of the components of the CGI to the different levels of the graph is illustrated. Here, levels one to five are arranged from left to right. The root is indicated again by a circle, while the other nodes of the graph are depicted as rounded rectangles.
[0091] The only function of the root in the first level is to provide the link to the second level.
[0092] As in FIG. 9, the root is connected to a first node of the list of the second level. Each node of the second level represents another country and comprise in a key field the corresponding MCCs. The first node of this line of the second level, which thus represents a specific country, is connected to the first node of a line of the third level. The nodes of the third level represent the mobile networks of the specific country and comprise in a key field the corresponding MNCs. The second node of the line of the third level, which corresponds to a specific mobile network, is connected to the first node of a line of the fourth level. The nodes of the fourth level represent different location areas served by the specific mobile network and comprise in a key field the corresponding LACs. The third node of the line of the fourth level, which corresponds to a specific location areas, is connected to the first node of a line of the fifth level. The nodes of the fifth level represent cells in the specific location areas and comprise in a key field the corresponding CIs.
[0093] The links between the different levels and within each line of one level are realized with pointers.
[0094] The nodes at the second, third and fourth levels have to this end in addition to the key field a next field and a down field. Each next field of a node comprises a pointer to the next node of the respective line, except for the last node of the line, which points to null. Each down field of a node comprises a pointer to the first node in the associated lower level line. The fields next and down are indicated in FIG. 10 for those nodes which form part of the selected path.
[0095] The fifth level nodes also comprise a corresponding next field, but instead of a down field they contain the data fields lat, ion and range. Data field lat comprises data on the latitude of the identified cell, data field ion comprises data on the longitute of the identified cell, and data field range comprises data on the estimated range of the identified cell.
[0096] A new entry is always inserted to the beginning of the lines. For example, if geographical data for a cell having an MCC which is not yet represented in the graph is to be added, then a new MCC node is inserted between the root and the currently first MCC node. In this case, the corresponding new MNC, LAC and CI nodes are so far the only entries in their line, because the new MCC node starts a new branch in the structure. As another example, if geographical data for a cell is to be added which has in its CGI an MCC, an MNC and an LAC which are already represented in the graph, only a new CI node has to be inserted. This new CI node is inserted between the LAC node representing the LAC of the CGI of the cell and the currently first CI node of the line to which the LAC node is pointing.
[0097] The search operation is implemented such that when available geographical information is to be extracted from the database, each of the lines are gone through until the MCC, the MNC, the LAC and the CI matching the associated CGI are found. In the selected path of FIG. 10, this path leads from the root via the first MCC node, the first and second MNC nodes, the first, second and third LAC nodes and the first CI node to the second CI node, which comprises the desired data entries.
[0098] Each time when geographical information associated to a specific CGI is extracted from the database, e.g. as an initial position or for a rough positioning, the structure of the graph is reorganized. More specifically, the MCC, MNC, LAC and CI nodes which correspond to this CGI are moved to the beginning of their respective line. As a result, the search path to the most recently used data is the shortest. The advantage lies in the fact that at least in rough positioning applications, it is likely that a searched CGI has the same MCC, MNC and LAC as the previously searched CGI, so the data entries for a new cell will be found with a rather short path.
[0099] As a result of the reordering, the nodes that have not been used for a long time are moved towards the ends of their line. When the limiting number M of stored data is reached, it is therefore easy to find the data that is least used by going to the last CI node of the last LAC node of the last MNC node of the last MCC node. The memory occupied by this last CI node and the associated data can then be freed.
[0100] It is an advantage of the presented graph structure that it enables an easy search for CGIs. Especially those CGIs that have recently been used can be found easily and quickly. This is of particular advantage if the stored coordinates are to be used as initial position for a satellite based positioning. Once the coordinates for one cell are found, also the coordinates of the nearby known cells are found quickly if they are needed. This can be of particular advantage when the coordinates are required for an independent rough positioning.
[0101] The hierarchical architecture also enables storing the CGIs without redundantly storing the common MCCs, MNCs and LACs. A regular user spends most of the time only in one or two countries and is a customer of one network operator in each country. Thus, in the proposed structure, the MCC and MNC levels will usually consist of just a couple of nodes, and the corresponding information does not have to be repeated for each CGI associated to data in the graph. Thereby, a significant amount of memory space can be saved.
[0102] The second possibility of organizing the database is illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 represents a hash table which is to be used as alternative data structure.
[0103] In its basic form, a hash table is a fixed length array. Such an array 101 is depicted on the left hand side of FIG. 1. The array 101 comprises a plurality of slots, and in each slot a CGI and data associated to this CGI can be stored, i.e. the cell coordinates and possibly the cell range.
[0104] A hash table is generally used in dictionary-kind of applications, where a quick search is required. The entries are stored in the hash table according to the value of a hash function h(k). The hash function h(k) will always result in the same value when it is applied to the same key k. Here, the CGI is used as key k. The value of the hash function h(k) is an integer number which indicates an index of the table. The index identifies the slot where a specific CGI can be inserted or found, so the search for the correct slot may require only a single step. For example, if the array comprises slots with indices 1 to 500 and the value of the hash function for a specific CGI is h(k)=311, then the slot with index 311 is selected to find a desired entry, to insert a new entry or to delete a stored entry.
[0105] Depending on the kind of hash function and on the length of the array 101 of the hash table, however, the hash function does not necessarily result in different values for all possible CGIs. Thus, the same slot of the hash table may be associated to several CGIs.
[0106] This kind of collision can be overcome by chaining. Each slot of the array 101 of the hash table contains a pointer which may point to a linked list of further slots. Such linked lists are shown in FIG. 11 for the slots with reference numbers 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 and 115 . Slots 111 , 112 and 114 form part of a list with one additional slot, while slots 113 and 115 form part of a list with two additional slots. The other slots in the array 101 are not linked to additional slots. The respective last slot in each list is marked by a slash in FIG. 11. The lists are generated, extended and reduced as required. A first CGI resulting in a specific slot index is stored in the corresponding slot of the array 101 . Each further CGI resulting in the same specific slot index is stored in a slot of the linked list connected to the corresponding slot of the array 101 . As a result, the search for a particular CGI has to go in maximum through the whole list associated with the hash table slot with the index h(k) which was determined for the particular CGI. If the hash function is well chosen, the chains do not become long and the entries are scattered rather uniformly in the table.
[0107] Alternatively, the linked lists and the dynamical memory allocation can be avoided by providing several hash functions. In case of a collision, new hash functions are applied in a systematic way, and the resulting new hash function values are tried until a free slot is found. This slows down the search a little, but not much more than the linked list implementation.
[0108] There is a trade-off between search time and memory consumption. The larger the table, the less likely are collisions and the shorter are the chains. However, a large table contains also more empty slots than a compact one.
[0109] For supporting a deletion of entries from the hash table, a frequency counter can be associated with each contained CGI. The entries with the smallest counter values can then be deleted first, since they correspond to cells which are least visited by the mobile terminal.
[0110] It is an advantage of the hash table that it enables a very efficient search and a rather efficient memory consumption. The simple structure further leads to an easy implementation.
[0111] While there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
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The invention relates to a method for generating entries for a database, which database is destined for supporting a positioning of a mobile terminal. In order to enable the generation of information for this database, the method calculating at least one position of a mobile terminal in a cell of a cellular network. The method further comprises determining geographical information on this cell based on the at least one calculated position of the mobile terminal in this cell. Finally, the method comprises providing the determined geographical information together with an identification of the cell for storage in the database. The invention relates equally to a unit and to a system in which such a method is implemented.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention relates to rotary fluid pressure devices, and more particularly, to such devices of the type including a fluid displacement mechanism which comprises a gerotor gear set.
Although the present invention may be included in a gerotor-type device being utilized as a pump, it is especially adapted for use in a low-speed, high-torque gerotor motor, and will be described in connection therewith.
For years, many of the gerotor motors made and sold commercially, both by the assignee of the present invention as well as by others, have had the motor valving disposed "forwardly" of the gerotor gear set (i.e., toward the output shaft end of the motor), thus having nothing disposed "rearwardly" of the gerotor gear set except for an endcap. The present invention is not so limited, but is especially adapted for use with gerotor motors of this type, and will be illustrated and described in connection therewith.
In many vehicle applications for low-speed, high-torque gerotor motors, it is desirable for the motor to have some sort of parking brake or parking lock, the term "lock" being preferred in some instances because it is intended that the parking lock be engaged only after the vehicle is stopped. In other words, such parking lock devices are not intended to be dynamic brakes, which would be engaged while the vehicle is moving, to bring the vehicle to a stop. However, the term "brake" will generally be used hereinafter to mean and include both brakes and locks, the term "brake" being somewhat preferred to distinguish from a device which would operate either fully engaged or fully disengaged.
For many years, those skilled in the art have attempted to incorporate brake and lock devices into gerotor motors, as opposed to merely adding a brake package on the motor output shaft. Examples of such devices are illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,616,882 and 4,981,423. In the device of U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,882, a braking element is disposed adjacent the forward end of the gerotor star, and is biased by fluid pressure into frictional engagement therewith. Such an arrangement involves a certain degree of unpredictability of performance, in view of variations in clearances, etc. Such an arrangement also requires a substantial redesign of the wear plate and forward bearing housing of the motor. In the device of U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,423, there is a multi-disc brake assembly which is of the "spring-applied, pressure-released" type. The arrangement of U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,423 also requires almost total redesign of the forward bearing housing, and also results in a much larger bearing housing. In addition, the disc pack is in splined engagement with the output shaft and, therefore, must be able to brake or hold the full output torque of the motor, thus necessitating that the discs, the spring, and the apply/release piston all be relatively larger.
In many known motor brake and lock arrangements, the majority of the braking "torque" is provided by a set of brake discs. Typically, the brake discs are provided with some sort of friction material which, while effective in increasing the braking torque, also adds substantially to the cost of the brake discs. As a result, there are many vehicle applications where it would be desirable to utilize a low-speed, high-torque gerotor motor having a built-in brake, but wherein it is not economically feasible to do so because of the expense represented by typical brake discs provided with the necessary friction material.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gerotor motor including a parking brake which overcomes the above-described disadvantages of the prior art, and is compact and of low cost.
It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a parking brake for a gerotor motor which totally eliminates, or at least substantially reduces, the need for expensive friction-type brake discs.
It is an even more specific object of the present invention to provide such a gerotor motor parking brake which utilizes the inherent friction of several members of the brake assembly, which are in engagement with each other, to achieve at least a major portion of the braking torque.
The above and other objects of the invention are accomplished by the provision of a rotary fluid pressure device of the type including a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A rotary fluid displacement mechanism includes an internally-toothed ring member and an externally-toothed star member eccentrically disposed within the ring member for orbital and rotational movement relative thereto, the star member defining a central opening. The teeth of the ring member and the star member interengage to define expanding and contracting fluid volume chambers in response to the orbital and rotational movement. Valve means cooperates with the housing to provide fluid communication from the fluid inlet to the expanding volume chambers, and from the contracting volume chambers to the fluid outlet. A drive shaft includes a driven portion in engagement with the central opening of the star member, a drive portion extending forwardly and adapted to drive an output, and a brake portion extending rearwardly and engaging in orbital and rotational movement. An endcap assembly is disposed rearwardly of the fluid displacement mechanism, and defines an internal chamber and a lock piston disposed in the internal chamber, the lock piston being moveable between a first, retracted position, and a second, engaged position.
The improved rotary fluid pressure device is characterized by the endcap assembly defining a generally cylindrical brake chamber, the brake portion of the drive shaft extending axially into the brake chamber. A generally cylindrical brake member is disposed in the brake chamber and is driven eccentrically by the brake portion of the drive shaft. The brake member includes a first, generally circular surface disposed for frictional engagement with the lock piston when the lock piston is in the engaged position. The brake member also includes a second, generally annular surface disposed for frictional engagement with the fluid displacement mechanism when the lock piston is in the engaged position.
In accordance with a more limited aspect of the invention, the improved rotary fluid pressure device is characterized by the generally cylindrical brake member including a cylindrical outer surface in frictional engagement with an internal generally cylindrical surface defined by the brake chamber when the lock piston is in its engaged position, and in response to the orbital and rotational movement of the brake portion of the drive shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an axial cross-section of a gerotor motor including a parking brake made in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-section taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1, and on approximately the same scale.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, axial cross-section, similar to FIG. 1, illustrating the parking brake of the present invention in greater detail.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse cross-section, similar to FIG. 2, and on about the same scale as FIG. 3, illustrating the parking brake of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, which are not intended to limit the invention, FIG. 1 is an axial cross-section of a low-speed, high-torque gerotor motor of the type with which the parking brake mechanism of the present invention is especially advantageous. The gerotor motor shown in FIG. 1 may be of the general type illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,704, assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference.
The gerotor motor of FIG. 1 comprises a valve housing section 11, a port plate 13, and a fluid energy-translating displacement mechanism, generally designated 15, which, in the subject embodiment, is a roller gerotor gear set. The motor includes a forward endcap 17, held in tight sealing engagement with the valve housing section 11 by means of a plurality of bolts 19, and a rearward endcap assembly 21, held in tight sealing engagement with the valve housing section 11 by means of a plurality of bolts 23. The valve housing section 11 includes a fluid inlet port 25, and a fluid outlet port 27, shown only in dashed lines in FIG. 1. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the ports 25 and 27 may be reversed, thus reversing the direction of operation of the motor.
Referring still to FIG. 1, the gerotor gear set 15 includes an internally-toothed ring member 29, through which the bolts 23 pass (only one of the bolts 23 being shown in FIG. 1), and an externally-toothed star member 31. The internal teeth of the ring member 29 comprise a plurality of cylindrical rollers 33, as is now well known in the art. The teeth 33 of the ring 29 and the external teeth of the star 31 interengage to define a plurality of expanding volume chambers 35, and a plurality of contracting volume chambers 37, as is also well known in the art.
The valve housing section 11 defines a spool bore 39, and rotatably disposed therein is a spool valve 41. Formed integrally with the spool valve 41 is an output shaft 43, shown only fragmentarily in FIG. 1. In fluid communication with each of the volume chambers 35 and 37 is an opening 45 defined by the port plate 13, and in fluid communication with each of the openings 45 is an axial passage 47 formed in the valve housing section 11. Each of the axial passages 47 communicates with the spool bore 39 through an opening 49. The housing section 11 also defines fluid passages 25p and 27p, providing fluid communication between the spool bore 39 and the inlet port 25 and outlet port 27, respectively.
Disposed within the hollow, cylindrical spool valve 41 is a main drive shaft 51, commonly referred to as a "dog bone" shaft. The spool valve 41 defines a set of straight internal splines 53, and the star 31 defines a set of straight internal splines 55. The drive shaft 51 includes a set of external crowned splines 57 in engagement with the internal splines 53, and a set of external crowned splines 59 in engagement with the internal splines 55. Thus, the orbital and rotational movements of the star member 31 are transmitted, by means of the dog bone shaft 51, into purely rotational movement of the output shaft 43, as is well known in the art.
The spool valve 41 defines an annular groove 61 in continuous fluid communication with the inlet port 25, through the passage 25p. Similarly, the spool valve 41 defines an annular groove 63, which is in continuous fluid communication with the outlet port 27, through the passage 27p. The spool valve 41 further defines a plurality of axial slots 65 in communication with the annular groove 61, and a plurality of axial slots 67 in communication with the annular groove 63. The axial slots 65 and 67 are also frequently referred to as feed slots or timing slots. As is generally well known to those skilled in the art, the axial slots 65 provide fluid communication between the annular groove 61 and the openings 49, disposed on one side of the line of eccentricity of the gerotor set 15, while the axial slots 67 provide fluid communication between the annular groove 63 and the openings 49, which are on the other side of the line of eccentricity. The resulting commutating valve action between the axial slots 65 and 67 and the openings 49, as the spool valve 41 rotates, is well known in the art and will not be described further herein.
Those portions of the motor described up to this point are generally conventional and well known to those skilled in the art. Referring still primarily to FIG. 1, but also to FIG. 3, the parking brake assembly of the present invention will now be described. The rearward endcap assembly 21 defines a relatively larger, internal chamber 71, and a relatively smaller, forward internal chamber 73. In the subject embodiment, both of the chambers 71 and 73 are generally cylindrical, although it should be understood that such is not an essential feature of the invention with regard to the chamber 71. However, as a practical matter, the chamber 73 must be cylindrical, and the reference numeral "73" will be used hereinafter also for the cylindrical, internal surface of the smaller, forward chamber. Disposed within the chamber 71 is a generally cylindrical lock piston 75, which includes an o-ring seal 77 disposed about its outer periphery and in sealing engagement with the internal surface of the chamber 71. The lock piston 75 includes a forward, generally circular engagement surface 79. Disposed rearwardly of the piston 75, the internal chamber 71 is bounded by an endcap member 81, and disposed axially between the piston 75 and the endcap 81 is a Belleville washer 85, which biases the piston 75 in a forward direction (to the left in FIG. 1) toward an engaged position, as will be described in greater detail subsequently.
Referring still primarily to FIG. 1, it should be noted that there is a wear plate 89 disposed axially between the gerotor gear set 15 and the rearward endcap 21. In some applications, the wear plate 89 may not be considered essential for the proper performance of the motor, and therefore, may be omitted such that the rearward endcap 21 would be immediately adjacent the gerotor gear set 15. As a result, references hereinafter, and in the appended claims, to frictional engagement with the fluid displacement mechanism (i.e., the gerotor gear set), will be understood to mean and include either direct frictional engagement with one of the members of the gerotor gear set itself, such as the star 31, or only indirect frictional engagement with the gerotor gear set, by means of direct frictional engagement with the adjacent wear plate 89.
Disposed within the chamber 73 is a generally cylindrical brake member 91. Referring primarily to FIGS. 3 and 4, the brake member 91 includes a cylindrical outer surface 93 in closely spaced apart, sliding engagement with the cylindrical internal surface 73. The brake member 91 defines an internal chamber 95 bounded, in part, by a pair of flat surfaces 97, the function of which will become apparent subsequently. Disposed within the chamber 95 is a spinner member 99 which includes a pair of flat sides 101, each of which is in closely spaced apart, sliding engagement with one of the flat surfaces 97. Thus, the spinner member 99 is able to move slightly within the internal chamber 95, in response to the orbital and rotational movement of the main drive shaft 51.
Referring still primarily to FIG. 4, the spinner member 99 defines a cylindrical internal surface 103, and in closely spaced apart, sliding engagement therewith is an outer cylindrical surface 105 of a rearward end 107 of the main drive shaft 51. The rearward end 107 of the drive shaft 51 will also be referred to hereinafter as the "brake portion" of the drive shaft 51, in view of the fact that it is involved in the process of braking the gerotor motor, as will be described subsequently. The axis of rotation A of the brake portion 107 is in the position shown in FIG. 4 at the instant in time represented by FIG. 4, but, as is well known to those skilled in the art of orbiting and rotating gerotor devices, the axis of rotation A forms a circle (dashed line) as the star 31 undergoes one complete orbit within the ring member 29.
Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4 together, the brake member 91 defines a rearward, generally circular surface 109 which is in engagement with the engagement surface 79 of the lock piston 75, whenever the lock piston is biased to the left in FIG. 3 to the engaged position, under the influence of the Belleville washer 85. In the subject embodiment, and by way of example only, the portion of the internal chamber 71, forward of the lock piston 75 comprises a release chamber 111, and whenever the chamber 111 is subjected to a certain, predetermined pressure, the lock piston 75 is biased to the right in FIGS. 1 and 3, in opposition to the biasing force of the Belleville washer 85. The particular arrangement for providing the hydraulic pressure release to the chamber 111 is not an essential feature of the invention. Furthermore, it is not an essential feature of the present invention for the release of the parking brake to be hydraulic, and within the scope of the invention, the release could be by other means, such as, by way of example only, a manual mechanical release.
If the particular vehicle application involves a charge pump, or some other external source of fluid pressure (preferably, at a fairly constant, predictable pressure), such may be communicated to the chamber 111 under the control of an appropriate valve (not shown herein). Alternatively, the motor may be provided with a separate case drain port which may either be communicated to the system reservoir, or may be restricted to cause a back pressure (higher pressure) within the case drain region, which as is well understood by those skilled in the art, is the open chamber surrounding the main drive shaft 51. If case pressure is to be used to disengage the brake, the brake member 91 may be provided with a passage 113, thus permitting communication from the case drain region to the release chamber 111.
The brake member 91 also includes a forward, generally annular surface 115 which, as may best be seen in FIG. 4 is not perfectly annular, but is referred to as being "generally" annular because of the effect of the flat surfaces 97. Thus, the surface 115 represents a substantial amount of area in engagement with the adjacent surface of the wear plate 89.
It has been found during the course of development of the present invention that a Belleville washer which is sufficient to provide the needed brake engagement force will inherently be sufficient also to apply sufficient rotational drag on the lock piston 75 to keep the lock piston from rotating when the brake is being engaged. The significance of the non-rotation of the lock piston 75 will become apparent subsequently.
Under normal operating conditions, when, for example, the motor is propelling the vehicle, it is necessary to disengage the brake. As noted previously, such disengagement may be accomplished by pressurizing the release chamber 111. When the release chamber 111 is pressurized, the lock piston 75 moves somewhat to the right from the position shown in FIG. 1, in opposition to the force of the Belleville washer 85, such that the piston 75 does not apply any substantial axial force to the brake member 91. In the disengaged condition as described, as the brake portion 107 of the drive shaft 51 orbits and rotates, such orbital movement is translated into rotation of the brake member 91 within the chamber 73. The sliding engagement of the surfaces 73 and 93 and of the surfaces 103 and 105 may result in a small decrease in mechanical efficiency, depending upon the radial clearances provided for each of the recited pairs of surfaces.
When it is desired to engage the brake, the release chamber 111 is drained to tank such that the Belleville washer 85 biases the lock piston 75 forwardly (to the left in FIGS. 1 and 3) into the engaged condition. In the engaged condition, the Belleville washer 85 exerts a certain, predetermined axial force F1 against the lock piston 75, which is then applied by the lock piston 75 to the brake member 91, biasing the annular surface 115 into engagement with the wear plate 89. As was noted previously, in the engaged condition, the lock piston 75 does not rotate, such that the circular surface 109 of the brake member 91 is in frictional engagement with the stationary engagement surface 79 of the lock piston 75. At the same time, the annular surface 115 of the brake member 91 is also in engagement with a stationary surface, i.e., the adjacent surface of the wear plate 89.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there are four separate sources of braking torque associated with the brake arrangement of the present invention. Each of those separate sources of braking torque, identified hereinafter as T1, T2, T3 and T4 will be described separately, it being understood that the total braking torque T is the summation of the four individual braking torques.
The braking torque T1 is the result of the engagement of the engagement surface 79 and the circular surface 109 and is determined as follows:
T1=F1×R1×6×μl;
wherein, R1 equals the diameter of the circular surface 109 divided by 4; μl equals the coefficient of static friction at the interface of the surfaces 79 and 109; and 6 equals the number of orbits of the brake portion 107 per revolution of the main drive shaft 51.
The braking torque T2 is that which occurs at the interface of the generally annular surface 115 and the adjacent surface of the wear plate 89 and is calculated as follows:
T2=F1×R2×6×μ2;
wherein R2 equals the effective diameter of the area of engagement of the surface 115 divided by 4 and the adjacent surface of the wear plate 89; and μ2 equals the coefficient of static friction at the interface of the surface 115 and the wear plate 89.
The braking torque T3 relates to the engagement of the internal chamber surface 73 and the cylindrical outer surface 93, and is determined as follows: ##EQU1## wherein e equals the eccentricity of the axis of rotation A of the brake portion 107; μ3 equals the coefficient of static friction at the interface of the surfaces 73 and 93; and D3 equals the diameter of the surface 93.
The braking torque T4 relates to the engagement of the internal surface 103 and the outer cylindrical surface 105 and is determined as follows: ##EQU2## wherein μ4 equals the coefficient of static friction at the interface of the surfaces 103 and 105; 7 equals the number of orbits, plus one, of the brake portion 107, per revolution; and D4 equals the diameter of the surface 105.
In the subject embodiment, and by way of example only, the braking torques T1 and T2 together equal approximately ninety percent of the total braking torque, whereas the braking torque T3 equals about eight percent of the total, and the braking torque T4 equals about two percent of the total. It has been observed in connection with the development of the present invention that if the braking torques T3 plus T4 are too high, or become too high, as a percent of the total braking torque, there will be a tendency for the mechanism to actuate on its own, or stated another way, to become "self-locking", which is understood by those skilled in the vehicle brake art to be undesirable.
In the subject embodiment, and by way of example only, the circular surface 109 of the brake member 91 is in direct, frictional engagement with the engagement surface 79 of the lock piston 75. It will be understood that references hereinafter, and in the appended claims, to such frictional engagement include both the direct engagement illustrated herein, as well as indirect engagement which results if some sort of member is interposed between the surfaces 79 and 109. The same would be true if some sort of member were interposed between the surface 115 and the wear plate 89.
It is also within the scope of the present invention to utilize the structure illustrated and described herein, but in association with one or more friction discs, for additional braking torque capacity. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, for whatever braking torque capacity is required, the brake arrangement of the invention will provide at least a portion of the capacity, but at less cost, and in a more compact package. This is especially true because of the fact that the invention takes advantage of the orbiting brake portion 107, whereby the brake member 91 is rotating at orbit speed, thus effectively reducing the area of engagement and normal force (F1) required to achieve a particular braking torque.
The invention has been described in great detail in the foregoing specification, and it is believed that various alterations and modifications of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended that all such alterations and modifications are included in the invention, insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.
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An integral brake assembly for a gerotor motor of the type including valving (41) disposed forwardly of the gerotor gear set (15). Orbital and rotational movement of the gerotor star member (31) is transmitted to an output shaft (43) by a main drive shaft (51), which includes a rearwardly extending brake portion (107). The motor includes an endcap assembly (21) defining a brake chamber (73) into which the brake portion (107) extends. A cylindrical brake member (91) is disposed in the brake chamber (73), and includes a circular surface (109) for frictional engagement with a lock piston (75). The brake member (91) also includes a forward generally annular surface (115) for frictional engagement with either the gerotor gear set (15) or an adjacent wear plate (89). The invention at least reduces the need for expensive friction discs in order to achieve a desired level of brake torque, and also utilizes inherent friction in various brake parts for some of the required brake torque.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the conversion of the kinetic energy in a moving fluid to rotational mechanical energy and more particularly to a wind driven apparatus for the generation of electricity, pumping water, or other purposes.
2. General Background
There exist numerous examples of fluid or wind driven machinery that convert kinetic energy into mechanical energy and more particularly into the rotation of a shaft or turbine. Each of these machines accomplish their intended purpose by directing the wind or the fluid against a collector causing it to rotate thereby creating the desired mechanical energy.
All such machines may be categorized differently. They may be grouped as to whether the axis of rotation of the collector is horizontal or vertical. Additionally, the rotor blades or vanes of the collector may be of the `open` or `closed` variety. The `open` or squirrel cage variety enables the wind to flow around and past the vanes in the manner of an air foil. They rely upon aerodynamic lift to cause rotation. Conversly, `closed` type rotor blades rely upon the direct impact of the force of the wind on the surface of the blade to cause rotation.
Alternately, these machines may be classified in accordance with how the wind or fluid is directed towards the collector. At least four different groupings of this type may be formed. The first group includes those that are merely placed in a flow stream and are unable to adjust to a change in direction of the flow stream. An example of this type is U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,890 to Wright. These devices are predominantly water driven rather than wind driven since water is easily channeled and does not often change directions.
The second type relies upon an upstream funnel to direct and concentrate the flow stream. The theory being that as the funnel cross-sectional area decreases the wind speed increases to accommodate the same volume of flow. Unfortunately, most such designs do not take into account the difference existing between ambiant air pressure and the pressures found inside the funnel. Consequently, the speed and volumn of the funneled flow may be less than anticipated. Additionally, these machines direct the air flow to impinge upon a relatively small area of the collector necessitating a rather high energy exchange rate. Some typical examples of these type machines are U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,356 to Murphy, Pat. No. 4,019,828 to Bunzer, and Pat. No. 1,935,097 to Nelson.
The third type also utilizes mild funnels to capture more wind, but these machines also incorporate upstream baffles to direct the flow against a larger collector area. These machines may perhaps be slightly more efficient, but since baffling of any type removes energy from the flow stream, a higher wind speed is needed. Examples of these machines are U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,569 to Harloff and Pat. No. 1,973,509 to Santarsiero.
The fourth and last type are those that do more that simply baffle the incoming flow stream, they channel it by turning it more than ninety (90° ) degrees for maximum collector impact. As can be readily expected, such channeling and drastic turning of the flow steam significatntly reduces the available energy in the flow steam. Examples of these machines are U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,900 to Baughman and Pat. No. 1,315,595 to Clark.
It is thus an object of this invention to provide an efficient means of extracting kenetic energy from the wind and transforming this energy into mechanical rotation. Another object of this invention is to provide a wind generator that directs large volume of air towards a collector yet accomplishes this task with little loss of energy. A further object of this invention is to provide a machine that automatically pivots to intercept the wind as it shifts directions. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a low cut-in threshold and a high cut-out threshold so as to convert a broader range of wind speed to mechanical energy. These and other features of this invention will become apparent upon further investigation.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention solves the aforementioned problems in a straight forward and simple manner. What is provided is a wind-driven apparatus for generating rotational mechanical energy that consists of a closed rotatable drum journeled to a support and having a horizontal axis of rotation. A plurality of closed, elongated vanes are secured to the outer surface of this cylinder and, in this embodiment, are oriented parallel to the horizontal axis of rotation (a vertical orientation is also possible). Each of these elongated vanes curve uniformly outward away from the cylinder thereby forming a scoop or concave impingement area next to the cylinder. Upstream of the cylinder is an intake funnel secured to the support and configured to collect and direct wind towards the vanes. This funnel is configured having top and bottom walls that terminate on opposite sides of the horizontal axis of rotation. Forming a part of this funnel are a series of blow-through panels that are biased closed but begin to open at a preselected wind pressure. The support which supports the funnel and cylinder is, in turn, pivotally secured to a base, this support being pivotal about a generally vertical axis. Immediately downstream of the cylinder is an open exhaust area free of any obstruction or further channeling of the spent or de-energized wind. Also, incorporated into this apparatus are alignment means for properly aligning the funnel with respect to the direction of the wind.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top planar view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a pictorial side view, partially cut away, illustrating the operation of the wind machine;
FIG. 6 is a top planar view of the wind machine illustrating the wind foil and its track;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the wind machine illustrating the wind foil and;
FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1-5 and 8, the apparatus of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 10. Apparatus 10 is generally comprised of collector 12, funnel 14, and support 16. As illustrated, collector 12 is of the closed variety and is oriented perpendicular to flow stream or wind 18. Collector 12 rotates about a horizontal axis (ARROWS 19) which is represented by shaft 20 that is journeled to support 16. Should it be desired, apparatus 10 can be configured to rotate about a vertical axis.
Collector 12 consists of closed drum or cylinder 22 having a series of elongated rotor blades or vanes 24 secured to its perimeter surface. These vanes 24, which are also of the closed variety, extend parallel to shaft 20 along the length of cylinder 22. They curve uniformly outward, away from cylinder 22 thereby forming an impingement surface 26, enclosing impingement area 27, that flow stream 18 engages. Because of the closed nature of both vanes 24 and cylinder 22, flow stream 18 does not flow through collector 12, but instead passes around cylinder 22 thereby pressing against impingement surface 26 causing collector 12 to rotate (ARROWS 19). By forcing flow stream 18 to flow around cylinder 22 rather than permitting it to flow through cylinder 22, the torque on shaft 20 is increased as well as the rotational acceleration of vanes 24.
In this embodiment, impingement area 27 is concave having a somewhat semi-circular shape that is defined to also include a more elliptical or quarter-circle configuration. Also, it should be noted that vanes 24 may also be cups, sails, fins, or otherwise that are secured around and will impart a rotation to shaft 20.
Funnel 14, as shown, has an intake area larger in both height and width then collector 12. It consists of top 30, bottom 32, and sides 34 all of which have a convex curvature (with respect to the outside of funnel 14). Other configurations, however, are equally possible; its main purpose being to collect a large portion of flow steam 18, concentrate this portion, and direct it towards collector 12 without it becoming "trapped" or stalled between collector 12 and funnel 14.
The unique curvature of funnel 14 as shown aids in channeling flow stream 18 towards vanes 24. Top 30 terminates downstream of shaft 20 while bottom 32 terminates upstream of shaft 20. In this fashion and because they converge irregularly towards collector 12, flow stream 18 is directed specifically against impingement surface 26. Due to the spacing between the terminus of top 30 and bottom 32, nearly half or more of vanes 24 on cylinder 22 are exposed to flow stream 18 at any given time.
A series of blow-through panels 36 are positioned about top 30, bottom 32 and sides 34 of funnel 14. These panels 36 are normally biased closed by springs 38 and they only begin to pivot open (ARROWS 39) when the pressure against the inside of funnel 14 reaches or exceeds a given amount. Generally, panels 36 are located near collector 12 in the narrower portion of funnel 14 as that is where any build-up of pressure needs to be relieved. In this embodiment, a panel 36 is located in the terminating region of both top 30 and bottom 32 immediately adjacent collector 12. Also, on sides 34, oppositely spaced panels 36 are positioned intermediate the inlet opening and collector 12. In all of these locations, panels 36 are oriented to pivot outward in the direction of ARROW 39, away from funnel 14, this direction being consistent with the direction of flow stream 18. In other embodiments panels 36 may be of unequal size (or absent on one side) in order to assist in rotating apparatus 10 "off-wind" during periods of high wind speeds.
Inside funnel 14 and near bottom 32 is deflector vane 40. Deflector vane 40 compliments bottom 32 in that it aids in directing the funnelled flow stream 18 against vane 24 for maximum impact and greater efficiency. Although only one deflector vane 40 is shown, more than one may be used.
Outside funnel 14 and secured to bottom 32 is wind deflector 42. This wind deflector 42 curves outward in a direction away from the convex curvature of bottom 32. It can also extend perpendicular (or nearly so) to bottom 32. Wind deflector 42 deflects flow stream 18 away from the underneath side of funnel 14 thereby preventing flow stream 18 from impinging upon collector 12 outside of funnel 14. Wind deflector 42 also prevents any turbulance in the area of blow-out panel 36 at the terminating end of bottom 32 as well as the location where vanes 24 re-enter funnel 14 after rotating around shaft 20. Its purpose is to reduce and/or eliminate drag or any other opposing force on collector 12.
As illustrated, the immediate downwind side of collector 12 is open to ambiant pressure. There is no housing, baffle, or deflector vane to further direct flow stream 18 immediately after it passes around collector 12. Consequently, no backpressure can be developed that would reduce the volume or force of flow stream 18 passing through funnel 14. (This is not to say that such devices cannot be used, it is just that they are not used if such use will create backpressure that reduces the volumn or flow of flow stream 18 through funnel 14 and against collector 12.) The configuration of top 30 and wind deflector 42 prevents any wind from striking collector 12 in a manner inconsistent with its normal direction of rotation.
Both collection 12 and funnel 14 are secured to support 16. As indicated, support 16 consists of upright members 44 secured to platform 46. A generator or other piece of machinery 48 is mounted on platform 46 underneath funnel 14. This generator 48 would normally be coupled by a belt and pulley arrangement 50 to shaft 20 of collector 12. Consequently, as shaft 20 rotates, so does generator 48, and by skillful selection of belt and pulley arrangement 50, the ratio of the turning of the one can be adjusted to conform to the acceptable turning speed of the other. As is obvious, the turning speed of shaft 20 will not always be consistent, thus the need for a generator 48 that can accept a wide range of revolutions per minute.
Support 16 is, in turn, pivotally secured to base 52 enabling it to pivot in the direction of arrow 53. Support 16 may pivot about base 52 via an adjustable or a fixed height column 54 as shown or it may pivot about a circular track on wheels (not shown). In whatever fashion chosen, wind machine 10 is designed so that funnel 14 can rotate as needed to orient itself with flow stream 18 and to pivot itself out of flow stream 18 during periods of high wind speeds.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, and to aid in such orientation, wind machine 10 incorporates direction vane 55. As shown, direction vane 55 is secured to platform 46 of support 16 downstream of collector 12, it may also be secured to upright members 44 or even journeled to shaft 20 if desired. Direction vane 55 incorporates a generally horizontal member 56 supportng a large upward curving wind foil 58. To support the weight of wind foil 58, either it or the end of horizontal member 56 (as shown) is mounted on track 60 via wheels 62. As flow stream 18 strikes the surface of wind foil 58, it is rotated or moved along track 60 until the resultant horizontal force on wind foil 58 is parallel to horizontal member 56. Consequently, as wind foil 58 is repositioned along track 60, its movement causes wind machine 10 and funnel 14 to also pivot about column 54 for proper orientation and alignment.
As an option, a micro-processor may be connected to the surface of wind foil 58 and also to a motor that is capable of pivoting wind machine 10 in response to the force and direction of flow stream 18. It should also be noted that the embodiment shown is with respect to collection 12 rotating about a horizontal axis, however, it can also be adapted to rotate about a vertical axis or any other axis in betweeen if desired. In order to do so, support 16 would still be positioned under wind machine 10 with all the other features described above remaining relatively the same.
Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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A wind-driven apparatus for the conversion of kenetic energy in the form of wind to rotational mechanical energy. This apparatus incorporates a funnel that directs wind against a collector causing it to rotate. To prevent any backpressure in the funnel or against the collector, the area immediately downstream of the collector is free of any obstacle or channeling devices. To also prevent any backpressure from developing, a series of blow-through panels form a part of the funnel which open upon the presence of high pressure--the greater the pressure, the greater the opening.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a code division multiple access communication system used in land mobile communications such as mobile telephones and portable telephones and in particular to a communication system using a code division multiple access communication system for utilizing a limited frequency band efficiently.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
A demand for land mobile communications such as mobile telephones and portable telephones has remarkably increased, and therefore, efficient frequency utilization techniques for keeping more subscribers in a limited frequency band are important. One of the multiple access systems for efficient frequency utilization is a code division multiple access communication system (CDMA system). A CDMA system is a multiple access system utilizing a spread spectrum communication technique which is resistant to multipath distortion and can be expected for a diversity effect by a RAKE receiver which combines multipath components in a maximal ratio. A land mobile communication system using a CDMA system is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,307.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,307 describes a CDMA communication technique in the case in which a plurality of subscribers communicate through base stations. In a CDMA system, a system in which all base stations transmit the same pilot signal in frequency and spread code is well known. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,307, a pilot signal is used as a reference for initial synchronization, carrier phase offset, and carrier frequency offset at a mobile station and a reference time frame is transmitted from a base station. Propagation loss from each base station can be determined by detecting the pilot signal.
In a mobile communication system using a CDMA system, when a level of the signal from the mobile station near the base station on the reverse link from the mobile station is high, there occurs a near-far problem which causes signals from the other mobile equipment to not be received. Accordingly, it is necessary to control the transmission power of the mobile station so that the base station can receive a signal with the same level from every mobile station. Such a control method of a transmission power is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,109 and 41st Vehicular Technology Conference (May, 1991 pp. 57-62).
In a mobile communication system using a CDMA system, it is possible to use the same frequency band between adjacent cells and utilize frequency resources efficiently. When the same frequency is used between adjacent cells, soft handover between cells is possible and it is possible to improve communication quality near a cell boundary. The soft hand over technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,501.
In a typical CDMA system, however, communication quality is sometimes deteriorated by delays in the control of transmission power. In a microcell environment, propagation loss may suddenly vary due to shadowing. Communication quality deterioration occurs especially in all mobile stations communicating with an adjacent base station for a long time. To solve this problem, there is a method for maintaining the performance of the entire system by rapidly reducing the transmission power of the mobile station creating some interference and allowing only communication quality deterioration of the mobile station. But in this case, the mobile station cannot execute a soft hand over and a call drop could occur. As a result, the communication quality of the mobile station significantly deteriorates for a long time. The mobile station suddenly reducing its own transmission power is known as "self-sacrifice".
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention solves the problems of typical CDMA systems and aims to offer a CDMA system which can avoid system instability due to the influence of shadowing.
To achieve the above object, a CDMA system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a mobile station, base stations and mobile communication control equipment.
The base station includes
self-sacrifice information detection means for detecting self sacrifice information from information obtained by despreading a signal provided by the mobile station and
carrier determination means for determining a carrier to be used at the base station according to the information to prohibit or restrict the use of the carrier designated by the mobile communication control equipment.
The mobile station includes
base station number identification means for detecting the number of the base station by despreading a pilot signal spread and transmitted from the base station,
self-sacrifice information generation means for generating information indicating that the mobile station was self-sacrificed according to the base station number which was detected and the reception power and
spread means for spreading a transmission data and the self-sacrifice information.
The mobile communication control equipment generates information to prohibit or restrict the use of the designated carrier at the base station according to the output of the self-sacrifice information detection means transmitted from the base station.
A CDMA system in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention also includes a mobile station, base station and a mobile communication control equipment.
The base station includes
self-sacrifice information detection means for detecting self-sacrifice information from information obtained by despreading a signal provided by the mobile station and
carrier determination means for determining a carrier to be used at the base station according to the information to prohibit or restrict the use of the carrier designated by the mobile communication control equipment.
The mobile station includes
self-sacrifice information generation means for generating information indicating that the mobile station was self-sacrificed according to the quality of the reception data and the reception power; and
spread means for spreading a transmission data and the self-sacrifice information.
The mobile communication control equipment
generates information to prohibit or restrict the use of a designated carrier at the base station according to the output of the self-sacrifice information detection means transmitted from the base station,
transmits information indicating which mobile station sacrificed its own communication quality to the base station and
prohibits or restricts the use of the designated carrier at the communication base station.
In a CDMA system having a mobile station and a base station, a method of driving the system includes
a step to reduce the power level of the transmission signal of the mobile station when the reception power at the mobile station suddenly increases,
a step to detect if the pilot signal from the base station which the mobile station is now communicating with has increased or not,
a step to judge that the mobile station is in a self-sacrifice state when the pilot signal does not increase and to provide the self-sacrifice information to the base station,
a step to designate a carrier which is prohibited or restricted from use hereafter at the base station and
a step to prohibit or restrict the use of the designated carrier by the base station which is now communicating with the mobile station.
In another CDMA system having a mobile station and a base station, a method of driving the system includes
a step to reduce the power level of the transmission signal of the mobile station when the reception power at the mobile station suddenly increases,
a step to detect if the reception data quality of the mobile station was improved or not,
a step to judge that the mobile station is in a self-sacrifice state when the reception data quality of the mobile station was not improved and to provide the self-sacrifice information to a base station,
a step to designate a carrier which is prohibited or restricted from use hereafter at the base station and
a step to prohibit or restrict the use of the designated carrier by the base station which is now communicating with the mobile station.
According to the CDMA system in accordance with the present invention, it becomes possible to prevent self-sacrifice of a mobile station due to shadowing and deterioration of the communication quality can be avoided. The mobile stations communicating with the base station which do not have their transmission power controlled do not receive interference and the system works more effectively. Even when new shadowing occurs due to building and topography variations, it is possible to segregate the carriers according to these variations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile station, plurality of a base stations and the mobile communication control equipment used in a CDMA system in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the performance of the system in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3a illustrates a situation in which a reception power of the mobile station from one of two base stations is shadowed by an obstacle.
FIG. 3b is a reception power characteristic of the mobile station in the case shown in FIG. 3a.
FIG. 3c illustrates a situation in which a reception power of the mobile station from one base station is shadowed.
FIG. 3d is a reception power characteristic of the mobile station in the case shown in FIG. 3c.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a mobile station, a plurality of base stations and the mobile communication control equipment used in a CDMA system in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the performance of the system in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A block diagram of a mobile station, two base stations and the mobile communication control equipment used in a CDMA system in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The system is composed of a mobile station 1, a plurality of base stations 2a and 2b and the mobile communication control equipment 3. FIG. 1, is an example of the mobile station 1 communicating with two base stations 2a and 2b. It is understood that any number of base stations may be included in the CDMA system.
Mobile station 1 includes spread means 5, transmission power control means 6, reception power measurements means 9, data signal despread means 10, pilot signal despread means 11, base station number detection means 21 and self-sacrifice information generation means 22.
The reception power measurement means 9 measures the power of the reception signal 8 at the mobile station 1 and controls the amplification of the transmission power control means 6.
The spread means 5 spreads the transmission data 4 with a spread code allocated to the mobile station 1.
The transmission power control means 6 power-amplifies the output of the spread means 5, where the amplification is controlled by the output of the reception power measurement means 9 and outputs a mobile station transmission signal 7.
The data signal despread means 10 despreads a mobile station reception signal 8 with a spread code allocated to each data channel.
The pilot signal despread means 11 despreads with a spread code which is allocated to the mobile station reception signal 8 for each pilot channel.
The base station number detection means 21 detects power levels from base stations 2a and 2b and their identification numbers.
The self-sacrifice information generation means 22 generates self-sacrifice information.
Because base stations 2a and 2b have the same compositions, only the composition of base station 2a is described.
Base station 2a includes despread means 16a, data signal spread means 17a, pilot signal generation means 18a, adder means 19a, self-sacrifice information detection means 23a and using carrier determination means 24a.
The despread means 16a despreads a reception signal 14a which is a mobile station transmission signal 7 radiates from the mobile station 1 and received through a transmission link 13a.
The data signal spread means 17a spreads the data which is transmitted from the base station 2a to the mobile station 1.
The pilot signal generation means 18a generates pilot signals which have the same frequencies and spread codes as those of other base stations, and have different phases from that of the other base stations.
The adder means 19a adds a pilot signal coming from the pilot signal generation means 18a to the spread data coming from the data signal spread means 17a to produce a transmission signal 15a.
The self-sacrifice information detection means 23a detects self-sacrifice information transmitted from the mobile station 1.
The using carrier determination means 24a determines the carrier used at base station 2a according to prohibition-to-use carrier information 26 provided by the mobile communication control equipment 3.
The mobile communication control means 3 includes prohibition-to-use carrier information generation means 25 for generating the prohibition-to-use carrier information for base stations 2a and 2b.
Base station 2b includes a reception signal 14b, a transmission signal 15b, despread means, 16b, data signal despread means 17b, pilot signal generation means 18b, adder means 19b, self-sacrifice information detection means 23b and carrier determination means 24b.
The performance of the CDMA system described above is explained below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 2 and the illustrations of the reception power variation due to shadowing of the mobile station shown in FIGS. 3a-3d.
FIG. 3a illustrates a situation in which the reception power from one of two base stations is shadowed. FIG. 3c illustrates a situation in which the reception power from one base station is shadowed. FIGS. 3b and 3d illustrate the reception power of the mobile station against time in the situations shown in FIGS. 3a and 3c respectively.
In FIG. 3a, mobile station 1 is initially in a territory of base station 2a and is in a position in which the mobile station 1 is in the shadow of an obstacle 32 with respect to base station 2b. The reception power of the mobile station 1 in this situation is small as shown by curve 34a in FIG. 3b. As soon as mobile station 1 moves beyond cell boundary 31a, however, a propagation loss from base station 2b due to the shadowing of obstacle 32 suddenly decreases and the reception power of the mobile station 1 suddenly increases as shown the right side of curve 35 in FIG. 3b. Before moving past cell boundary 31a, the mobile station 1 had an increased transmission power so that the mobile station 1 kept a sufficient quality communication with the base station 2b. After passing cell boundary 31a, the increased transmission power of the mobile station 1 deteriorates communication quality at base station 2b interfering with all of the mobile stations communicating with base station 2b. Therefore, in this case, the mobile station 1 works to avoid communication quality deterioration of the other mobile stations by suddenly lowering its own transmission power, that is, by sacrificing its own communication quality. Line 34a represents the reception power of mobile station 1 from base station 2a. Line 35 represents the reception power of mobile station 1 from base station 2b. Line 33a represents the total reception power of mobile station 1 from base stations 2a and 2b.
In the situation shown in FIG. 3c, the mobile station 1 is communicating with base station 2a. When the mobile station 1 is in the shadow of obstacle 32, the reception power of mobile station 1 is small as shown by the left side of curve 34b in FIG. 3d. When mobile station 1 moves and is out of the shadow of obstacle 32, the reception power of mobile station 1 suddenly increases as shown by the right side of curve 34b in FIG. 3d. The transmission power of the mobile station 1 is decreased suddenly so that good communication quality is maintained between the base station 2a and the mobile station 1 and self-sacrifice does not occur. Line 34b represents the reception power of mobile station 1 from base station 2a. Line 33b represents the total reception power of mobile station 1 from base stations 2a and 2b.
Thus, there are two kinds of shadowing influences that cause instability in communication systems. The first exemplary embodiment of the present invention solves these shadowing problems as follows.
Referring to the flow chart shown in FIG. 2, when the reception power measurement means 9 detects that the reception power of the mobile station 1 suddenly increases (step 41), the power level of the mobile station transmission signal 7 is lowered by the transmission power control means 6 (step 42).
In the case where the reception power of the mobile station 1 suddenly increases, when the pilot signal despread means 11 detects that a pilot signal level from the communicating base station 2a does not suddenly increase (FIGS. 3a and 3b), the mobile station 1 judges that the mobile station 1 should be placed in a self-sacrifice state, detects a number to discriminate a base station at the base station number detection means 21, generates the self-sacrifice information at the self-sacrifice information generation means 22 and provides the self-sacrifice information to the communicating base station (step 43 and 44).
The self-sacrifice information includes the number of the base station which experienced interference and information indicating that self-sacrifice occurred. When the pilot signal level from the communicating base station 2a suddenly increases (FIGS. 3c and 3d), the mobile station 1 does not enter a self-sacrifice state, and the above procedure is not performed (YES in step 43).
At base stations 2a and 2b, the self-sacrifice information transmitted from mobile station 1 is detected at the self-sacrifice information detection means 23a or 23b. The detected self-sacrifice information is sent to the mobile communication control equipment 3 and a carrier which is prohibited from use hereafter and its base station are designated (step 45). Prohibition-to-use carrier information 26 is transmitted to the appropriate base stations. The carrier determination means 24a or 24b determines whether to prohibit or restrict the further use of the designated carrier (step 46). In the case of FIG. 3a, the carrier of base station 2b is presumed to be different from the carrier of base station 2a.
Exchanging the prohibition-to-use carrier information 26 between the mobile communication control equipment 3 and the base stations, prevents prohibiting the use of many carriers. Thus, it is possible to enhance the stability of the entire system by segregating the carriers according to the self-sacrifice history of the mobile station.
A block diagram of a mobile station, two base stations and the mobile communication control equipment used in a CDMA system in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. The difference between the second exemplary embodiment and the first exemplary embodiment is that the pilot signal despread means 11 and the base station number detection means 21 are omitted from the mobile station 1. The reception data outputted from the data signal despread means 10 is inputted to the self-sacrifice information generation means 22A. In addition, the pilot signal generation means 18a and 18b and the adder means 19a and 19b are omitted from the base stations 2a and 2b respectively.
The performance of the CDMA system described above is explained below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 5 and the illustrations of the reception power variation of the mobile station 1 due to shadowing as shown in FIGS. 3a-3d.
The reception power measurement means 9 detects that the reception power of the mobile station 1 has suddenly increased (step 51) and the power level of the mobile station transmission signal 7 is lowered by the power amplification means 6 (step 52).
In the situation shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, because the power from the base station 2a which the mobile station 1 is currently communicating with does not increase, the quality (for example, bit error rate and frame error rate) of the reception data 12 of the mobile station 1 is not improved.
In the case of FIGS. 3c and 3d, because the power from the base station 2a which mobile station 1 is currently in communication with increases, the quality of the reception data 12 of the mobile station 1 is improved.
Therefore, the quality of the reception data 12 of the mobile station 1 can be monitored at the self-sacrifice information generation means 22A and it can be judged if the mobile station 1 is to enter the self-sacrifice mode or not (step 53). The operation of steps 54, 55 and 56 are similar to steps 44, 45 and 46, respectively and their explanations are omitted.
Thus, in the second exemplary embodiment, it is possible to enhance the stability of the entire system by segregating the carriers according to the self-sacrifice history of the embodiment station.
A CDMA system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can segregate the carriers by using the self-sacrifice history of the mobile station and can prevent communication quality deterioration due to shadowing by transmitting the information that a mobile station sacrificed its own communication quality and by prohibiting or restricting the use of the carrier designated at the concerned base station.
The 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 the foregoing description and all changes which come within the means and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
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A CDMA system in which carriers are segregated according to the self-sacrifice of a mobile station resulting in no communication quality deterioration due to shadowing The mobile station detects a base station which causes a sudden increase in the reception power of the mobile station, and generates self-sacrifice information and transmits the information to the base station communicating with the mobile station. The informed base station detects the self-sacrifice information transmitted from the mobile station and informs mobile communication control equipment. The mobile communication control equipment designates a carrier which is prohibited from future use and the concerned base station. The concerned base station discontinues use of the designated carrier.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to medical instruments and methods for tying knots in a suture, particularly medical instruments and methods for tying knots in a suture at intracorporeal positions during least invasive surgery.
Least invasive surgery includes laparoscopic, endoscopic and orthoscopic surgeries. In performing laparoscopic surgery, for example, procedures are performed in the abdominal cavity by making a small incision through several layers of tissue, including the outer layer of skin called the epidermis, a layer of fat beneath the epidermis, a layer of abdominal muscle tissue beneath the fat layer and the lining of the abdominal cavity called the peritoneum. A trocar is inserted through the incision and medical instruments are introduced into the abdominal cavity therethrough. The surgeon performs procedures inside the cavity by manipulating the medical instruments from outside the patient while viewing the manipulations using a closed circuit monitor connected to an imaging device called a laparoscope that is inserted into the cavity. By using such equipment and procedures, laparoscopic surgery generally results in less trauma to the patient and, consequently, a more rapid recovery than with conventional open surgery. Similar advantages apply to other forms of least invasive surgery.
During least invasive surgery, it is necessary to close incisions made in intracorporeal tissue. Typically, each incision is closed by applying and tying a suture across the incision. In doing so it is generally desirable to use instruments that are easily manipulable and procedures that are efficient, so as to avoid unnecessary trauma to the patient.
Known instruments and procedures for tying sutures in least invasive surgery have a variety of forms, each having significant limitations. Noda et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,912 ("Noda"), for example, discloses a knot tying device comprising a shaft that carries, at its distal end, a removable needle and a removable pre-formed knotted loop of suture. The needle is attached to one end of the knotted loop and the other end of the knotted loop extends to the proximal end of the shaft where it is attached to a tensioning device. In use, the instrument is introduced into the body cavity to a position proximate the incision to be closed, whereupon a second instrument is used to remove the needle, pass it through tissue on either side of the incision and then through the knotted loop, the knotted loop then being tightened using the tensioning device. Noda's instrument is undesirably limited in that it requires use of pre-formed knotted loops. Moreover, it requires manipulation of the needle to perform complex movements in tying knots. In addition, it is not designed to be used to tie two lengths of suture, as in a square knot.
Because conventional knot tying instruments and methods for their use have inherent limitations, a need exists for an improved instrument and method for tying knots in suture at intracorporeal positions during least invasive surgery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention fulfills the aforementioned need by providing a novel and improved medical instrument and method for tying knots in sutures, particularly for use in least invasive surgery. The instrument employs (i) an elongate, hollow first member having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis, (ii) a gripping mechanism for releasably gripping a first length of suture proximate the distal end of the first member, and (iii) a holding mechanism for releasably holding a second length of suture proximate the location where the gripping mechanism grips the first length of suture but separated therefrom a predetermined distance toward the first member's proximal end.
In a preferred embodiment, the gripping mechanism comprises a second member slidably disposed within the first member and the holding mechanism comprises a third member slidably disposed over the first member, each member having proximal and distal ends. When the second and third members are slidably moved relative to the first member, gaps are openable and closable between the first member and the respective second and third members, proximate the distal ends thereof. The second and third members at their proximal ends have operating mechanisms to open or close the gaps and, thereby, receive or release a suture.
In a second embodiment, the gripping mechanism is provided by a conventional needle holder removably inserted through the first member. The second embodiment is otherwise substantially similar to the preferred embodiment.
In third and fourth embodiments, the holding mechanism is a V-shaped lateral notch formed in the first member into which a length of suture may be removably wedged, and the gripping mechanism is a second member, having distal and proximal ends, that is slidably disposed within the first member. The second member has, in the third embodiment, a hook at its distal end and, in the fourth embodiment, the second member has a lateral notch formed therein proximate its distal end. In both embodiments, the second member has an operating mechanism at its proximal end so as to move, respectively, the hook or the notch relative to the first member so that suture may be gripped thereby.
The knot tying instrument is used by gripping one length of suture using the gripping mechanism and holding a second length of suture using the holding mechanism. The instrument is then rotated in one angular direction about the first member's longitudinal axis so that the second length of suture forms a loop around the instrument whereupon the second length's end is grasped using a separate grasping instrument. The second length is then released from the holding mechanism and the two lengths of suture are moved in opposite directions so that the loop slides along and off the knot tying instrument while the first length passes through the loop, thereby forming a throw of a knot.
These steps are repeated a selected number of times to form additional throws in tying a knot. To tie a square knot, the steps are performed twice, a second throw being formed by rotating the lengths of suture in the direction opposite to that used in forming the first throw. To tie a surgeon's knot, the steps are as in tying a square knot, except the second throw is formed using two or more loops in the second length of suture. To tie a running knot wherein the end of the first length of suture is pre-attached to a needle, the first length of suture is gripped a predetermined distance from the needle so that, when each throw is formed, the first length of suture passes through the loop but the length's end and the needle attached thereto do not pass through the loop.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved medical instrument and method for tying knots in sutures, particularly for use in least invasive surgery.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a knot tying instrument and method for its use that, when used in least invasive surgery, allow knots to be tied while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a knot tying instrument and method for its use that minimizes the manipulations necessary to tie knots during least invasive surgery.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a knot tying instrument and method that are easy and efficient to use in tying knots in sutures.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a knot tying instrument and method that facilitate the tying of various knots, including square knots.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a knot tying instrument that is lightweight.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a knot tying instrument that is simple in design and easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, in partial section.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the distal end of the preferred embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, in partial section, with a member thereof forced to its forward position and another member thereof forced to its rearward position.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the distal end of the preferred embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention with a member thereof forced to its forward position and another member thereof forced to its rearward position.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view in partial section of a second embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, using a needle holder.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the second embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, in partial section.
FIG. 7 is a side view in partial section of a third embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, using a needle holder and with a member thereof forced to its rearward position.
FIG. 8 is a side view in partial section of the third embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, with a member thereof forced to its forward position.
FIG. 9 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, in partial section.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the distal end of the fourth embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a side view in partial section of the fourth embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, with a member thereof forced to its forward position.
FIG. 12 is a side view of the distal end of the fourth embodiment of a knot tying instrument according the present invention, with a member thereof forced to its forward position.
FIG. 13 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, in partial section.
FIG. 14 is a side view of the distal end of the fifth embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a side view in partial section of the fifth embodiment of the knot tying instrument according to the present invention, with a member thereof forced to its forward position.
FIG. 16 is a side view of the distal end of the fifth embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, with a member thereof forced to its forward position.
FIGS. 17A-17L show a side view of the preferred embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, and illustrate the preferred method for use thereof to tie a knot in a suture according to the present invention.
FIGS. 18A-18E show a side view of the preferred embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, and illustrate the preferred method for use thereof following the steps illustrated in FIGS. 17A-17L in tying a square knot.
FIGS. 19A-19F show a side view of the preferred embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, and illustrate the preferred method for use thereof following the steps illustrated in FIGS. 17A-17L in tying a surgeon's knot.
FIGS. 20A-20Q show a side view of the preferred embodiment of a knot tying instrument according to the present invention, and illustrate the preferred method for use thereof in tying a running suture knot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGS. 1-16, a medical knot tying instrument 10 according to the present invention generally comprises an elongate, hollow first member 12, a gripping mechanism 14 and a holding mechanism 16. The first member has a distal end 18, a proximal end 20, and a longitudinal axis 22. The first member 12, at its proximal end 20, is attached to a handle 24. The gripping mechanism 14 provides for releasably gripping a first length of suture proximate the distal end 18 of the first member 12. The holding mechanism 16 provides for releasably holding a second length of suture proximate the distal end 18 of the first member 12 at a predetermined distance toward the first member's proximal end 20 from where the first length of suture is gripped by the gripping mechanism 14. It is to be recognized that the distance between where the first length of suture is gripped by the gripping mechanism 14 and where the second length of suture is held by the holding mechanism 16 is determined according to a combination of factors, including the type of suture being used, the lengths of suture to be tied, the procedure with which the knot tying instrument is to be used, as well as other factors and, accordingly, may vary from instrument to instrument without departing from the principles of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a preferred embodiment of the knot tying instrument 10 according to the present invention is shown. The first member 12 has, at its distal end 18, an elongate collar 26 having a proximal face 27 and a distal face 29. The handle 24 is a figure of rotation centered on the longitudinal axis 22 of the first member 12 so as to provide facility in using the instrument 10, regardless of the rotational position thereof about the longitudinal axis 22. The gripping mechanism 14 comprises an elongate second member 28 slidably disposed within the first member 12, having a distal end and a proximal end.
Disposed at the distal end of the second member 28 is a head 30. The head 30 has a distal face 32 and proximal face 34, the distal face 32 being hemispherical so as to ease insertion of the instrument 10 through intracorporeal tissue. The second member 28 extends beyond the proximal end 20 of the first member 12, terminating in an operating mechanism 36. Preferably, the handle 24 provides a recess 38 within which the operating mechanism 36 is disposed, though it is to be recognized that the operating mechanism 36 may extend outside the handle 24 without departing from the principles of the invention.
The operating mechanism 36 comprises a push button 40 for selectively moving the second member 28 forward relative to the first member 12. So moving the second member 28 opens a first gap 42 between the head's proximal face 34 and the collar's distal face 29. The operating mechanism 36 further comprises a spring 44 which applies backward force on the second member 28. When the push button 40 is released, the spring 44 moves the second member 28 to a rearward position so as to bias the head's proximal face 34 against the collar's distal face 29, closing the first gap 42.
The holding mechanism comprises an elongate, hollow third member 46 having a distal end 47 and a proximal end 49. The third member 46 is slidably disposed over the first member 12 between the handle 24 and the collar's proximal face 27. The third member, at its proximal end 49, terminates in an operating mechanism 48. The operating mechanism 48 comprises a grip 50 for selectively moving the third member 46 rearward relative to the first member 12. So moving the third member 46 opens a second gap 54 between the collar's proximal face 27 and the third member's distal end 47. The operating mechanism 48 further comprises a spring 52 that applies forward force on the third member 46. When the grip 50 is released, the spring 52 moves the third member 46 to a forward position so as to bias the third member's distal end 47 against the collar's proximal face 27, closing the second gap 54.
Preferably, the grip 50 is provided with a pair of concave projections 56 extending laterally from opposite sides of the third member 46 so as to permit the user to place one finger in each of the respective concave projections 56 while cradling the handle 24 in the palm of the same hand or while operating the gripping mechanism 42 by selectively pushing and releasing the push button 40 using the thumb of the same hand.
The user pushes or releases the push button 40 selectively to open or close the first gap 42. When the first gap 42 is open, a suture may be received therein so that, when the first gap 42 substantially closes upon release of the push button 40, the suture is gripped between the head's proximal face 34 and the collar's distal face 29 due to the backward force applied by the spring 44. The user of the instrument 10 selectively pulls or releases the grip 50 to selectively open or close the second gap 54. When the second gap 54 is open, suture may be placed therein so that, when the second gap 54 substantially closes upon release of the grip 50, the suture is held between the third member's distal end 47 and the collar's proximal face 27 due to the forward force applied by the spring 52.
Preferably, the second member 28 has a round cross-section, and the first member 12 and third member 46 each have annular cross-sections. Similarly, the collar's proximal and distal faces 27 and 29 and the head's proximal face 34 preferably are annular, so that lengths of suture can be placed in the gaps 42 and 44 regardless of the rotational position of the instrument 10 about the longitudinal axis 22 of the first member 12. However, it is to be recognized that other cross-sectional shapes could be employed for the members and faces without departing from the principles of the invention.
It is also preferred that the head 30, the collar 26 and the distal end 47 of the third member 46 have uniform cross-sectional shapes where they meet so that, with the first gap 42 and the second gap 54 closed, the instrument 10 presents a smooth surface facilitating insertion of the instrument 10 into intracorporeal tissue. However, it is to be recognized that the head 30, the collar 26 and the third member's distal end 47 may have non-uniform cross-sectional shapes without departing from the principles of the invention. In any case, the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the instrument 10 should correspond to the internal diameter of the device, such as a trocar, through which the knot tying instrument 10 is introduced into the body cavity.
It is also to be understood that the length of the first and second gaps 42 and 54, respectively, are user-selectable by selectively pushing or releasing the push button 40 and pulling or releasing the grip 50. In this embodiment the maximum size of the first and second gaps 42 and 54 is substantially determined by the difference between the compressed and uncompressed lengths of the respective springs 44 and 52 of the operating mechanisms 36 and 48. In experimental trials, a maximum gap size of 1/16 inch has been used with satisfactory results.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a second embodiment of the knot tying instrument 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown, wherein the gripping mechanism is provided by a conventional needle holder 70. Needle holders are well-known in the art having, as shown in the Figures, an operating mechanism 72 and a clamping mechanism 74. The needle holder 70 is removably inserted through the hollow first member 12 of the knot tying instrument such that the operating mechanism 72 extends from the handle 24 while the clamping mechanism 74 extends from the distal end 18 of the first member 12 so as to grip a suture. Although the needle holder 70 is used in place of the second member 28 of the preferred embodiment and its associated structure, it is to be recognized that the second embodiment is otherwise substantially the same as the preferred embodiment in structure and operation.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a third embodiment of the knot tying instrument 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown, wherein the gripping mechanism is provided by a conventional needle holder 70 having, as described above for the second embodiment, the operating mechanism 72 at the proximal end thereof and the clamping mechanism 74 at the distal end thereof. The holding mechanism 16 comprises an elongate, hollow member 200 slidably disposed within the first member 12, having a distal end and a proximal end.
Disposed at the distal end of the member 200 is a sleeve 202 having a proximal face 204 and a distal face 206. The distal face 206 is rounded so as to ease insertion of the instrument 10 through intracorporeal tissue. The member 200 extends beyond the proximal end 20 of the first member 12, terminating in an operating mechanism 208.
The operating mechanism 208 preferably comprises a push button 210 and a spring 212. The push button 210 includes a cylindrical aperture therethrough that is centered on the longitudinal axis 22 of the first member 10, through which the needle holder 70 is inserted. Pushing or releasing the push button 210 selectively opens or closes a gap 216 between the sleeve's proximal face 204 and the first member's distal end 18.
Generally, the operation of the operating mechanism 208 is substantially the same as the operation of the operating mechanism 36 and can be understood with reference to the description thereof.
Referring to FIGS. 9-16, fourth and fifth embodiments of the knot tying instrument 10 according to the present invention are shown. In both embodiments, the holding mechanism 16 comprises a V-shaped lateral notch 100 formed in the first member 12. The notch 100 is formed at a predetermined angle and is directed toward the distal end of the first member 12. The notch 100 has a predetermined depth and length so that a suture may be removably wedged therein. In both embodiments, the gripping mechanism 14 is substantially the same as the preferred embodiment, except with respect to the distal end of the second member 28.
In the fourth embodiment, the second member 28 has, at its distal end, a hook 102. The hook 102 extends a predetermined distance substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 22 of the first member 12. Although in FIGS. 9-12 the hook is shown to extend a distance beyond the first member 12, it is to be recognized that the hook 102 may be shorter or longer than the length shown without departing from the principles of the invention. The user pushes the push button 40 to move the hook 102 selectively away from the first member's distal end 18 so that a suture may be placed therebetween. When the push button 40 is released, the suture so placed is gripped between the hook 102 and the distal end 18 of the first member 12 by the backward force applied by the spring 44.
In the fifth embodiment, shown by FIGS. 13-16, the second member 28 has, at its distal end, a rounded tip 104 and has a lateral notch 106 spaced a distance D proximally from the tip 104. Preferably, the lateral notch 106 has a predetermined length L, as shown in FIG. 13. The distance D and the length L of the lateral notch 106 are chosen so that, when the push button 40 is fully depressed, the lateral notch 106 is entirely outside the first member 12 and, when the push button is released, the lateral notch 106 is biased by the spring 44 entirely within the first member 12. The tip 104 preferably is rounded so as to facilitate insertion of the instrument 10 into intracorporeal tissue. However, it is to be recognized that other shapes for the tip 104 may be used without departing from the principles of the invention. If the first member's distal end 18 is relatively thick, the distal end 18 preferably has a taper 108 so as to facilitate insertion of the instrument 10 into intracorporeal tissue.
In the fifth embodiment, the operating mechanism 36 operates in substantially the same way as it operates in the preferred and third embodiments, except that the lateral notch 106 is moved outside the first member 12 in order to receive a suture and, when the button 40 is released, the suture is drawn partially into the first member 12.
Preferably, in all embodiments the members 12, 28 and 46 are made of materials suitable for surgical use, such as stainless steel and nylon. It is also preferred that the materials provide sufficient rigidity and resiliency so that the instrument 10 may be flexed selectively during use, yet transmit adequate force from the respective proximal end to the distal end so as to be inserted through abdominal tissues, particularly abdominal muscle, and subsequently return to the original shape.
It is to be recognized that other materials, different shapes of handles 24 than those disclosed therein or in the Figures and different types of operating mechanisms 36 and 48 may be used without departing from the principles of the invention.
The method of use of the instrument 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 17A-17L through 20A-20Q. In those figures, intracorporeal abdominal tissue 120 is shown having an incision 122 to be closed. Extending from a first side 124 of the incision 122 is a first length 128 of suture. Extending from a second side 126 of the incision 122 is a second length 130 of suture. Although the figures, and descriptions thereof, illustrate the methods of use of the instrument 10 by reference to the preferred embodiment, it is to be recognized that the methods of use of the alternative embodiments are substantially similar and can be understood by reference to such figures and associated descriptions.
Referring first to FIGS. 17A-17L, the instrument 10 is used to tie the first length 128 and the second length 130 by gripping the first length 128 using the gripping mechanism 14 and holding the second length 130 using the holding mechanism 16, as shown in FIGS. 17A-17D. Using the preferred embodiment of the instrument 10, the first length 128 is gripped in the first gap 42 between the head's proximal face 34 and the collar's distal face 29, and the second length 130 is held in the second gap 54 between the collar's proximal face 27 and the distal end 47 of the third member 46. Although as shown in the figures, a grasping instrument 132 is used to place the lengths 128 and 130 in the respective gaps 42 and 54, it is to be recognized that the instrument 10 may be used without such grasping instrument 132, without departing from the principles of the invention. In particular, the instrument 10 may be used alone when the gaps 42 and 54 have annular cross-sections so as to receive a suture regardless of the rotational position of the instrument 10. It is also to be recognized that the respective operating mechanisms 36 and 48 are used to open and close the first and second gaps 42 and 54 to receive and retain a suture.
With the lengths 128 and 130 so gripped and held, the instrument 10 is then rotated in one angular direction about the longitudinal axis 22 of the first member 12 so that the second length 130 forms a first loop 134 around the instrument 10, as shown in FIG. 17E. The second length 130 is then grasped by the grasping instrument 132 between the end thereof and where it is held by the holding mechanism 16, as shown in FIG. 17F. The second length 130 of suture is then released from the holding mechanism 16, in this case, by pulling on the grip 50, and the first length 128, gripped by the gripping mechanism 14, and the second length 130, grasped by the grasping instrument 132, are then moved in opposite directions so that the first length 128 passes through the first loop 134 formed in the second length 130, thereby forming a first throw 136 of a knot, as shown in FIGS. 17G-17H. It is to be recognized that, in grasping the second length 130 using the grasping instrument 132, the grasping instrument 132 must be positioned relative to the first length 128 so that the first length 128 will pass through the first loop 134 to form the first throw 136 as shown in FIGS. 17F-17H.
A knot is completed by gripping the first length 128 in the gripping mechanism 14 and holding the second length 130 in the holding mechanism 16, as described above and as shown in FIGS. 17I-17K. The instrument 10 is then rotated about the longitudinal axis 22 of the first member 12 in an angular direction opposite the angular direction used in forming the first throw 136, so as to form a second loop 138, as shown in FIG. 17L. At this point in the knot tying method, the user may selectively tie any of various knots, including a square knot or a surgeon's knot.
Referring to FIGS. 18A-18E, the remaining steps necessary to tie a square knot following the steps illustrated in FIGS. 17A-17L are shown. Having formed the second loop 138, the second length 130 is then grasped between the end thereof and the holding mechanism 16 using the grasping instrument 132, as shown in FIG. 18A. The second length 130 is then released from the holding mechanism 16, in this case by pulling on the grip 50 so as to open the second gap 54, as shown in FIG. 18B. The first length 128, gripped in the gripping mechanism 14, and the second length 130, grasped by the grasping instrument 132, are then pulled in opposite directions so that the first length 128 passes through the second loop 138 formed in the second length 130, so as to form a second throw 140, as shown in FIGS. 18C and 18D. It is to be recognized that, in grasping the first length 128 as shown in FIG. 18B, the grasping instrument 132 must be positioned relative to the first length 128 so that the first length 128 will pass through the second loop 138.
Following the formation of the second throw 140, the directions of movement of the grasping instrument 132 and the knot tying instrument 10 are reversed to cinch the second throw 140 onto the first throw 136, so as to tighten a square knot 142 so formed, as shown in FIG. 18E.
Referring to FIGS. 19A-19F, the remaining steps necessary to form a surgeon's knot following the steps illustrated in FIGS. 17A-17L are shown. Following formation of the second loop 138 as shown in FIG. 17L, the instrument 10 is further rotated about the longitudinal axis 22 of the first member 12 in the same angular direction shown in FIG. 17N, so as to form a third loop 144 in the second length 130, as shown in FIG. 19A. Following that step, a second throw 146 is formed by following steps illustrated in FIGS. 19B-19E which are substantially the same as, and will be understood from the description of, the steps described for FIGS. 18A-18D. In FIG. 19F, the directions of movement of the grasping instrument 132 and the knot tying instrument 10 are reversed from the directions of FIG. 19E to cinch the second throw 146 onto the first throw 136 so as to tighten a surgeon's knot 148.
Referring to FIGS. 20A-20Q, the steps used in tying a running knot are shown. The steps are substantially the same as, and will be understood from the description of, the steps used to tie the square knot as illustrated in FIGS. 17A-17L and 18A-18E, except for variations to account for attachment of a needle 146 to the end of the first length 128. As shown in FIGS. 20A-20Q, the first length 128 is gripped by the gripping mechanism 14 at a predetermined distance from the needle 150 so that, in forming the throws of a surgeon's knot, the needle 150 will not pass through the loops formed in the second length 130 even though a portion of the first length 128 will pass through those loops. Specifically, FIG. 20B illustrates gripping the first length 128 at a distance from the needle 150. FIGS. 20H-20I and 20O-20P illustrate that the needle 150 does not pass through loops formed in the second length 130. As shown in FIG. 20Q, a loop 152 formed by the first length 128 extends from the resulting surgeon's knot 154.
The methods illustrated in FIGS. 17A-17L, 18A-18E, 19A-19F and 20A-20Q may be repeated any number of times to form additional throws in tying one or more knots, as selected by the user.
The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.
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A medical knot tying instrument having a first member including proximal and distal ends, a gripping mechanism for releasably gripping a first length of suture proximate the distal end of the first member and a holding mechanism for releasably holding a second length of suture proximate the location where the gripping mechanism grips the first length of suture but separated therefrom a predetermined distance toward the first member's proximal end. Gripping one length of suture using the gripping mechanism and holding a second length of suture using the holding mechanism, the instrument is rotated in one angular direction so that the second length of suture forms a loop around the instrument whereupon the second length is grasped using a separate grasping instrument. The second length is then released from the holding mechanism and the two lengths of suture are moved in opposite directions so that the loop slides along and off the instrument while the first length passes through the loop of the second length, thereby forming a throw of a knot.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] NONE
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Research and development of this invention and Application have not been federally sponsored, and no rights are given under any Federal program.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] NOT APPLICABLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] This invention relates to flooring systems, in general, and to a flexible flooring system for resurfacing floors which, in particular: (a) are subject to surface movement, or (b) need a tough, flexible surface.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] As is well known and understood, the commonly employed epoxy flooring systems installed in commercial and industrial establishments exhibit a very hard surface characteristic and frequently crack with surface movement of the underlying concrete. Various decorative finishes are possible. For example, the floor may be pigmented, decorative flakes may be added, or sand or rubber fines may be broadcast into the floor.
[0008] As is also well known, softer floors are available in commercial and industrial establishments with vinyl tile. However, such floorings are very expensive to maintain due to regularly needed waxing, buffing and stripping. Their typical useful life is only about 10 years.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] As will become clear from the following description, the flooring system of the present invention is of an increased resilience to withstand extensive foot and vehicular traffic, is softer to walk upon, has a significantly long life expectancy under normal conditions, costs significantly less to maintain because no waxing, buffing or stripping is needed, and is seamless. Once applied, concrete movement does not result in any cracking—and, as will be seen, the flooring system can be provided in a variety of colors, or can be clear; can be broadcast with vinyl flakes to create a tough, decorative flooring system; and when employed with rubber fines, on the other hand, can be used outdoors or indoors as a non-skid, waterproof, flexible flooring system.
[0010] As will be seen, the flooring system of the invention comprises:
[0011] a. an epoxy or polyurethane primer;
[0012] b. a two-component ambient temperature cured polyurethane membrane substrate base atop the primer composed of: (1) a urethane grade castor oil, a polyether based polyol, a tin catalyst, a moisture scavenger and a thickening agent; and (2) a polymeric isocyanate activator; and
[0013] c. an acrylic, or one or two-component polyurethane or polyurea coating atop the substrate base.
[0014] A method of cushioning hard flooring surfaces follows from the steps of:
[0015] a. first, sealing the surface with the primer;
[0016] b. applying the substrate base of this type atop the primer; and
[0017] c. applying the coating atop the substrate base.
[0018] In a preferred manufacture and use, the substrate base is applied atop the primer by one of a pumping and pouring process, while the coating is applied atop the substrate base by one of a spraying or rolled down process.
[0019] As the flooring system of the invention is highly resilient and flexible, and resists cracking even with underlying concrete movement, its use in residential, commercial and industrial environments proves quite attractive. With the inclusion of different additives and different top coats, moreover, the flooring system becomes very decorative and easy to clean without waxing. With the inclusion of non-skid particles into the substrate base, it is particularly beneficial in harsh environments where slipping can be a major problem.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The flexible flooring system of the invention includes three layers. First, an epoxy or polyurethane primer of any available composition is installed on the concrete or other floor. Second, a two-component ambient temperature cured polyurethane membrane substrate base is applied atop the primer by one of a pumping or pouring process. Third, a polyurea or polyurethane, aromatic or aliphatic top coat is applied atop the substrate base.
[0021] In accordance with the invention, such substrate base is comprised of two separate components: a resin side polyol blend; and, a polymeric isocyanate activator.
[0022] The polyol blend is composed of a polyether based polyol, a urethane grade castor oil, a tin catalyst, a moisture scavenger and a thickening agent. The mixture can be carried out in a large mixing vessel at room temperature. The liquid mixture part of the polyol blend contains a urethane grade castor oil to an extent of 60-70% by weight—for example, 65%. A castor oil of a very low moisture content is preferable to eliminate activation with the polyether based polyol. This polyol is then mixed with the castor oil in a proportion of 30% by weight. Polypropylene oxide is particularly useful as the polyether based polyol.
[0023] A tin catalyst is then added at a rate, for example, of 3 or 4 eye drops of the catalyst to some 16 oz. of the formulation. This serves to start the chemical reaction when the resin is added to the isocyanate. Use of dibutyltin dilaurate 2% by weight is sufficient, sold under such trade names as UL 28 and Dabco T-12.
[0024] As the polyether based polyol is susceptible to activation by moisture as well as by an isocyanate, a further modification of the resin side entails the use of a moisture scavenger added before the thickening agent. Such scavenger may here be comprised of Diamation Earth, to an extent of 3% by weight. The entire liquid mixture of castor oil, polypropylene oxide, dibutyltin dilaurate and Diamation Earth are then mixed at room temperatures up to 70-80° F. for approximately 20 minutes.
[0025] A powdered filler acts as a thickening agent in the polyol blend, which completes the basic resin side component. It serves to increase the viscosity of the polyol blend. To the completed liquid component of the polyol blend is added 45% by weight of the solid powder filler. For example, if the final liquid weighs one hundred pounds, forty five pounds of filler is added. Calcium carbonate or calcium silicate may be used as the thickening agent, slowly added while stirring for approximately 2 hours.
[0026] Air might still be trapped within this completed mixture. This is undesirable as it ultimately may give rise to small craters in the floor. Therefore, a de-gassing process is now employed while the blend is still in the mixing vessel. This is done by subjecting the mixture to a vacuum to remove the air. This process normally takes about 10 minutes to complete.
[0027] In accordance with the invention, the flexible flooring system employs a polymeric isocyanate as the curing agent for the resin side component of the substrate base. Methylene diphenyl di-isocyanate has been found particularly beneficial as the polymeric isocyanate. When the resin and isocyanate components are mixed together properly, the two-component ambient temperature cured polyurethane membrane substrate base so formed begins to gel in about 15 minutes. It is then pumped or poured onto the primer and back-rolled to level. The substrate base totally cures in about 3 to 4 hours. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the substrate base may be applied to the primer to depths of from less than {fraction (1/16)} of an inch to ½ inch or more in only one pass without the occurrence of foaming or de-gassing. Besides being flexible, soft, tough and seamless, the flexible flooring system as described can also be made decorative, or altered to serve a variety of purposes in residential, commercial and industrial establishments. Thus, for example, coloring agents can be added to the top coating, or to the substrate base while keeping the top coating clear. Vinyl flakes in a variety of colors can be added to the substrate base while still in its liquid state to yield a soft, decorative floor. Alternatively, rubber fines, colored or otherwise, can be added at such time so as to provide a non-skid surface for indoor or outdoor use. After total cure, the base can then be walked back on to sweep off any excess flakes, or alternatively, the rubber fines. If flakes are applied, one would now lightly sand any rough parts.
[0028] After the first two layers of primer and substrate base are applied, a polyurethane or polyurea, aromatic or aliphatic coating is then applied as a top coat. Such top coat may be applied by roller, or by spraying, with the top coat then being allowed to cure to the finished product.
[0029] The completed flooring system is flexible, seamless, odorless and smooth. With an aliphatic top coat, it will be highly resistant to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. Maintenance costs are extremely low compared to other decorative floors because no waxing, buffing or stripping is necessary to maintain a clean, high gloss finished appearance. In addition, the flooring system continues to be flexible for many years—even at very low temperature.
[0030] While there have been described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein. For example, the aforementioned system using a polyurea top coat will create a seamless, durable, long-lasting solution to replace the rubber mats that presently serve relatively ineffectively as flooring for skating rinks. For at least such reason, therefore, resort should be had to the claims appended hereto for a true understanding of the invention.
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A flooring system for floors exhibiting surface movement, and/or for cushioning hard floors, which includes an epoxy or polyurethane primer, a two-component ambient temperature cured polyurethane membrane substrate base atop the primer of a urethane grade castor oil, polyether based polyol, a tin catalyst and a thickening agent, along with a polymeric isocyanate activator, and a polyurethane or polyurea, aromatic or aliphatic coating atop the substrate base, in providing a very tough, but flexibly soft non-cracking overlay which moves with the floor.
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This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/533,471, filed 06/05/90, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/117,756, filed Nov. 5, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,692, and U.S. Ser. No. 07/387,706, filed July 31, 1989, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to orthopedic supports and more particularly to improvements in the manufacture of orthopedic supports.
Numerous wrist braces and other supports have been provided in the past to position injured extremities for proper healing. One such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,327,703. While these devices have performed the purpose for which they were intended, they have suffered from a significant drawback. Namely, arduous cutting and costly sealing or locking of elastic edges of fabric have made the prior art devices expensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of this invention to provide a novel orthopedic support apparatus.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a wrist, ankle, knee and other braces which are less expensive to manufacture than prior art devices.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel orthopedic support apparatus manufactured from two-way stretch fabric.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a novel process for the manufacture of an orthopedic support apparatus.
Some of these objects are accomplished by an improved wrist brace comprising a sleeve defining elastic body having a thumb opening therein, the body extending from the wearer's fingers to below the wearer's wrist and, therefore, covering the wearer's carpal ligament, the improvement comprising the brace being formed from a single piece of fabric with uniform elasticity, the fabric being folded and sewn to provide greater tension in the fold thereof adjacent the carpal ligament.
Other objects are accomplished by an orthopedic support apparatus comprising two-way stretch fabric having a ravel-free severed-end portion joined flatly to and abutting another portion of the fabric and stitched thereto.
The process of the invention is carried out by providing a fabric having uniform elasticity forming a folded pleat having two longitudinal edges in the fabric, stitching the longitudinal edges of the pleat so that the folded pleat is sewn to the remainder of the fabric thereby resulting in an area of greater spring constant adjacent areas of lesser spring constant in the fabric.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 of the drawings is a radial view of the human hand showing some of the bones and ligaments therein, and further showing an embodiment of the invention in phantom as it would appear on the hand with an approximate 32° angle.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are plan views to illustrate the stitching of the FIG. 1 embodiment.
FIG. 2 of the drawings is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the closed position.
FIG. 2A is a cross section through the FIG. 2 embodiment.
FIG. 3 of the drawings is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 as it would appear open and spread flat.
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings illustrates the steps of the process of the invention.
FIG. 7 of the drawings is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention as it appears when worn as a knee brace showing a fraction of the human leg.
FIG. 8 of the drawings is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 spread flatly with the stitching removed.
FIG. 9 of the drawings is a perspective view of the material of FIG. 8 illustrating the manner in which the material must be folded to form the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 of the drawings is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention as it appears when worn on the ankle.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 spread flatly with stitching removed.
FIG. 12 of the drawings is a perspective view of the material in FIG. 11 illustrating the manner in which the material must be folded to form the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In accordance with this invention, it has been found that a wrist brace may be provided with areas of varying elasticity when manufactured from one piece of uniformly elastic fabric. The fabric is folded and sewn according to the process of the invention to accomplish results previously attainable only when several pieces of nonuniformly elastic fabric were used. It has further been found that two-way stretch fabric may be employed in an orthopedic support apparatus allowing a severed end portion to be joined flatly to and abutting another end portion. The instant invention, therefore, allows various orthopedic supports to be manufactured at lower costs than heretofore attained.
FIG. 1 shows a human hand indicated generally at 1 with some of the bones and ligaments therein. Directly adjacent the hand is the wrist indicated generally at 3. The carpal ligament 5 can be seen to encircle the wrist. The wrist brace 7 of the invention is shown in phantom form as it would appear on the hand and wrist. The wrist brace 7 comprises a sleeve defining elastic body 9. The body 9 has an outer edge 11 near the fingers indicated at 13 and an inner edge 15 below the wrist on the wearer's arm shown generally at 17. The body 9 also has a thumb opening 19 allowing the thumb indicated at 21 to move freely. The brace 7 maintains the hand in a slightly angled position approximately 32° as shown by lines 23 and 25. As is known in the art, this angled position is preferred for proper healing.
FIG. 1A shows the single piece of non fray elastic fabric as cut with fold marks B. The top fold mark is brought down to a position on the lower mark with an angled fold at each edge of the cut fabric. When attached along the fold lines at top and bottom as shown in FIG. 1B the upper portion of the brace when closed as worn on the hand forms a 32° angle at the same time producing three times the elastic power of the original fabric in the area 39.
FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the wrist brace 7 closed but without the hand. The body 9 is unlike prior art devices generally manufactured from a single piece of two-way uniformly elastic fabric. Such a fabric is shown in copending application Ser. No. 07/117,756 and Ser. No. 07/387,706. A fold 29 is formed by folding and sewing the fabric such that the area on the wrist adjacent the fold, which covers the carpal ligament 5 is provided with three times the tension as compared to the adjacent areas covered by the body 9. The process of the invention discussed below describes how the fold is formed. A pocket 27 on the palm side of the brace 7 extends longitudinally lengthwise from the area near the inner edge 15 to the outer edge 11 and is provided to carry a generally flat and angled splint (not shown). When in place on a hand, the splint and the fold cooperate to hold the hand in the proper healing position.
FIG. 2A shows the three fold section producing the increased tension needed over the carpal ligament.
FIG. 3 is a view of the exterior of the wrist brace 7 opened and spread flatly. The brace 7 is provided with Velcro hooks 31 which are used in conjunction with Velcro pile 33 in a well known way to hold the brace 7 in place on the hand. A small additional piece 35 of fabric is attached along the outer edge 11 of the brace to provide a supplementary area of greater tension near the fingers.
A fold, like fold 29 of the brace 7, can be formed in accordance with the process of the invention. FIG. 4 illustrates the first step of this process. A fabric 37 with elastic properties is folded to form a pleat 39 with two longitudinal edges, a base edge 41 and a top edge 43.
The second step of the process is shown in FIG. 5. The base edge 41 is folded down and is stitched together with stitching 45.
The final step of the process is illustrated by FIG. 6. The top edge 43 has been stitched to the rest of the fabric 37 with stitching 49. In this way, a fold 39 has been formed which provides an area with a spring constant three times as great as that of adjacent areas shown as 51 and 53 of fabric 37. Prior art orthopedic supports achieved this same result only with expensive dual-tension elastic material.
FIG. 7 illustrates an additional embodiment of the invention comprising generally an orthopedic support apparatus 55. The apparatus 55 is here shown to be a knee brace but, as one skilled in the art will recognize, different dimensions will allow a similar apparatus to function as an elbow brace. The apparatus 55 is constructed of one rectangular portion 57 of ravel-free two-way stretch fabric having edges 61, 63, 65 and 67 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Preferably, the fabric will be a ribbed plaited knit fabric of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,692, which is cross-referenced above. Edges 65 and 67 are generally severed from a continuous roll of fabric.
The two way stretch feature permits the front of the brace to stretch longitudinally when the knee is flexed and when the knee is straightened the elastic to return its original position thus eliminating troublesome wrinkles experienced with one way stretch fabric.
FIG. 9 shows the assembly of the knee brace with cut dart edges joined 68 and the cut edges 65 and 67 joined to complete the brace using non fray two way stretchable fabric.
FIG. 10 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention comprising generally an orthopedic ankle support. The apparatus 70 is constructed on one rectangular portion 71 of ravel-free two way stretch fabric having edges 72, 73 74 and 75 as illustrated in FIG. 11. Edges 72 and 73 are generally severed from a continuous roll of fabric.
Normally braces of this type are cemented or latexed along the severed ends 72 and 73 to prohibit unraveling and runback of the elastic yarn where cut. The cement or latex is an expensive operation, is unsightly since it changes the appearance of the fabric and can be a cause of irritation to sensitive skin. The ravel free two way stretch fabric of this invention requires no treatment of the cut edge, is non allergenic and more comfortable to the wearer.
The rectangular portion 71 is folded as shown in FIG. 12 to form the shape of the apparatus. End 73 is brought as illustrated by arrow 76 to a position flatly abutting the edge 75 and stitched in place. End 72 is brought to edge 74 as shown by arrow 77.
Related prior art apparatus used raveling fabric and, therefore, required that both edges be latexed or cemented to prevent fraying of the edges. However, the instant invention uses ravel-free fabric and, accordingly, allows the respective edges to abut without latex or cement. The resulting advantage is much greater versatility in the type of stitching that can be used is more comfortable and nonallergenic. Some of the other types of stitching possible are, for example, surge stitch, cover stitch or flat lock stitch.
It is thus seen that the instant invention provides a novel orthopedic support apparatus. It is further seen that the invention provides a novel process for the manufacture of an orthopedic apparatus with increased features of comfort, appearance and cost.
As many variations are apparent to one of skill in the art from a reading of the above specification, such variations are within the spirit and scope of the instant invention as defined by the following appended claims.
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An improved wrist brace is described wherein the improvement comprises the brace being formed generally from one piece of fabric having uniform elasticity, the fabric being folded and sewn in such a manner to provide tension in the carpal ligament area which is greater than the tension over other areas and provides an angled compression tube of 32°. An alternative embodiment illustrates an orthopedic support apparatus constructed of two way stretch fabric having a ravel-free severed end portion joined flatly to and abutting another portion of the fabric and stitched thereto. The process of the invention describes an improved method of manufacturing orthopedic supports.
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BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a barcode, a scanning device for scanning the barcode, and a scanning system.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Barcodes provide fast and convenient identification of items, such as goods in supermarkets. A typical barcode includes a series of adjacent black bars and white bars (spaces) with variable widths between them. The barcodes can record binary information, for example, a thick white or black bar represents code “1”, and a thin white or black bar represents code “0”. However, the codes that can be represented by the bars of the barcode are limited.
[0005] The scanning device for reading the barcodes includes a light source, a lens, a scanning module, and an analog to digital converter (ADC). When the scanning device scans a barcode, the scanning module receives light reflected by the barcode via the lens; the scanning module converts the reflected light into analog voltages and transmits the analog voltages to the ADC. The ADC converts the analog voltages to digital signals, and a computer connected to the scanning device analyzes the barcode according to the digital signals. However, the lens must be disposed in the scanning device, resulting in a bulky and complex scanning device.
[0006] Therefore, there is room for improvement in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with references to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the four views.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a barcode in accordance with one embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a scanning device in accordance with one embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the scanning device shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the scanning device shown in FIG. 2 scanning the barcode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a scanning system 99 (see in FIG. 4 ) includes a barcode 100 and a scanning device 200 for scanning the barcode 100 . The barcode 100 includes ten bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 disposed adjacent to each other. The width of each bar S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 is the same. In this embodiment, the bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 have the same basic property, but the values of that basic property of the bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 are different in each bar. Each different bar represents a different code.
[0013] In the embodiment, the basic property is grayscale. Each of the bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 has a different degree of grayscale. The grayscales of the bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 are described as follows: the bar S 0 is high white; the bar S 1 is gray consisting of 10% blackness and 90% whiteness, the bar S 2 is gray consisting of 20% blackness and 80% whiteness, the bar S 3 is gray consisting of 30% blackness and 70% whiteness, the bar S 4 is gray consisting of 40% blackness and 60% whiteness, the bar S 5 is gray consisting of 50% blackness and 50% whiteness, the bar S 6 is gray consisting of 60% blackness and 40% whiteness, the bar S 7 is gray consisting of 70% blackness and 30% whiteness, the bar S 8 is gray consisting of 80% blackness and 20% whiteness, the bar S 9 is gray consisting of 90% blackness and 10% whiteness. The bars grayscale should be changeable to represent different codes, for example, the bar S 0 may represent “9” and the bar S 9 may represent “5” (see the next paragraph), they cannot be permanent. In other embodiments, the grayscales of the bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 may be changed according to need, for example, high white and deep black, the grayscales of each of the bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 also can be changed to polychromatic colors, such as red, or blue, or other color.
[0014] In the embodiment, the codes represented by the bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 are described as follows: the bar S 0 represents number “0”, the bar S 1 represents number “1”, the bar S 2 represents number “2”, the bar S 3 represents number “3”, the bar S 4 represents number “4”, the bar S 5 represents number “5”, the bar S 6 represents number “6”, the bar S 7 represents number “7”, the bar S 8 represents number “8”, and the bar S 9 represents number “9”. In other embodiments, the codes represented by the bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 may be changed as needed. The bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 can respectively represent the letters “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, “F”, “G”, “H”, “I”, “J”.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 2 , the scanning device 200 includes a processing unit 20 , a power supply 21 , a switch unit 22 and a plurality of scanning units 23 . The power supply 21 is electrically connected to the processing unit 20 and the switch unit 22 for providing a supply voltage. The switch unit 22 is electrically connected to the processing unit 20 , and is further electrically connected between the power supply 21 and the scanning units 23 . The switch unit 22 allows the supply voltage from the power supply 21 to reach the processing unit 20 and the scanning units 23 . The scanning units 23 have a one-to-one relationship with the bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 . Each scanning unit 23 is electrically connected between the processing unit 20 and the switch unit 22 .
[0016] Referring to FIG. 3 , the switch unit 22 includes a first transistor Q 1 , a second transistor Q 2 , a first resistor R 1 , a second resistor R 2 , a third resistor R 3 and a fourth resistor R 4 . A base of the first transistor Q 1 is electrically connected to the processing unit 20 via the first resistor R 1 , a collector of the first transistor Q 1 is electrically connected to a base of the second transistor Q 2 via the third resistor R 3 , and an emitter of the first transistor Q 1 is grounded. The base of the first transistor Q 1 is further grounded via the second resistor R 2 . The base of the second transistor Q 2 is connected to the power supply 21 via the fourth resistor R 4 , a collector of the second transistor Q 2 is connected to the scanning units 23 , and an emitter of the second transistor Q 2 is connected to the power supply 21 . In the embodiment, the first transistor Q 1 is a NPN type bipolar junction transistor, and the second transistor Q 2 is a PNP type bipolar junction transistor.
[0017] Each scanning unit 23 is aligned with a single bar of the bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 , and includes a light emitting unit 231 and a light sensing unit 232 . The width of each scanning unit 23 is not greater than the width of the bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 . In the embodiment, the light emitting unit 231 includes a light emitting diode D 1 , and the light sensing unit 232 includes a photodiode D 2 .
[0018] The anode of each light emitting diode D 1 is connected to the collector of the transistor Q 2 , and the cathode of each light emitting diode D 1 is grounded. The anode of each photodiode D 2 is connected to the processing unit 20 , and the cathode of each photodiode D 2 is grounded.
[0019] The principle of operation of the power manager circuit 10 is illustrated as follows:
[0020] Referring to FIG. 4 , when the switch unit 22 establishes an electrical connection between the power supply 21 and the scanning units 23 in response to the signal from the processing unit 20 , each light emitting unit 231 emits light simultaneously. Each light sensing unit 232 detects light reflected from the bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 and generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of the reflected light. The processing unit 20 converts the electrical signal from each light sensing unit 323 into one code. In the embodiment, the codes of the bars S 0 , S 1 . . . S 9 respectively represent numbers “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, “7”, “9”.
[0021] Although information and the advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the present embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only; and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
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A scanning device for scanning a barcode with plurality of bars of different degrees of grayscale includes a processing unit and a plurality of scanning units connected to the processing unit. Each scanning unit includes a light emitting unit and a light sensing unit. When each light emitting unit emits light, each light sensing unit detects reflected light from the barcodes and generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of the reflected light. The processing unit generates a code according to each electrical signal. All the generated codes comprise at least three different codes.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the invention
[0002] This invention relates to a golf tee holder and a system for practicing golf.
[0003] 2. Discussion of related art
[0004] Golf players spend a great deal of their practice time at driving ranges where they can hit real golf balls using full swings. Most golf players prefer to practice hitting golf balls from natural turf. However, many driving ranges today do not have natural turf and only offer their patrons artificial driving range mats from which to hit.
[0005] The typical system for hitting a golf ball from an artificial driving range mat includes the mat itself with a hitting surface and an artificial tee made of a molded material. Players can either hit golf balls from the hitting surface itself or tee the ball up on the artificial tee. The artificial tee is a cylindrical in shape and extends upwards through a hole in the driving range mat to a set height above the hitting surface. The driving range mat is flat, and there is only one surface from which the golf players can hit.
[0006] One disadvantage of this system is the artificial tee does not allow players to use real, wooden tees when practicing on driving range mats. Another disadvantage is the artificial tee does not allow players to adjust the height at which their golf ball is teed when practicing on the driving range mats. A further disadvantage is the golf players can only practice from flat lies from a surface that simulates hitting from very short grass.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention provides for a golf tee holder including a base portion having a first horizontal width and a lower surface to position on a horizontal surface, and a holding piece secured to and extending upwardly from the base portion, the holding piece having a second horizontal width less than the first horizontal width and an opening in an upper end thereof, the opening having a diameter and the holding piece being a material such that a stem of a golf tee having a diameter between 3 mm and 6 mm inserted into the opening is frictionally held by opposing surfaces of the opening.
[0008] The base portion may be circular in shape.
[0009] The base portion may have a diameter between 40 mm and 70 mm and a thickness between 2 mm and 7 mm.
[0010] The holding piece may be cylindrical in shape.
[0011] The holding piece may have a height between 20 mm and 50 mm and a diameter between 10 mm and 30 mm.
[0012] The opening in the holding piece may extend completely through the holding piece to allow a lodged piece of a first golf tee to be ejected by inserting a second golf tee therein.
[0013] The base portion and the holding piece may be made from a single piece of the material.
[0014] The material may be rubber.
[0015] The base portion may be circular in shape with a diameter of approximately 55 mm and a thickness of approximately 5 mm, the holding piece may be cylindrical in shape with a height of approximately 25 mm and a diameter of approximately 15 mm, and the opening may have a diameter of approximately 3 mm.
[0016] The holding piece may be sized to extend upwardly through a hole in a driving range mat with a thickness of approximately 25 mm, the hole having a diameter of approximately 15 mm and extending completely through the driving range mat.
[0017] The invention also provides for a system for practicing golf including a base portion having a first horizontal width and a lower base surface to position on a horizontal surface, a holding piece secured to and extending upwardly from the base portion, the holding piece having a second horizontal width less than the first horizontal width and an opening in an upper end thereof, the opening having a diameter and the holding piece being of a material such that an end of a golf tee having a diameter between 3 mm and 6 mm inserted into the opening is frictionally held by opposing surfaces of the opening, and a driving range mat having a mat hole extending completely through the driving range mat, the mat hole positioned over the holding piece, the driving range mat having a lower mat surface positioned on the horizontal surface.
[0018] The base portion may be positioned between the driving range mat and the horizontal surface.
[0019] The driving range mat may have a hitting surface, the hitting surface being within 10 mm of the upper end of the holding piece.
[0020] The driving range mat may have a third horizontal width, the third horizontal width being at least 1 m.
[0021] The driving range mat may have a base portion groove on the lower mat surface.
[0022] The base portion may be positioned between the driving range mat and the horizontal surface, the lower base surface being approximately coplanar with the lower mat surface, the driving range mat may have a hitting surface approximately coplanar with the upper end of the holding piece, and the driving range mat may have a third horizontal width being approximately 1.5 m.
[0023] The invention further provides a system for practicing golf including a base portion having a first horizontal width and a lower surface to position on a horizontal surface, a holding piece secured to and extending upwardly from the base portion, the holding piece having a second horizontal width less than the first horizontal width and an opening in an upper end thereof, the opening having a diameter, a driving range mat placed on the horizontal surface, the driving range mat having a mat hole positioned over the holding piece, the base portion positioned between the driving range mat and the horizontal surface, and a golf tee having a stem removably inserted into the opening, the diameter of the opening and the holding piece material being such that the stem is frictionally held by opposing surfaces of the opening.
[0024] The golf tee may be held at an adjustable tee height, the adjustable tee height being adjustable by sliding the stem of the golf tee relative to the opening.
[0025] The system for practicing golf may also include a golf ball supported on a supporting component of the golf tee.
[0026] The invention further provides a system for practicing golf including a driving range mat having first and second portions, the first portion on a base support, the base support having an upper surface in a first plane that is substantially horizontal, and a lie-modifying component between the base support and the second portion of the driving range mat, the lie-modifying component having an upper surface, the upper surface of the lie-modifying mat in a second plane at an angle to the first plane so that an upper surface of the second portion of the driving range mat is in a third plane at an angle to the first plane.
[0027] The base support may be the ground.
[0028] The lie-modifying component may have a lower surface on the base support, the lower surface being substantially co-planar with the base support.
[0029] The lie-modifying component may have a length of approximately 1.5 meters and a width of approximately 0.75 meters.
[0030] The lie-modifying component may have a height of approximately 100 mm.
[0031] The second portion of the driving range mat may completely cover the upper surface of the lie-modifying component.
[0032] The driving range mat may have sides in a first direction, and the first portion and the second portion of the driving range mat may be divided by a line, the line being in a second direction, the second direction being parallel to the first direction.
[0033] The invention further provides a system for practicing golf including a driving range mat on a base support, the driving range mat having a hitting surface in a first plane that is substantially horizontal, the hitting surface having first and second portions, and a lie-modifying component on the second portion of the hitting surface, the lie-modifying component having an upper surface, the upper surface of the lie-modifying component in a second plane at an angle to the first plane.
[0034] The base support may be the ground.
[0035] The lie-modifying component may have a length of approximately 1.5 m and a width of approximately 0.75 m.
[0036] The lie-modifying component may have a maximum thickness of 100 mm.
[0037] The driving range mat may have sides in a first direction, in the first portion in the second portion of the hitting surface maybe divided by a line, the line being in a second direction, the second direction being parallel to the first direction.
[0038] The invention further provides a system for practicing golf including a driving range mat, on a base support, having a first anchoring formation and a hitting surface, a hitting surface material attached to the hitting surface of the driving range mat, the hitting surface material having a first texture, a lie-modifying sheet on the driving range mat, the lie-modifying sheet having an upper surface and a second anchoring formation, the second anchoring formation engaging with the first anchoring formation to secure the lie-modifying sheet to the driving range mat, and a lie-modifying material attached to the upper surface of the lie-modifying sheet, the lie-modifying material having a second texture different from the first texture.
[0039] The first formation may be a circular hole in the driving range mat and the second formation may be a cylinder extending from a lower surface of the lie-modifying sheet, the cylinder size to extend through the hole.
[0040] The lie-modifying sheet may have a length of approximately 60 cm in a width of approximately 30 cm.
[0041] The lie-modifying material may further comprise strands of an artificial material suitable for simulating a rough portion of a golf course.
[0042] The strands of artificial material may have lengths of approximately 7 mm.
[0043] The lie-modifying material may be a sand bag.
[0044] The lie-modifying material may further comprise an upper surface suitable for simulating a hard pan portion of a golf course.
[0045] The invention further provides a system for practicing golf including a driving range mat, on a base support, having a first anchoring formation and an upper surface, an upper surface material attached to the upper surface of the driving range mat, the upper surface material having a first texture, and a lie-modifying bag, on the driving range mat, having a second anchoring formation, a lie-modifying material, and an upper surface on the lie-modifying material such that the upper surface has a second texture different from the first texture, the second anchoring formation engaging with the first anchoring formation to secure the lie-modifying bag to the driving range mat.
[0046] The first formation may be a circular hole in the driving range mat, and the second formation may extend from a lower surface of the lie-modifying mat and the sides to extend through the hole.
[0047] The lie-modifying bag may have a length of approximately 60 cm, a width of approximately 30 cm, and a height of approximately 8 cm.
[0048] The lie-modifying material may be sand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] The invention is further described by way of example with reference to accompanying drawings wherein:
[0050] [0050]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf tee holder according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0051] [0051]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the golf tee holder;
[0052] [0052]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a typical driving range mat;
[0053] [0053]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view on 4 - 4 in FIG. 3;
[0054] [0054]FIG. 5 is view similar to FIG. 4 further illustrating the golf tee holder on a horizontal surface;
[0055] [0055]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a typical golf tee;
[0056] [0056]FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 further illustrating the golf tee and a golf ball;
[0057] [0057]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the golf tee holder with a broken tee stem inserted therein;
[0058] [0058]FIG. 9 similar to FIG. 8 further illustrating a second golf tee inserted into the golf tee holder to eject the broken tee end; and
[0059] [0059]FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 further illustrating the second golf tee fully inserted into the golf tee holder and the ejected broken tee end.
[0060] [0060]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lie-modifying component;
[0061] [0061]FIG. 12A is a top plan view of the lie-modifying component and the driving range mat;
[0062] [0062]FIG. 12B is a top plan view of the lie-modifying component and the driving range mat;
[0063] [0063]FIG. 12C is a top plan view of the lie-modifying component and the driving range mat;
[0064] [0064]FIG. 12D is a top plan view of the lie-modifying component and the driving range mat
[0065] [0065]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view on 13 - 13 in FIG. 12A further illustrating the lie-modifying component under the driving range mat on the horizontal surface;
[0066] [0066]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view on 14 - 14 in FIG. 12B further illustrating the lie-modifying component on the driving range mat on the horizontal surface;
[0067] [0067]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a lie-modifying sheet;
[0068] [0068]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the lie-modifying sheet placed on a driving range mat;
[0069] [0069]FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view on 16 - 16 in FIG. 16 further illustrating the driving range mat and the lie-modifying sheet on the horizontal surface;
[0070] [0070]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a lie-modifying bag;
[0071] [0071]FIG. 19 is a top plane view of the lie-modifying bag placed on the driving range mat; and
[0072] [0072]FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional side view on 19 - 19 in FIG. 19 further illustrating the driving range mat and the lie-modifying bag on the horizontal surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0073] [0073]FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings illustrate a golf tee holder 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. The golf tee holder 30 includes a base portion 32 and a holding piece 34 .
[0074] The base portion 32 is in the form of a circular disk made from a flexible, rubber-like material. The base portion 32 has upper and lower horizontal surfaces 36 and 38 and a circular outer edge 40 . The outer edge 40 has a diameter 42 of 55 mm. The base portion 32 has a thickness 44 as measured over the upper 36 and lower 38 horizontal surfaces of 5 mm.
[0075] The holding piece 34 is in the form of a cylinder co-molded with, and made from the same material as, the base portion 32 . The holding piece 34 extends upwardly from a central region of the base portion 32 . The holding piece 34 has a horizontal upper surface 46 and a circular outer edge 48 . The outer edge 48 has a diameter 50 of 15 mm. The holding piece 34 has a height 52 as measured over the upper horizontal surface 36 of the base portion 32 and the upper horizontal surface 46 of the holding piece 34 of 25 mm.
[0076] A circular opening 54 is a formed through the golf tee holder 30 . The opening 54 extends into the upper horizontal surface 46 , through the holding piece 34 and the base portion 32 , and out of the lower horizontal surface 38 of the base portion 32 . The opening 54 has a diameter 56 of 3 mm.
[0077] [0077]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a typical driving range mat 58 . The driving range mat includes a lower layer 60 , an upper layer 62 , and a circular mat hole 64 .
[0078] The lower layer 60 , made from a foam-like material, includes a lower mat surface 66 and a circular base portion groove 68 . The upper layer 62 , made of artificial turf, includes a hitting surface 70 . The driving range mat 58 is square with side lengths 72 of 1.5 m and has a mat thickness 74 as measured over the hitting surface 70 and the lower mat surface 66 of 30 mm.
[0079] The circular mat hole 64 is formed through the driving range mat 58 . The mat hole 64 extends into the hitting surface 70 through the upper layer 62 and lower layer 60 and out the lower mat surface 66 . The mat hole 64 has a diameter 76 of 17 mm.
[0080] The circular base portion groove 68 is formed on the lower mat surface 66 . The base portion groove 68 is concentric with the mat hole 64 and has a diameter 78 of 57 mm. The base portion groove 68 extends upwardly into the driving range mat 58 to a depth 80 of 6 mm.
[0081] [0081]FIG. 5 illustrates the golf tee holder 30 and the driving range mat 58 resting on a horizontal surface 82 . The mat hole 64 is positioned around the holding piece 34 . The base portion 32 is positioned in the base portion groove 68 . The lower mat surface 66 and the lower horizontal surface 38 of the base portion 32 are coplanar and rest on the horizontal surface 82 . The upper horizontal surface 46 of the holding piece 34 is coplanar with the hitting surface 70 of the driving range mat 58 .
[0082] [0082]FIG. 6 illustrates a typical golf tee 84 . The golf tee 84 includes a stem 86 and a supporting component 88 . The stem 86 is cylindrical with a diameter 90 of 5 mm and ends in a point. The supporting component 88 is a circular, concave platform with a diameter 92 of 12 mm and an upper surface 94 . The golf tee 84 has a height 96 of 55 mm.
[0083] In use, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the golf tee holder 30 is placed on the horizontal surface 82 . The driving range mat 58 is placed on the horizontal surface 82 such that the mat hole 64 is positioned over the holding piece 34 . The base portion 32 , now positioned in the base portion groove 68 , is secured between the horizontal surface 82 and the lower layer 60 of the driving range mat 58 . The holding piece 34 extends upwardly through the mat hole 64 such that the upper horizontal surface 46 of the holding piece 34 is coplanar with the hitting surface 70 of the upper layer 62 of the driving range mat 58 .
[0084] The stem 86 of the golf tee 84 is inserted into the opening 54 . The opening 54 expands slightly when the stem 86 is inserted because of the flexible material from which the holding piece 34 is made. The golf tee 84 is held in place by frictional forces exerted on the stem 86 from all directions by the opening 54 . The supporting component 88 is held at an adjustable tee height 98 as measured over the upper surface 94 of the supporting member 88 and the hitting surface 70 of the driving range mat 58 .
[0085] A player can lower the adjustable tee height 98 by manually pushing the golf tee 84 farther into the opening 54 . Conversely, the player can raise the adjustable tee height 98 by pulling the golf tee 84 farther out of the opening 54 . A golf ball 100 is then placed on the supporting component 88 where it rests at the adjustable tee height 98 . After setting the adjustable tee height 98 , the player can use a desired first golf club to strike the golf ball 100 off the golf tee 84 .
[0086] When the golf ball 100 is struck, the golf tee 84 usually undergoes some lateral forces. Such lateral forces cause the golf tee 84 along with the holding piece 34 to bend out of place temporarily immediately after the golf ball 100 is struck. The flexibility of the material from which the golf tee holder 30 is made allows the holding piece 34 to return to its original position, whether or not the golf tee 84 has become dislodged from the opening 54 . However, the golf tee holder 30 remains in place because the base portion 32 is secured within the base portion groove 68 and the holding piece 34 is positioned in the mat hole 64 .
[0087] If the golf tee 84 is not dislodged from the opening 54 , the player may or may not want to change the adjustable tee height 98 before hitting another golf ball from the golf tee 84 , using either the first golf club or a desired second golf club.
[0088] If the golf tee 84 has become dislodged from the opening 54 , the player can reinsert the stem 86 into the opening 54 . The player can then set the adjustable tee height 98 to either the same height or a different height before hitting another golf ball from the golf tee 84 , using either the first golf club or a desired second golf club.
[0089] Often, the lateral forces applied to the golf tee 84 are great enough, despite the holding piece 34 being flexible, to break the golf tee 84 . In which case it is possible for the stem 86 of the golf tee 84 to become lodged in the opening 54 . In use, and as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 , the golf tee holder 30 is removed from beneath driving range mat 58 and the stem 86 is lodged in the opening 54 . To remove the lodged stem 86 , a second stem 102 of a second golf tee 104 is inserted into the opening 54 . When the second stem 102 has been inserted far enough into the opening 54 to contact the lodged stem 86 , the second stem 102 pushes the lodged stem 86 towards the lower horizontal surface 38 of the base portion 32 . Once the second golf tee 104 is nearly completely inserted into the opening 54 and the second stem 102 extends to the lower horizontal surface 38 of the base portion 32 , the lodged stem 86 is dislodged from the opening 54 . The player can then continue normal use of the golf tee holder 30 .
[0090] [0090]FIGS. 11, 12A, 12 B, 12 C, 12 D and 13 illustrate a lie-modifying component 106 and the driving range mat 58 on top of the horizontal surface 82 .
[0091] The lie-modifying component 106 is wedged shaped and made from a soft foam-like material. The lie-modifying component 106 has an upper surface 108 and a lower surface 110 . The lie-modifying component 106 has a length 112 of 1.5 m, a width 114 of 0.75 m, and a height 116 of 100 mm. A cross section of the lie-modifying component is a right triangle with the height 116 of 100 mm and a hypotenuse 118 of 756 mm. The upper surface 108 and the lower surface 110 are rectangular in shape.
[0092] The lower surface 110 of the lie-modifying component 106 is on the horizontal surface 82 and beneath the driving range mat 58 . The lower mat surface 66 of the driving range mat 58 completely covers the upper surface 108 of the lie-modifying component 106 . An outer region of the lower mat surface 66 of the driving range mat 58 is raised to the height 116 of the lie-modifying component 106 .
[0093] A first portion 120 of the hitting surface 70 is located directly above a first portion 122 of the driving range mat 58 . The first portion 122 of the driving range mat 58 is directly on the horizontal surface 82 . The first portion 120 of the hitting surface 70 remains parallel to the horizontal surface 82 . The driving range mat 58 bends upward at mat bending point 124 . A second portion 126 of the hitting surface 70 is located directly above a second portion 128 of driving range mat 58 . The second portion 128 of the driving range mat 58 is on the lie-modifying component 106 . The second potion 126 of the hitting surface 70 is now at an angle to the horizontal surface 82 .
[0094] In use, to simulate a side hill lie with the golf ball 100 below the golf player's feet 130 , a golf player places the golf ball 100 on the first portion 120 of the hitting surface 70 . The golf player then stands on the driving range mat 58 with his feet 130 on the second portion 126 of the hitting surface 70 . The golf player's feet 130 will be higher than the golf ball 100 because the second portion 126 of the hitting surface 70 is higher than the first portion 120 of the hitting surface 70 . The golf player then hits the golf ball 100 from the first portion 120 of the hitting surface 70 with a golf club. As illustrated in FIG. 12B, to simulate a side hill lie with the golf ball 100 above the feet 130 , the golf player places his feet 130 on the first portion 120 of the hitting surface 70 and the golf ball 100 on the second portion 126 of the hitting surface 70 .
[0095] As illustrated in FIGS. 12C and 12D, uphill and downhill lies can also be simulated by reconfiguring the driving range mat 58 , the lie-modifying component 106 , and the golf player's feet 130 . To simulate either an uphill or downhill lie, one foot 130 is placed on the first portion 120 of the hitting surface 70 and the other foot 130 on the second portion 126 .
[0096] Alternatively, the lie-modifying component 106 can be placed on top of the driving range mat 58 . FIG. 14 illustrates the lie-modifying component 106 on the driving range mat 58 . The second portion 126 of the hitting surface 70 is covered by the lie-modifying component 106 . The upper surface 108 of the lie-modifying component 106 is now exposed. The golf ball 100 or the golf player's feet 130 are placed on either the upper surface 108 of the lie-modifying component 106 or on the first portion 120 of the hitting surface 70 of the driving range mat 58 to simulate uphill, downhill, and side hill lies.
[0097] [0097]FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 illustrate a lie-modifying sheet 132 placed on the driving range mat 58 on the horizontal surface 82 . The lie-modifying sheet 132 includes an anchoring formation 134 , an upper surface 136 , a lower surface 138 , and long artificial grass 140 . The lie-modifying sheet 132 is rectangular in shape with a length 142 of 60 cm and a width 144 of 30 cm.
[0098] The anchoring formation 134 extends downward from the lower surface 138 of the lie-modifying sheet 132 . The anchoring formation 134 is cylindrical in shape.
[0099] The long artificial grass 140 is attached to the upper surface 136 of the lie-modifying sheet 132 . The long artificial grass 140 has a height 168 of 70 mm.
[0100] The hitting surface 70 of the driving range mat 58 is covered with artificial turf 146 which does not extend above the hitting surface 70 . The lie-modifying sheet 132 is on the driving range mat 58 placed on the horizontal surface 82 . The anchoring formation 134 is inserted into the mat holes 64 to secure the lie-modifying sheet 132 to the driving range mat 58 . The lower surface 138 of the lie-modifying sheet lies directly on and covers a covered portion 148 of the hitting surface 70 . An exposed portion 150 of the hitting surface 70 remains uncovered.
[0101] In use, to simulate hitting from the rough, a golf player places the golf ball 100 on the lie-modifying sheet 132 resting the golf ball 100 in the long artificial grass 140 . The golf player places his feet 130 on the exposed portion 150 of the hitting surface 70 of the driving range mat 58 . The golf player may then strike the golf ball 100 out of the long artificial grass 140 located on top of the lie-modifying sheet 132 . Lateral forces are exerted on the lie-modifying sheet 132 when the golf player hits the golf ball. The anchoring formation 134 prevents the lie-modifying sheet 132 from sliding off the driving range mat.
[0102] [0102]FIGS. 17, 18, and 19 illustrate a lie-modifying bag 152 on top of the driving range mat 58 on the horizontal surface 82 . The lie-modifying bag 152 has an anchoring formation 154 , an upper surface 156 , a lower surface 158 , and sand filler 160 . The lie-modifying bag 152 is pillow-shaped with a length 162 of 60 cm, a width 164 of 30 cm, and a height 166 of 8 cm.
[0103] The anchoring formation 154 extends downward from the lower surface 158 of the lie-modifying bag 152 . The anchoring formation 154 is cylindrical in shape.
[0104] The lie-modifying bag 152 is on the driving range mat 58 placed on the horizontal surface 82 . The anchoring formation 154 is inserted into the mat holes 64 to secure the lie-modifying bag 152 to the driving range mat 58 . The lower surface 158 of the lie-modifying bag 152 lies directly on and covers the covered portion 148 of the hitting surface 70 . An exposed portion 150 of the hitting surface 70 remains uncovered.
[0105] In use, to simulate hitting from a sand trap, the golf player places the golf ball 100 on the upper surface 156 of the lie-modifying bag 152 . The golf player places his feet 130 on the exposed portion 150 of the hitting surface 70 of the driving range mat 58 . The golf player then strikes the golf ball 100 from the upper surface 156 of the lie-modifying bag 152 . When the golf ball 100 is struck, the upper surface 156 of the lie-modifying bag 152 , will depress into the sand filler 160 of the lie-modifying bag 152 . The result is that the golfer will get a sensation similar to that of hitting a golf ball 100 out of a sand trap. Lateral forces are exerted on the lie-modifying bag 152 when the golf player hits the golf ball 100 . The anchoring formation 154 prevents the lie-modifying bag 152 from sliding off the driving range mat 58 .
[0106] One advantage of this system is the golf tee holder 30 allows the player to use real golf tees when practicing on artificial driving range mats, more closely simulating the feel of hitting a golf ball off natural grass. Another advantage is the golf tee holder 30 allows the player to adjust the tee height when practicing on artificial mats. Another advantage is the holding piece 34 is not exposed, therefore wear on the golf tee holder 30 is at a minimum thus golf tee holder 30 should have a very long useful life. Furthermore, this system allows a golf player to practice from a variety of different lies and different surfaces while hitting from artificial surfaces.
[0107] The embodiment described above is only one embodiment of this invention. Embodiments of this invention can vary in many ways. For example, the diameter of the base portion can be between 40 mm and 70 mm, and the thickness of the base portion can be between 2 and 7 mm, depending on the size of the base portion groove on the particular a driving range mat.
[0108] Also, the height of the holding piece can be between 20 mm and 50 mm with a diameter of between 10 mm and 30 mm, depending on the size and shape of the of the mat hole.
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A system for practicing golf is disclosed. The system includes a golf tee holder, a lie modifying wedge, a lie modifying sheet, and a lie modifying bag. The golf tee holder is a small, rubber component placed under a driving range mat, which holds a real golf tee at an adjustable height. The lie-modifying wedge is foam wedge that is placed under or on top of the driving range mat to manipulate the lie of the golf ball on the driving range mat amongst uphill, downhill, and side-hill lies. The lie-modifying sheet and lie-modifying bag are relatively flat components places on top of and anchored to the driving range mat and used as surfaces from which to hit golf balls from different materials simulating hazards on a golf course, such as long grass, a hard pan lie, and a sand trap.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/271,227 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,306,348, which is a continuation-in-part part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/248,064 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,783.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is a flashlight that has an attachment means for fitting on a shirt pocket.
2. Description of Related Art
The use of flashlights is imperative to security guards and police for patrolling and checking identification and documentation. Often the police officer or security guard carries the flashlight on his belt in a holster or clip. However in this situation the user must unhook the flashlight, and position the flashlight in a proper position to see the documentation. Often this includes tucking the flashlight in the fold of the arm at the armpit against the body. The inherent problem with this situation includes lack of use of the hand on the arm holding the flashlight, or trying to juggle documentation and the flashlight in the same hand, or having no hands free while holding the documentation in one hand and the flashlight in the other hand.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,722 issued to Stick on Apr. 27, 1976 shows a flashlight support means. Stick's invention is unlike the present invention because it is attached to the wearer by a safety pin, it is larger than the present invention, and the light would not fit under a shirt pocket flap.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,990 issued to Wilder, et al. on Aug. 12, 1986 shows a surgical clip-on light pipe illumination assembly. Wilder's invention is unlike the present invention because the clip is a hinged mechanism that is not as discreet or hidden as the present invention, and the light mechanism cannot be hidden under a shirt pocket flap.
U.S. Design Pat. No. D292,616 issued to Sexton on Nov. 3, 1987 shows a disposable clip light. Sexton's invention is unlike the present invention because when clipped it could not light in a downward direction as is needed to read documentation, and cannot fit underneath a shirt pocket flap.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,055 issued to Lindh on Jul. 2, 1991 shows a portable light. Lindh's invention is unlike the present invention because it is intended to be mounted on a bicycle, would not clip onto a shirt pocket, and would not be covered by the flap on a shirt pocket.
U.S. Design Pat. No. D340,777 issued to Choi, et al. on Oct. 26, 1993 shows a personal safety light. U.S. Design Pat. No. D362,312 issued to Chen on Sep. 12, 1995 shows a clip-on flashlight. Choi and Chen's inventions are unlike the present invention because they are bulkier, and cannot be easily hidden by a pocket flap as the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,892 issued to Adkins on Sep. 4, 1990 shows a ski pole clip. Adkins' invention is unlike the present invention because it does not have a light mechanism, and it would not fit in a pocket to light identification or documentation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,541,816 issued to Miscrendino on Jul. 30, 1996 shows a clip light source. Miscrendino's invention is unlike the present invention because it is a flashlight intended to be attached to a helmet as for a miner or fireman, it cannot be covered by a shirt pocket flap, and it has a hinged mechanism for the light that is bulkier than the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,223 issued to Lackey, et al. on Feb. 22, 2000 shows a writing instrument pocket clip light. Lackey's invention is unlike the present invention because it is a writing instrument, and the light needs to be activated by unfolding the pen clip requiring additional hand coordination.
Therefore, a need has been established for a flashlight that can be hidden by a shirt pocket flap, which can assist policemen or security officers in viewing documents.
INVENTION SUMMARY
The present invention is a light that an officer or security guard could wear on his shirt pocket that projects a light in a downward direction. The light is compact and fits in a shirt pocket with a clip mechanism. The main body of the pocket light will fit inside a shirt pocket and there is a 1⅜ inch overlap from the front of the pocket that holds the light source. The pocket light mechanism is completely concealed within the user's pocket and cannot be seen on the wearer until the light source is turned on, which is advantageous because it allows an officer to conform his appearance to the approved regulation appearance of his department. The main body of the light source encases the power source for the light and a push switch for turning the light on or off. The push button is sensitive enough to be pushed through the fabric of a shirt pocket and turn the light on or off. In this manner the user can turn on the light and view any documents or light his way in a dark area, such as a theater isle. The present invention is useful to police officers, security guards, ushers, and bouncers at nightclubs or the like.
The light projects at an approximate 30 degree outward and downward angle. Due to the approximate 30 degree angle the user can hold the documents that need to be read or viewed in his hand at a natural angle without having to place the documents directly underneath the light. Additionally, a hinged member allows the user to move the light up to a 90 degree angle or even up to a 180 degree angle from the main body of the pocket light, allowing for different angles of viewing capacity for the user. Although the light bulb is small and compact, the projection ray of the light is wide enough to project onto a letter sized document easily, and concentrated to make small print reading easier.
Advantages to the present invention include hands free use and quick access to a light source. The user can turn on the light through his shirt pocket with the push of a finger and the light can project easily from the underside of the shirt pocket flap allowing the user to have both hands free for handling documents. Currently, with conventional flashlights the user must keep one hand free to operate the flashlight and to hold the flashlight during use.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be further described below with reference to the drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an environmental view of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a side view of a first embodiment of present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention with the exterior casing extended.
FIG. 4 shows a back view of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is another illustration of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an environmental view of a second embodiment of the present invention having two LED lamps, showing the device positioned underneath a shirt pocket flap.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention with an optional clip.
FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the second embodiment of the present invention, with phantom lines used to illustrated the lamp portion being rotated up and away from the main body of the flashlight.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second embodiment, showing the flashlight separated from the optional clip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is a pocket light for viewing documents or merely lighting one's way without having to use a hand held flashlight. The pocket light is small and thin in size to easily fit in any shirt pocket and still leave room for other items. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is preferably made of a high-density or composite type plastic shell casing; a pair of batteries; a power button; a Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamp emitting red, blue or white light; and a flap mechanism for securing the present invention to a pocket in a secure yet removable fashion.
FIG. 1 shows an environmental view of the pocket light ( 10 ) according to a first exemplary embodiment having a single LED lamp. The LED light display ( 20 ) is located on the outer casing ( 70 ) facing in an approximate 30 degree angle from the elongated back casing ( 50 ). That is, the LED light emitting member ( 20 ) is angled relative to elongated outer member ( 130 ) such that the light from the LED projects at an outward angel of approximately 30 degrees when the outer member ( 130 ) is rotated fully downward. The angling of LED ( 20 ) is relative to the outer member ( 130 ) is additionally illustrated in FIG. 8 . The power switch ( 30 ) is activated by depressing the switch to activate or deactivate the LED light display ( 20 ). The power switch ( 30 ) is attached via a wiring system ( FIG. 4 , 120 ) connect to a circuit board ( FIG. 4 , 110 ) and to a pair of batteries ( 40 ). The batteries ( 40 ) are long life lithium batteries that can easily be changed through the rear protective door ( 100 ) back casing ( 50 ), as shown in FIG. 4 . In this embodiment the batteries ( 40 ) are 3 volts each that supply the LED light with a total of six volts.
The back casing ( 50 ) is fixedly connected to the outer casing ( 70 ) by a clip member ( 60 ). The clip member ( 60 ) fastens across the top of a shirt pocket and can easily be concealed by a pocket flap. The clip member ( 60 ) communicates with a hinged member ( 90 ) to allow the user to move the LED light display ( 20 ) up to a 90 degree angle ( FIG. 3 ) from the shirt pocket (not shown). The hinged member ( 90 ) can be of a conventional receptor and screw mechanism as in the arm of a pair of glasses. The clip member top ( 60 ) is fastened to the back casing ( 50 ) and is non-adjustable, and is 1/16 inch thick where it communicates with the outer casing ( 70 ). The LED light display ( 20 ) is situated, in FIG. 1 , at an approximate 30 degree angle from the shirt pocket and the outer casing ( 70 ), and is therefore at the correct front facing and downward angle to view documents without additional adjustment of the light. The movable pocket light ( 10 ) could also be used in alternate embodiments from a car dashboard or at a crime scene investigation to light pieces of evidence. The LED light display ( 20 ) is designed to last thousands of hours before total burn out, allowing the wearer to have long-term use of the pocket light ( 10 ).
The outer member ( 130 ) that holds the LED lamp ( 20 ) or other type of lamp proximate its distal end ( 131 ) is connected to the main body ( 50 ) by the hinged member ( 90 ) that rotates about hinge ( 94 ). The area where outer member ( 130 ) connects to main body ( 50 ) defines a connection zone ( 92 ), connection zone ( 92 ) being located at the respective top portions of each of main body ( 50 ) and outer member ( 130 ). An elongated clip ( 80 ), which is more clearly visible in FIG. 3 , includes two clip arms ( 81 and 82 ). As seen in FIG. 1 outer member ( 130 ), when rotated downward so as to be folded toward main body ( 50 ) as shown in the figure, rests partially between clip arms ( 81 , 82 ) of clip ( 80 ), contributing to the overall thinness of the design. The overall thinness of the design, including the combined thicknesses of the respective top portions of main body ( 50 ) and outer member ( 130 ), allows pocket light ( 10 ) to be easily worn in a shirt pocket with the outer member ( 130 ) concealed by the shirt pocket flap. As can be further seen in the figure, outer member ( 130 ) has a bottom end or distal end ( 131 ) that is thick enough to hold LED lamp ( 20 ), and has an upper end ( 132 ) that is thinner than the bottom end ( 131 ). The thinner top end ( 132 ) contributes to the ability of a shirt pocket flap to hang generally flat and downward over outer member ( 130 ). As can also be seen in the figure, main body ( 50 ) also has a tapered, chisel shaped bottom end ( 52 ). The chisel shaped bottom end allows main body ( 50 ) to easily be inserted into a shirt pocket. As can be further seen in the figure, power switch ( 30 ) is located on the outward facing surface of main body ( 50 ) when the pocket light is inserted into a pocket. The power switch ( 30 ) is located lower on main body ( 50 ) than a lowermost extension of the outer member ( 130 ), which allows the user to activate power switch ( 30 ) even when the outer member ( 130 ) is rotated downward so as to be in close proximity to main body ( 50 ) as shown in the figure. That is, the lamp holding outer member ( 130 ) does not block a user's access to power switch ( 30 ). As can be further seen in the figure, a distal most extent of LED ( 20 ), which is not covered in the embodiment shown, extends beyond an immediately adjacent distal most extent ( 134 ) of outer member ( 130 ). As can be yet further seen in the figure, the rotating outer member ( 130 ) which holds LED ( 20 ) proximate its distal end ( 131 ) is about half as long as the main body ( 50 ).
As can be seen in the FIG. 1 , main body ( 50 ) is generally planer, includes at least one flat surface, and is substantially thinner than it is long and wide. That is, the thickness dimension is substantially smaller than the length and width dimension. Similarly, the rotatable outer member ( 130 ) that holds the LED lamp ( 20 ) at its distal end ( 131 ) is generally planar, and is substantially thinner than it is long and wide. The distal end of LED lamp ( 20 ) defines the distal most extension of outer member ( 130 ). As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 taken together, the combined main body and rotatable member are thinner than the main body is long and wide. As can be seen further in FIGS. 1 and 2 , when outer member ( 130 ) is rotated downward towards its position closest to main body ( 50 ), outer member ( 130 ) lies generally parallel to main body ( 50 ).
Turning to FIG. 2 we have a clear view of the side of the pocket light ( 10 ). FIG. 2 shows the sleek design of the pocket light and the separate members as described above. The outer casing ( 70 ), clip member top ( 60 ), back casing ( 50 ), rear protective plate ( 100 ), LED display light ( 20 ) and power switch ( 30 ) of the pocket light are each shown in FIG. 2 . The rear protective plate ( 100 ) protects the batteries ( 40 ) and circuit board ( 110 ) from moisture or dust. The rear protective plate ( 100 ) is easily removable to replace the batteries ( 40 ) or wiring (not shown) as necessary. The outer casing ( 70 ), back casing ( 50 ), rear protective plate ( 100 ) and clip member ( 80 ) are made of a high density plastic composite, or an aluminum alloy which is water resistant and durable for extended use of the pocket light ( 10 ). In separate embodiments of the pocket light ( 10 ) the back casing ( 50 ), exterior casing ( 70 ), clip member ( 60 ) and rear protective plate ( 100 ) could be constructed in a waterproof manner.
FIG. 3 shows a side view of the pocket light ( 10 ) with the exterior casing ( 70 ) fully extended at an approximate 90 degree angle from the rear casing ( 50 ) and level with the clipping member top ( 60 ). The hinged member ( 90 ) allows the user to lock the exterior casing ( 70 ) in this position, or at any angle between the closed angle ( FIG. 2 ) and the fully extended angle ( FIG. 3 ), to allow a user to point the light at a desired angle relative to the user's body while the main body ( 50 ) of the pocket light remains within the shirt pocket. Also shown in FIG. 3 are the power switch ( 30 ), LED light display ( 20 ), rear casing ( 50 ) and rear protective plate ( 100 ) previously detailed. Clip ( 80 ) connects to main body ( 50 ) and outer member ( 130 ) at connection zone ( 92 ), such that the top portions of each of main body ( 50 ), clip ( 80 ), and outer member ( 130 ) all connect together at connection zone ( 92 ) and all extend therefrom. As can be readily inferred from FIGS. 2 and 3 , when pocket light ( 10 ) is placed within a shirt pocket main body ( 50 ) and clip ( 80 ) cooperate to hold pocket light ( 10 ) to the shirt pocket, main body ( 50 ) is disposed primarily within the pocket; outer member ( 130 ) and clip ( 80 ) are disposed primarily outside of the pocket, and connection zone ( 92 ) is disposed at the top edge of the pocket. The connection zone ( 92 ) could rest on the top of the pocket or, if clip ( 80 ) and main body ( 50 ) are sufficiently close together or the shirt fabric is sufficiently thick such that the shirt fabric is held tightly, connection zone ( 92 ) could be held slightly above the top edge of the shirt pocket fabric.
FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the pocket light ( 10 ). As is shown the batteries ( 40 ) are covered by a rear protective plate ( FIG. 2 , 100 ), which can be removed to replace the batteries ( 40 ) as necessary. The batteries ( 40 ) are connected via wiring ( 120 ) to the power switch via circuit board assembly ( 110 ) to activate the LED display ( 20 ). The power switch ( 30 ) is touch sensitive and the user can easily activate the light through the material of a shirt pocket with a push of a finger. The wiring ( 120 ) will act as negative and positive charge connectors from each functioning component to the batteries ( 40 ) and circuit board ( 110 ). The wiring ( 120 ) also feeds power source from the batteries ( 40 ) to the LED light display ( 20 ). The series of wiring ( 120 ) are easily manipulated without damage of the circuit board ( 110 ) or other interior components of the pocket light ( 10 ). The pocket light ( 20 ) has an automatic shut off so the LED light display ( 20 ) will burn 5 minutes and shut off to minimize depletion of the batteries ( 40 ). Alternatively, the automatic turn-off time can be adjusted by the user.
FIG. 5 shows the basic embodiment of FIG. 1 with minor shape changes and all solid lines for clarity of illustration.
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the invention ( 10 ′) placed within a shirt pocket, with the flap of the shirt pocket partially lifted at its corner to partially reveal the device. In this embodiment there are two separate LED lamps provided on pocket light ( 10 ′). Pressing the power switch once causes one lamp to be illuminated; pressing the power switch a second time causes both lamps to be illuminated; and pressing the power switch a third time causes both lamps to turn off. As with both embodiments, the thinness of the overall design, particularly when combined with the tapered shape of outer member ( 130 ), allows the shirt pocket flap to hang over the portion of pocket light ( 10 ′) that hangs outside the pocket while concealing that portion, but still allowing light from the LEDs to shine downward and slightly outward to illuminate the area immediately in front of the user such as a driver's license that a police officer is examining.
FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of FIG. 6 with an optional detachable clip ( 150 ). As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 9 , detachable clip ( 150 ) has a pair of holding arms ( 152 and 154 ) that define a receiving channel ( 156 ) for holding main body ( 50 ), preferably in a friction fit, therebetween. Detachable clip ( 150 ) further includes a spring biased hinge ( 158 ) and a clip arm ( 160 ) which is spring biased toward pocket light ( 10 ′). Detachable clip ( 150 ) allows pocket light ( 10 ′) to be firmly mounted to a wide variety of objects. As can be seen in the figure, the two LEDs, which are not covered in the embodiment shown, have respective distal most extents ( 23 , 24 ) that each extend beyond the distal most extents of respective immediately adjacent portions ( 133 , 134 ) of outer member ( 130 ). In the embodiment shown, the distal most extents ( 23 , 24 ) of the two LEDs in fact extend distally beyond any portion of outer member ( 131 ). As can be further seen in the figure, the two LEDs are mounted equidistant from hinge ( 94 ), and are also mounted equidistant from main body ( 50 ) which allows for a very low profile design. The distal most extent ( 23 ) of the LED on the left hand side of FIG. 7 is seen most clearly in FIG. 8 .
As can be further seen in FIG. 7 as well as other figures, in this embodiment outer member ( 130 ) has a thickest portion ( 131 ) proximate where said at one least LED is mounted, in order to accommodate the LED.
FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of either the pocket light ( 10 ) of FIG. 5 or the pocket light ( 10 ′) of FIG. 6 . The phantom lines illustrate outer member ( 130 ) rotated upward and away from main body ( 50 ).
For most consumer uses, the lamp or lamps will preferably be white LEDs. In other embodiments, however, the light source can emit other than visible light. For example, the single lamp can be a white LED, a red LED in order to help preserve a user's night vision, an infrared (IR) LED for police and military night vision purposes, or an ultraviolet (UV) LED. A UV LED can be useful for a bouncer to view hands stamped with UV visible ink, for a police officer to view the UV visible ink used in driver's licenses, and many other purposes in which UV light is desired. The dual LED embodiment can use any combination of the foregoing types of lamps, with the sequential activation feature allowing the user to cycle between the different types of lights. In such a sequential activation of different types of lights, in most cases it would be desirable to cycle through the sequence of one type of lamp being on, the other type of lamp being on, and neither lamp being on, and would probably be undesirable in most cases, although not necessarily all cases, to include a state in which lamps of different types are turned on simultaneously. The invention is not limited to use of only one or two lamps, but could include any combination of lamps being sequentially activated, such as a white LED, a red LED, an IR LED, and then a UV LED in any sequence, or activated by two or more switches. Of course, the lamps need not be LEDs, and could be other types of light emitting members including light emitting members that have not yet been invented or have not yet come into widespread use.
It will be appreciated that the term “present invention” as used herein should not be constructed to mean that only a single invention having a single essential element or group of elements is presented. Similarly, it will also be appreciated that the term “present invention” encompasses a number of separate innovations which can each be considered separate inventions. Although the present invention has thus been described in detail with regard to the preferred embodiments and drawings thereof, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various adaptations and modifications of the present invention may be accomplished without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. For example, the lamp could be another type of light emitting member other than an LED, different types of batteries could be used, different materials could be used, and other modifications may be made that would be within the skill of a mechanical designer and/or electrical designer. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the detailed description and the accompanying drawings as set forth hereinabove are not intended to limit the breadth of the present invention, which should be inferred only from the following claims and their appropriately construed legal equivalents.
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A pocket light that allows a user to view documents in a dark situation without having to hold a flashlight. The pocket light fits easily over the top of the pocket and can be covered by a conventional pocket flap. The light is an LED display device that produces a significant amount of light so a user can check identification or documentation, as in a license check, or registration verification for police. The pocket light has a push button power switch that can be activated by the user through the fabric of their shirt.
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RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 07/223,679 filed July 22, 1988, and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,921, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/057,204 filed may 11, 1987, now abandoned.
The present invention relates to a waterless rinsing process of surfaces, and to an installation for implementing this process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For rinsing hydrophilic surfaces which have been submitted to a physical, chemical or electrochemical treatment in an aqueous medium (galvanic deposition of a coating, engraving, etching, polishing, hardening, degreasing, scouring, development and fixation, oxidation, coloration, etc.) or surfaces which have been formed in an aqueous medium (by crystallization, precipitation, etc.) practically all the methods currently used on an industrial scale, use as a first step the rinsing of the articles with water, followed by the elimination of the water from said surfaces.
This type of method however presents a least two drawbacks, that is that it leads to the formation of important quantities of polluted water which are incompatible with the requirements of the protection of the environment, which are becoming more and more severe, and that the aqueous solutions thus eliminated from the surfaces, even if they can be recovered, are generally degraded and unusable.
With regard to the subsequent drying process, the oldest known method consists in the free or forced evaporation of water to the atmosphere, the main drawbacks being the formation of waterspots and the oxidation of the surfaces, which is generally unacceptable. More modern methods for removing water from surfaces are based on the use of water-repelling liquids. These liquids contain surface-active agents that have the effect of converting hydrophilic surfaces into water-repelling surfaces that are hydrophobic. Other methods use baths such as boiling trichloroethylene or perchloroethylene added also with surface-active agents. The water is thus eliminated by formation of azeotropes, which indicates that water is rendered soluble in the solvent (7% water in the trichloroethylene-water azeotrope), and there is little or no oxidation of the surfaces, but the problem of water spots is not resolved.
The above mentioned drawback can be partly eliminated by the use of chlorofluorinated solvents, also usable directly as cleaning, degreasing and drying agents, alone or in mixture with other products such as alcohols and surface-active agents. For example U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,150 describes means for eliminating water comprising a mixture of trichlorotrifluoroethane and a surface-active agent constituted by the neutralization product of alkylethers of phosphoric acid with an aliphatic amine, forming with water an azeotropic mixture containing about 1% water. The Figiel U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,450 teaches a method to convert hydrophilic surface into hydrophobic surfaces and displace water in a bath containing a chlorinated or chlorofluorinated water-immiscible solvent, with a water-miscible solvent such as isopropanol, often also added with surface-active agents such as those described in the above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,150, and forming with water an azeotropic mixture. In addition, CH Pat. No. 499 075 which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,181, proposes the use of chlorofluorinated solvents and of surface-active agents which are not able to form an azeotropic mixture with the water containing more than about 4 weight percent water. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,807 describes a method of drying silicon based articles using mixtures containing propanol, water and certain perfluorinated compounds.
The main drawback of these methods, which practically always make use of a surface-active agent which decreases the surface free energy of the surface to make it hydrophobic, in addition to the drawbacks already cited relating to the use of rinsing water, consists in that the complete elimination of the surface-active agent is often difficult if not impossible in industrial conditions. The presence on the surface of an article of such a hydrophobic film, even monomolecular, of surface-active agent can be very harmful when a subsequent galvanic or other treatment is required. On the other hand, when the aqueous medium to be removed from a surface is a galvanic plating solution for example, the fact that solvents are used and that azeotropic mixtures are formed between both liquid phases implies that a liquid--liquid extraction phenomenon occurs, which is accompanied by an alteration of the plating solution so that it cannot be directly reused.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Consequently, the advantage of this invention is that it overcomes the drawbacks of the methods currently used for rinsing surfaces, by providing a process which does not require the use of water or surface-active agents that can leave film that is detrimental to or otherwise impedes subsequent galvanic or other treatment.
The method according to the invention, to achieve the above purpose, is characterized in that surfaces are treated with a non-solvent and non-miscible liquid, which is thermally stable and chemically inert, in such a manner to form an emulsion with the aqueous liquid present on said surfaces, up to the complete elimination thereof, and allowing hydrophilic surfaces not to be converted into hydrophobic surfaces, and removed aqueous liquids not to be altered. In addition the surfaces can then be subjected to a further rinsing in the presence of vapors of said non-solvent and non-miscible liquid and thereafter to a drying step.
Preferably, the inert non-solvent liquid provided to form an emulsion with the aqueous liquid to be removed should be chosen from among the fully fluorinated organic compounds, for example the type sold under the Trade-Mark "Fluorinert" by the 3M Company. In the following description, these compounds will be designed by IFL (=Inert Fluorinated Liquids). The density of IFL liquids is greater than the density of the aqueous liquid to be removed.
Another element of this invention consists of an installation for implementing the method according to the invention. This apparatus is characterized by the fact that it comprises a first rinsing zone in which means are located for treating the surfaces by an inert non-solvent liquid provided to form an emulsion with the aqueous liquid to eliminate the aqueous liquid which is on said surfaces. This apparatus can also comprise vaporization means of said inert non-solvent liquid in a second rinsing zone, and a drying zone preferably located directly above said second rinsing zone.
The installation may also comprise means for recovering the emulsion and means for breaking down said emulsion, means for separating the two formed liquid phases, as well as separate circuits for recycling the liquids thus separated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The annexed drawing illustrates schematically and by way of example one embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention for the waterless rinsing of surfaces.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Regarding the formation of the emulsion and the breaking down and separation thereof after recovery, any known technique may be used.
For the formation of the emulsion, where the inert non-solvent liquid is the continuous phase and the aqueous liquid to be removed is the discontinuous or dispersed phase, a receptacle containing the IFL and in which the articles are immersed can be used. These articles may be put loosely into baskets or drums, mounted on racks, or suspended in the case of articles of larger sizes, or maintained in the IFL by any kind of support; or in the case of continuous feeding involving by the passage of strips, wires, films, and the like, the feeding may be in a generally vertical direction and pass around a wheel or in a generally horizontal direction beneath or between sprays in the case of printed circuit boards for example.
The emulsion is created preferably through the application of ultrasonic energy, for example at frequencies generally between 20 and 80 kHz, or by more or less vigorous agitation and vibration of the immersed articles to be treated, either mechanically transmitted by an external source, or electro-magnetically induced within the articles, or still by agitation and vibration of the receptacle itself and transmission to the immersed articles by the IFL. These techniques and more particularly the ones using ultrasonic energy are especially appropriate for the treatment of relatively small, high-value articles, in small installations.
For articles with simple shapes, such as printed circuit boards wires or strips, sprinkling and spraying techniques may be used at high pressures to provide the requisite intensity of mechanical agitation.
Finally, for heavy articles having relatively large sizes, treated in high-volume installations, a process of the type called "Hydroson", for example such as described in the publication "Oberflache-Surface" No. 21, 12/1980, is applicable.
As already mentioned, the inert non-solvent liquid used in the method according to the invention is preferably a fully fluorinated organic compound. These compounds, derived from common organic compounds by replacing all the hydrogen atoms by fluorine atoms, thus contain neither hydrogen nor chlorine. These liquids are non-polar and have practically no solvent action, particularly towards water and constituents of industrial aqueous liquids such as galvanic plating solutions. The process according to the invention does not require that the aqueous liquid be at all soluble in the rinse liquid. The solubility of water in the identified IFL liquids ranges from about 15 ppm to as little as about 8 ppm. The IFL liquids are colorless, odorless, non-flammable, only slightly toxic, and of particular importance have a high thermal stability and are chemically inert. These IFL compounds are therefore, with regard to their properties, completely different from the chlorofluorinated solvents generally used as solvents, degreasing and drying agents, etc. Furthermore, the exceptional chemical inertness of IFL mean that they do not convert hydrophilic surfaces into hydrophobic surfaces or contaminate or modify the emulsified aqueous solution and that this aqueous solution may thus be reused directly in the manufacturing process, after the emulsion is demulsified.
Some stable fluorinated surface-active agents can be dissolved, to a certain extent, into IFL. Consequently, although it is not generally required and as long as they do not convert a hydrophilic surface into a hydrophobic surface, it may be useful in some cases to incorporate one or more of them into the IFL in order to increase the efficiency and the rapidity of the rinsing, especially when the sprinkling/spraying technique is used. The same effect may also be obtained by mixing the stable fluorinated surface-active agent with the aqueous liquid to be eliminated.
The preferred use of a fully fluorinated organic liquid does not exclude that other partially fluorinated products, for example "Freon 113", may be also used, in some cases and especially for economical reasons and/or when the qualitative requirements for the surfaces are not as high. In order to compensate for the greater difficulty of causing emulsification of these partially fluorinated products, it is recommended that one or more of the above mentioned surface-active agents may be added.
With regard to the different alternatives available for breaking down an emulsion, one may cite especially the centrifugation, the action of ultrasounds at a determined frequency, the chemical demulsification, the passage of the emulsion through a fine grid, a granular bed, a porous or fibrous material, a hydrophobic membrane, the use of a thermal effect, of ionizing radiations, of magnetic field, the microflotation, the ultrafiltration, etc. The technique which seems to be the most appropriate is that of high tension separating or demulsifying apparatus, of the type described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 1,533,711.
Finally, with regard to the drying of the surfaces, one may cite especially the blowing of cold or warm gas, the use of infrared radiations, the free evaporation, the induction heating, the drying in vapor phase, etc. It appears however that vapor phase drying would be the most appropriate which is well known by the men skilled in the art.
The method proposed by the present invention therefore presents, with respect to the usual methods, the following very important advantages:
no or much less pollution of the environment, particularly of water;
full recovery and in their original form of the aqueous liquids removed from the surfaces, and therefore of the metals or other raw materials that they contain;
hydrophilic surfaces are not converted into hydrophobic surfaces and can therefore receive subsequent galvanic or other treatments without loss of quality;
utilization of much less space than that necessary to the clarifiers;
a very significant decrease in the consumption of water for example, the consumption of the chemicals generally used for neutralization and detoxication, the consumption of energy necessary for the evaporation of rinsing waters;
the possibility of using proven manufacturing processes which are currently prohibited or limited due to very important detoxication problems; for example the use of compounds containing cyanides, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, etc.
Furthermore, the creation of an emulsion using a non-solvent and non-miscible liquid allows the method to be used not only for non-absorbing surfaces, but also for articles such as non-glazed ceramics, sintered articles, woven articles, etc. This method may therefore be implemented not only in the technical fields of electroplating, the manufacturing of silicon chips, printed and integrated circuits, etc. but also in photolithography, in the manufacture and the development of photographic films, in the treatment and especially the drying of textiles and in the leather, chemical, mining industries, etc.
One embodiment of the method and apparatus according to this invention will be now described by way of the example and by reference of the annexed drawing.
The articles to be rinsed (not shown) are introduced directly into a vat or receptacle 1 containing the IFL 2 at room temperature. Ultrasonic transducers 3 are put into action to enable the emulsification of the aqueous liquid with the IFL. This emulsion will tend to rise because its density is lower than that of IFL on the one part, and on the other part due to the fact that the IFL is introduced into the vat 1 through the bottom, by means of a recirculation pump 4 and through an intermediary filter 5. Consequently the emulsion 6 overflows the vat 1 and is directed towards a high tension demulsifying apparatus.
This demulsifying apparatus 7 comprises an axial filiform electrode 8 connected to a high tension source and a conductive cylindrical body connected to ground. The emulsion is thus broken down by the coalescing of microdroplets into big drops. The mixture IFL/big drops 9 of removal aqueous liquid is then passed into a settler 10 or "Florentine" pot. The aqueous liquid to be removed, which is less dense than the IFL, floats to the surface and, by successive additions, overflows via the drain pipe 11. The aqueous liquid is recovered and ca be reused directly as such in the manufacturing process. With regard to the IFL, it passes under the wall 10' and overflows into the tank 12 of the settler 10. This part of the tank serves as a balance for the variations in levels for the installation.
As already mentioned, the pump 4 draws the dry and clean IFL out of the tank 12 and passes it through a filter 5; it is then introduced into vat 1 through the bottom via anti-turbulence guides 13 or a porous plate, thus replacing the newly created emulsion with dry and clean IFL.
A turbidity detection device 14 determines when the emulsification process has ended, i.e. as soon as the IFL is perfectly clear. This means that the rinsed surface is completely free of the aqueous liquid. Another alternative for controlling the process consists of incorporating a tension detector and/or a current detector in the high tension circuit of the demulsifying apparatus, the tension being inversely proportional and the current being proportional to the quantity of microdroplets coming into the demulsifying unit.
The articles are then removed from the liquid phase rinsing zone (vat 1) and are passed into a second rinsing zone 15, which contains IFL in a vapour phase. These vapours are produced by two boilers 16 heated by heating elements 17 and fed by the tank 12. A level detection system 18 controls the valves 19.
In zone 15, containing the vapours of IFL, these vapours condense onto the articles which have been extracted from the cold IFL of the vat 1, this having as a consequence that the liquid thus condensed, extremely pure, also eliminates impurities which might still be present on the surface, and that the thermal energy of the vapours is transferred to the articles, which are thus heated. Once warm, the articles may be then removed from the vapour phase zone 15 and introduced into the drying zone 20, whose walls are cooled by a double-mantle 21, in which a refrigerating fluid (water, "Freon", etc.) circulates. The cooling of the walls can also be achieved by a coil in which a refrigerating fluid circulates. Thus, the IFL present on the heated articles evaporates and recondensates on the cold wall of the double-mantle. The IFL thus recondensed flows along the walls into a settler 22 ("Florentine" pot), together with a small quantity of water which results from the humidity of the room air and being also condensed on the walls of the double-mantle, said water floating at the surface of IFL which is more dense, and by successive additions, overflows by a pipe 23 to be drained to a sewer. The IFL thus distillated is re-introduced by gravity into the bottom of the vat 1 or in tank 12. Any impurities brought into the system are collected either in the filter 5, or in the bottom of the boilers 16. Finally, if the pump 4 stops working, a check valve 24 has been provided to prevent the IFL in vat 1 from draining back by gravity into the tank 12.
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Rinsing of an aqueous liquid from a hydrophilic surface is accomplished by contact with an inert non-solvent such as a perfluorinated liquid in a manner that creates an emulsion and does not convert the hydrophilic properties of the rinsed surface. By breaking down the emulsion, the insert non-solvent is recycled for re-use and the aqueous liquid is recovered for treatment or re-use. Drying of the rinsed hydrophilic surface is also optionally provided.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an interface structure for semiconductor integrated circuit test equipment.
A semiconductor integrated circuit die has an array of contact pads distributed in a predetermined pattern over a major surface of the die.
Semiconductor integrated circuits may be tested at the wafer stage, prior to dicing the wafer and packaging the individual integrated circuit chips, and at the device stage, after dicing and packaging. In either case, the test equipment typically includes a test head for supplying stimulus signals to, and receiving response signals from, the device under test (DUT).
In wafer stage testing, a wafer prober positions the DUT at a test location for testing whereas for packaged device testing, a device handler is used to position the DUT for testing. For convenience in the following description it will be assumed that the DUT is in wafer form and that the test head is in the so-called DUT down orientation in which the test head is oriented to engage a DUT whose major surface is presented upwards.
The test head of a conventional general-purpose semiconductor integrated circuit tester includes a chassis, a docking plate attached to the chassis at the bottom of the test head, and multiple pin cards mounted in the chassis. Referring to FIG. 1 , each pin card 4 is provided with a pogo block and switch module 8 . Alignment pins 12 project from the module 8 and are received in alignment bores 14 of a docking plate 18 for precise positioning of the module 8 relative to the docking plate. The module 8 includes twenty-six electrical spring probe pins or contact pins 22 . A suitable spring probe pin is commonly referred to as a pogo pin and includes a socket that is firmly secured in the body of the module 8 , a barrel that is press fit into the socket, a plunger that is a sliding fit inside the barrel, and a spring inside the barrel urging the plunger toward a projecting position. As shown in FIG. 1 , the plungers of the spring probe pins 22 project downwards beyond the docking plate.
The twenty-six spring probe pins 22 are arranged in two row of thirteen pins, and only one of these rows can be seen in FIG. 1 . The thirteen pins in each row include one ground pin and eight signal I/O pins connected to the tester channel circuitry of the pin card and five auxiliary pins used for utility connections, for example for relay control. The sixteen signal I/O pins support eight or sixteen tester channels depending on tester configuration.
The spring probe pins 22 of the test head are distributed over an area that is much greater than the area of the major surface of the DUT. A prober interface structure is interposed between the spring probe pins 22 and the DUT and includes a prober interface board that is attached to the docking plate 18 and has on its upper side (the test head side) an array of pads that are engaged by the spring probe pins 22 and on its lower side (the DUT side) an array of pads distributed over an area that is smaller than the area occupied by the pads on the upper side of the prober interface board. A probe card is disposed parallel to the prober interface board and has an array of contact pads at its upper side corresponding to the array of contact pads at the lower side of the prober interface board and has probe needles projecting from its lower side for engaging the contact pads of the DUT. For reasons relating to the configuration of the conventional wafer prober, the probe card must generally be spaced by several centimeters from the prober interface board. Conventionally, this spacing is provided by a so-called pogo tower between the prober interface board and the probe card. A pogo tower typically comprises a generally cylindrical support structure and an array of double-ended spring probe pins that connect each contact pad on the lower side of the prober interface board to the corresponding contact pad on the upper side of the probe card.
During set-up of the tester, the prober interface board is positioned so that plungers of the spring probe pins 22 engage the pads on the upper side of the prober interface board and the prober interface board is then displaced towards the test head and secured to the docking plate, establishing electrically conductive pressure contact between the tip of each plunger and the respective contact pad.
The prober interface board must be manufactured with a high degree of precision to ensure that all the contact pads will remain in the correct positions, within the applicable tolerances, over the intended useful life of the board. The stringent requirements regarding the physical structure of the prober interface board result in the prober interface board being rather expensive to manufacture.
Although the test head of the conventional tester mentioned above can accommodate up to 64 pin cards, each of which may support sixteen I/O paths (for a total of 1024 I/O paths), some users of the conventional tester may require fewer than 1024 I/O paths and purchase a test head with fewer than 64 pin cards.
The conventional prober interface structure hitherto has been generally satisfactory, but as the frequencies of the signals that must be propagated between the pin cards and the probe card increases, the conventional prober interface structure approaches the limits of its performance. In particular, the I/O path should be able to propagate signals at frequencies in excess of 4 GHz with minimal cross talk and low return loss. Preferably, the signal paths should be matched in length to minimize need for deskew and to provide uniform I/O capacitance and performance. For example, the two paths that carry the two components of a differential signal should be matched in length to within about 2.5 mm. It is difficult to meet these demanding requirements in an interface structure that includes a printed circuit board of the size of a conventional probe interface board.
Another conventional prober interface structure comprises a prober interface board and a tower structure that is permanently attached to the prober interface board. The prober interface board has on its upper side an array of pads that are engaged by contact pins in the test head and the tower structure incorporates contact pins that project downwardly from the prober interface structure for engaging contact pads on the upper side of the probe card. The prober interface board has an array of pads distributed over its lower side, and each of these pads is connected to a corresponding contact pin of the tower structure by a cable that is attached at one end to the contact pad of the prober interface board and at its other end to the pogo pin of the tower structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided an interface structure for use in a semiconductor integrated circuit tester for connecting a test head interface to a DUT interface, comprising a first frame member having first and second opposite main faces and defining an aperture that opens at the first and second main faces of the first frame member, a second frame member having first and second opposite main faces and defining an aperture that opens at the first and second main faces of the second frame member, a spacer securing the first and second frame members together with their second main faces in spaced confronting relationship, and a cable assembly comprising a first header received in the aperture of the first frame member and including a conductive element and a plurality of electrically conductive terminal members exposed at the first main face of the first frame member and electrically insulated from the conductive element of the first header, a second header received in the aperture of the second frame member and including a conductive element and a plurality of electrically conductive terminal members exposed at the first main face of the second frame member and electrically insulated from the conductive element of the second header, and a plurality of coaxial cables connecting each terminal member of the first header to a corresponding terminal member of the second header.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided an interface structure for use in a semiconductor integrated circuit tester for connecting a test head interface to a DUT interface, comprising a first frame member having first and second opposite main faces, a second frame member having first and second opposite main faces, a spacer securing the first and second frame members together in substantially parallel relationship with their second main faces in spaced confronting relationship, and a plurality of flexible conductors each connected between a terminal exposed at the first main face of the first frame member and a corresponding terminal exposed at the first main face of the second frame member, and wherein the second frame member can be secured to the spacer in at least first and second different locations relative to the first frame member.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided an interface structure for use in a semiconductor integrated circuit tester for connecting a test head interface to a DUT interface, comprising a first frame member having first and second opposite main faces, a second frame member having first and second opposite main faces, the second frame member being secured to the first frame member with the second main faces of the first and second frame members in confronting relationship, a plurality of flexible conductors each connected between a terminal exposed at the first main face of the first frame member and a corresponding terminal exposed at the first main face of the second frame member, and at least one energy storage device interposed between the first and second frame members and urging the frame members apart.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an interface structure for use in a semiconductor integrated circuit tester for connecting a test head interface to a DUT interface, comprising a first frame member having first and second opposite main faces, a second frame member having first and second opposite main faces, the second frame member being secured to the first frame member with the second main faces of the first and second frame members in confronting relationship, with the second frame member spaced from the first frame member along an axis, and in a manner allowing positively limited movement of the second frame member relative to the first frame member in directions perpendicular to said axis, and a plurality of flexible conductors each connected between a terminal exposed at the first main face of the first frame member and a corresponding terminal exposed at the first main face of the second frame member.
In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided an interface structure for use in a semiconductor integrated circuit tester for connecting a test head interface to a DUT interface, comprising a first frame member having first and second opposite main faces and defining an aperture that opens at the first and second main faces of the first frame member, a second frame member having first and second opposite main faces and defining an aperture that opens at the first and second main faces of the second frame member, a spacer securing the first and second frame members together with their second main faces in spaced confronting relationship, and a cable assembly comprising a first header received in the aperture of the first frame member, a second header received in the aperture of the second frame member, and a plurality of compliant, elongated signal propagating elements each having a first end fitted in the first header and a second end fitted in the second header, for propagating respective signals between the first main faces of the first and second frame members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a partial schematic sectional view of a test head in accordance with the prior art,
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a test head equipped with a prober interface structure embodying the invention, the test head being shown in DUT down orientation,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the test head in DUT up configuration,
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the prober interface structure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ,
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the prober interface structure,
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the prober interface structure in inverted orientation relative to FIG. 4 ,
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cable assembly that is included in the prober interface structure,
FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the cable assembly,
FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view of one part of the cable assembly,
FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view of another part of the cable assembly,
FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of a second prober interface structure embodying the invention, and
FIG. 12 is a plan view of tart of a cable assembly that may be used in another embodiment of the invention.
Words of orientation that are used in the specification in connection with a structure or element are relative to the orientation of the structure or element when the test head is in the DUT down orientation, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. It will be appreciated, however, that this is merely for convenience in description and is not intended to limit the claims.
At least one embodiment of the invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. For the sake of clarity and definiteness of the detailed description, the detailed description may refer to specific values or ranges of values, but it should be understood that unless the context indicates otherwise, the values are given by way of example and it is not intended that these values or ranges should limit the scope of the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 2 shows the test head 40 of a semiconductor integrated circuit tester in DUT down orientation. The test head is mounted in a yoke 44 that is attached to a test head manipulator (not shown). The manipulator and yoke allow the test head to be moved in three translational degrees of freedom and three rotational degrees of freedom. The test head includes a chassis (not shown) in which up to 64 pin cards, similar to the pin card 4 shown in FIG. 1 , are mounted so that they radiate from a vertical axis. The test head 40 further includes a housing 48 surrounding the chassis and the pin cards, and a docking plate 52 attached to the chassis and provided with a docking mechanism 56 for docking the test head to a wafer prober (not shown). A prober interface structure 60 , which is shown partially in FIG. 3 , is attached to the test head chassis. The switch modules of the pin cards are precisely aligned relative to the docking plate 18 by alignment pins that are received in alignment bores in the docking plate (similarly to the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 ) and the prober interface structure is precisely aligned relative to the docking plate by alignment pins that project from the docking plate and are received in alignment bores in the interface structure. In this manner, the switch modules are precisely aligned relative to the prober interface structure 60 .
Referring to FIGS. 4–6 , the prober interface structure 60 comprises a multi-part body 62 . An upper frame 64 that is generally annular in configuration and has eight sectors 68 , each of which has eight rectangular slots 72 ( FIG. 6 ), is attached to the body 62 .
The prober interface structure includes a lower frame 76 which is generally annular in configuration but is smaller in diameter than the upper frame 64 . The lower frame 76 has eight sectors 80 ( FIG. 5 ) and each sector has eight substantially rectangular slots 84 ( FIG. 4 ).
The prober interface structure 60 further includes a cable assembly for each of the pin cards. Since there may be up to 64 pin cards, the prober interface structure may include up to 64 cable assemblies. The cable assemblies are not shown in FIG. 3 or in FIGS. 4–6 but one cable assembly, designated 88 , is illustrated in FIGS. 7–10 . Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , the cable assembly 88 comprises an upper header 90 , a lower header 92 , and multiple coaxial cables 94 each attached at one end to the upper header 90 and at its opposite end to the lower header 92 .
The upper header is a composite structure and comprises a dielectric body 98 and a conductive insert 98 A fitted in a recess in the body 98 . The upper header is dimensioned to fit in one of the slots 72 of the upper frame 64 . The body 98 has two ears 100 that are formed with holes for attachment screws for attaching the upper header to the upper frame 64 . Each ear is provided with an alignment pin 102 for entering an alignment bore in the frame 64 for positioning the header relative to the frame. The alignment pins 102 are asymmetrically positioned so that the header will fit in the selected slot of the upper frame 64 in only one orientation. The header 90 is also formed with multiple bores 106 ( FIG. 9 ) for receiving the upper ends of the coaxial cables 94 . The upper end of each bore is countersunk as shown at 110 to accommodate a washer 114 made of insulating dielectric material such as PTFE. A contact element 118 is placed over the washer 114 and covers the center hole of the washer.
The coaxial cables are of conventional structure and each includes a center conductor 122 , an insulating sleeve (not shown), typically made of PTFE, an outer shield conductor 126 , and a protective outer jacket 130 . The upper end of the cable is prepared by stripping the protective jacket 130 over a length slightly less than the depth of the hole 106 , exposing the shield conductor 126 . The shield conductor 126 and the insulating sleeve are stripped from the center conductor 122 over a small length thereof so as to expose a short stub of the center conductor, as shown in FIG. 9 . The upper end of the cable is force-fit into the bore 106 , or is soldered into the bore 106 , in order to provide a good electrically conductive connection between the conductive insert 98 A and the shield conductor 126 , and the center conductor 122 is electrically connected at its upper end to the contact element 118 , for example by soldering the upper end into a hole or recess at the underside of the contact element 118 .
Referring to FIG. 10 , the lower header 92 is dimensioned to fit in one of the slots 84 of the lower frame 76 and is a composite structure that comprises a dielectric body 134 and a conductive insert 134 A fitted in a recess in the body 124 . The body 134 has ears 136 and also has alignment pins 138 , similar to the alignment pins 102 of the upper header 90 . The lower header 92 is also formed with bores 142 for receiving the lower ends of the cables 94 respectively. The lower length segment of each bore 142 is occupied by a filler sleeve 146 of dielectric insulating material such as PTFE. The filler sleeve has an axial passage that is of substantially uniform diameter over most of its length from the lower end of the filler sleeve towards the upper end thereof but is provided with a narrow throat at its upper end. A cup-like socket 150 is a tight press fit in the wider part of the axial passage. A conventional single-ended spring probe pin 154 is also press fit into the axial passage of the sleeve 146 . The barrel of the spring probe pin 154 fits firmly into the socket 150 .
The lower end of the cable 94 is prepared in similar fashion to the upper end and the portion from which the protective jacket has been stripped is soldered or force-fit into the bore 142 . The protruding end of the center conductor 122 is electrically connected to the socket 150 , for example by soldering or crimping.
The conductive insert 134 A provides a common signal ground for all the cables 94 . However, should a common signal ground not be desired, the lower header 92 may be made entirely of electrically insulating material.
The cable assembly 88 can be made using conventional mass production techniques so that the length of the conductive path from the top of the contact element 118 to the tip of the spring probe pin 154 (when flush with the lower surface of the lower header) differs by an insignificant amount from a specified nominal path length. In addition, the electrical characteristics of the I/O paths employing coaxial cables are more favorable for propagation of high frequency signals than those of the conductive traces of a conventional printed circuit board.
Each cable can be tested, for example by use of time domain reflectometry, before fitting in the upper and lower headers and rejected if its electrical behavior is out of tolerance. Quality control of this nature is not possible when the conductive path is a trace on a printed circuit board. Moreover, the cables can be tested after installation in the upper and lower headers and replaced in the event of deterioration or damage.
In order to install the cable assembly 98 in the prober interface structure 60 , the upper header 90 is positioned so that the main body of the header extends into the selected slot 72 and the ears 100 lie against the frame 64 , and correspondingly the lower header 92 is inserted from above through the corresponding slot 84 in the lower frame 76 and is manipulated to position the ears 136 against the lower frame with the main body of the lower header extending upwards into the slot 84 . The upper and lower headers are attached to the upper and lower frames respectively by screws extending through the holes in the ears of the respective headers and engaging the respective frames. The frames 64 and 76 and the headers 90 and 92 can readily be manufactured so that the upper surfaces of the headers 90 are essentially coplanar when installed in the frames 64 , and similarly the lower surfaces of the headers 92 are essentially coplanar when installed in the lower frame 76 .
When the prober interface structure 60 is attached to the test head and the test head is docked to the wafer prober, the lower surfaces of the headers 92 are in confronting relationship with the upper surface of the probe card. The headers 92 should be spaced from the probe card in order to reduce the capacitance between the conductive inserts 134 A and the conductive traces on the upper surface of the probe card, but the spacing should be limited in order that the pogo pins should not project from the conductive inserts, and therefore be unshielded, to an excessive extent.
The switch module of the pin card also includes additional spring probe pins (not shown) that are grounded by the pin card and engage the conductive insert 98 A. Since the shield conductors 126 of the coaxial cables are all electrically connected to the insert 98 A, a common ground is established at the upper header for all the coaxial cables at the lower header 92 .
FIGS. 7 and 8 also show several pins 158 that are connected to contact elements 160 on the upper side of the conductive insert 98 A of the upper header 90 and pins 164 that are connected to spring probe pins 166 having plungers that project from the lower face of the lower header 92 . Each of the pins 158 is connected to a corresponding pin 164 by a suitable flexible conductor (not shown), which may be a coaxial cable or an unshielded wire. The additional conductive paths that are provided in this manner may be used to provide utility connections between the probe card and the pin card.
The cable assemblies can be installed and removed as needed. For example, a user who initially requires a prober interface structure to support 32 pin cards can buy a prober interface structure that is populated with only 32 cable assemblies and thereby minimize the initial cost of the prober interface structure. If the user subsequently installs additional pin cards in the test head, additional cable assemblies can be installed in the prober interface structure and the investment in the original prober interface structure is preserved. If the user wishes to upgrade any or all of the I/O paths, the existing cable assemblies can be removed and replaced with assemblies manufactured to higher tolerances or with superior components without its being necessary to replace the housing. Further, if a cable assembly should be damaged, it can be replaced without requiring that any other cable assemblies be removed from the prober interface structure.
In some tester configurations, it is desirable that the lower annular frame 76 and the upper annular frame 64 should lie on a common vertical axis whereas in other configurations, it might be desirable for the central axis of the lower annular frame 76 to be offset horizontally from the central axis of the upper annular frame 64 . In particular, this may be necessary to avoid interference between the test head and the wafer prober. Referring to FIGS. 3–5 , the multi-part body 62 includes a main housing 168 , to which the upper frame 64 is attached, a secondary housing 170 , to which the lower frame 76 is attached, and an adaptor plate 172 to which the secondary housing 170 is attached. The main housing 168 includes a bottom plate 176 that defines an oblong opening 180 . The adaptor plate 172 is oblong and is fitted in the oblong opening 180 , the longitudinal dimension of which is somewhat greater than the corresponding dimension of the plate 172 . The main housing is provided with screw holes (not shown) around the periphery of the opening 180 and the adaptor plate is provided with two sets of holes for receiving screws for attaching the adaptor plate to the main housing 168 . In order to attach the adaptor plate to the housing 168 , the adaptor plate 172 is placed in the oblong opening 180 and is positioned so that one of the two sets of holes in the plate 172 are aligned with the screw holes in the main housing 168 , and the plate 172 is then secured to the housing 168 by screws that pass through the selected set of holes in the plate 172 and engage the screw holes in the housing 168 . In this manner, the adaptor plate 172 can be attached to the main housing 168 either in the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 or in a position in which the plate 172 and the secondary housing 170 attached thereto are displaced relative to the main housing 168 by a distance D in the direction of the arrow A. In either case, the gap between the adaptor plate 172 and the plate 176 can be filled by a crescent-shaped filler plate 184 . The different positions of the plate 172 relative to the main housing 168 are accommodated by the compliant nature of the coaxial cables. A corresponding capability is not available in the conventional tester that employs a prober interface board and a pogo tower.
It is possible that when the test head is docked to the wafer prober, the upper surface of the probe card will not be precisely parallel to the lower surface of the frame 76 . In this case, a spring probe pin in one region of the frame 76 might be fully depressed into its header 92 while the plunger of a spring probe pin in another region of the frame 76 still protrudes slightly below the lower surface of its header. It is, however, desirable with respect to the electrical characteristics of the I/O path that the spring probe pin be fully depressed, and that the plungers should not protrude below the lower surface of their headers. Referring to FIG. 11 , the possibility of the lower surface of the frame 76 not being parallel with the upper surface of the probe card can be accommodated by interposing energy storage devices between the frame 76 and the housing 170 . Specifically, the screws 186 that attach the frame 76 to the secondary housing 170 pass through springs 188 , which for convenience are depicted as helical springs but may in fact be so-called Belville springs. The springs 188 are compressible along the common axis of the upper and lower frames, and the total force required to compress the springs 188 exceeds the total force required to compress all the spring probe pins such that the tips of the spring probe pins are flush with the lower surface of the frame 76 . Accordingly, when the test head is brought into docking relationship with the prober, and actuation of the docking mechanism draws the test head towards the wafer prober, urging the probe card upwards relative to the lower frame 76 , the docking force will act to compress all the spring probe pins and bring the frame 76 into parallel relationship with the probe card before the axial spring set is fully compressed.
FIG. 11 also illustrates a probe card support 190 that is attached to the wafer prober and a probe card 192 that is seated in the probe card support. Alignment pins 194 project upwardly from the probe card support and pass through bores in the probe card 192 and are received in alignment bores in the frame 76 . Clearance between the frame 76 and the screws 186 allows a limited range of horizontal movement of the frame 76 relative to the secondary housing 170 , which movement is accommodated by the compliant nature of the coaxial cables. By allowing limited movement of the frame 76 relative to the housing 170 , it is possible to provide a high degree of precision in aligning the contact pins 154 to the pads on the probe card without requiring that the multi-part body 62 and the test head secured thereto be positioned with the same degree of precision.
In the embodiment that has been described with reference to FIGS. 2–11 , there is one cable assembly 88 for each pin card. Thus, each cable assembly serves a single pin card. In another embodiment of the invention, one or more of the cable assemblies serves multiple pin cards. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the upper header 90 ′ of a cable assembly that is designed to serve four pin cards, in lieu of four of the cable assemblies 88 , and it will be seen that the header 90 ′ includes a dielectric body 234 and a conductive insert 234 A fitted in a recess in the body 234 . The body 23 has inner and outer flanges 238 that lie against the frame 64 when the cable assembly is installed in the prober interface structure, and the conductive insert 234 A has four pairs of rows of countersunk bores accommodating respective dielectric washers 114 that contain contact elements (not shown).
It has been proposed that at least some of the signals emitted and received by an integrated circuit should be optical signals, and accordingly it is desirable to be able to test such an integrated circuit using optical stimulus and response signals. Therefore, although the invention has been described in connection with compliant propagating elements in the form of coaxial cables, which provide electrical signal paths, in its broader aspects the invention is also applicable to compliant propagating elements in the form of optical fibers, which provide optical signal paths. Even though some or all of the propagating elements for stimulus and response signals may be optical fibers, in general it will be necessary to provide compliant electrical paths between the test head interface and the DUT interface in order to supply operating power to the DUT.
It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the particular embodiments that have been described, and that variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims and equivalents thereof. For example, although the illustrated embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to a prober interface structure that is attached to a test head for use in conjunction with a wafer prober for wafer stage testing, the invention is also applicable to an interface structure that is used in device stage testing. Unless the context indicates otherwise, a reference in a claim to the number of instances of an element, be it a reference to one instance or more than one instance, requires at least the stated number of instances of the element but is not intended to exclude from the scope of the claim a structure or method having more instances of that element than stated.
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An interface structure for use in a semiconductor integrated circuit tester for connecting a test head interface to a DUT interface includes a first frame member having first and second opposite main faces, a second frame member having first and second opposite main faces, and a spacer securing the first and second frame members together in spaced relationship. A first cable assembly header is received in an aperture of the first frame member and includes a conductive element and electrically conductive terminal members exposed at a main face of the first frame member and electrically insulated from the conductive element of the first header. A second cable assembly header is received in an aperture of the second frame member and includes a conductive element and electrically conductive terminal members exposed at a main face of the second frame member and electrically insulated from the conductive element of the second header. Coaxial cables connect each terminal member of the first header to a corresponding terminal member of the second header.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to methods and systems for processing electronic image signals. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and systems for reducing distortions caused by compressing and reconstructing electronic image signals.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electronic image signal is comprised of a plurality of picture elements, e.g., pixels. A series of electronic image signals are used to form a video or video sequence. When transmitting electronic image signals, an image compression system is often employed.
A typical image compression system 10 is shown in FIG. 1. In general, such systems receive an input image signal, encode the signal with a coder 14 using, e.g., a compression scheme, transmit the encoded signal through a suitable transmission medium 16, then decode or reconstruct the transmitted information with a decoder 18 into an output image signal.
Despite the extensive development of compression systems in recent times, many image compression systems produce significant distortion when operating at bit rates lower than those designed for or when processing complex material. Therefore, when transmitting compressed information over, e.g., analog telephone lines or personal wireless links (which typically have bit rates on the order of 8-40 kb/s), even today's most sophisticated compression techniques have difficulty in delivering low distortion image signals.
Also, when using existing compression standards, e.g., Joint Photographical Expert Group (JPEG), Motion Picture Expert Group (MPEG), H.261, often, little can be done to conform the compression coding to fit the particular standard in use because most elements in coder 14 and decoder 18 are fixed. However, an external processor 24 can process the input image signal before the information goes through coder 14 (i.e., "pre-processing") so that the available bit rate for the image processing system will be used for perceptually more important information. Similarly, a post-processor 26 can process an image signal reconstructed by decoder 18 ("post-processing") to reduce or remove visual artifacts resulting from waveform distortions in the reconstructed image signal. Thus, by using pre-processing and/or post-processing techniques, the image quality can be improved without altering existing compression schemes.
In newly designed compression systems, the pre- and post-processing operations often are designed as intrinsic elements of the compression system. However, because such is not possible when using existing compression standards, much effort has been directed toward developing pre- and post-processing enhancements for the existing compression systems.
Both compression techniques and decompression or reconstruction techniques are often expressed conceptually as the combination of three distinct yet interrelated operations: representation, quantization, and codeword. An example of the coding portion of these operations is shown generally in FIG. 2 and an example of the decoding or reconstructing portion of these operations is shown generally in FIG. 3.
The first coding operation, representation, expresses the signal more efficiently and in a manner that facilitates the process of compression. An example of representation is Block DCT (shown as 32 in FIG. 2), which is a particular form of discrete cosine transformation (DCT). A signal representation may contain more pieces of information to describe the signal than the signal itself, however, most of the important information is concentrated in only a small fraction of this description, and thus only this small fraction need be transmitted for appropriate signal reconstruction.
The second coding operation, quantization (shown as 34 in FIG. 2), performs amplitude discretization of the representation information. In the third operation, codeword assignment, e.g., variable length coding (VLC), shown as 36 in FIG. 2, the quantized parameters are encoded in a manner to exploit their statistical redundancy and reduce the average bit rate.
The decoding or reconstructing portion of system 10 is shown in FIG. 3 and generally involves the inverse of those operations performed within coder 14, shown in FIG. 2. For example, within decoder 18 are shown the inverse operations of representation 46 (e.g., inverse discrete cosine transform or IDCT), quantization 44 (Q -1 ) and codeword assignment 42 (e.g., variable length decoding or VLD).
The image of interest is often partitioned into nonoverlapping 8×8 blocks, each block is independently transformed (e.g., using 2-D DCT), and the blocks are adaptively processed. The application of DCT in this manner is often referred to as Block DCT.
Partitioning an image into small blocks before applying the DCT affords benefits, including reduced computational and memory requirements, and simplified hardware manufacturing implementation (e.g., via parallel DCT operations) for coder 14 and decoder 18.
In general, a typical video coder is comprised of an image coder plus further process filtering such as temporal filtering and/or spatial filtering. The temporal or time-based filtering is typically performed by a differential pulse code modulation (DPCM)-type or motion-compensation (MC)-type coding scheme. For example, a preceding frame can be used as a reasonable predictor for the current frame, and only the error in the prediction, rather than the entire current frame, needs to be coded and transmitted. Because this error is in the form of a 2-D signal or image, conventional image compression often is applied for its compression (with the differences in characteristics between an error signal and a typical image being accounted for). The temporal processing, in particular how the prediction is formed and what happens when it fails, is important because it affects the spatial processing and the type of artifacts that may occur.
A spatial filter, particularly a spatial post-filter, is dependent on the location of a particular pixel or set of pixels within a single frame of interest. Typically, spatial post-filters are not time dependent and do not rely on information from frames other than the current frame of interest.
Usually, motion-compensated (MC) prediction and related block-based error coding techniques perform well when the image can be modeled locally as translational motion. However, when there is complex motion or new imagery, these error coding schemes may perform poorly, and the error signal may be harder to encode than the original signal. In such cases, it is sometimes better to suppress the error coding scheme and code the original signal itself. It may be determinable on a block-by-block basis whether to use an error coding scheme and code the error signal, or to simply code the original signal. This type of coding is often referred to as inter/intra processing, because the coder switches between inter-frame and intra-frame processing.
Block-based MC-prediction and inter/intra decision making are the basic temporal processing elements for many conventional video compression standards. Generally, these block-based temporal processing schemes perform well over a wide range of image scenes, enable simpler implementations than other approaches, and interface nicely with any Block DCT processing of the error signal.
For complex scenes and/or low bit rates, a number of visual artifacts may appear as a result of the signal distortion from a compression system. The primary visual artifacts affecting current image compression systems are blocking effects and intermittent distortions, often near object boundaries, called mosquito noise. Other artifacts include ripple, contouring and loss of resolution.
Blocking effects are due to discontinuities in the reconstructed signal's characteristics across block boundaries for a block-based coding system, e.g., Block DCT. Blocking effects are produced because adjacent blocks in an image are processed independently and the resulting independent distortion from block to block causes a lack of continuity among neighboring blocks. The lack of continuity may be in the form of abrupt changes in the signal intensity or signal gradient. In addition, block-type contouring, which is a special case of blocking effect, often results in instances when the intensity of an image is slowly changing.
Mosquito noise is typically seen when there is a sharp edge, e.g., an edge within a block separating two uniform but distinct regions. Block DCT applications are not effective at representing a sharp edge. Accordingly, there is considerable distortion at sharp edges: the reconstructed edges are not as sharp as normal and the adjacent regions are not as uniform as they should be. Mosquito noise is especially evident in images containing text or computer graphics.
Many of the image compression standards available today, e.g., H.261, JPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and high definition television (HDTV), are based on Block DCT coding. Thus, most of the research into post-processing techniques has focused on reducing the artifacts produced by Block DCT coding, in particular, reducing the blocking artifacts.
Because blocking artifacts are caused primarily by the discontinuities that exist along the block edges, many efforts to reduce these artifacts were motivated by the idea of smoothing these boundaries. In H. Reeve and J. Lim, "Reduction of blocking effects in image coding," Optical Engineering, vol. 23, pp. 34-37, January/February, 1984, simple lowpass filtering was applied along the block boundaries. Similarly, in B. Ramamurthi and A. Gersho, "Nonlinear space-variant postprocessing of block coded images," IEEE Transactions on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing, vol. ASSP-34, pp. 1258-1268, October. 1986, lowpass filtering was applied parallel to the image edges to reduce the distortion while preserving the image sharpness.
Conventional post-processing techniques often are split into two basic classes: open-loop approaches and closed-loop approaches. Open-loop approaches are typically simpler, one-pass schemes. They are relatively less complex, yet still achieve adequate performance. Another advantage is that they are not necessarily tied to the details of the particular coder and therefore are more portable because they are often applicable to a large number of coders. For example, coding techniques that simply filter along block boundaries do not require details about the quantization process (only block size information is required). However, open-loop techniques usually do not ensure that the resulting image is relatively close to the original. Thus, the processed signal may differ significantly from the original signal.
Closed-loop approaches, e.g., POCS (projections onto convex sets) based schemes, are typically more computationally complex because they are iterative or multi-pass in nature. Closed-loop approaches are formulated to converge to something closer to the original signal and often are highly coder-specific, as they exploit more attributes of a given coder (e.g., the specific quantization strategy employed). The greater sophistication and in-depth knowledge of the actual compression provides the potential for higher performance than open-loop schemes. Also, closed-loop schemes typically employ some type of feedback aspect, with "checks" in the feedback loop, to ensure that the processed signal does not diverge from the original signal.
In FIG. 4, a conventional, POCS-based artifact reducing scheme 50 is illustrated in operation with the decoding portion 18 of compression system 10. As shown, a smoothness constraint operation 52 is applied (in the spatial domain) to the reconstructed signal emerging from decoder 18. Thereafter, a quantization constraint 54 is applied in the DCT domain (i.e., after DCT conversion 56). These constraints are applied recursively until the processed image converges to an image with the desired properties (or to an image that is closest to having these properties).
However, despite frequent favorable results, schemes such as that shown in FIG. 4 and similar closed-loop techniques are often computationally intensive. Furthermore, configuring an adequate quantization constraint often requires that the post-processing technique be intrinsically tied to the particular compression system it is supporting, thus possibly limiting the range of applicability of the post-processing technique outside of the supported compression system.
It is desirable to have available a compression method, for use alone or in combination with existing compression coders, that transmits natural looking images over analog telephone lines, personal wireless links and other media that employ bit rates lower than existing compression methods are designed for. Specifically, such a compression method should reduce distortion while preserving image sharpness, naturalness and minimizing system complexity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the invention is a method and system for transmitting images including receiving encoded images, decoding those images and post-processing the decoded images. In particular, it is a method and system in which post-processing reduces visual artifacts, such as blocking artifacts and mosquito noise, through separate detection, mapping and smoothing operations while avoiding many of the complexities associated with existing techniques. In detecting blocking artifacts, the inventive method employs DCT-domain detection rather than edge detection in the pixel domain. Also, the interior of a detected block is updated based on surrounding blocks without disturbing the surrounding blocks. In reducing mosquito noise, the inventive method smooths the non-edge pixels within blocks containing edge pixels without smoothing the edge pixels. Also, distortion-induced false edge pixels are distinguished from true edge pixels and heavily smoothed to ensure that they do not degrade the post-processed image. The post-processing method and system is generally applicable to Block DCT based compression systems, either intrinsically or extrinsically.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional image processing system;
FIG. 2 is a partial schematic view of the compression or coding portion of the image processing system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view of the decoding or reconstruction portion of the image processing system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial schematic view of the decoding portion of the image processing system shown in FIG. 1 in operation with a conventional post-processing system;
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a post-processing system according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a partial schematic view of a block detector used in the post-processing system of FIG. 5; and
FIG. 7 is a partial schematic view of a edge detector used in the post-processing system of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, similar components are referred to by the same reference numeral in order to simplify the understanding of the drawings.
In many block-based image compression systems, the representation stage (e.g., Block DCT 32 in FIG. 2) preserves the information of the original signal, and hence is lossless or invertible. Similarly, codeword assignment (e.g. VLC 36 in FIG. 2) is invertible. Thus, distortion is introduced during quantization. It is important to realize that while the distortion is introduced by quantization, the form that the distortion takes is a function of the chosen representation. That is, the type of representation used dictates how the distortion manifests itself in the reconstructed image.
Spatially-adaptive processing is necessary in preserving the important image elements, such as edges, texture and uniform areas, while eliminating blocking effects and mosquito noise. As discussed previously, many approaches exist for detecting and processing the different elements in a signal. Artifact detection and reduction is typically performed in the pixel domain. However, because most artifacts result from quantization in the DCT-domain, in some cases, artifact detection should occur in the DCT domain instead of the pixel domain.
Also, to reduce the detected artifacts, there exists a wide range of linear and nonlinear filtering techniques. However, the choice of filter is not as important as the specific details of its incorporation within the post processing scheme.
Referring to FIG. 5, a post-processing system 60 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The system comprises two separate yet coexisting processing paths: a first processing path 64 for reducing blocking effects and a second processing path 68 for reducing mosquito noise. As will be evident from further discussion, the two processing paths are independent of one another and can be performed sequentially or in parallel with one another, and their results are combinable without unacceptably affecting image quality.
In general, the first step in reducing blocking effects (i.e., processing path 64) is detecting or identifying, with a block detector 72, the blocks that may exhibit these artifacts. Once these potential problem blocks are identified, a block map is generated showing their respective locations to guide the subsequent filtering or smoothing technique (shown generally as 76).
Since blocking artifacts result from discontinuities in the signal characteristics across block boundaries and these discontinuities are pixel-domain phenomena, many detection techniques search for discontinuities along the boundary pixels (often similar to edge detection at block boundaries). However, according to an embodiment of the invention, block detection is performed in the DCT domain. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, block detector 72 uses a Block DCT operation 73 to transform the signal into the DCT domain prior to any actual block detection operation, shown generally as 74.
Specifically, blocking artifacts result when an inadequate number of DCT coefficients (i.e., the data resulting from the application of a DCT operation) represent a particular block. Typically, this occurs when only approximately one to three coefficients are used. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the invention, blocks that potentially exhibit blocking artifacts are found, e.g., by calculating the number of nonzero DCT coefficients in a coded block and comparing that to a threshold.
The computational requirements for this detection technique are not burdensome. For example, in a still-frame compression scheme (e.g., JPEG), if post-processing in this manner is coupled with decoding or reconstruction, all of the nonzero DCT coefficients are already available as a result of the previous coding and decoding.
In highly compressed video, a significant number of the blocking artifacts occur for intra-coded blocks. For these blocks, the decoder already has the nonzero DCT coefficients. For optimal performance, the DCT coefficients also should be computed for all the inter-coded blocks. However, the computational requirements may be reduced considerably by choosing to examine only those blocks that are likely to exhibit blocking effects, e.g. the blocks having relatively significant motion in the current frame. In this manner, redundant smoothing of many blocks smoothed after their initial intra-coding is reduced.
Once potential problem blocks are detected by detector 72, an appropriate filtering or smoothing operation 76 (see FIG. 5) is applied to reduce the blocking effects. It is important to successfully reduce the blocking effects without distorting the image. For example, when processing images with high spatial resolution, heavy filtering along the block boundaries produces minimal added distortion to the image. In contrast, when processing low-resolution images, which are characteristics of very-low bit rate compression systems, excessive filtering often has drastic harmful effects on the resulting image quality.
The invention described herein adopts the notion that the pixels within a potential problem block are more distorted than the pixels in the surrounding blocks, i.e., the pixels outside the block in question are more accurate than the pixels inside the block in question. Therefore, the accurate exterior pixels are used to improve the estimate of the distorted interior pixels without altering the exterior pixels.
Such approach is equivalent, essentially, to applying a filter along the boundaries of a detected block but only updating the pixels values within the block. For example, horizontal lowpass filtering is applied to reduce the discontinuity along the left and right boundaries of the distorted block, but only the pixels within the block are actually updated. The pixels in the surrounding blocks are left untouched. Similarly, for example, a vertical lowpass filter is applied along the top and bottom edges of the distorted block to reduce the discontinuity along these edges. Note that if two adjacent blocks are identified as exhibiting blocking artifacts, the resulting processing according to this embodiment of the invention is equivalent to conventional lowpass filtering along the boundary.
The second processing path 68 involves reducing mosquito noise. In general, pixels that potentially may exhibit mosquito noise are detected initially and then smoothed. More specifically, because mosquito noise appears as random noise or oscillatory distortion within an 8×8 pixel block and is especially prominent in blocks containing sharp edges, blocks containing sharp edges are detected using an edge detecting operation 84 and then the non-edge pixels within the identified blocks are smoothed using an appropriate filtering or smoothing operation 88 (see FIG. 5).
This approach relies on the notion that non-edge pixels potentially exhibit mosquito noise. It is important to note that only the non-edge pixels are smoothed in order to retain image sharpness, which implies that preserving the fidelity of the edges is of high priority. The edge pixels exhibit distortion similarly to any pixel in the afflicted block. However, filtering the edge pixels produces an unacceptable amount of blurring and therefore an overall loss of image sharpness. Furthermore, typically, the edge distortion is totally masked by the edge itself. Therefore, the edge pixels must be identified carefully and preserved, and then the remaining non-edge pixels are safely smoothed to reduce the mosquito noise. The non-edge pixels are smoothed, e.g., by any of a number of conventional, smoothing techniques.
In general, one problem with edge detection is that large amplitude distortions, such as mosquito noise, may be falsely detected as edges. As a result, these large amplitude distortions evade the smoothing process and degrade the post-processed image. To counteract this problem, it is necessary to distinguish between true edges and false edges and to heavily smooth the false edges.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, edge detection operation 84 uses an edge detector 85 to identify all edges. The identified edges are used to construct an edge map that undergoes a further operation (shown generally as 86) to distinguish the true edges from the false, distortion-induced edges.
One manner of distinguishing true edges and false edges from the edge map is by examining the connectivity of the pixel in question. For example, four 5-point windows are applied to the edge map, each window being centered at the pixel in question and aligned along the horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions, respectively. If the sum of the edge map values along any of the directions is determined to be greater than or equal to a threshold value, an edge is determined to exist along that direction and the pixel in question is assumed to correspond to a true edge. Otherwise, the pixel in question is assumed to be a false edge.
The notion behind this true/false edge detection approach is that a true edge typically will have a string of adjacent edge pixels. Conversely, a distortion-induced false edge is typically characterized by isolated edge pixels (i.e., edge pixels that are not part of a connected string of edge pixels).
Upon conclusion of such determination, the resulting edge map is now a more accurate indicator of the true edges in the image. The false edges are then smoothed heavily, e.g., by an appropriate smoothing scheme 87.
The detected true edge pixels (i.e., the edge pixels that are not identified as false edge pixels) are passed through the system unprocessed in order to retain image sharpness, as discussed previously. The non-edge pixels undergo smoothing via filtering step 88 (see FIG. 5) to reduce the distortion. As mentioned previously, a number of conventional smoothing techniques are suitable. However, several conventional factors associated therewith need to be considered in choosing a suitable smoothing technique, e.g., whether the smoothing technique should be linear or nonlinear, and how "heavy" the smoothing should be. Such considerations can be determined readily by those skilled in the art, and need not be discussed here.
Alternatively, in filtering step 88, it may be beneficial in terms of retaining image sharpness to not only pass each edge pixel unprocessed in smoothing, but also to pass the top, bottom, left, and right adjacent pixels unprocessed. Therefore, each edge pixel as well as its four adjacent pixels is unprocessed. All the remaining pixels will be smoothed, and all the edge pixels will be excluded from the region of support of the smoothing filter.
Finally, because the pixels in the image are smoothed in a sequential manner, there exists the option of using some of the already smoothed (updated) pixels when smoothing the current pixel. That is, within the window for the smoothing filter, some of the already smoothed pixels may be used with the other non-smoothed pixels. Such a smoothing scheme allows in-place processing to be performed.
The artifact reducing techniques described herein are applicable for use with many image processing systems, including most if not all systems that employ block-based DCT coding schemes. Such coding schemes include JPEG, P X JPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.261, H.263, HDTV (High Definition Television) and Dig. NTSC (National Television System Committee). However, it is not required that the inventive features described herein be used with block-based coding schemes. For example, the edge filtering used in reducing mosquito noise is not dependent on Block DCT operations being part of the overall coding scheme.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and substitutions can be made to the post-processing method and system herein described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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The invention is an image transmitting method and system including receiving encoded images, decoding those images and post-processing the decoded images. The post-processing reduces visual artifacts, such as blocking artifacts and mosquito noise, through separate detection, mapping and smoothing operations while avoiding many of the complexities associated with existing techniques. In detecting blocking artifacts, the inventive method employs DCT-domain detection rather than edge detection in the pixel domain. Also, the interior of a detected block is updated based on the surrounding blocks without disturbing the surrounding blocks. In reducing mosquito noise, the inventive method smooths the non-edge pixels within blocks containing edge pixels rather than smoothing the edge pixels. Also, distortion-induced false edge pixels are distinguished from true edge pixels and heavily smoothed. The post-processing method and system is generally applicable to Block DCT based compression systems, either intrinsically or extrinsically.
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This application is a §371 national phase filing of PCT/NL2004/000387 filed May 28, 2004, and claims priority to an International Application No. PCT/NL03/00409 filed May 30, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to inducible (or on-demand) release vehicles produced from cross-linked polymers. This type of vehicles is particularly usable for packaging an active component in applications in which said active component needs to be shielded from the environment until it is at a time and/or place where it should be released. One of the major applications lies in the field of antimicrobial active components, which need only to be released in the presence of microbial contamination. This can, for instance, be the case in antimicrobial packages, which have as their general object to prolong the storage life of the packaged foods by preventing decay by microorganisms.
BACKGROUND ART
The disadvantage of current prior art antimicrobial packages is that the components are continuously released or are in continuous contact with the foods, also when no microorganisms are present, or are released under the influence of mechanical activity. Presence of (harmful) microorganisms, however, hardly ever involves mechanical activity, so that such a package is not usable for preventing decay of foods.
Similarly, the encapsulation of antimicrobials is known from applications in coatings, paint, cosmetics and general anti-fouling compositions, but here again the currently used vehicles mainly provide for a continuous release of the antimicrobial compound, which is not desirable for environmental reasons: such a continuous release causes an abundance of antimicrobial components in the environment which can give rise to an unwanted increased antibiotic resistance in microbial populations.
Induced release is also preferable in pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical compositions. It enables high concentrations of active components locally, which means that the total dose to be administered can be decreased. Further, it prevents unwanted or even toxic effects to occur at sites where no medication is needed.
Several vehicles for active ingredients have already been described in the literature, especially in the field of antimicrobial active components. WO 95/17816 describes an edible pest repellent which can be encapsulated in cellulose or derivatives. The active compound is slowly released from said vehicle. GB 2198062 describes a plastic film containing microcapsules with active components, such as insect repellents. However, these capsules need mechanical pressure to release the active ingredient.
Degradable capsules have been disclosed in WO 99/08553, wherein the capsules are made of “edible polymers” such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene wax, etc. A special form of degradable capsules is presented in WO 95/33773 in which capsules of chitine or chitosan are presented containing an active ingredient. These capsules would be degradable by lysozyme through hydrolysis. GB 1576999 describes the use of biopolymers, which are coagulated at elevated temperature (120° C.) in “vasiline petroleum gelly” and contain either organic tin compounds or Cu 2 O. These particles are used as additive in anti fouling paint. The disadvantage of the described system is that for instance heat sensitive and/or organic solvent sensitive active ingredients cannot be used and also the formed capsules cannot be filled with an active ingredient once the vehicle is formed.
Thus, there is still need for alternative vehicles encapsulating an active ingredient which would be able to release their content on demand, i.e. at a specified place and/or time, due to an external (physical, chemical or enzymatical) trigger or stimulus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention now provides such alternative vehicles.
The invention relates to an inducible release vehicle comprising a charged cross-linked polymer and an active component wherein the release is triggered by contact of the vehicle with an external stimulus and wherein said polymer is a carbohydrate or a protein. Preferably the active ingredient is incorporated after the vehicle has been isolated.
Preferred embodiments are vehicles wherein the carbohydrate polymer is modified by oxidation, substitution with cationic functional groups or with carboxymethyl groups, or esterification by e.g. acetyl groups, wherein the polymer is chosen form the group consisting of starch or a derivative of starch, cellulose or a derivative of cellulose, pectin or a derivative of pectin, and gelatine or a derivative of gelatine, wherein the cross linker is chosen from the group consisting of divinyl sulphone, epichlorohydrin, a di-epoxide such as glycerol diglycidyl ether or butanedioldiglycidyl ether, sodium trimetaphosphate and adipic acid or derivatives thereof, or wherein the polymer is cross-linked by means of a cross-linking enzyme chosen from the group consisting of peroxidases, laccases, polyphenol oxidases, transglutaminases, protein disulfide isomerases, sulfhydryl oxidases, lysyl oxidases and lipoxygenases and wherein the vehicle is loaded with a charged compound, preferably a charged compound having a molecular weight below 50 kD, or a hydrophobic compound, which in both cases can preferably be an antimicrobial compound or a protein.
A preferred embodiment are vehicles wherein the external stimulus is an enzyme which is able to degrade the polymer, or wherein the release of the active ingredient is induced by change of electrostatic interaction, cause by e.g. a change in the pH or a change in the salt concentration.
The above mentioned vehicles are preferably used in a pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical composition, more preferred for this use are vehicles which comprise an anti-microbial compound or a cytostatic compound. However, in cases wherein the active component is an anti acne agent or a deodorant, the vehicles can be used as a cosmetic composition.
In another preferred embodiment the vehicles of the invention can be used as a fungicidal paint wherein the active component is a fungicide or an antifouling paint composition wherein the active component is an antifouling component.
An also preferred embodiment is a dressing means, preferably wherein the dressing means is a wound dressing means or a sanitary dressing means and wherein the active component is an antimicrobial compound.
An equally preferred embodiment is a coating comprising the vehicles of the invention, wherein said vehicles comprise an antimicrobial agent.
Another preferred embodiment is use of said vehicles for masking off flavour tasting compounds such as bitter tasting medicine or nutraceuticals. Similarly the vehicles according to the invention can be used for encompassing flavours e.g. for chewing gum. Also a preferred embodiment is use of the vehicle according to the invention for passage through the stomach of an acid- or protease-labile medicine or nutraceutical in the active form.
A vehicle according to the invention can also preferably be used for the immobilization and/or isolation of active or specific components in a solution, specifically for the immobilization of large charged particles, e.g. bacteria, in a solution.
The invention also comprises a method for producing a vehicle according to the invention comprising:
a) providing a polymer and a cross-linker or cross-linking enzyme; b) activating the cross-linking by addition of base or acid; c) allowing for cross-linking to occur and gelation of the cross-linked polymer; d) breaking the gel resulting from step d) into smaller particles; e) drying the particles from step d) and optionally grinding these into finer particles; f) loading said particles with an active component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 : The amount of lysozyme (L) or ovalbumin (O) in solution as a function of the amount added (mg) to the gels C, V and BL
FIG. 2 : Gel E. Percentage of free lysozyme (%) as a function of time (minutes).
FIG. 3 : Gel C. Percentage of free lysozyme (%) as a function of time (minutes).
FIG. 4 : Gel C. Percentage of free lysozyme (%) as a function of time (minutes).
FIG. 5 : Incorporation of active component. The graph shows the cumulative amount of lysozyme that is determined in the supernatant, and which is therefore not incorporated into the pectin-based vehicles of Gel A.
FIG. 6 : Incorporation of active component. The graph shows the cumulative amount of glucose oxide that is determined in the supernatant, and which is therefore not incorporated into the pectin-based vehicles of Gel D.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Vehicles of the invention (also indicated as particles or capsules) comprise a cross-linked carbohydrate or protein, made of oligomeric and polymeric carbohydrates or proteins which can be used as a substrate for any external stimulus, such as an enzyme. Carbohydrates which can thus be used are carbohydrates consisting only of C, H and atoms such as, for instance, glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, arabinose, mannose, galactose, lactose and oligomers and polymers of these sugars, cellulose, dextrins such as maltodextrin, agarose, amylose, amylopectin and gums, e.g. guar. Proteins which can be used include albumin, ovalbumin, casein, myosin, actin, globulin, hemin, hemoglobin, myoglobin and small peptides. Preferably, oligomeric carbohydrates from DP2 on or polymeric carbohydrates from DP5O on are used. These can be naturally occurring polymers such as starch (amylose, amylopectin), cellulose and gums or derivates hereof which can be formed by phosphorylation or oxidation. Other polymers can also be used (e.g. caprolactone), which can be added for a better compatibility with e.g. the packaging material. In the case of proteins, proteins obtained from hydrolysates of vegetable or animal material can also be used. Also suitable mixtures of carbohydrates (e.g. copolymers) or mixtures of proteins can be used.
The advantages of cross linked polymers lies in the intrinsic stability of the vehicles formed through the introduction of cross links in the matrix. Specifically, the crosslinks are ether- and/or ester-links, where for the ester-links phosphate-esters are preferable. A further important advantage is that cross-linking provides a three-dimensional lattice of the cross-linked polymer, in which the active component can be “filled in”. Moreover, the choice of components, i.e. the choice of polymer(s) and cross-linker(s) influence the three-dimensional structure of the vehicle and thus would allow for the manufacture of specific vehicles suited for molecules of a certain size and/or certain charge.
The polymer matrix from which the vehicle is built may be constructed from readily available and water soluble polymers such as polysaccharides and (hydrolysed) proteins and in doing so a flexible matrix may be formed and positive and/or negative charge through e.g. carboxylic acids and/or cationic groups will generate a custom made vehicle. This cannot be accomplished using polysaccharides such as chitin and/or chitosan. Also the above mentioned polymers are much cheaper than the hitherto used chitin and chitosan. The possession of a charge is a most important feature of a polymer for the present invention. It will greatly facilitate the formation of a complex between the active component (which is often a charged molecule) and the polymer lattice. The charge can be provided by the polymer itself, but—if the polymer does not have a positive or negative charge—the charge can be introduced as a result of modification of the polymer or by the cross-linker used for cross-linking the polymer.
The formation of the matrix is accomplished through covalent cross linking of the polymers. Typical cross linkers, that can be used, are divinyl sulphone, epichlorohydrin, a di-epoxide such as glycerol diglycidyl ether or butanedioldiglycidyl ether, sodium trimetaphosphate and adipic acid or derivatives thereof, and the like. Cross-linking can also be established by enzymatic action, e.g. by using enzymes from the group consisting of laccases (which e.g. induce cross-linking of pectins), peroxidases, polyphenol oxidases, transglutaminases, protein disulfide isomerases, sulfhydryl oxidases, lysyl oxidases and lipoxygenases. Methods how to use these cross-linkers or cross-linking enzymes are well known in the art and/or have been abundantly described in the experimental part.
Modification of the polymers can be accomplished by oxidation, substitution with cationic functional groups or carboxymethyl groups and/or esterifying with e.g. acetyl groups. Although in the latter case no charge is added, it is used to make the polymer more hydrophobic to allow complexing of the polymer with active components that have little or no charge. Generally the polymers will be modified before cross-linking and gelation. Only if cross-linking by ether-forming has been done it is possible to modify the polymer after cross-linking and gelation. The person skilled in the art will know how to modify the polymers specified in the invention to provide them with the mentioned groups.
The charge of the cross-linked polymer can be negative or positive depending on the type of polymer, the type of modification and the type of cross-linking.
Advantageously, the polymers are of considerable size, i.e. 30 kD or more. This allows for the ready formation of a gel upon cross-linking and it allows for the formation of a lattice which is capable of taking up the active component.
The vehicles of the inventions are made by cross-linking readily available carbohydrate polymers and/or proteins. Preferably, the cross-linked polymers form a gel, as shown in the Examples, which ensures a long stability of the vehicles and an easy further employment of the vehicles in the compositions according to the invention, such as medicaments, coatings and dressings.
In general the method of making the particles is as follows:
a) provide a polymer; b) provide a cross-linker or cross-linking enzyme and activating the cross-linker by addition of a base or an acid; c) add the cross-linker to the polymer; it is to be understood that activation of the cross-linker may occur before mixing the polymer and the cross-linker, or when both already are mixed. This depends on the type of cross-linker and the type of polymer that is used; d) allow for cross-linking to occur; e) allow for gelation of the cross-linked polymer; f) wash the gel to remove all solvents and reagents that have not reacted; g) form vehicles from the gel by breaking the gel into smaller particles; h) dry the vehicles and—if desired—mill them into finer particles i) load the vehicles with the active component.
This method allows for the formation of suitable vehicles according to the invention. As polymer base also mixtures of proteins and carbohydrates can be used in this process.
In this way vehicles are formed that are stable and can be used in the various applications according to the invention. The Examples below show many different embodiments for the formation of the vehicles according to the invention. The vehicles will not gelate again when solved, even not when heated or boiled, and, as is shown in the Examples they do not spontaneous fall apart which would cause untidy release of any active component.
The size of the vehicles depends on the breaking and grinding process. Breaking is preferably done by pressing the gel through a sieve of a desired mesh size. If necessary, finer particles can be formed by additional grinding the sieved particles. The size of the vehicles preferably can range from 0.5 μm to 100 μm and the optimal size will depend on the specific application for which they are used. It is generally thought that small vehicles are preferable for therapeutic applications, where the vehicles need to taken up by the body or are injected. Large vehicles can be used preferably, e.g. for flocculation of charged particles (such as bacteria) from a solution.
It is thought that loading of the active component is possible because complexes are formed due to electrostatic interactions between the charged groups of the cross-linked polymer and the charged groups on the compound of interest. In the case that neutral components and/or polymers are use complex formation will probably be caused by hydrostatic interactions between hydrophobic groups.
The active component can be of any size and weight, as long as the vehicles can accommodate stable complexing with said compound, but it will preferably have a weight of less than 50 kD, more preferably less than 30 kD and most preferably less than 10 kD.
The active component which is available in the vehicle will not be released unless an external stimulus changes the property of the vehicle This has the advantage that the active component is not spilled to the environment or—in case of pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical carriers—to parts of the body where it is not wanted, or even toxic. The stimulus can be of any origin, as long as it is able to open up the vehicle or reduce the complexation of the active ingredient with the vehicle so that the active component will be released. Basically there are two kinds of stimuli that can be employed, namely through electrostatic interaction between the vehicle and active ingredient or through hydrolysis of the polymers.
Electrostatic interaction effects can be accomplished through changes in pH, salt concentration or other general mechanisms. Generally this will result in the exchange of the active component with the free ions of the solution. Hydrolysis of the polymer chains can be accomplished via the action of acids or bases or, preferably, enzymes.
In a preferable embodiment, the invention encompasses vehicles in which the external stimulus which is able to trigger the vehicle to decompose is an enzyme which is able to degrade the polymer. A large number of enzymes which can convert the above mentioned polymers whereupon the embedded active component is released, are known, such as amylase, hemicellulase, xylanase, glucanase, pullulanase, arabinodase, cellulase, pectinase, mannanase or peptidase or protease.
One of the main classes which can be used as active component in the vehicles of the invention are antimicrobial substances. The following compounds can be preferably used as antimicrobial substances: bacteriocins, such as nisin and pediocin; metals or derived metals, such as metal oxides, metal salts, metal complexes or alloys; antibiotics, such as penicillin, erythromycin, ampicillin, isoniazid, tetracycline, sulphonamides and chloramphenicol; vegetable toxins, such as defensins, lectins, and anti-fungal proteins; ethanol; H 2 O 2 -producing enzymes such as oxidases; organic acids such as propionic acid and derived propionates, sorbic acid and derived sorbates, benzoic acid and derived benzoates, lactic acid; sodium diacetate; sodium nitrite; lysozyms and antimicrobial substances from spices.
In embodiments wherein the encapsulated antimicrobial component is administered to the human body, which is preferably done through the oral route, preferably antimicrobial substances are used which are qualified as “foodgrade” by the food and drug administration. Such antimicrobial substances can, for instance, be obtained from herbs and/or spices. Antimicrobial substances (e.g. defensins) produced by plants for defense against bacterial or fungous infections are also usable. Finally, mention should be made of the category of antimicrobial substances produced by fungi which are already being incorporated into the food (e.g. in the preparation of cheese).
Active components can, alternatively, be chosen from various groups of components such as pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutically active compounds, odorants, flavoring compounds, seasoning compounds, etc.
Pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical active compounds preferably are chosen from compounds which need to be administered in the close vicinity of the cell or organ where they should have their pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical effect, and which, when given systemically would yield unwanted or even toxic side effects. One group of such compounds are antibiotic compounds, such as the above discussed antimicrobials, where the application needs to be local, e.g. in the mouth (anti-caries). Another group of compounds which would be very well suited for being delivered by the vehicles of the invention are cytostatic compounds, for use in anti-cancer medication. The external stimulus which could trigger the release of compounds in this case, could for instance be the pH, since it is known that the pH in tumours is lower than in the rest of the body (about 6.8-7.0 in tumours and 7.2-7.3 in blood). It lies well within the skill of the person in the art to produce vehicles which would remain stable at normal body pH, but which would be starting the release active components (in this case the cytostatic compound) if a lower pH is encountered.
The advantage of delivery of pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutically active components through the vehicles of the invention is not only an intact delivery and release only by an external stimulus but also the side-effect that the active compound is preserved by the vehicle and will not be metabolized and/or degraded in the body. Furthermore, most of the polymers that can be used for the production of the vehicles are not toxic, and even are foodgrade ingredients.
Especially, the advantage of the present invention is that delivery of nutraceutically active components through the use of vehicles results in passage through the stomach of acid labile components in an intact form, which are released in e.g. the large intestine through the action of enzymes released by the intestinal flora.
It is also possible, according to the present invention, to provide two or more active components. This can be achieved by mixing vehicles loaded with different components or by providing a loading solution with two or more active components solved therein for loading the vehicles (i.e. performing step (i) of the method described above).
The advantage of the present invention is that the active substance will only be released at the location where microorganisms or specific enzyme mixtures are present and active. This means that, in the absence of e.g. microorganisms or active eukaryotic cells, no migration of the antimicrobial substance to the outside will occur, and also that, in the presence of microorganisms to be controlled, the amount of released antimicrobial substance will be limited to a minimum.
A further example is the release of medicines in the intestines where the vehicles can be decomposed by the intestinal enzymes or flora present and thus effect the release of an active substance. For this use, any therapeutically active substance can be used and the invention is not limited to antimicrobial agents. Preferably, those therapeutically active substances are used that run the risk of being decomposed in the mouth, esophagus or stomach. Thus, the vehicles of the invention can also be used for passage through the stomach of an acid- or protease-labile medicine or nutraceutical in the active form.
In addition, a vehicle comprising an antimicrobial substance according to the invention can also very well be used in an anti acne gel. Here again, the advantage compared to the known anti acne agents is that the antimicrobial substance is only released at the moment and at the location where the microorganisms are present. This prevents undesired exposure of the skin to the antimicrobial agent. In addition to use in anti acne agents, the vehicle comprising the antimicrobial substance according to the invention can also be used in other cosmetics. This is because it is known that cosmetics applied on the skin (e.g. creams, lotions, powders, and the like) are a food source for microorganisms. So, infections of microorganisms which use these applied cosmetics as a food source can be prevented by the invention. Thus, the invention also makes it possible for antimicrobial agents used in the current cosmetics (e.g. alcohol or alcohol derivates) to be left out of the cosmetics composition. This is especially advantageous because these agents often cause irritation of the skin. This skin irritation is absent if the vehicle with antimicrobial substance according to the invention is used.
Another application is the use of a vehicle comprising an antimicrobial substance according to the invention in dressing means, such as dressings for wounds, but also sanitary dressings. In wound healing, control of microorganisms is a prerequisite and a dressing according to the invention contributes to the antimicrobial substance being released only at locations where this is needed, and needless exposure of wound tissue to antimicrobial agents being prevented.
Other uses of antimicrobials packaged in a vehicle according to the invention which can be decomposed by microorganisms are possible. Such an antimicrobial substance, in particular a fungicidal substance, can very well be used in fungicidal or anti-fouling paints. The advantage compared to other fungicidal or anti-fouling paints is that the paints according to the invention remain active much longer, since the antimicrobial (fungicidal, anti-fouling) substance is only released when there is reason to.
In addition, a coating comprising vehicles with an antimicrobial substance according to the invention can very well be used in vulnerable systems. In this context, vulnerable systems are systems (materials, humid environments) susceptible to infection by microorganisms, such as (the cut stems of) cut flowers, plant roots, nutrient media of rock wool or other material, etc. Coating this type of materials using a coating according to the invention does not hinder the functions (e.g. water or nutrient intake) of the materials, but still provides a sufficient protection against microorganisms.
Further, a coating according to the invention could also very well be used on surfaces which often come into contact with foods and can, in this manner, be a source of contamination. Examples of these are chopping boards for cutting meat, vegetables and the like, work tops or other surfaces on which foods are prepared or put aside, conveyor belts in industrial food preparation and processing, and storage means (racks, crates and the like) where foods are stored without protection. To guarantee sufficient antimicrobial capacity, the coatings have to be applied again after a certain period of time. To determine this moment, the coating can simply be tested by applying a microorganism thereon on purpose and determining whether the coating still contains sufficient vehicles with antimicrobial agent to stop the growth of the microorganism.
Coatings according to the invention can also be used to coat seeds for protection against attack by micro-organisms or to coat air ventilation filters. Seeds are often provided with coatings to provide nutrients for the sprouting seedlings in the first days after sprouting. This, however, is also a period when the seedlings are very vulnerable to infection by micro-organisms. A coating which comprises vehicles according to the invention which are degradable by said micro-organisms upon which degradation an antimicrobial active component would be released would protect seedlings against such infection. It is also possible to apply seed coatings which are degradable by amylase, which is an enzyme which is produced by the sprouts themselves. In this way the antimicrobial substance (or any other active component, such as a deterrent) will be released at the moment that the seeds are sprouting and will thus protect the fresh sprouts. Coatings on air ventilation filters are known to collect a vast amount of micro-organisms. Sometimes the environmental conditions in or on such a filter are favorable for the generation of colonies of such micro-organisms, which, in turn, will clot the filter and make the filter inoperable. It will be clear that a coating with vehicles according to the invention, wherein such vehicles comprise an antimicrobial substance, will prevent or inhibit formation of micro-organism colonies and thus increase the lifetime of such an air ventilation filter.
Vehicles according to the invention can also be used for addition to edible substances. Preferably the vehicles will be degradable by amylase, which is abundant in the mouth due to the presence of saliva. Such vehicles could contain active components which would be useful for dental applications, such as fluoride compositions and/or anti-caries compounds. Examples of such compounds are sodium fluoride or fluoride complexing agents.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention such vehicles would comprise flavoring compounds, such as would be normally present in food or in dental care compounds. When used in foodstuffs, the application of the vehicles of the invention would provide a new taste sensation, wherein the flavoring compound is only released when the vehicles come into contact with the amylase in saliva. Thus, use of the vehicles in such a way could cause a slow change of taste of a foodstuff in the mouth.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention such vehicles would comprise active components such as iron or bitter tasting drugs or nutraceuticals. When used in foodstuffs, the application of the vehicles of the invention results in masking of the undesired flavour. Use of the vehicles in such a way does not result in release of the active component in the mouth, but release can be triggered by the low pH in the stomach or by enzymes other than amylase in the stomach or small or large intestine.
Another embodiment of the invention is use of the unloaded vehicles (i.e. not or not yet comprising an active component) for immobilization or isolation of specific substances in a solution. This can for instance be done on basis of charge or on basis of size. If a solution contains two components which differ by charge or by size, it is possible to add vesicles according to the invention which will be loaded by only one of those components and which can be easily harvested, e.g. by mild centrifugation. The compound caught in the vehicles can then again be released by applying the external stimulus (e.g. pH or an enzyme) which causes release of the component. A difference in charge would mean that positively charged vehicles can catch negatively charged compounds from a solution and vice-versa. To catch compounds of a specific size it would be possible to devise vehicles, which, on basis of their three-dimensional structure, would only allow uptake of compounds to a specific size limit.
Immobilization of compounds in a solution can be performed on basis of charge. If relatively large, charged vehicles will be added to a solution which holds an oppositely charged compound, the vehicle will either take up this compound (if the size limit of the vehicle would be appropriate) or it will bind electrostatically to the vehicle. If the vehicles are large enough they will precipitate either by themselves or with light centrifugation, thereby also precipitating the bound component. If the particles in the solution are both large and charged (e.g bacteria), then the vehicles can be relatively light and still be able to form a precipitate. This, because many of the vehicles will electrostatically bind to the particle in solution, thereby increasing its mass and decreasing its solubility enormously. The vehicles of the invention are thus perfectly suited to precipitate bacteria, esp. gram-negative bacteria.
Preparation and use of the vehicles of the invention will be shown in the Examples. A person skilled in the art will understand that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments and uses mentioned, but that the invention can be manifested in various other embodiments which will be readily available to said person.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Synthesis of Gel A
A solution of 54 mg of NaOH in 90 mL of water was brought to a temperature of 0° C. To this, 600 μl of divinyl sulphone (DVS) were added. Then, 15 grams C6-oxidized starch having a degree of oxidation (DO) of more than 90% was added slowly with vigorous stirring. The solution changed overnight into a soft and virtually colorless transparent gel. This gel was pressed through a sieve with meshes of approximately 1 mm 2 , after which 1 liter of water was stirred through the gel, which water was absorbed directly. After this, the gel was precipitated using 2 liters of ethanol and was then washed twice using ethanol and once using acetone, after which the gel was air-dried. This resulted in 12.1 grams of gel having a free swelling (net weight divided by dry weight) of 59 in water.
Example 2
Synthesis of Gel B
Synthesis and further processing as gel A, but using C6-oxidized starch having a DO of 50% instead of more than 90%. This resulted in 9.78 g of gel having a free swelling of 51 in water.
Example 3
Synthesis of Gel C
To 89 mL of ice water, 1.00 mL of a NaOH solution, obtained by dissolving 539 mg of NaOH with 10.1 mL of water, was added. To this, 800 μl of DVS were added. Then, 10 grams of C6-oxidized starch (DO 30%) were added slowly with vigorous stirring. The solution changed overnight into a hard and virtually colorless transparent gel. This gel was pressed through a sieve with meshes of approximately 1 mm 2 , after which 0.5 liter of water was stirred through the gel, which water was absorbed directly. After this, the gel was precipitated using 1 liter of ethanol, and then washed twice using ethanol and once using acetone, after which the gel was air-dried. This resulted in 9.02 grams of gel having a free swelling (net weight divided by dry weight) of 49 in water.
Example 4
Synthesis of Gel D
To a solution of 58 mg of NaOH in 90 mL of ice water, 600 μl of DVS were added. Fifteen grams of C6-oxidized starch (DO 30%) were added slowly with vigorous stirring. The solution changed overnight into a hard and virtually colorless transparent gel. This gel was pressed through a sieve with meshes of approximately 1 mm 2 , after which 0.5 liter of water was stirred through the gel, which water was absorbed directly. After this, the gel was precipitated using 1 liter of ethanol, and then washed twice using ethanol and once using acetone, after which the gel was air-dried. This resulted in 13.4 grams of gel having a free swelling of 51 in water.
Example 5
Synthesis of Gel E
A solution of 58 mg of NaOH in 90 mL of water was cooled to a temperature of 0° C. To this, 400 μl of DVS were added. Directly after this, a mixture of 10.0 grams of Paselli SA 2 and 5.0 grams of the Na salt of carboxymethyl cellulose (having a low viscosity) were added with vigorous stirring. The solution changed overnight into a soft, milk white gel. This gel was pressed through a sieve with meshes of approximately 1 mm 2 , after which 0.5 liter of water was stirred through the gel, which water was absorbed directly.
After this, the gel was precipitated using 1 liter of ethanol, and then washed twice using ethanol and once using acetone, after which the gel was air-dried. This resulted in 9.66 grams of gel having a free swelling of 31 in water.
Example 6
Synthesis of Gel F
To a solution of 2.4 grams NaOH in 480 mL water 120 g Paselli SA 2 was added. When the Paselli SA 2 was completely dissolved 73 mL of glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (70% in water) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 120 minutes. After cooling down to room temperature 1 g NaOH (dissolved with 2 mL water) was added to 100 mL of the obtained reaction mixture. Then 3 mL epichlorohydrin was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 15 min. This solution was stored for three days at 37° C. After cooling to room temperature the gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes), and washed 10 times with 1 liter water, 3 times with 1 liter ethanol, 3 times with acetone and the resulting precipitate was dried on air. This gave 18.05 grams gel with a free swelling of 58 in water.
Example 7
Synthesis of Gel G
Synthesis and further processing as described for gel F, but using 2 mL of glycerol diglycidylether instead of epichlorohydrin. This resulted in 16.45 grams of gel having a free swelling of 32 in water.
Example 8
Synthesis of Gel H
To a solution of 1 gram NaOH in 90 mL water under vigorous stirring 15 grams 30% C6-oxidized starch was added. After dissolving 2 mL epichlorohydrin and storing the reaction mixture for 3 days at 37° C. the resulting gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes). The gel particles were washed 10 times with 1 liter water, 3 times with 1 liter ethanol, 3 times with acetone and dried on air. The yield was 7.21 grams dry gel with a free swelling capacity of 134 in water.
Example 9
Synthesis of Gel I
Synthesis and further processing as described for gel H, but using 0.9 mL of glycerol diglycidylether instead of epichlorohydrin. This resulted in 8.22 grams of gel having a free swelling of 143 in water.
Example 10
Synthesis of Gel J
In 90 mL water 1 g NaOH and 12 grams carboxymethyl cellulose low viscosity, sigma) was dissolved. Then 2 mL epichlorohydrin was added and after 15 min. stirring at room temperature the solution was stored at 37° C. for three days. After cooling to room temperature the gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes), and washed 10 times with 1 liter water, 3 times with 1 liter ethanol, 3 times with acetone and dried on air. This gave 5.64 grams gel with a free swelling of 38 in water.
Example 11
Synthesis of Gel K
In 90 mL water 0.5 g NaOH and 10 grams carboxymethyl cellulose (low viscosity, sigma) was dissolved. Then 0.5 mL glycerol diglycidylether was added and after 15 min. stirring at room temperature the solution was stored at 37° C. for three days. After cooling to room temperature the gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes), and washed 10 times with 1 liter water, 3 times with 1 liter ethanol, 3 times with acetone and dried on air. This gave 13.65 grams gel with a free swelling of 180 in water.
Example 12
Synthesis of Gel L
In 720 mL water 4 grams NaOH and 96 grams Paselli SA 2 was dissolved. Then 16 mL glycerol diglycidylether was added, and the reaction mixture was stirred for 15 minutes at room temperature. The solution was stored at 37° C. for three days. After cooling to room temperature the transparent gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes), and washed 4 times with 5 liter water, 3 times with 1 liter ethanol, 3 times with acetone and dried on air. The yield was 71.98 grams dry gel with a free swelling of 22 in water.
Example 13
Synthesis of Gel M
In 720 mL water 8 grams NaOH and 96 grams Paselli SA 2 was dissolved. Then 16 mL epichlorohydrin was added, and the reaction mixture was stirred for 15 minutes at room temperature. The solution was stored at 37° C. for two days. After cooling to room temperature the transparent gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes), and suspended in 10 liter water.
After one night sedimentation at room temperature the solution was removed by decantation, resulting in about one liter wet gel. The gel was precipitated by addition of three liter ethanol and washed three times with ethanol and three times with acetone and dried on air. This gave 52.65 grams of dry gel with a free swelling of 24 in water.
Example 14
Synthesis of Gel N
To a solution of 1.2 grams NaOH and 60 grams Paselli SA 2 in 240 mL water 73 mL glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride was added. Then the reaction mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 2 hours. After cooling to room temperature, 100 mL of the resulting reaction mixture was added to a solution of 3.5 grams NaOH and 35 grams carboxymethylcellulose (low viscosity, sigma) in 220 mL water. To this mixture 8 mL epichlorohydrin was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes and subsequent stored at 37° C. for three days. After cooling to room temperature the transparent gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes), and washed 10 times with 1 liter water, 3 times with 1 liter ethanol, 3 times with acetone and dried on air. The yield was 42.62 grams of dry gel with a free swelling capacity of 9.4 in water.
Example 15
Synthesis of Gel O
To a solution of 1.5 grams NaOH in 160 mL water 15 grams carboxymethyl cellulose and subsequent 2.5 mL epichlorohydrin was added. After stirring for 15 minutes at room temperature the solution was stored for three days at 37° C. After cooling to room temperature the tough and transparent gel was cut into pieces of about 1 cm 3 and added to 3 liter water. The gel pieces were stored for one night at room temperature whereby almost all water was absorbed. The transparent and brittle gel pieces were pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes), and washed 10 times with 1 liter water, 3 times with 1 liter ethanol, 3 times with acetone and dried on air. This gave 9.8 grams of dry gel with a free swelling of 228 in water.
Example 16
Synthesis of Gel P
To a solution of 6 grams NaOH and 150 grams Paselli SA 2 in 300 mL water 375 mL glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride was added. Then the reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 2 hours. After cooling to 4° C., 670 mL of the resulting reaction mixture was added to a solution of 15 grams carboxymethylcellulose (low viscosity, sigma) and 80 grams dextran (molecular weight 500 KD, Pharmacia) and 200 mL ice in 800 mL water. After the addition of 9 mL divinyl sulphone the solution was stored at room temperature for three days. The gel was pressed through a sieve and washed 10 times with water. Then the gel was washed three times with ethanol and three times with acetone and dried on air. This resulted in 72 grams dry gel with a free swelling of 163 in water.
Example 17
Synthesis of Gel Q
In 2.7 liter water 1.69 grams NaOH and 300 grams carboxymethyl cellulose (low viscosity, sigma) was dissolved. After cooling to 4° C. 11 mL divinyl sulphone was added. The solution was stored at room temperature for three days. The resulting gel was pressed through a sieve and washed 10 times with water and three times with ethanol and dried on air. The yield was 242 grams dry gel with a free swelling capacity of 55 in water.
Example 18
Synthesis of Gel R
To a solution of 2.4 grams NaOH and 60 grams Paselli SA 2 in 240 mL water 146 mL glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride was added. Then the reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 4 hours. After cooling to 4° C. 300 mL of the resulting reaction mixture was added to a solution of 10 grams C6-oxidized starch (DO 30%) and 20 grams dextran (molecular weight 500 KD, Pharmacia) in 200 mL water. After cooling the solution in an ice-bath 3 mL divinyl sulphone was added. Then the solution was stored at room temperature for three days. The resulting gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes) and suspended in 1 liter water. Under vigorous stirring 1.5 liter acetone was added. This resulted in contraction of the gel. After 2 hours of sedimentation 1.3 liter solution could be decanted. After the addition of 0.5 liter acetone the gel precipitated and was washed three times with acetone and dried on air. This resulted in 104 grams dry gel with a free swelling of 47 in water.
Example 19
Synthesis of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum
A solution of 10 mL 87% H 2 SO 4 in 1 liter water was heated to 50° C. Then under vigorous stirring 50 grams guar gum was added as fast as possible. The very viscous reaction mixture was stirred slowly for 15 minutes which resulted in a lower viscosity. Then the temperature was raised to 60° C., and kept at a temperature between 60° C. and 70° C. during 1.5 hours. Hereafter 60 grams sodium acetate was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at a temperature of 85° C. during 30 minutes. After cooling to room temperature the cloudy solution was centrifuged at 3500 G. To the clear supernatant 2 liter ethanol was added. The precipitate was isolated using a glass filter with pore size 2 and suspended in 0.5 liter water/ethanol (4/6). The precipitate was isolated on a glass filter and washed three times with ethanol and three times with acetone and dried on air. The yield was 37.57 grams partially hydrolyzed guar gum.
Example 20
Synthesis of Gel S
To a solution of 2.4 grams NaOH and 60 grams Paselli SA 2 in 240 mL water 146 mL glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride was added. Then the reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 2 hours. After cooling to 4° C. 40 mL of the resulting reaction mixture was added to a solution of 5 grams partially hydrolyzed guar gum in 50 mL water. To the reaction mixture 400 μL divinyl sulphone was added. The solution was stored at room temperature for three days. Then the resulting gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes), and suspended in 0.5 liter water. The gel was precipitated by the addition of 1 liter ethanol and washed three times with ethanol and two times with acetone and dried on air. The yield was 8.8 grams of gel with a free swelling of 67 in water.
Example 21
Synthesis of Gel T
To a solution of 50 mg NaOH in 90 mL water/ice 5 grams partially hydrolyzed guar gum and 5 grams carboxymethyl cellulose (low viscosity, sigma) was added. After dissolving 400 μL divinyl sulphone the reaction mixture was stored at room temperature for three days. Then the resulting gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes), and suspended in 0.5 liter water. The gel was precipitated by the addition of 1 liter ethanol and washed two times with ethanol and two times with acetone and dried on air. The yield was 8.7 grams of gel with a free swelling of 29 in water.
Example 22
Synthesis of Gel U
In 180 mL water/ice 100 mg NaOH, 10 grams dextran (molecular weight 500 KD, Pharmacia) and 10 grams carboxymethyl cellulose (low viscosity, Sigma) was dissolved. Then 800 μL divinyl sulphone was added. The solution was stored at room temperature for three days. The gel was isolated as described for gel T. This gave 18.21 grams gel with a free swelling capacity of 87 in water.
Example 23
Synthesis of Gel V
To a solution of 2.4 grams NaOH and 60 grams Paselli SA 2 in 240 mL water 146 mL glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride was added. Then the reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 2 hours. After cooling to 4° C. 70 mL of the resulting reaction mixture was added to a solution of 10 grams dextran (molecular weight 500 KD, Pharmacia) in 90 mL water. Then 1000 μL divinyl sulphone was added. The solution was stored at room temperature for three days and the resulting gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes), and suspended in 1 liter water. After precipitation with 2 liter ethanol the gel was suspended in 2 liter water and precipitated by addition of 4 liter acetone. The precipitate was suspended in 2 liter water, precipitated by addition of 4 liter acetone and washed three times with acetone and dried on air. The yield was 19.92 grams dry gel with a free swelling of 103 in water.
Example 24
Synthesis of Gel W
To a solution of 55 mg NaOH in 90 mL water/ice 10 grams dextran (molecular weight 500 KD, Pharmacia) was added, followed by 600 μL divinyl sulphone. The solution was stored at room temperature for three days. The resulting gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes) suspended in 0.5 liter water, and precipitated by the addition of 0.5 liter ethanol. Then the precipitate was again suspended in 0.5 liter water and precipitated by the addition of 0.5 liter ethanol. Finally, the precipitate was washed four times with ethanol and dried on air. This gave 13.08 grams with a free swelling of 8.5 in water.
Example 25
Synthesis of Gel X
To a solution of 2.4 grams NaOH and 60 grams Paselli SA 2 in 240 mL water 146 mL glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride was added. Then the reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 2 hours. After cooling to 4° C., to 90 mL of the resulting reaction mixture 600 μL divinyl sulphone was added. The resulting gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes) suspended in 0.5 liter water, and precipitated by the addition of 2 liter ethanol. Then the precipitate was suspended in 0.5 liter water and precipitated by the addition of 4 liter ethanol. The precipitate was washed three times with ethanol and dried on air. This resulted in 7.26 grams of gel with a free swelling of 56 in water.
Example 26
Synthesis of Gel Y
To a solution of 55 mg NaOH in 90 mL water/ice 10 gram partially hydrolyzed guar gum was added. After the addition of 800 μL divinyl sulphone the solution was stored at room temperature for three days. The resulting gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes) suspended in 0.5 liter water, and precipitated by the addition of 1 liter ethanol. The precipitate was washed two times with ethanol and two times with acetone and dried on air. The yield was 8.63 gram gel with a free swelling of 11 in water.
Example 27
Synthesis of Gel Z
In 150 mL water 1 gram NaOH and 10 grams C6-oxidized starch (DO 30%) was dissolved. After heating to 45° C. 4 grams sodium trimetaphosphate was added and the temperature was kept this value for 2 hours. During the first minutes the reaction mixture was stirred. After this time the viscosity became very high. The gel was stored at room temperature for one day and then pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes) and suspended in 1 liter water. Then the gel was precipitated by the addition of 1.5 liter ethanol and washed two times with ethanol and one time with acetone and dried on air. This gave 6.63 grams dry gel with a free swelling of 138 in water.
Example 28
Synthesis of Gel BA
In 3750 mL water/ice 400 grams Paselli SA 2 and 2 grams NaOH was dissolved. After the addition of 20 mL divinyl sulphone the solution was stored at room temperature for three days. The gel was pressed through a sieve and suspended in water to a final volume of 40 liter. After 4 hour sedimentation about 25 liter of the resulting solution was decanted. To the remaining wet gel 15 liter ethanol was added. The precipitate was washed three times with ethanol and three times with acetone and dried on air. The yield was 342.86 grams of dry gel with a free swelling of 9.8 in water.
Example 29
Synthesis of Gel BB
In a solution of 0.53 grams NaOH in 750 mL water 40 grams Paselli SA 2 and 40 grams C6-oxidized starch (DO 30%) was dissolved. The solution was cooled in an ice-bath. After addition of 20 mL divinyl sulphone the solution was stored at room temperature for three days. The resulting gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes) suspended in 1 liter water, and precipitated by the addition of 2 liter ethanol. Then the precipitate was suspended in 2 liter water and precipitated again by the addition of 2 liter ethanol. Finally, the gel was washed two times with ethanol and two times with acetone and dried on air. This resulted in 69.03 grams of gel with a free swelling capacity of 25 in water.
Example 30
Synthesis of Gel BC
To a solution of 1.2 grams NaOH and 30 grams Paselli SA 2 in 120 mL water 37 mL glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride was added. Then the reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 2 hours. After cooling to 4° C. 70 mL of the resulting reaction mixture was added to a solution of 10 grams C6-oxidized starch (DO 30%) in 90 mL water. Then 1000 μL divinyl sulphone was added and the solution was stored at room temperature for three days. The resulting gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes) and suspended in 1 liter water. The gel was precipitated by the addition of 1.5 liter ethanol and 4 liter acetone and washed three times with acetone and dried on air. The yield was 22.87 grams gel with a free swelling of 16 in water.
Example 31
Synthesis of Gel BD
Cationic starch was prepared from Paselli SA 2 as described for gel BC using 73 mL glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride instead of 37 mL. After cooling to 5° C. 70 mL of the resulting solution was added to a solution of 10 grams Paselli SA 2 in 90 mL water. Subsequent 1000 μL divinyl sulphone was added. The solution was stored at room temperature for three days. Then resulting gel was pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes) and suspended in 1 liter water. The gel was precipitated by addition of 2 liter acetone and three times washed with acetone and dried on air. This gave 13.90 grams dry gel with a free swelling of 40 in water.
Example 32
Synthesis of Gel BE
A solution of 3 grams NaOH, 10 grams Paselli SA 2 and 8 grams sodium trimethaphosphate was kept at a temperature of 45° C. for 2 hours. Then the resulting gel was immediately pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes), suspended in 1 liter water and precipitated by the addition of 1 liter ethanol. The precipitate was suspended with 1 liter water, precipitated using 1 liter ethanol and washed two times with ethanol and one time with acetone and dried on air. The yield was 7.12 grams of gel with a free swelling of 103 in water.
Example 33
Synthesis of Gel BF
In 90 mL water 10 grams C6-oxidized starch (DO 90%), 5 grams Paselli SA 2, 4 grams sodium trimetaphosphate and 1 gram NaOH was added. The solution was kept at a temperature of 45° C. for 2 hours. During the first 8 minutes the solution was stirred. After this time the viscosity became very high. The gel was stored for three days at room temperature. The gel was isolated as described for gel BE. This resulted in 6.48 grams with a free swelling capacity of 69 in water.
Example 34
Synthesis of Gel BG
Synthesis and isolation as described for gel BF, but using 5 grams C6-oxidized starch (DO 30%) and 5 grams C6-oxidized starch (DO 90%) as the only carbohydrates. The yield was 8.34 grams gel with a free swelling of 77 in water.
Example 35
Synthesis of Gel BH
A suspension of 20 grams waxy maize starch in 400 mL water was heated to a temperature of 80° C. and after pasting of the starch cooled down to 40° C. Then 16 grams sodium trimetaphosphate and 4 grams NaOH was added. After keeping the temperature at 40° C. for 0.5 hour the reaction mixture was cooled down to room temperature. The gel was isolated as described for gel BF, but after 1 day storing at room temperature instead of three days. This resulted in 17.95 grams dry gel with a swelling capacity of 25 in water.
Example 36
Synthesis of Gel BI
In 90 mL water 1 gram NaOH, 15 grams C6-oxidized starch (DO more than 90%) and 6 grams sodium trimetaphosphate was dissolved. The solution was heated to 40° C. and kept at this temperature for 2 hours. During the first 10 minutes the solution was stirred. After this time the viscosity became very high. Then gel was stored at room temperature for three days, pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes) and suspended in 1 liter water. The gel was precipitated by addition of 2 liter ethanol and two times washed with ethanol and one time with acetone and dried on air. This gave 17.69 gram dry gel with a free swelling of 25 in water.
Example 37
Synthesis of Gel BJ
To a solution of 87 grams C6-oxidized starch (DO 30%) and 400 mg NaOH in 740 mL water, which was cooled to 4° C., 3000 μL divinyl sulphone was added. The solution was stored for three days at room temperature. The resulting gel was stored at room temperature for three days, pressed through a sieve (1 mm 2 meshes) and suspended in 0.5 liter water. Then the gel was precipitated by addition of 2 liter ethanol and one times washed with ethanol and two times with acetone and dried on air. The yield was 80.71 grams dry gel with a free swelling capacity of 156 in water.
Example 38
Synthesis of Gel BK
To a solution of 54 mg NaOH and 800 μL divinyl sulphone, which was cooled to 0° C., 5 grams Paselli SA 2 and 5 grams carboxymethyl cellulose (medium viscosity, Sigma) was added under vigorous stirring. The solution was stored at room temperature for three days. The gel was isolated as described for gel BI. This gave 6.51 grams dry gel with a free swelling of 150 in water.
Example 39
Synthesis of Gel BL
The gel was synthesized and isolated as described for gel BJ, but using 4000 μL divinyl sulphone instead of 3000 μL. The yield was 81.37 grams gel with a free swelling of 185.
Example 40
Synthesis of Gel BM
To a solution of 2% of sugar beet pectin in 0.1 M acetate buffer pH 5.0, 2.4 U/ml of laccase (Trametes versicolor) was added and incubated at 40° C. for 2 hours. A transparent gel was obtained, which was pressed through a sieve with meshes of approximately 1 mm 2 . Gel particles were precipitated using two volumes of ethanol and was then washed three times with ethanol and three times with acetone, after which the gel particles were air-dried.
Example 41
Incorporating Lysozyme Into Gel BM
To 15 ml of water, 100 mg of the pectin-based gel particles obtained in example 1 were added. Next, 1 ml of a lysozyme solution of 25 mg/ml is added and the solution is stirred for 15 minutes. The gel particles are sedimented by means of centrifugation and a sample of 1 ml was taken from the supernatant and the amount of lysozyme determined based on the fluorescence of the protein (excitation 290 nm, emission 340 nm). After that, again 1 ml of a lysozyme solution of 25 mg/ml is added and the solution is stirred for 15 minutes. The cycle of addition of lysozyme and subsequent taking a sample is repeated 11 times.
The cumulative amount of lysozyme that is determined in the supernatant, and which is therefore not incorporated into the pectin-based vehicle, is depicted in FIG. 5 . This shows that when 175 mg of lysozym is added, only 3 mg is found in the supernatant, showing that 172 mg is incorporated into the vehicle. Further additions of lysozyme result in a linear increase in the amount of lysozyme in the supernatant, showing that no additional incorporation occurs. The capacity of the pectin-based vehicle for lysozyme is therefore 1.7 mg lysozym per mg of pectin-based vehicle.
Example 42
Release of Lysozyme from Gel BM
To 15 ml of water, 100 mg of the gel particles obtained in example 1 were added. Next, 3 ml of a lysozyme solution of 25 mg/ml is added and the solution is stirred for 1 minutes. Similar to example 2, this results in incorporation of lysozyme into the pectin-based gel particles for 98%. Next, 200 μl of Pectinase (Sigma, P2611) is added and the solution is incubated for 4 hours at 40° C. at pH 4.5. Analysis of the amount of lysozyme present in the supernatant obtained after centrifugation indicated that 97% was released from the pectin-based vehicle by the action of pectinase.
Example 43
Synthesis of Gel BN
3 grams of gelatin (bloom 300; Sigma P2500) was dissolved in 100 ml of 0.1 M NaAc buffer pH 5.0 by heating the solution to 60° C. The solution was cooled to 40° C. and 250 μl of 1 mg/ml microbial transglutaminase (Ajinomoto) was added and the solution was subsequently incubated for 2 hours. A transparent gel was obtained, which was pressed through a sieve with meshes of approximately 1 mm2. Gel particles were precipitated using two volumes of ethanol and was then washed three times with ethanol and three times with acetone, after which the gel particles were air-dried.
Example 44
Incorporating Glucose Oxidase into Gel BN
To 15 ml of water, 100 mg of the gelatin-based gel particles obtained in example 4 were added. Next, 1 ml of a glucose oxidase solution of 25 mg/ml is added and the solution is stirred for 15 minutes. The gel particles are sedimented by means of centrifugation and a sample of 1 ml was taken from the supernatant and the amount of glucose oxidase determined based on the fluorescence of the protein (excitation 296 nm, emission 340 nm). After that, again 1 ml of a glucose oxidase solution of 25 mg/ml is added and the solution is stirred for 15 minutes. The cycle of addition of glucose oxidase and subsequent taking a sample is repeated 12 times.
The cumulative amount of glucose oxidase that is determined in the supernatant, and which is therefore not incorporated into the gelatin-based vehicle, is depicted in FIG. 6 . This shows that when 100 mg of glucose oxidase is added, only 2 mg is found in the supernatant, showing that 98 mg is incorporated into the gelatin-based vehicle. When 225 mg of glucose oxidase is added, 12 mg is found in the supernatant, indicating that 213 mg is incorporated. Further additions of glucose oxidase result in a strong increase in the amount of glucose oxidase in the supernatant, indicating that no additional incorporation occurs. The capacity of the gelatin-based vehicle for glucose oxidase is therefore approximately 2.2 mg glucose oxidase per mg of gelatin-based vehicle.
Example 45
Synthesis of a Fluorescent Labeled Lysozyme
To 2 ml of a solution of approximately 2.5% lysozyme (g/v) in 10 mM. carbonate buffer pH 9.5, 0.25 ml ruthenium(II)(bipyridil)2phenanthroline-isothiocyanate chloride in acetonitril was added. This solution was stirred for 1 hour. The total reaction volume of 2.25 ml was eluted over a gel-permeation column from BioRad (Econo-Pac 10DG) with a 10 mM. PBS buffer pH6.5. In this way the reaction mixture is cleaned up, as molecular fractions smaller than 6000 daltons are removed and at the same time a buffer exchange is realized.
The collected fraction contains about 1.25% (g/v) of labeled lysozyme and can be stored as such for a couple of weeks or after freeze-drying at 4° C.
Example 46
Release of Ruthenium Labeled Lysozyme from Gel Q
To 10 ml, 50 mg of gel particles obtained in example X were added. Next 0.5 ml of a 1.25% (g/v) solution obtained in example Y is added while mild stirring. The incorporation of the ruthenium labeled lysozyme in the gel particles is complete within 5 minutes. In this example about 50% of the maximum loading capacity of the gel particles is used. The fluorescent lifetime of the labeled lysozym in the CMC gel particles is 1125 nsec. After adding a small amount (100 μl) of cellulose (celluclast from Novozyme) to this suspension the fluorescent labeled lysozyme is slowly released at room temperature as an ion-pair with a large carboxy oligomer as the anion instead of chloride. In an aqueous solution this complex has a fluorescent lifetime of about 1300 nsec. In approximately 30 minutes 90% of all labeled lysozyme is released from the gel particles.
Example 47
Binding Capacity of Three Gels for Two Proteins
To determine the binding capacity of gels C, V and BL for the proteins lysozyme and ovalbumin at neutral pH, 100 mg of a gel was suspended in 15-20 mL water. To these suspensions 1 mL of a protein solution was added.
After stirring the suspension for 5 minutes, and sedimentation of the gel particles for another 5 minutes, a sample of 1 mL has been taken. This was repeated 4 to 22 times. The samples were filtrated using a 0.45 μm filter. Then the concentration of protein was determined by measuring the fluorescence using an excitation wavelength at 290 nm and an emission wavelength of 340 nm. The amount of protein in solution was then compared with the amount of protein added. This is depicted in FIG. 1 . If the protein and gel have an opposite charge the first portions of protein will be bound to the gel and the addition of the protein will not result in an increase of the concentration in solution. As soon as the gel is saturated addition of more protein will result in an increase in the concentration of the protein in solution. This point, determined from FIG. 1 , will give the capacity. The capacity of the gels C, V and BL for lysozyme appeared to be 1.3, 0.0 and 1.5 gram/gram, respectively. And the capacity of these gels for ovalbumin appeared to be 0.0, 3.8 and 0.0 gram/gram, respectively.
Example 48
Susceptibility of the Different Gels to α-amylase
To 10 ml of water, 50-100 mg of gel were added, after which it was stirred at 37° C. Then, 100 μl of α-amylase were added (Termamyl, Novo Nordisk). The gels C, D and E were found to be dissolved after 1 hour. Gel B was only dissolved after one night and gel A was still not noticeably affected after two days.
Example 49
Incorporating Lysozyme into Gel E and Release Under the Influence of α-amylase
To a solution of 105 mg of lysozyme in 10 ml of water, 180 mg of gel E were added. After stirring for 10 minutes at room temperature, the gel was washed 6 times using approximately 50 ml of ice water. Each time, the gel was isolated by means of centrifuging (4700 rpm). This resulted in 6.5 grams of gel. Of this gel, 2.9 grams were added to 15 ml of water. Then, it was stirred for 10 minutes at room temperature and for 20 minutes at 37° C. After this, 100 μl of α-amylase were added (Termamyl, Novo Nordisk), after which it was stirred for 1 hour at 37° C. By means of a 0.45-μm filter, a sample was taken for analysis of the solution resulting after deposition of the gel particles 5 minutes after the dry gel was added to the lysozyme solution, minutes after the washed gel containing lysozyme was added to water and after an hour of action of α-amylase. The concentration of lysozyme was determined by measuring the decrease in OD (optical density) in a Micrococcus suspension. The part of the enzyme present which was in solution was found to be, for above samples, 11%, 0.7% and 19% respectively. This is shown in FIG. 2 . This means that 89% of the lysozyme was incorporated into the gel by adding the dry gel to a lysozyme solution and that, after the action of α-amylase, the lysozyme concentration had increased by a factor 27.
Example 50
Incorporating Lysozyme into Gel C and Release Under the Influence of α-amylase
To a solution of 122 mg of lysozyme in 12 ml of water, 196 ml of gel C were added. After stirring for 5 minutes at room temperature and stirring for 8 minutes at 37° C., the gel was cooled to 0° C., after which the gel was washed 8 times using ice water. This resulted in 6.5 grams of gel. Of this, 4.3 grams were added to 10 ml of water. After stirring for 30 minutes at room temperature and for 35 minutes at 37° C., 100 μl of α-amylase were added (Termamyl, Novo Nordisk), after which it was stirred for 50 minutes at 37° C. After 5, 30, 65 and 115 minutes, a sample was taken for analysis. The part of the lysozyme present that was in solution (in %) is plotted in FIG. 3 as a function of time in minutes. It was found that, after adding gel C, only 0.01% of the lysozyme used was free in solution. After stirring for 30 minutes at room temperature, this was 0.04%, and after again stirring for 35 minutes at 37° C., this was 0.06%. Addition of x-amylase resulted in an increase by a factor 425 in 50 minutes, causing the lysozyme activity to increase to 26% of the amount that was present in the gel.
Example 51
Incorporating Lysozyme into Gel C and Release Under the Influence of α-amylase
To a solution of 130 ml of lysozyme in 30 ml of water, 205 mg of gel C were added. After stirring for 10 minutes at room temperature, taking a sample of the solution, and then cooling to 0° C., the gel was washed 8 times using approximately 50 ml of ice water. This resulted in 7.3 grams of gel. Of this, 3.3 grams were added to 15 ml of water, after which it was stirred at room temperature. After 10 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours and overnight (a total of 1385 minutes), a sample was taken for analysis. Then, 100 μl of α-amylase were added (Termamyl, Novo Nordisk), after which it was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. After 30, 60 and 120 minutes, a sample was taken for analysis. The part of the lysozyme present that was free in solution (in %) is shown in FIG. 4 as a function of time. It was found that, 10 minutes after adding the dry gel to the lysozyme solution, only 0.01% of the enzyme was free in solution. Also, 5 minutes after the wet and washed gel was added to water, only 0.01% of the lysozyme was not bound to the gel. After stirring for 4 hours at room temperature, this became 0.1%, and after stirring for a whole night at room temperature, this became 0.5%. Only half an hour after adding the α-amylase, the lysozyme activity was found to increase 40 times. That is 16% of what was present in the gel.
Example 52
Incorporating Lysozyme for Testing Purposes
To a solution of 170 mg of lysozyme in 15 ml of water, 203 mg of gel C were added. After stirring for 5 minutes at room temperature, the gel was washed 6 times using approximately 50 ml of ice water. Each time, the gel was isolated by means of centrifuging (3500 G). This resulted in 5.1 grams of gel. This sample is used in example 53.
Example 53
Effectiveness Against Tester Strain
To test the effectiveness of the polymer matrix in which an antimicrobial compound is comprised, a suspension of this matrix was dripped on an agar plate in which the tester strain is enclosed. By incubating the plate at 25° C., the tester strain will grow, except on the spot where the envelopes are being decomposed by microbial activity of the tester strain itself (amylase secretion). A successful inhibition of the microbial activity becomes manifest in the form of a clear ring (halo) around the spot where the envelopes were dripped on the plate.
Material and Method
Test strain
Name
Culture collection no.
Medium
Temp.
Bacillus licheniformis
LMG 7558
yeast-starch
25° C.
agar
The strain was grown on starch yeast extract agar and standardized to OD 650 nm 0.5 using PPS. This is the graft suspension. Of this, a 10 −1 through 10 −4 dilution was made. Before casting the plates (Ø15 cm, 50 ml of agar per plate), to the yeast-starch agar medium (nutrient agar +0.05% yeast extract +2% starch), per 100 ml, 1 ml of culture was added in the dilution of 10 −2 per 100 ml (concentration in the agar 104 kve/ml). Per plate, 1 ml of test substance (100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% and 50% respectively, suspension of starch globules with lysozyme in aqua dest.) was added and the plate was dried for 30 minutes. Then, the plates were incubated at 25° C. The halo formation was judged with the eye and photographed. All plates grafted using test substance showed a clear halo, from which it may be concluded that the antimicrobial substance has been released.
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This invention relates to inducible release vehicle comprised of crosslinked carbohydrates or proteins and an active ingredient. The release is induced by an external stimulus, e.g. an enzyme such as amylase. Such a vehicle can particularly be used in applications for preventing microbial decay or combating microbial infections. Other uses are for oral applications such as providing antdaries or flavoring compounds and for pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical applications.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application pends form provisional application 60/403,383.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] This invention has been created without the sponsorship or funding of any federally sponsored research or development program.
REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates generally to fishing, and more specifically to an apparatus and method of ice fishing utilizing a jigging fishing rod holder with visual and audible signaling mechanisms.
[0006] 2. Prior Art
[0007] Ice Fishermen are generally limited in their choices as to devices to assist and monitor ice fishing. Ice Fishermen generally use a device called a Tilt or Tip-Up to assist the ice fisherman in fishing and monitoring when a fish has been caught. The Tilt/Tip-Up is a device that generally has two horizontally extending members that intersect through their midway points. Said members are each approximately three feet long and selectively open and close. In said open position, said horizontal members intersect at their mid-way points creating 90 degree angles to each other, and are used as the base for the Tilt/Tip-Up. In said closed position, said horizontal members are adjacent and parallel to each other for storage. Connected to the top side of said intersecting horizontal members is the signaling system to alert a fisherman that a fish is on the line, said line being connected to said Tilt/Tip-Up through a signaling mechanism, said mechanism being triggered by movement of said line which releases a flag to notify the fisherman of a potential fish on said line.
[0008] Advanced signaling devices have been developed that provide visual and audible signaling to bank fishermen and fishermen on boats, but advanced signaling is generally not available and has not been specifically designed for ice fishing. Furthermore, said advanced signaling devices are not made to be seen or heard from a distance, may not be seen in bright daylight and are not designed for inclement weather use where the visibility is low.
[0009] And still further, many types of stands have been developed to hold a fishing rod while the bank or boat fisherman is waiting for a catch, and stands have even been developed for ice fishing, but none have been developed that are suitable for ice fishing, that are light-weight, can be easily set up and broken down, and stored.
[0010] Therefore, even though the Tilt/Tip-Up is the device most widely used for ice fishing it does have some drawbacks.
[0011] Firstly, fishermen typically scatter themselves over the surface of the ice so that they are not in close proximity to each other's Tilts/Tip-Ups, thus potentially increasing the chances of catching fish. Each fisherman typically places the maximum number of Tilts/Tip-Ups allowed in relatively close proximity to himself/herself for ease of monitoring. Such relative close proximity is typically desired since the signaling devices typically cannot be seen or heard, or are difficult to see or hear, from a distance, whether it is the day or night, or the weather conditions are good, fair or inclement. Such scattering of fishermen reduces the social nature of ice fishing and reduces the safety of the ice fishermen. It is typically the social nature of ice fishing that draws ice fishermen to the sport, thus the social limitations significantly reduce the enjoyment of this activity.
[0012] Secondly, the signaling device is sometimes tripped by the wind and therefore is an unreliable indicator of whether a fish is on or near a line. Thirdly, since the Tilt/Tip-Up does not utilize a fishing rod or fishing rod holder, when the ice fisherman suspects a fish is on the line, the fisherman must remove his winter gloves, kneel on the ice, and retrieve the line by hand; thus the fisherman typically gets very cold and wet. And fourthly, the Tilt/Tip-Up is easily tangled during storage making set-up of the Tilt/Tip-Up cumbersome.
[0013] There is therefore a need in the art for an effective ice fishing system and/or apparatus that provides a less cumbersome, more reliable method of ice fishing which allows the fisherman to stay warm and dry while creating a more social environment and more enjoyable experience during the day or night.
[0014] It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a fishing system that eliminates the need for the fisherman to kneel on the wet ice, manipulate the fishing line with bare hands in freezing temperatures such as; setting the hook by pulling on the fishing line, bringing the fish back up through the ice by pulling the line hand over hand, or retrieving the fishing line to see if a fish has been caught.
[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a fishing system that has a more reliable fish indicator that will also be recognized from a distance.
[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide a fishing system that is quick and easy to set up and break down that is neat and easily stored.
[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide a fishing system that may be used during the day or night and in inclement weather.
[0018] With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] A novel approach to ice fishing has now been discovered, thus providing ice fishermen with improved modes of ice fishing. The present invention uses the Jig Fishing System™ to achieve a more effective and enjoyable way of ice fishing. By practicing the disclosed invention, the skilled practitioner will now enjoy quick set-up, enhanced monitoring, and more effective, safer, warmer, dryer and more social ice fishing. The advantages of using the present invention include: easy set-up, storage and transportability of the ice fishing devices; easier and more effective fish detection monitoring, including fish detection monitoring from a distance; warmer, dryer, safer and more social ice fishing; and the ability to have reliable fish strike monitoring and signaling during the day, night or inclement weather.
[0020] These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, 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
[0021] The foregoing and other 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:
[0022] [0022]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the Jig Fishing System™ according to the invention;
[0023] [0023]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the Jig Fishing System™ according to the invention;
[0024] [0024]FIG. 3 is a right side perspective view of the Jig Fishing System™ according to the invention;
[0025] [0025]FIG. 4 is a left side perspective view of the Jig Fishing System according to the invention;
[0026] [0026]FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the Strike Indicator Trigger according to the invention;
[0027] [0027]FIG. 6 is a right side perspective view of the Strike Indicator Trigger according to the invention;
[0028] [0028]FIG. 7 is a left side perspective view of the Strike Indicator Trigger according to the invention;
[0029] [0029]FIG. 8 is a right side perspective view of the Audible and Visual Strike Indicators according to the invention;
[0030] [0030]FIG. 9 is an electrical wiring diagram for the Audible and Visual Strike Indicators;
[0031] [0031]FIG. 10 is a three dimensional view of the base support of the Jig Fishing System™ according to the invention;
[0032] [0032]FIG. 11 is a three dimensional view of the top section of the Jig Fishing System™ according to the invention; and
[0033] [0033]FIG. 12 is a three dimensional view of the Jig Fishing System™ according to the invention.
NUMBERING OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] [0034] 1 . Jig Fishing System™ rod holder
[0035] [0035] 2 . Jig Fishing System™ base support
[0036] [0036] 3 . Wind Drag Screws
[0037] [0037] 4 . Visual Fish Strike Indicator
[0038] [0038] 5 . Fishing Line Holder
[0039] [0039] 6 . Counter Weight
[0040] [0040] 7 . Trigger/Stop Bracket
[0041] [0041] 8 . Proximity Switch
[0042] [0042] 9 . Trigger
[0043] [0043] 10 . Switch Activator
[0044] [0044] 11 . ½″ Support
[0045] [0045] 12 . End Cap
[0046] [0046] 13 . Wiring Harness Connector
[0047] [0047] 14 . Audible Fish Strike Indicator
[0048] [0048] 15 . Wye/Tee Reducer
[0049] [0049] 16 . Tee
[0050] [0050] 17 . Wye Support/Extender
[0051] [0051] 18 . Extension
[0052] [0052] 19 . 45° Elbow
[0053] [0053] 20 . Visual Fish Strike Indicator Power Source
[0054] [0054] 21 . Audible Fish Strike Indicator Power Source
[0055] [0055] 22 . Internal Sleeve
[0056] [0056] 23 . Locking Collar
[0057] [0057] 24 . 90° Yoke
[0058] [0058] 25 . Ballast
[0059] [0059] 26 . Reflection Means
[0060] [0060] 27 . Jig Fishing System™
[0061] [0061] 28 . Jig Fishing System™ Signal Support
[0062] [0062] 29 . Triggering System
[0063] [0063] 30 . Bore
[0064] [0064] 31 . Triggering Arm
[0065] [0065] 32 . Audible Fish Strike Indicator Power Source Bottom Mount
[0066] [0066] 33 . Tee Connector
[0067] [0067] 34 . Tee Connector
[0068] [0068] 35 . Length of Tubing
[0069] [0069] 36 . Length of Tubing
[0070] [0070] 37 . Length of Tubing
[0071] [0071] 38 . Length of Tubing
[0072] [0072] 39 . Length of Tubing
[0073] [0073] 40 . Length of Tubing
[0074] [0074] 41 . Length of Tubing
[0075] [0075] 42 . Length of Tubing
[0076] [0076] 43 . Length of Tubing
[0077] [0077] 44 . Tee Connector
[0078] [0078] 45 . Bore
[0079] [0079] 46 . Electrical Wiring
[0080] [0080] 47 . Bore
[0081] [0081] 48 . Bore
[0082] [0082] 49 . Trigger Support
[0083] [0083] 50 . Rod Holder Support
[0084] [0084] 51 . Top Section of the Jig Fishing System™
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0085] In the broadest aspects, the present invention provides the skilled artisan with the analytical tools and technical know-how sufficient to make and use the disclosed invention. The present invention provides fisherman with a fishing system that is easy to set-up, store and transport. Said system utilizes improved strike detection monitoring, thus increasing the enjoyability and socialability of fishing, and more particularly ice fishing. Said system also utilizes a jigging rod holder, thus enabling a warmer, dryer and safer ice fishing experience.
[0086] Referring first to FIGS. 1 - 12 , wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, the Jig Fishing System™ of the present invention, in its most basic form, is generally indicated by the reference numeral 27 , and comprises a rod holder support, generally indicated by reference numeral 50 , a signal support, generally indicated by reference numeral 28 , a base support, generally indicated by reference numeral 2 , and a trigger support, generally indicated by reference numeral 49 . The Jig Fishing System™ 27 is shown in functional form, supporting a Jigging Pole, but may be disassembled for easy storage and transportability within a Jig Fishing System™ Storage Box designed to fit numerous Jig Fishing Systems along with their Jigs.
[0087] In further detail, said rod holder support 50 is comprised of length of tubing 42 , 45 degree elbow 19 , length of tubing 11 , and rod holder 1 . Said rod holder I is tubing in the shape of a standard tee shaped plumbing component, and comprises a first end 1 a , a second end 1 b , and a side connector 1 c . Said first end 1 a defines an opening to hold most any size fishing jigging pole and reel. Said second end 1 b defines an opening for connection to said signal support 28 . Said side connector 1 c defines an opening for connection to said length of tubing 11 . Said length of tubing 11 has a first end 11 a and a second end 11 b . Said first end 11 a defines an opening to connect to said rod holder side connector 1 c . Said second end 11 b defines an opening to connect to said 45 degree elbow 19 . Said 45 degree elbow 19 has a first end 19 a and a second end 19 b . Said first end 19 a defines an opening to facilitate connection to said length of tubing second end 11 b . Said second end 19 b defines an opening to facilitate connection to length of tubing 42 . Said length of tubing 42 has a first end 42 a and a second end 42 b . Said first end 42 a defines an opening to connect to 45 degree elbow second end 19 b . Said second end 42 defines an opening to connect to trigger support 49 .
[0088] Said signal support 28 is comprised of a wye support 17 , an extension 18 , and wye/tee reducer 15 . Said extension 18 is a measure of tubing having a first end 18 a , and a second end 18 b and of the size to house the visual strike indicator 4 and the visual strike indicator power source 20 . Said first end 18 a defines an opening to house said visual strike indicator 4 and said visual fish strike indicator power source 20 . Said visual strike indicator 4 , allows the use of the Jig Fishing System™ during the day or night, in inclement weather or bright sunlight. In the preferred embodiment, said visual strike indicator 4 , is a high intensity strobe light, easily seen up to 300 feet away during the brightest daylight hours, and over 800 feet away during evening hours. Said visual strike indicator 4 , can penetrate the thickest fog or rain conditions by reflecting and amplifying light through each water droplet and is generally of the type or similar to a RADIO SHACK Personal Safety Strobe. Said visual strike indicator power source 20 is contained within said visual strike indicator 4 and powered by 1 “C” type battery and may vary according to the visual strike indicator's 4 power requirements. Said second end 18 b connects to said wye support 17 . Said wye support 17 is tubing in the shape of a standard wye shaped plumbing component and has a first end 17 a , a second end 17 b and a connector 17 c and of the size to house the audible fish strike indicator 14 and the audible fish strike indicator power source 21 . Said audible fish strike indicator 14 , is generally of the type and similar to an 85 decibel piezoelectric indicator or more specifically the RADIO SHACK Mini Buzzer that is easily heard from over 150 feet away. Said first end 17 a defines an opening to house said audible fish strike indicator 14 and the audible fish strike indicator power source 21 , and to connect to said extension second end 18 b . Said audible strike indicator power source 21 is contained within said audible strike indicator 14 and powered by 2 “AA” type battery and may vary according to the audible strike indicator's 14 power requirements. Said second end 17 b defines an opening to house an audible fish strike indicator power source bottom mount, generally indicated by reference numeral 32 . Said wye support connector 17 c defines an opening to connect to said wye/tee reducer 15 . Said wye/tee reducer 15 is tubing in the shape of a standard plumbing component of the type to facilitate connection between different size tubing, having a first end 15 a and a second end 15 b . Said first end 15 a defines an opening to connect to said Jig Fishing System™ rod holder second end 1 b . Said second end 15 b defines an opening to connect to said wye/support connector 17 c . Said exterior bases of said extension 18 and wye support 17 are covered with a light sensitive and highly reflective reflective means, generally indicated by reference numeral 26 , such that said reflective means 26 can be seen from any angle during nighttime or inclement weather with the use of a standard flash light.
[0089] Said base support 2 comprises lengths of tubing 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 and 40 , several standard tee shaped plumbing components 16 , 33 and 34 , wind drag screws 3 , end caps 12 , and ballast 25 . Said lengths of tubing 35 and 39 have a first ends 35 a and 39 a , respectively, second end 35 b and 39 b , respectively, and generally are a fraction of the length of lengths of tubing 36 and 40 . Said first ends 35 a and 39 a define openings that are concealed by end caps 12 . Said first ends 35 a and 39 a include a bore to house said wind drag screws 3 . Said first ends 35 a and 39 a also provide housing for said ballast 25 . Said second ends 35 b and 39 b define openings to connect to tee connector 16 and 34 respectively. Said tee connectors 16 , 33 and 34 have a first ends 16 a , 33 a and 34 a , respectively, second ends 16 b , 33 b and 34 b , respectively, and side connectors 16 c , 33 c and 34 c , respectively, and consist of tubing in the shape of a standard tee shaped plumbing component used to connect three pieces of piping in the shape of a T. Said lengths of tubing 36 and 40 have first ends 36 a and 40 a , respectively, and second ends 36 b and 40 b , respectively. Said first ends 36 a and 40 a define openings to connect with said tee connectors 16 and 34 , respectively, via tee connectors second ends 16 b and 34 b , respectively. Said second ends 36 b and 40 b define openings that are concealed by end caps 12 . Said second ends 36 b and 40 b include a bore to house said wind drag screws 3 . Said second ends 36 b and 40 b also provide housing for said ballast 25 . Said lengths of tubing 37 and 38 have first ends 37 a and 38 a , respectively, and second ends 37 b and 38 b , respectively. Said first ends 37 a and 38 a define openings to connect with said tee connectors 16 and 34 , respectively, via tee connectors side connectors 16 c and 34 c , respectively. Said second ends 37 b and 38 b define openings to connect with said tee connector 33 via tee connector first end 33 a and tee connector second end 33 b , respectively. Said tee connector side connector 33 c connects trigger support 49 .
[0090] Said trigger support 49 comprises lengths of tubing 41 and 43 , tee connector 44 , end cap 12 , and a triggering system, generally indicated by reference numeral 29 . Said length of tubing 41 has a first end 41 a and a second end 41 b . Said first end 41 a defines an opening to connect to tee connector 44 . Said second end 41 b defines an opening to connect to tee connector side connector 33 c . Said tee connector 44 has a first end 44 a , a second end 44 b and a side connector 44 c . Said tee connector first end 44 a defines an opening to facilitate connection to length of tubing second end 42 b . Said tee connector second end 44 b defines an opening to facilitate connection to length of tubing 41 a . Said tee connector side connector 44 c defines an opening tog facilitate connection with length of tubing 43 . Said length of tubing 43 has a first end 43 a and a second end 43 b and a bore 30 in said tubing to provide mounting for said triggering system 29 . Said length of tubing first end 43 a defines an opening to connect with said tee connector side connector 44 c . Said length of tubing second end 43 b defines an opening that is concealed by end cap 12 .
[0091] Said Jig Fishing System™ 27 is preferably made out of polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) tubing but may also be made out of material known by one of ordinary skill in the art that is lightweight, rustproof and suitable for outdoor use. In the preferred embodiment, said Jig Fishing System's™ tubed structure is molded and comprised of two elements, a top section 51 and the base support 2 , which allow the Jig Fishing System™ to be easily collapsed at the intersection of length of tubing first end 41 a and tee connector second end 44 b , and to have a more streamlined design. Said collapsibility allows for quick and easy set-up and breakdown, i.e., less than one minute.
[0092] Said signaling system is comprised of a proximity switch 8 , triggering arm 31 , and a trigger/stop bracket 7 . Said proximity switch 8 is mounted in bore 45 on said length of tubing 43 in such a location as to close electrical circuit 46 when said switch activator 10 is in close proximity to said proximity switch 8 . Said proximity switch 8 is made up of a material known to those of ordinary skill in the art that would facilitate the closing of a circuit and is generally of the type or similar to a RADIO SHACK Proximity Reed Switch. Said triggering arm 31 is mounted on said length of tubing 43 through internal sleeve 22 and bore 30 and is comprised of a fishing line holder 5 , a trigger 9 , a counter weight 6 , two 90 degree yokes 24 a and 24 b , locking collars 23 , and switch activator 10 . Said fishing line holder 5 has a first end 5 a and a second end 5 b , may be cylindrical in shape and may be made of a flexible rubber or other material known by one of ordinary skill in the art. Said first end 5 a is in the shape of a V and has a slit to allow said first end 5 a to hold the fishing line. Said second end 5 b is connected to trigger 9 . Said trigger 9 is made up of approximately {fraction (11/16)}″ rod type stock and is made up of three lengths of stock, 9 a , 9 b and 9 c . Said first length 9 a has a first end 9 a ′ and a second end 9 a ″. Said first end 9 a ′ has a 45 degree bend approximately ¼ inch from its end. Said second end 9 a ″ inserts into the end of said 90 degree yolk 24 a . Said counter weight 6 is approximately ¾ ounce and generally made of a length of weighted tubing and is mounted onto first length 9 a by locking collars 23 . All of which are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Said length of stock 9 b has a first end 9 b ′ and a second end 9 b ″. Said first end 9 b ′ inserts into the side of said 90 degree yolk 24 a . Said second end inserts into the side of said 90 degree yolk 24 b . Said length of stock 9 c has a first end 9 c ′ and a second end 9 c ″. Said first end 9 c ′ connects to switch activator 10 . Said switch activator 10 is a cylindrically shaped metal component. Said second end 9 c ″ inserts into the end of said 90 degree yoke 24 b . Said trigger/stop bracket 7 is comprised of approximately {fraction (11/16)} rod type stock and is connected to length of tubing 43 via bores 47 and 48 . Said trigger/stop bracket 7 is shaped as indicated on FIG. 5 with the foremost section creating a lower pocket to allow continuous signaling.
[0093] When said signaling system is activated the signal is transmitted through internal wiring to said audible fish strike indicator 14 and said visual strike indicator 4 . Said internal wiring is shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 , and 8 . Said internal wiring is also depicted in the electrical wiring diagram of FIG. 9. Said internal wiring is standard and well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0094] In practice the system works as follows: The fisherman sets up the Jig Fishing System™ by connecting the base support 2 to the top section 51 at the intersection of length of tubing first end 41 a and tee connector second end 44 b . The fisherman then sets the line, inserts the rod into rod holder 1 , and attaches the fishing line to the fishing line holder 5 , which quickly secures the fishing line from any fishing reel of any type, set to run free, or its bail set to the open position. The Jig Fishing System™ monitors and signals as follows: 1) the targeted fish swallows the baited hook; 2) as the targeted fish starts his get away with the baited hook and line, the tension on the fishing line increases which rotates the fishing line holder 5 , and subsequently the trigger mount 9 , in an upward forward direction, shown in figure C. The trigger mount 9 has a frictionless, near zero, drag coefficient at their fixed pivot points due to the 90 degree turn [yolks 24 a and 24 b ] and the internal and external sleeves 22 . Such minimal drag is important such that it will prevent the targeted fish from sensing any anomalies associated with catching its prey, i.e., resistance, which would cause the targeted fish to eject the bait. Contemporaneously, trigger first end 9 a ′ rotates in a pendulum fashion; 3) The switch activator 10 will travel at an equal distance and angle to fishing line holder 5 , but in the opposite direction, at their respective pivot points; 4) The trigger 9 continues to rotate in the upward direction due to line tension, and approaches approximately 55 degrees from its originating position. This is known as the top dead center (TDC) of its rotation; 5) Counter weight 6 takes over the non-stop rotation, and accelerates into a free gravitational fall while the fishing line holder 5 releases the fishing line at approximately TDC due to gravitational forces exerted on the counter weight 6 and the unique light holding pressure exerted on the fishing line by the fishing line holder 5 ; 6) As trigger mount 9 continues without stopping through its rotation from TDC for an additional 125 degrees, its rotation ends abruptly at the bottom of it's full and total 180 degree swing by virtue of coming in contact with the lower portion of the trigger support/stop bracket 7 and counter weight 6 now acts as a de-bouncing device to help prevent the trigger mount 9 from back lashing to its original position. Simultaneously, the switch activator 10 has continued to rotate at an equal angle and distance in the opposite direction as fishing line holder 5 and trigger mount 9 , i.e. a full 180 degrees. This is all in the effort to bring switch activator 10 to its intended position of being in close proximity to the proximity switch 8 ; 7) Switch activator 10 being in close proximity to proximity switch 8 causes the electrical contacts of proximity switch 8 to close and complete the circuit to audible fish strike indicator 14 and visual fish strike indicator 4 ; 8) Audible fish strike indicator 14 , powered by the audible fish strike indicator power source, preferably two “AA” batteries, will begin to emit a steady and distinctive audible alert. Said alert will be at a level of approximately 85 decibels which can be easily heard from over 150 feet away, alerting the fisherman to the strike. Simultaneously, visual fish strike indicator 4 , powered by visual fish strike indicator power source 20 , preferable one “C” size battery, will begin a series of high intensity strobe light pulses, space approximately at one second intervals. Said high intensity strobe light pulses can be easily seen at up to 300 feet away during the brightest day and over 800 feet away during the darkest nights and also includes inclement weather conditions like fog or rain because the high intensity light will be reflected off of water molecules and send light in all directions acting as a light amplifier; 9) The fisherman, now alerted, can retrieve the rod, set the hook and play the targeted fish in more traditional manner.
[0095] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the invention described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced herein.
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The present invention uses the Jig Fishing System™ to achieve a more effective and enjoyable way of ice fishing. By practicing the disclosed invention, the skilled practitioner will now enjoy quick set-up, enhanced monitoring, and more effective, safer, warmer, dryer and more social ice fishing. The advantages of using the present invention include: easy set-up, storage and transportability of the ice fishing devices; easier and more effective fish detection monitoring, including fish detection monitoring from a distance; warmer, dryer, safer and more social ice fishing; and the ability to have reliable fish strike monitoring and signaling during the day, night or inclement weather.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of European application EP 13 169 914.2, filed May 30, 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 a system and a method for restricting specific users from accessing predetermined portions of MES screens depending on the state of the web screen page.
[0003] In the world of industrial automation of today, in order to increase competitiveness, manufacturing companies need to simultaneously reduce time-to-market, increase process visibility and production flexibility, optimize forecasting and scheduling, and reduce scrap, stock levels and downtimes; all while ensuring optimal quality and production efficiency across all global facilities.
[0004] Hence in order to meet these demanding goals, manufacturing companies require an integrated IT infrastructure that helps them in coordinating production on a global scale and, if necessary, in real time. The manufacturing execution system (MES) is generally known as the IT layer that integrates the business systems (e.g. ERP) and production control systems.
[0005] Siemens Corporation offers a broad range of MES products, under its SIMATIC® IT product family.
[0006] As defined by the Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA International), the MES system “is a dynamic information system that drives effective execution of manufacturing operations”, by managing “production operations from point of order release into manufacturing to point of product delivery into finished goods” and by providing “mission critical information about production activities to others across the organization and supply chain via bi-directional communication.” The international standard for developing MES systems is commonly referred to as ISA-95 or S95.
[0007] The functions that a MES system usually includes are resource allocation and status, dispatching production orders, data collection/acquisition, quality management, maintenance management, performance analysis, operations/detail scheduling, document control, labor management, process management and product tracking.
[0008] Thus, the goal of MES systems developed by software suppliers is to provide manufacturing companies (the customers) with tools for measuring and controlling production activities with the aim of boosting profitability, increasing productivity, improving quality and process performance to manufacturing plants.
[0009] As used herein, a software application is a set of software components developed by software developers to perform some useful actions within a MES system, e.g. monitoring values coming from plant process or controlling a plant device.
[0010] Typically, at engineering or configuration time, system engineers flexibly customize MES applications according to the specific manufacturing plant requirements.
[0011] Instead, at runtime, MES applications are utilized by end-users who may be plant operators or line responsible personnel.
[0012] MES systems are provided with front-end/client GUI applications which may be used by end-users to plan and control manufacturing activities.
[0013] MES GUI applications play a key role in bringing together process, quality and business information from various sources into one unified real-time view of the production status of the plant. In fact, MES GUI applications display to the end-user graphical screens (MES screens) which enable overview several parameters or scenarios of the plant activities.
[0014] Nowadays, MES screens are mostly developed in the form of web-pages.
[0015] For example, with MES application suite SIMATIC IT, a Client Application Builder (CAB) is provided which is composed of a set of modules allowing users to build customized GUI screen-pages. SIMATIC® IT CAB is a development platform based on .Net technology. For the development of the project Microsoft Visual Studio.Net has to be used. CAB already provides some predefined libraries and tools for the communication with all the SIMATIC IT components. CAB provides MES Graphic User Interface. Therefore, it participates in every action of the Execution of the production schedule. CAB is composed of a set of modules, which allow the user to build GUIs (fully integrated with SIMATIC IT Production Suite) in a Web application and display the Web pages in a Web Browser. It collects data from heterogeneous sources, manipulates and aggregates these data before visualization. SIMATIC IT data are natively integrated, while the standard environment enables integration with virtually every source. CAB offers full zero administration cost (ZAC) capabilities as graphic controls and/or additional files are automatically downloaded and installed by Internet Explorer, therefore every PC on the intranet with Internet Explorer on board can be a SIMATIC IT CAB client. In this case, the CAB environment (CAB Server, CAB Webserver) is placed on a special CAB machine. By calling the Internet Explorer of the OS machine, there will be a connection to the CAB machine to start the web project inside the OS environment.
[0016] Typically, software suppliers develop a MES software-product as a general purpose solution to meet several and different customer requirements. As a consequence to it, also the collections of MES screens, which are supplied with the MES product, are configured to be general purpose in order to be used in various different situations.
[0017] However, since customers require that MES products be customized for a specific project fitting their specific needs, also the GUIs of MES screens need to be customized in order to satisfy the customer requirements of the specific project. This customer need is a fundamental one since the end-users, at the customer site, interact with the MES product mainly through the GUI of the MES-screens.
[0018] Hence, some enhancement needs of MES customers have to be fulfilled on the specific single project, so that the effectiveness and the usability of the MES solution are improved.
[0019] A first enhancement need of MES customers regards the way data are inputted.
[0020] For example, some MES customers prefer to input a particular data through a simple textbox and some other customers prefer to input the same data through a combo box that is already pre-filled with a set of values. Or in another simplified example, some customers wish to be notified that the data input in a field is wrong through an asterisk, other customers wish that the notification of an error occurs via a change of the background color of the input field. In more advanced scenarios, MES end-user require that the gathering of the input data is done through external sources that need custom interface, such as custom browsers or charts.
[0021] A second enhancement need of MES customers regards the customization of the master-detail view. In fact, MES screens are very often configured with a master-detail view: i.e. a grid or tree represents the main entity of the screen page and through the selection of a specific item; its details are shown.
[0022] Unfortunately, the details that each customer wants to see are often different and specific for a specific factory requirement. These details are usually related to a “master” entity in the page. Typically, the detail information can be viewed through a panel control or alternatively can be logically grouped through a tab control in different tab-panels.
[0023] There are three typical technical requirements that need to be met in MES screens designed with the master/details view.
[0024] A first typical technical requirement is to hide some details that were defined in the general purpose screen of the MES product.
[0025] A second technical requirement is to add some additional details that were not defined in the general purpose screen of the product.
[0026] A third technical requirement is to contextualize the added details so that they are aware of the original page and they behave accordingly.
[0027] Finally, the added controls cannot work correctly without being aware of the original. Hence, it is seen that, since different MES customers have different requirements, different types of customizations are needed.
[0028] In the art, the customization problem of MES screen has been solved in two ways.
[0029] According to a first way, the source codes of the screens are delivered to the system engineers or to the system integrators that modify them according to the required customizations. This action has relevant cost impacts in terms of required time and efforts. In addition, another drawback is that the proprietary source code is exposed to third parties that regularly are not employees of the software developing company with an evident intellectual property problem.
[0030] According to a second way, the screens are developed from scratch by the software developers in order to meet the customer needs. A brand new web-page, in replace of the original one, is to be created containing the required customizations. Unfortunately, this second way has the drawback that it is not possible to develop general-purpose screens but only project-specific ones. The customization is customer-specific: a new modified version of the page is created. This action has a very high effort: effort of time for the analysis of the original page (the person who customize the screen is not usually the same who created it); effort of time to modify the page; effort of time to test the page (also some solid regression test is needed); effort to maintain a different version of the same page for different customers.
[0031] Unfortunately, in both known ways of customizing MES web-screens, the source code of the web-page has to be modified. This fact implies that the source code of the product-delivered screens needs to be completely tested again, with the relevant cost impacts in terms of time and efforts, also taking into account requirements on code maintenance and upgrades.
[0032] Moreover, with known methods of customizing MES web-screens, not only the development and customization efforts are increased but also the reusability of the delivered web-screens is reduced.
[0033] For example, in known methods of customizing web-screens in order to obtain one of the two above mentioned enhancements, i.e. the customization of the way of inputting data or of the master-detail view, an ASP.NET control (user or custom) is used, hosted on the web-page. However, unfortunately this customization is accomplished by adding and coding an ASP.NET control within the page by having access to the source code of the page with the above described drawbacks.
[0034] Technical Problems are now described. Very often in a MES environment, the access to MES data and to MES functionalities needs to be restricted only to certain authorized users.
[0035] Sometimes, it is even required to hide some portions of a MES screens to some specific users.
[0036] Such requirements prove to be extremely important for MES projects in regulated industries, such as food and beverages, pharmaceutical industry. In addition, there are some scenarios where it may be required that a portion of the MES screen be visible only if the MES screen displays an item with a particular attribute and the operator selects this particular portion.
[0037] Such a scenario can be illustrated by the simple example below. It is assumed that a MES screen is showing some MES items, e.g. Production Orders, on a grid or on a table. By selecting a given Production Order on the table, some information details of the order are displayed in a MES screen portion. It is further assumed that in a specific project the customer wishes that certain users having a certain role in terms of area of responsibility and/or management level are allowed to view all the Production Orders on that table, but at the same time these user are allowed to see only the details of Production Orders produced on a certain Production Line (i.e. the attribute of the item).
[0038] Unfortunately, since MES web screens are supplied as a general product, it is not possible to define “a priori”—i.e. when the MES screen is developed by R&D department at engineering level—the extent of data which are the diverse users enabled to view at a given portion of the MES screen.
[0039] Hence, it is desirable to be enabled for the tailoring of the generic product MES screens to a specific customer project in accordance with the different roles of the users and with the data present on the specific customer plant. Further, it would be also desirable that any restriction and implications on the data to be displayed related to regulatory and/or administrative reasons can be customized accordingly.
[0040] In state of the art techniques, custom solutions can be developed on a project by project basis where access control policies are hardcoded in the MES screens for each individual and specific customer project.
[0041] Clearly, this approach has the some drawbacks. Unfortunately, this approach is time consuming prone to errors. In fact, access control policies are often coded in MES screens each time in a different manner. Usually, access control policies are extremely distributed inside the MES screens. This implies that there does not exist any centralized environment where the users can manage all the configurations. The system integrator in charge to implement a specific project is therefore required to have and/or to modify the source codes of the involved MES screens with the accompanying drawbacks, such as the difficulties in the customizations, the problems of maintenance, the lack of protecting the IP rights of the page etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0042] Therefore, it is the objective of the present invention to provide a method and a system for restricting specific user roles from accessing predetermined portions of the MES screen that contain a centralized environment to manage the user and the role assigned to the user with respect to the access rights the specific user has to view specific content of the MES screens.
[0043] The objective is achieved according to the present invention by a method for restricting specific user roles from accessing predetermined portions of MES screens depending on the state of the MES screen page in a manufacturing execution system. The method includes the steps of:
[0000] a) during the engineering phase:
a1) defining a number of logical entities, such as a production order, a machine, a production line, personnel, materials, by an attribute, present within a production plant controlled and monitored by the MES; a2) associating with each logical entity a number of actions being executable on and/or with respect to the respective logical entity; a3) associating to an action a restriction rule that defines a number of rules for restricting the action relative the value/s of one or more attributes; a4) associating the actions and the respective restriction rules to a number of roles in terms of role specific access rights thereby establishing a data segregation service; a5) writing the role specific access rights into a MES screen configuration file stored at a MES database; a6) defining a panel in the MES screen that contains data that is subject to role specific access rights;
b) at runtime phase:
b1) when the MES screen is requested for the first time or when a specific user interacts with the MES screen, reading by the panel from the configuration file the logical entity and the action related to the request of the specific user; b2) retrieving the information on the state of the MES screen page from a contextualization service that contains the current values for the attribute of the respective logical entity wherein the current value of the attribute of the logical entity is written on the contextualization service by a logic programmed on the MES Screen; b3) invoking by the panel the data segregation service asking the right to load the content of the panel to the MES screen; b4) checking by the data segregation service the information supplied by the panel, such as the specific user, the logical entity, the action and the current value of the attribute against the roles and the role specific access rights stored to the MES database at the engineering phase, and only if the specific user is assigned a role that is allowed to perform the action, responding to the panel that the permission is granted and showing the content of the panel.
[0054] The objective is further achieved by a system for restricting specific user roles from accessing predetermined portions of MES screens depending on the state of the MES screen page in a manufacturing execution system. The system containing:
[0000] a) at engineering phase:
a1) a number of logical entities, such as a production order, a machine, a production line, personnel, materials, present within a production plant controlled and monitored by the MES, the logical entities being defined by an attribute; a2) each logical entity being associated to a number of actions being executable on and/or with respect to the respective logical entity; a3) means for associating to an action a restriction rule that defines a number of rules for restricting the action relative the value(s) of one or more attributes; a4) a data segregation service handling the actions and the respective restriction rules being associated to a number of roles in terms of role specific access rights; a5) a MES database for writing the role specific access rights into a MES screen configuration file; a6) a panel in the MES screen containing data that is subject to role specific access rights;
b) at runtime phase:
b1) when the MES screen is requested for the first time or when a specific user interacts with the MES screen, the panel reads from the configuration file the logical entity and the action related to the request of the specific user; b2) a contextualization service for retrieving the information on the state of the MES screen page, the contextualization service contains the current values for the attribute of the respective logical entity, wherein the current value of the attribute of the logical entity is written on the contextualization service by a logic programmed on the MES Screen; b3) the panel invokes the data segregation service asking the right to load the content of the panel to the MES screen; b4) the data segregation service checks the information supplied by the panel, such as the specific user, the logical entity, the action and the current value of the attribute, against the roles and the role specific access rights stored to the MES database at the engineering phase, and only if the specific user is assigned a role that is allowed to perform the action, the data segregation service responds to the panel that the permission is granted and the panel shows its content.
[0065] These measures therefore allow a generic set-up of the MES screen wherein the panel always contains the data available but blocks this data from view until the data segregation service removes this blocking according to the user roles and the state of the actual MES screen page.
[0066] Substantially, the solutions according to the present invention rely on the three afore-mentioned elements:
[0000] a) the data segregation service that controls which data of the manufacturing execution system can be accessed by the logged user;
b) the panel used in the MES screens, the panel containing all the data that can be hidden; and
c) the contextualization service that allows to store all the data that is currently selected on the MES Screen.
[0067] Further, the overall feature of the present invention is based on the concept that the data access management is applied at the GUI level of each specific MES screen. The main advantage of the present invention is therefore that a set of predetermined generic MES screens can be delivered. The access to specific portions of the MES screens is regulated according to the actions and their restriction rules that involve logic on the data managed by the MES screen in certain states of the MES screen without the need to modify the source code of the MES screens. This leads to minor efforts for customizing the MES screen leading to a cost reduction during the engineering phase. Further, the present invention has a less error prone approach for the customization of MES screen and the source code is not modified resulting in less maintenance costs wherein the copyrights on the MES screens are preserved.
[0068] Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0069] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a method and a system for restricting specific users from accessing predetermined portions of MES screens depending on the state of the web screen page, 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.
[0070] 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 SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0071] FIG. 1 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a concept of data access management during a engineering phase according to the invention; and
[0072] FIG. 2 is a flowchart schematically illustrating the concept of the data access management during a runtime phase.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0073] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 2 thereof, there is shown MES screens SC forming an important GUI part of a non-illustrated client application builder tool (CAB). A quiet sophisticated but intuitively usable client application builder is provided with the SIMATIC IT software from Siemens Aktiengesellschaft. The functionality of the client application builder has been recently described in chapter 17 of the brochure “SIMATIC IT 6.5 SP3 —Getting Started—Edition 06/2012—A5E03885313-01” published by Siemens Aktiengesellschaft which is herewith incorporated by reference.
[0074] In order to customize the general MES screens at engineering phase, a system engineer configures on a MES database DB (see FIG. 2 ) the following three entities as this is shown in FIG. 1 :
[0075] Logical Entity LE;
[0076] Action AC related to the logical entity LE; and
[0077] Restriction Rule RR related to the action AC (optionally).
[0078] 1. First Entity: Logical Entity LE
[0079] The Logical Entity LE is a MES relevant entity defined with its attributes AT (or parameters). For example, a Logical Entity LE can be a Production Order defined by a single attribute AT (for sake of simplicity) for example being a production line, i.e. the production line where the production order is produced. Other logical entities LE can be any kind of resource, such as materials, machines, personnel, product segments, product production segments and the like.
[0080] 2. Second Entity: Action AC
[0081] Associated to an individual Logical Entity LE, there exist some actions AC that can be specifically done on the logical entity LE.
[0082] In our simple example of the production order, the action “SHOW DETAILS” can be associated. Other actions are “DELIVER KPI”, “RENEW”, “SHOW NEXT ITEM” and the like.
[0083] 3. Third Entity (Optional): Restriction Rule RR
[0084] Optionally, associated to an Action AC, the Restriction Rule entity RR defines some rules for restricting the Action AC in accordance with the value(s) of one or more attributes AT. In our simple example, one can have the Restriction Rule equal to “Production Line=Line1”.
[0085] Further, during the engineering phase, the Action AC and the respective Restriction Rules RR must be associated with the various Roles RO (Groups of Users US) of the respective production facility (Plant).
[0086] This is achievable since the Actions AC and the Restriction Rules RR are associated to Access Rights AC that can be assigned to the various Roles RO defined on the MES System for that plant.
[0087] After this engineering phase, a configuration file CF has in the present simple example the following design:
[0000]
Logical
Attribute list
Entity
Action
(structure)
Rule
Group
AR
Production
—
Lined: string
Order
Production
Show
n.a.
ProductionLine =
Group1
AR
Order
Details
[“Line1”]
Production
Show
n.a.
none
Group2
AR2
Order
Details
[0088] Finally, during the engineering phase, the system engineer associates to a Panel P within the MES screen SC the Logical Entity LE and the Action AC that must be checked for the afore-created restriction rule RR. This information is written in the configuration file CF, too. In the present example, the Logical Entity LE=“Production Order” and the Action AC=“Show Details” are associated to the panel P of the MES screen SC.
[0089] At Run Time
[0090] At runtime (i.e. when the specific page is to be displayed on the MES screen SC), the invented mechanism works as follows:
[0091] When the MES screen SC is requested for the first time or when the user US interacts with the MES screen SC, the Panel P reads from its configuration file CF (Panel Configuration) the information which is stored on the MES database DB related to the Logical Entity(ies) LE and the respective Action(s) AC that are subject to a access right AR.
[0092] This information (in our example the logical entity LE “Production Order” and the action AC “View Details”) will be used in order to inquire a data segregation service DS if the current user is granted to see the content of the panel P. After retrieving the information on the state of the page of the MES screen (for example which row has been selected on a table etc.) from a contextualization service SC that contains the current values of the attribute AT related to the Logical Entity in question (in our example the attribute “Production Line” being related to the logical entity “Production Order”). The current value of the attribute(s) AT is written on the contextualization service by a logic programmed for and on the MES Screen SC. Therefore, the panel P within the MES screen SC contains all the data which are basically configured to be displayed thereon. Actually, the portions of data eventually displayed are determined according to the following inquiries. The Panel P invokes the data segregation service DS asking the right to display the content of the panel P. The data segregation service DS checks the information supplied by the panel (Current User US, Logical Entity LE, Action AC and current value of the attribute AT) with the respective access right AC information stored on the MES DB at the engineering phase.
[0093] If the specific user belongs to a group having a role that allows performing the data access action (i.e. the role has assigned the Access Right AR associated to the Action AC and matches the Restriction Rules RR associated) the data segregation service DS responds to the Panel P that the permission for the data access is granted. Subsequently, the panel will show its content. Otherwise, its content will be not shown.
[0094] For the example introduced above, the following conclusions result from the action AC and the restriction rule RR.
[0095] Users belonging to Group1 will have displayed the detailed information comprised in the Panel P only if the selected Production Orders runs on LINE1. Users belonging to Group2 will have displayed the detailed information contained in the panel P for each production Order regardless which production line is busy/scheduled on this production order. Users belonging to any other group will be not able to view the detailed information at all.
[0096] The major steps and system parts according to the present invention can be summarized as now described.
[0097] The method and the system for restricting specific user roles from accessing predetermined portions of MES screens SC depending on the state of the MES screen page in a manufacturing execution system.
[0098] At the engineering phase:
[0099] A number of logical entities LE are defined, such as a production order, a machine, a production line, personnel, materials, by an attribute AT. These logical entities LE are present within a production plant which is controlled and monitored by the MES;
[0100] Each logical entity LE is associated with a number of actions AC being executable on and/or with respect to the respective logical entity LE;
[0101] Each action AC can optionally be associated with a restriction rule RR that defines a number of rules for restricting the action AC relative the value(s) of one or more attributes AT;
[0102] The actions AC and the respective restriction rules RR (if any) are associated to a number of roles RO in terms of role specific access rights AR. This catalogue of actions AC with the respective restriction rules RR and the deducted access rights RR thereupon establishes a data segregation service DS;
[0103] The role specific access rights AR are written into the configuration file CF for the MES screen SC stored at the MES database DB;
[0104] The panel P in the MES screen SC contains data that is subject to role specific access rights AR; in other words the panel P contains all the data where the display of the data depends on the role of the specific user who would like to access the data;
[0105] At the runtime phase:
[0106] when the MES screen SC is requested for the first time on a GUI that is attached to the manufacturing execution system or when a specific user interacts with the MES screen SC, the panel P reads from the configuration file CF the logical entity(ies) LE and the action(s) AC related to the request of the specific user;
[0107] the information on the state of the MES screen page is retrieved from a contextualization service CS that contains the current values for the attribute AT of the respective logical entity LE wherein the current value of the attribute AT of the logical entity LE is written on the contextualization service CS by a logic programmed on the MES screen SC; the contextualization service therefore receives and maintains all the information which is afterwards necessary for the display within the panel P;
[0108] the panel P invokes the data segregation service DS asking the right to display the content of the panel P on the MES screen SC;
[0109] the data segregation service DS checks the information supplied by the panel P, such as the specific user US, the logical entity LE, the action AC and the current value of the attribute AT, against the roles RO and the role specific access rights AR stored to the MES database DB at the engineering phase. Only if the specific user US is assigned a role that is allowed to perform the action AC, the data segregation service responds to the panel P that the permission is granted and the content of the panel P is effectively shown to the specific user.
[0110] The main advantages of the present solution materializes in the fact that a set of generic predefined MES screens SC can be delivered with the software package of the manufacturing execution system. The access to portions of the MES Screens SC is regulated in accordance to the restriction rules RR and the access rights AR derived thereupon. The logic involved on this data management resides therefore in the logic of the MES screens CS and is managed by the MES screen SC without any need to modify the source code of the MES screens SC. This leads to reduced efforts for the customizing the MES screen SC which directly also reduces the costs. This approach is less error prone to the customization because any faults can be only made at the engineering phase when associating logical entities and the actions as well as the restriction rules. Since the source code is not modified for the customization the maintenance cost decreases, too.
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In a generic set-up of an MES screen, a panel always contains the data available but blocks the data from view until a data segregation service removes the blocking according to user roles and a state of the MES screen page. The data segregation service controls which data of the manufacturing execution system can be accessed by the logged user. The panel used in the MES screens contains all the data that can be hidden. The contextualization service allows storage of all the data that is currently selected on the MES Screen. Further, the data access management is applied at a GUI level of each specific MES screen. The main advantage is therefore that a set of predetermined generic MES screens can be delivered.
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TECHNICAL
The invention relates to the structure and the method of construction of a large span steel or other material framed roof built over an athletic stadium or arena. The roof structure is supported by steel Cable-Stays to towers set outside the stadium and to ground anchors. The method of construction is a cantilevering method. The technology utilized is Cable-Stay Technology.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The erection of structures utilizing suspension cables or Cable-Stay Technology has existed for some time. For example, many bridges utilize cables extending between towers or from a single tower to suspend a roadway. In addition, many buildings have been designed such that the roof structure is supported by cables. The principal advantage of utilizing cables to support a roof is that large covered buildings can be designed without any internal supports; and quite economically. One example of a structure which benefits from this type of design is an airplane hanger which requires a large area without pillars to permit positioning aircraft. Sporting arenas also benefit from this design since the design provides for unobstructed viewing.
Examples of roof structures designed by the applicant with Cable-Stay Technology can be found in the following U.S. Pat. design Nos. design D260,036, issued July 28, 1981; D270,570, issued Sept. 13, 1983; D 274,841, issued July 24, 1984; D274,842, issued July 24, 1984; D274,843, issued July 24, 1984, and in current utility U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,496 issued Mar. 24, 1987.
The design patents above relate to the ornamental appearance of Cable-Stay supported structures.
The utility patent above relates to a method of construction of a Cable-Stay roof over an existing or new stadium or arena and its design.
Also made reference to is pending design patent application filed May 8, 1987 under Ser. No. 047,064, which covers the ornamental appearance of the Cable-Stay supported structure utility patent applied for herein.
The invention of this application relates to the construction of a Cable-Stay roof over an existing or new stadium or arena, or other structure, and to the method of its construction
Recently there has been significant amount of interest in covering existing as well as new open air athletic stadiums. As can be appreciated, many stadiums are located in areas where weather conditions make it difficult to hold events whenever desired or certain weather conditions can be simply objectionable.
Existing open air stadiums are generally not designed to support the weight of a newly added roof. Thus, in order to build a roof over an existing stadium, significant measures have to be taken to reinforce the stadium walls or build an additional support system. The latter steps, even if possible, can be difficult and expensive. With new stadiums this can be less of a problem.
There has been significant interest in making these roofs retractable or at least open for ventilation.
Also there has been interest in providing means of retaining a natural grass playing field on the stadium floor both in existing stadiums as well as in new stadiums.
Accordingly, it is an object of the subject invention to provide a new and improved method for constructing such a roof over an existing or new stadium or arena, or other structure.
It is an object of this invention to provide a means of constructing a roof over an existing or new stadium or arena that is both functional and cost effective to build.
It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved method for constructing a cable supported roof which does not place any additional weight on the existing stadium.
It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved method of constructing a cable roof structure over an existing or new stadium or arena which will provide unobstructed viewing within the stadium.
It is still another object of the subject invention to provide a new and improved method of constructing a cable roof structure over an existing or new stadium or arena which is capable of supporting a glass or a clear plastic roof cover to allow sufficient light transmission for the retention or use of a natural grass cover on the playing field, and to provide as well for the public enjoyment by creating an outdoor atmosphere.
It is also another object of the subject invention to provide a new and improved method of constructing a cable roof structure over an existing or new stadium or arena which is capable of supporting a partially retractable cover or one that opens sufficiently for ventilation.
It is further the object of this invention to provide a roof that allows for natural ventilation by keeping parts permanently open such that costly heating and air handling equiment might not be necessary.
It is further the object of this invention to provide a clear skylight roof cover such that costly additional lighting is not necessary in an existing stadium where tower lighting exists and can project through the skylight roof.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a roof that could support a restaurant and/or sightseeing walkways on its surface.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a roof that could support luxury private seating boxes suspended from the roof structure.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a roof for an existing stadium that can be built without entering the stadium so the stadium can be used during the construction period.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a roof that is structurally sound to withstand, besides its own weight and design loading, also high earthquake forces and unusual wind forces, and snow loading.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a roof that is relatively economical to build.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a roof that can be built by available technology and contractor's experience, as available in the marketplace at present.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a roof that is permanent and has a long life.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a roof that has relatively low operating and maintenance costs.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a roof that is beautiful.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In accordance with these and many other objects, the subject invention provides a structural design and a method of constructing such a roof over an existing or new stadium. The illustrated embodiment corresponds to the ornamental design shown in U.S. Patent application filed May 8, 1987 under Ser. No. 047,064.
The structural design is a roof of clear span suspended over the stadium and supported by Cable-Stays to towers outside the stadium and to ground anchors. The roof cover is either clear plastic or glass but could be of other material and is made partially retractable or openable for ventilation. The roof is outfitted with permanent ventilation louvers where needed and made to overlap the stadium rim it covers allowing a gap between the roof and the stadium rim for ventilation and overlapping in such a way that it also provides partial protection to concourse and other areas around the stadium.
The assembly of the roof structure is accomplished by first constructing two rows of parallel or curved towers on opposite sides of the stadium and tangent to the stadium, and then extending Cable-Stays from the towers to ground anchors outside the stadium. Cable-Stays are then extended from these towers and slanted into the stadium area to support roof long-beam framing, cantilevered from each tower and held back in compression thereagainst. Intermediate roof framing is then installed between the long-beam framing. The intermediate framing may take any of a number of forms. As an example, it may be open web steel joists or it may be a space frame or it may be box steel framing, the preferred method, or another framing system. The construction can be from one side of the stadium and then from the other or from both sides simultaneously. At the junction of the cantilevered sections in the middle of the span the two sections are connected to allow slip movement for temperature expansion and contraction and for other structural movements and are tensioned together b cables to control the horizontal force of the long-beams on legs of the tower. In this manner a stable roof framing is constructed across the stadium from both sides. The roof framing is therewith complete, left free to press against the tower legs and gain its support from Cable-Stays to the towers and in turn to ground anchors.
In practice, the roof members are lifted onto the roof by a ground crane and cables attached to the long-beam framing members are then connected to the towers by the top crane. As the roof extends out over the stadium a travelling derrick crane and a temporary rail mounted transport carriage, move material from the ground crane to the derrick crane. After the completed roof framing is in place, a roof cover of either glass or clear plastic skylight material or other material is installed over the framing. This is also lifted onto the roof by the ground crane at the edge of the roof and then manually or otherwise handled to the place of installation, or it may be installed by helicopter.
The cantilever method may be practiced without entering the interior of the existing stadium and it is conceivable that the stadium may be used during the construction period. The resulting roof has the following features:
Sections of the roof are made retractable by sliding sections over other sections on rails and controlling the operation remotely.
Retractability or ventilation may also be achieved by remotely controlled hinged door type openings, the preferred method, or any other means.
Lighting towers if present are left in place and existing lighting continues to illuminate the stadium by simply projecting through the clear skylight roof. Additional lighting where needed is added as well on the underside of the roof.
A grass playing field if present is retained.
The roof is made to overlap the existing or new stadium for ventilation and for partial protection of surrounding concourse areas.
The roof is provided with ventilation louvers as needed.
Elevators in the towers are provided for access to the roof and tower tops.
Walkways with cable handrails on the roof beams are constructed for maintenance and sightseeing.
A restaurant is built on the roof as desired.
Luxury private seating boxes are built suspended from the roof where desired.
High pressure water jets are installed on the roof for roof cleaning.
Where desired to completely close the roof to the stadium a flexible gasket is attached between the roof and the stadium rim.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the foll iled description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Cable-Stay roof as set existing or new stadium or arena.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the support towers under construction set alongside the existing or new stadium or arena to be covered.
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic elevational view showing the roof support towers and the initial sequence of the roof constructoon over a stadium by the cantilever method.
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic elevational view similar to FIG. 3, additionally showing a transport carriage on the roof and the next sequential step in the cantilever construction method.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view, with parts broken a of a roof long-beam framing member where connection made to the tower leg.
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic elevational view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, showing the existing or new stadium or arena and the completed tower assemblies and the roof framing now built out to the center of the roof and the final connection being made and tensioned.
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic elevational view, with parts broken away, showing the final roof with the framing with Cable Stays completed.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of an intermediate first stage of roof construction, showing every other roof section constructed.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the roof with all sections completed, including a roof restaurant, luxury seating boxes, water jets for cleaning, beam walkways, and different forms of roof retractability or partial opening.
FIG. 10 is an elevational sectional view through the center of the roof showing water jets on the roof, a boatswains chair or basket on the cables for access, a roof restaurant, a flexible closure gasket between the roof edge and the stadium, and suspended luxury seating boxes.
FIG. 11 a cross-sectional view taken on line 11--11 of FIG. 10, also showing hold down and sideways cables.
FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but also showing hold-down sidesway cables at the roof's edge. Also shown are cross-cables or struts between the Cable-Stays to limit wind structural vibration of the cables, to control cable vibration noise control, and to enhance roof stiffnes. These cables might not be needed.
FIG. 13 is an expanded plan view of the intermediate framing between the long-beam framing members supporting the roof cover in the preferred method of using clear plastic bubble skylights approximately 7'-6" by 12' in dimension with each one operable by remote control for ventilation.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 14--14 of FIG. 13, showing the operable hinged method of opening of each skylight bubble by remote control.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a typical skylight bubble and its hinged opening mode. On a large stadium there could be more than 6000 of these bubbles to make the entire roof.
FIG. 16 shows the slip joint or flexible joint where the roof long-beam framing members meet at the center of the roof providing for structural movement due to temperature and other causes and allowing tensioning with a flexible cable connection.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
16 piles
18 foundations
20 stadium
22 towers
24 tower cranes
26 arches
28 ground anchors
29a slip form
29b slip form
30 ground crane
31 bucket
32 derrick crane
34 top crane
36 site where roof framing is assembled for lifting to the roof
38 roof long-beam framing
38a initial long beam framing member
40 Cable-Stays to roof framing
42 Cable-Stays to anchors or back-stays
44 transport carriage
46 point on the roof where opposite long-beams meet at center of span
47 peak
48 intermediate roof framing member
49 sleeve
50 roof covering, preferably a clear skylight
50a slidable roof sections
51 cable
52 point where roof long-beam framing meets towers
53 turnbuckle
54 cross-cables or struts for cable vibration dampening and enhanced structural stiffness as well as vibration noise control
56 hold-down cables at roof edge providing also partial lateral sidesway support
57 bolts
58 suspended luxury boxes for private seating
60 roof restaurant
62 water jets for roof cleaning
72 flexible closure gasket between stadium rim and roof
73 stanchion lighting
76 a boatswains chair or basket for access to cables for maintenance
78 a typical hinged type clear plastic roof bubble openable for ventilation
79 hydraulic cylinders
80 tower elevator
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning first to FIG. 1, the basic elements of the Cable-Stay roof structure of the subject invention will be briefly discussed. The Cable-Stay roof structure is intended to cover an existing or new open air stadium or arena shown generally by the numeral 20. The Cable-Stay roof structure comprises two rows of towers 22 set in parallel rows on opposite sides of the stadium 20. The towers in each row are connected by arches 26 and rest on foundations 18 and, when needed, piles 16. The roof structure long-beam framing 38 is suspended by Cable-Stays 40 from the towers 22 and or their arches 26. This structure is further supported by back-stays 42 to ground anchors 28. Between the long-beam roof framing 38 is intermediate roof framing 48. Over the roof structure 38 and 48 is a roof covering or membrane 50 (see FIGS. 13 and 15) made of glass or of clear plastic or any other material and in desired areas the roof cover is made partially retractable or openable for ventilation and with louvered vents where needed and with permanently open parts where needed.
Having identified the main elements of the Cable-Stay roof structure, the preferred method of assembling this structure over an existing or new stadium or arena will be described in detail.
Starting with the stadium 20 in FIGS. 2 and 3, foundations 18, and piles 16 if needed are constructed exterior to the stadium 20. Over these foundations are constructed concrete or steel towers 22 with the use of tower cranes 24. The preferred embodiment has these towers as shown constructed from slip formed concrete in two parallel rows on opposite sides of the stadium. As an alternate they may be constructed in two curved planes on opposite sides of the stadium to more nearly fit to the shape of the stadium or they may be set in a circle, an ellipse, or other curved shape around the stadium or other structure. The preferred embodiment would have these tower rows at one point tangent to the stadium but they need not necessarily be tangent and can I5 be set off from the stadium. The towers 22 are then connected at their top by arches 26 to one another for strength. The form of the connection need not necessarily take the form of an arch and could be a lintel, a truss, an angular brace, or any other form of reinforcement; and futhermore this entire connection can also be entirely left out such that the remaining structure of towers resemble simply rows of singular standing towers unconnected at their tops or free standing. Furthermore the towers need not necessarily be vertical, but could be tilted outward or even inward to the stadium for structural or architectural reasons. The slip forms as illustrated in FIG. 2 are designated by the numerals 29a and 29b and are shown as being filled with concrete by buckets 31 carried by the cranes 24.
Once the towers 22 are constructed the roof construction can begin. Although the illustrated embodiment shows roof construction commencing after both rows of towers have been completed, construction can begin after one row of towers is constructed on one side of the stadium. It follows from the drawings that the roof is then constructed inward from these towers by a cantilevered method, either from one side at a time or from both sides simultaneously. All material is brought onto the roof and then installed by cantilevering out. By this method no entry to the stadium is necessary and the stadium can be operated during the time period of construction. Should it not be necessary to keep the stadium clear during construction as on a new stadium, material of the roof structure may be raised to the roof from the stadium floor rather than from outside and then installed by the cantilever method.
At the same time as the tower construction is commencing, the ground anchors 28 which would be generally of steel, concrete, and pile construction are also constructed. Upon completion of the towers, either before or simultaneously with the commencement of roof construction (as hereinafter described) back stay cables 42 are placed.
Following these assemblages, the roof construction itself may now proceed as follows. Prefabricated roof material, generally of steel but also if desired of wood or of concrete or even of other structural material is assembled on the site at 36. Ground crane 30, FIG. 3, then hoists an initial roof long-beam framing member 38a, FIG. 3, into position by hoisting it over the stadium rim between the towers and under the arches to a point on the roof and attaches one end of the framing member to a tower leg where it is connected at 52 (see FIG. 5). Connection is made by an intermediate roof framing member 48 fixed to the member 38a and bolted to the tower 22 by bolts 57. Attached to the other end of the framing member 38a is a cable 40 which is now pulled to the top of the tower by top crane 34 where it is tensioned by hydraulic jacks and connected to the tower. The cable 40 is of prescribed length and fitted with anchor sockets at both ends. By the use of prefabricated length cables, cables can be later exchanged if needed in the event of damage or corrosion. Such cables may be of the fully galvanized locked-wire type and installed with sufficient tension to provide a tight seal against water intrusion and in turn corrosion or they may be protected by a cover for corrosion protection or they may be of other construction. To install and make tight such cables, a typical end socket is fitted with an extension rod screwed into the end of the cable socket. The cable and rod then can be pulled into place by a winch or pulley and by the top crane 34 allowing sufficient sag so that the force to pull the cable and rod can be reasonably handled. Once in place with the cable rod extension in a hydraulic press mounted in the tower, the rod extension is then pulled by the hydraulic press or jack to the very high tension and low sag of the final cable configuration and the cable socket is then firmly anchored in the cable anchorage and the rod extension removed. Shims can then be installed at the socket anchorage to make minor adjustment and the connection of the socket to the structure can also be adjusted by a threaded nut attached to the outside of the socket to which the connection of the cable to its anchorage is made. In such a manner then the first long-beam framing member is installed and connected to the tower by its Cable-Stay. The cable referred to may be one cable or a multiple of cables grouped together. The aforedescribed tensioning and anchorage structure is well known and not unique to the present invention. Accordingly, it has not been illustrated.
Thereafter a back-stay cable 42 is installed in like manor between the anchorage and the tower. The back-stay cables as well may be singular cables or multiple cables. All cables are of fixed length with sockets at both ends. The cables may be sloped at the angle shown or may be sloped at a steeper angle so that the anchors are closer to the stadium. The back-stay cables may also be sloped at a flatter angle placing the anchors at a further distance from the stadium than shown. The preferred angle, however, is one that permits the load these cables exert onto the towers to be a vertical load rather than an angular load which imposes a bending force into the tower. The cables can be attached first at either the tower or at the anchorage and then pulled into place at the opposite end by the method described above. The cables can be supported on a temporary falsework or scaffolding or a suspended cable construction footwalk for their erection, or they can be installed without these measures.
The cables, as stated, can be either singular or multiple cables. Where they are multiple cables they are connected together at intermediate points. A boatswains chair or basket suspended from the cables may be used for access to perform this operation. See 76 in FIG. 10.
The cables after they are installed receive a final coat of paint. A boatswains chair may be used again which may also later be used for repainting and inspection.
Other types of cables other than described may also be used, and the method of installation may vary, but the end configuration is not changed.
For an example the cables might be fabricated to be continuous over the towers supported on saddle supports in the towers and then connected at one end to a long-beam framing member 38 and the other end to a ground anchorage 28 and then tensioned at one or the other end.
For another example, the tensioning of the cables may be made by jacking the cable support in the tower upward either in addition to the tensioning made at the ends of the cables or entirely in this manner.
After all cables are installed the cables may be connected between Cable-Stays by other cross-cables 54 or by struts 54 to dampen any wind induced or earthquake induced vibrations which could develop. (See FIG. 12.) This also increases the general stiffness of the roof and can help to control vibration noises. Vibration dampers consisting of shock absorbers or rubber ring dampers may also be installed at the cable connection points.
Now after the initial long-beam framing member 38a is installed as described to this point, FIG. 3, a second is installed in like manner from the next adjacent tower leg and intermediate framing 48 is installed, as seen in FIG. 8, by being secured between the long beam frame members 38. The intermediate framing 48 may be of many different types. It may be open web steel joists, a space frame, or tubular steel joists, or any other framing system. A tubular steel or aluminum framing system, the preferred method, is shown in the drawings for the intermediate framing. The intermediate roof framing 48 by definition is all framing located between the roof long-beam framing members 38.
The next step is for the ground crane 30 to lift and put in place the stiff-leg derrick crane 32 on the cantilevered roof section constructed and to also put up the temporary rail mounted transport carriage 44 on the roof which is used to haul material from where it is lifted on to the roof out to the cantileverd end for installation by the derrick crane 32. (See FIGS. 3, 4 and 6.)
Futhermore a safety net is now installed to extend under all cantilever construction.
The roof construction now proceeds in similar fashion as by the initial framing member installation described above, but with the additional use now of the derrick crane 32 and the transport carriage 44. The procedure which repeats itself until one cantilevered section is built out to the middle of the stadium is as follows. Referring to FIG. 4, the ground crane 30 hoists roof framing members 38 and 48 from location 36 onto the roof between the towers and under the arches. The material is then loaded onto the temporary rail mounted transport carriage and carried out to the cantilevered end where it is installed by the derrick crane 32 onto the cantilevered end of the next preceding framing members. The Cable-Stays 40 and back-stays 42 are then installed as described above by top crane 34. In this manner the roof is successively built out over the stadium. Alternate sections which might be 90 feet in width are built first so that the constructed unit hangs evenly. A completed cantilevered section, one half the span of the stadium, may be 425' in length. After the alternate sections are so constructed, FIG. 8, the derrick crane is mounted in the open sections between the alternate sections, and intermediate the framing 48 installed in these intermediate sections to finish the roof, FIG. 9. In each case after a roof section is constructed the temporary rail mounted transport carriage and the derrick crane is driven back to the edge of the roof at the towers and removed from the roof by the ground crane 30 to be reinstalled in the next section to be constructed.
The roof is constructed as above from two sides of the stadium and joined in the middle. It is built either from both sides simultaneously or one side at a time.
The next step is the joining in the middle of the long-beams provided by the framing members 38. This is done in such a manner to allow for future movement of the long-beams due to temperature changes and other causes. The connecting structure is shown in FIG. 16 and comprises a slip joint provided by a sleeve 49 between the opposed cantilevered long beams and a tension cable 51 secured between the beams. A turnbuckle 53 provides for select adjustment of the tension on cable 51 and control of the long-beam force exerted on the tower legs at the edge of the roof.
Now hold-down and sidesway cables 56 are installed as needed between the roof edge and the ground or stadium structure. From FIG. 1 it will be seen that the long beams 38 and the resultant roof sections slope upwards from the towers to the point where they join and that the roof also slopes laterally from the center peak designated 47. The outermost beams 38 to which the cables 58 are joined are essentially horizontal.
After the entire roof framing is installed, checked, and adjusted, and painted, the roof covering 50 and the retractable or openable roof elements and louvered sections are installed. This is accomplished either by hoisting the materials of the roof cover onto the roof edge by the ground crane 30 and then moving them into place; or by lowering the materials onto the roof by helicopter. The retractable or openable sections are also lifted into place in the same manner and installed.
The roof is made retractable by allowing any number of roof sections, either contiguous or spaced, to slide over other roof sections and to be controlled either manually or by remote means. Such sections are designated 50a in FIG. 13. The remote control opening mechanism may be a hydraulic ram system to open and close the roof or it may be a mechanical cable controlled system. Retractability or ventilation opening may also be achieved by a hinged door type opening also remotely controlled. Such openings may be seen in FIGS. 14 and 15 wherein bubble panels 78 are hinged at one edge to framing 48 and may be selectively engaged or raised from engagement with adjacent framing by hydraulic cylinders 79. The roof cover 50 may also be made with louvers to allow for ventilation and, if desired, portions of the roof cover may be made permanently open in certain areas.
The roof as so constructed overlaps the stadium rim in such a manner that no rain and only minor amounts of wind can enter, but ventilation can occur. (See FIG. 9.) The roof is left unconnected to the stadium to allow for independent structural movement. The roof overlaps the rim of the stadium to provide also some protection to the concourse and other areas around the stadium.
The space between the roof and the stadium rim is made of sufficient size, possibly 10', to allow for desired ventilation. The roof, however, may be connected at this point to the stadium if so desired and the space may be closed. The closure may be a flexible gasket. See 72 FIG. 10.
Stadium stanchion lighting 73 (see FIG. 1) where existing is left in place or, where interference with the roof tower assembly 22 and 26 occurs, remounted on the roof tower assembly. These lights can then project through the completed clear skylight roof illuminating the stadium interior. Additional lighting if necessary can be installed on the underside of the roof structure.
Additional details of construction include: roof drainage and downspouts (not illustrated); roof condensation gutters on the underside of the roof (not illustrated); high pressure water cleaning jets 62 on the roof for cleaning; elevators 80 installed in the towers for access to the top of the towers and the roof; walkways and handrails formed on the tower tops and on the roof beams 38 for maintenance and sightseeing; a restaurant 60 constructed on the roof (see FIGS. 9 and 10); and luxury boxes 58 for private seating built on the roof or suspended from the roof.
It is to be understood that while the subject invention has been described with reference to a preferred method of assembly, other variations could be made by one skilled in the art without varying from the scope and the spirit of the subject invention as defined by the appended claims.
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A roof structure and method of constructing the same wherein a large clear span is built over an existing or new athletic stadium or arena. The principal feature of the roof is that it is supported by Cable-Stays to towers standing outside the stadium and can be built over an existing stadium by cantilevering without entering the stadium, and places no added weight on the existing stadium. The structure includes a beam framework and a roof covering installed over the framework. The covering is fabricated of a clear skylight material to allow sufficient light transmission to permit a natural grass playing field, and it is openable to allow for ventilation.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a multi-stage hydrocracking process in which light products from the first stage, such as naphtha, kerosene and diesel, are joined with naphtha, kerosene and diesel from other sources and recycled from fractionation to a second stage (or subsequent stage) hydrocracker in order to produce lighter products, such as gas and naphtha.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Historically, there has been little interest in cracking kerosene or other light products to even lighter products. In the United States, there is little demand for gas or other very light volatile products. Bottoms materials are usually the material recycled in two-stage hydrocracking as practiced in the United States. There is, however, a demand for products such as LPG and LNG in Asia.
[0003] Although there has been demand for very light products in some parts of the world, there was a belief by many experts that light products would not crack in most reactors (using conventional hydrocracking catalysts as opposed to FCC catalysts) because they are in the vapor phase as opposed to the liquid phase. This belief apparently originated due to the fact that the environment in a single-stage hydrocracker, in the presence of H 2 S and NH 3 , is not conducive to cracking of light products.
[0004] The concept of recycling bottoms material back to an initial hydrocracking stage (rather than a second hydrocracking stage) is well known. U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,441 (Gentry et al.) discloses recycling of bottoms material which has been hydrocracked and dewaxed back to a hydrocracker.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,621 (Hunter) discloses a middle distillate upgrading process. A middle distillate side stream of a conventional single-stage hydrocracking process is circulated to a hydrotreating stage, such as an aromatics saturation reactor and/or a catalytic dewaxing reactor in order to effect middle distillate upgrade. The upgraded product is then finished in a fractionation stage side-stripper column. This invention discloses passing middle distillate to a hydrotreating stage. The middle distillates are being upgraded, not cracked, as in the instant invention.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,457 (Fischer et al.) discloses a process in which a highly aromatic substantially dealkylated feedstock is processed directly to high octane gasoline by hydrocracking over a catalyst preferably comprising a large pore zeolite such as zeolite Y, in addition to a hydrogenation-dehydrogenation component. The feedstock is preferably a light cycle oil. Light cycle oil is heavier than the kerosene and naphtha cracked in the instant invention, and only one hydrocracking stage is employed in Fischer et al.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The Applicants have found that in the environment of a clean second-stage hydrocracker, with heteroatoms removed, light products will crack. The examples demonstrate that the net yield of kerosene decreased when recycled to the second stage on a raw feed blend basis, while the qualities of the middle distillates remained the same. Recycling the kerosene to the second stage increased the yield of 170-350° F. reformer naphtha, the product most highly valued by the customer.
[0008] The invention disclosed herein is a process for the production of light products, such as gas and naphtha, by processing kerosene in a second stage (or a subsequent stage) of a multi-stage hydrocracker. Kerosene, diesel and naphtha from other sources are included in the recycle, and subsequent hydroprocessing stages are maintained at lower pressures than the initial hydroprocessing stage. This results in cost savings.
[0009] The instant invention is summarized as follows:
[0010] A method for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feedstock, the method employing multiple hydroprocessing zones within a single reaction loop and comprising the following steps:
[0011] (a) passing a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to a first hydroprocessing zone having one or more beds containing hydroprocessing catalyst, the hydroprocessing zone being maintained at hydroprocessing conditions, wherein the feedstock is contacted with catalyst and hydrogen to produce a vapor stream and a liquid stream as effluent;
[0012] (b) removing the vapor stream of step (a), which comprises hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide and light hydrocarbonaceous gases overhead;
[0013] (c) combining the liquid stream of step (b) with the liquid effluent from other hydroprocessing zones;
[0014] (d) passing the liquid stream of step (c), which comprises hydrocarbonaceous compounds boiling in approximately the same range of the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock, to fractionation;
[0015] (e) separating the liquid stream of step (d), in fractionation, into gas, naphtha, kerosene and diesel fractions, in addition to the bottoms fraction;
[0016] (f) passing the bottoms fraction of step (e) to further processing or recycling to one or more of the other hydroprocessing zones of step (c);
[0017] (g) passing one or more of the naphtha, kerosene and diesel fractions to further processing as products or recycling one or more of the fractions to one or more of the other hydroprocessing zones of step (c) the kerosene, naphtha, and diesel fractions being in combination with kerosene, naphtha and diesel fractions from other sources, said hydroprocessing zones or zones being maintained at hydroprocessing conditions and at lower pressure than the first hydroprocessing zone, and possessing an environment substantially free of H 2 S, NH 3 , or other heteroatom contaminants;
[0018] (h) passing the effluent of step (g) to fractionation; and
[0019] (i) recovering in fractionation an increased amount of gas and naphtha, in the fractionation stage of step (h) than in the fractionation step of step (e).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0020] The Figure illustrates a two-stage hydrocracking process having the capability for recycle of bottoms fractions, diesel fractions, kerosene fraction or naphtha fractions to the second reactor stage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Preheated oil feed in stream 1 is mixed with hydrogen in stream 2 prior to its entrance into first stage or primary hydroprocessing zone 10 . This hydroprocessing zone is preferably a downflow, fixed bed reactor. This reactor contains multiple beds of hydroprocessing catalysts. At least one bed contains hydrocracking catalyst.
[0022] The effluent 3 of the first stage reactor, which has been hydrotreated and partially hydrocracked, comprises a liquid stream and a vapor stream. The vapor stream 3 ( a ) is removed overhead. It comprises hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide and light hydrocarbonaceous gases. The liquid stream 3 ( b ) is combined with the liquid effluent from other process zones, represented by stream 4 . Stream 3 ( b ) and stream 4 are combined to create stream 5 . Stream 5 is passed to the fractionation unit 30 , where it is separated into gas stream 6 , naphtha stream 7 , kerosene stream 8 , diesel stream 9 , and bottoms stream 14 . The naphtha product may alternately be recycled, in whole or in part, through stream 11 to stream 15 , and ultimately to second stage reactor 20 . Kerosene product may alternately be recycled, in whole or in part, through stream 12 to stream 15 , and ultimately to second stage reactor 20 . Diesel product may be alternately recycled, in whole or in part, through stream 13 to stream 15 , and ultimately to second stage reactor 20 . Bottoms material in stream 14 may be passed to further processing (in stream 14 a ) or, alternately, may be recycled in stream 14 ( b ) to second reactor 20 . Second reactor 20 represents hydroprocessing zones subsequent to the first hydroprocessing zone. Each of these zones possesses an environment substantially free of H 2 S, NH 3 or other heteroatom components.
[0023] Feeds
[0024] A wide variety of hydrocarbon feeds may be used in the instant invention. Typical feedstocks include any heavy or synthetic oil fraction or process stream having a boiling point above 392° F. (200° C.). Such feedstocks include vacuum gas oils, heavy atmospheric gas oil, delayed coker gas oil, visbreaker gas oil demetallized oils, vacuum residua, atmospheric residua, deasphalted oil, Fischer-Tropsch streams, and FCC streams.
[0025] Products
[0026] Although emphasis is placed on the increased production of gas and naphtha, the process of this invention is also useful in the production of middle distillate fractions boiling in the range of about 250-700° F. (121-371° C.). A middle distillate fraction is defined as having an approximate boiling range from about 250° F. to 700° F. At least 75 vol %, preferably 85 vol %, of the components of the middle distillate have a normal boiling point of greater than 250° F. At least about 75 vol %, preferably 85 vol %, of the components of the middle distillate have a normal boiling point of less than 700° F. The term “middle distillate” includes the diesel, jet fuel and kerosene boiling range fractions.
[0027] The kerosene or jet fuel boiling point range refers to the range between 280° F. and 525° F. (38-274° C.). The term “diesel boiling range” refers to hydrocarbons boiling in the range from 250° F. to 700° F. (121-371° C.).
[0028] Gasoline and naphtha production is emphasized in the process of this invention. Gasoline or naphtha normally boils in the range below 400° F. (204° C.), or C 10− . Boiling ranges of various product fractions recovered in any particular refinery will vary with such factors as the characteristics of the crude oil source, local refinery markets, and product prices.
[0029] Heavy hydrotreated gas oil, another product of this invention, usually boils in the range from 550° F. to 700° F.
[0030] Conditions
[0031] Hydroprocessing conditions is a general term which refers primarily in this application to hydrocracking or hydrotreating, preferably hydrocracking. The first stage reactor, as depicted in FIG. 1, is a partial conversion hydrocracker.
[0032] Typical hydrocracking conditions include a reaction temperature of from 400° F.-950° F. (204° C.-510° C.), preferably 650° F.-850° F. (343° C.-454° C.). Reaction pressure ranges from 500 to 5000 psig (3.5-4.5 MPa), preferably 1500-3500 psig (10.4-24.2 MPa). LHSV ranges from 0.1 to 15 hr −1 (v/v), preferably 0.25-2.5 hr −1 . Hydrogen consumption ranges from 500 to 2500 SCF per barrel of liquid hydrocarbon feed (89.1-445 m 3 H 2 /m 3 feed). Reactors subsequent to the first hydroprocessing reactor are operated at a pressure at least 100 psig lower than that of the first reactor, and preferably from 500 to 1000 psig lower than the first reactor.
[0033] Catalyst
[0034] Each hydroprocessing zone may contain only one catalyst, or several catalysts in combination.
[0035] The hydrocracking catalyst generally comprises a cracking component, a hydrogenation component, and a binder. Such catalysts are well known in the art. The cracking component may include an amorphous silica/alumina phase and/or a zeolite, such as a Y-type or USY zeolite. Catalysts having high cracking activity often employ REX, REY and USY zeolites. The binder is generally silica or alumina. The hydrogenation component will be a Group VI, Group VII, or Group VIII metal or oxides or sulfides thereof, preferably one or more of iron, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt, or nickel, or the sulfides or oxides thereof. If present in the catalyst, these hydrogenation components generally make up from about 5% to about 40% by weight of the catalyst. Alternatively, noble metals, especially platinum and/or palladium, may be present as the hydrogenation component, either alone or in combination with the base metal hydrogenation components iron, chromium molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt, or nickel. If present, the platinum group metals will generally make up from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the catalyst.
[0036] Hydrotreating catalyst usually is designed to remove sulfur and nitrogen and provide a degree of aromatic saturation. It will typically be a composite of a Group VI metal or compound thereof, and a Group VIII metal or compound thereof supported on a porous refractory base such as alumina. Examples of hydrotreating catalysts are alumina supported cobalt-molybdenum, nickel sulfide, nickel-tungsten, cobalt-tungsten and nickel-molybdenum. Typically, such hydrotreating catalysts are presulfided.
[0037] Catalyst selection is dictated by process needs and product specifications. In particular, a noble catalyst may be used in the second stage when there is a low amount of H 2 S present.
[0038] The Examples below demonstrate the relative effectiveness of recycling kerosene to produce lighter products of high quality, as opposed to not recycling kerosene.
EXAMPLE
[0039] The “recycle” of kerosene was simulated by passing kerosene from the first hydrocracking stage over the catalyst in the second hydrocracking stage. The first stage kerosene possessed a smoke point of 14 mm and 25 LV % aromatics. Net yields from the runs where kerosene was “recycled” have been calculated by deducting the supplemental kerosene feed from the gross, measured kerosene yield (gross weight of kerosene product-weight of kerosene “recycled”=net yield of kerosene product).
[0040] In kerosene recycle mode, a base metal zeolite hydrocracking catalyst cracked a substantial fraction of the kerosene to naphtha and gas (see Tables 1 and 2). The net yield of kerosene decreased on a raw feed blend basis and the qualities of the middle distillates remained the same. Recycling the kerosene to the second stage did increase the yield of 170-350° F. reformer naphtha, a product in most demand by the customer.
TABLE 1 Two-Stage Hydrocracking of Vacuum Gas Oil/Hydrocracking Gas Oil/ Light Cycle Oil Feed Blend Using Hydrocracking Catalyst Run Hours 600-624 Reactor 1 Temp, ° F. 725 Reactor 2 Temp, ° F. 669 Overall LHSV, hr −1 1.00 Per Pass Conversion 58 Total Pressure, PSIG 2297 No Loss Prod. Yields Wt. % Vol. % C 1 0.13 C 2 0.18 C 3 0.56 iC 4 0.94 1.62 nC 4 0.63 1.06 C 5 -170° F. 3.43 5.04 170-350° F. 13.04 16.48 350-550° F. 29.99 33.44 550-RCP 15.57 16.92 Recycle Bleed 34.84 38.17 Recycle Cut Point, ° F. 656 Total C 4 − 2.44 Total C 5 + 96.87 110.04 Closure 99.6 // Fractioner Bottoms Nitrogen, ppm 24.5
[0041] [0041] TABLE 2 Two-Stage Hydrocracking of Vacuum Gas Oil/Hydrocracked Gas Oil/Light Cycle Oil Feed Blend Using Hydrocracking Catalyst, with “Kerosene Recycle” Hours 816-840 Reactor 1 Tempera- 725 ture, ° F. Reactor 2 Tempera- 691 ture, ° F. LHSV, 1/Hr 1.00 Per Pass Conversion, 60 % Total Pressure, psig 2294 No Loss Product Yields Wt. % Vol. % C 1 0.13 C 2 0.20 C 3 0.80 iC 4 1.80 nC 4 0.99 C 5 -170° F. 6.4 9.5 170-350° F. 18.0 22.8 350-550° F. 24.0 26.8 550-650° F. 15.3 16.6 650° F.+ 32.4 35.3 Recycle cut point 650° F. Total C 5 + 96.1 111.0 Total C 4 − 3.72 Chemical H 2 Consumption, SCF/B 2080 Closure, % 99.7 Fractioner Bottoms Nitrogen, ppm 28
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This invention relates to a multi-stage process for hydroprocessing gas oils. Preferably, each stage possesses at least one hydrocracking zone. The second stage and any subsequent stages possess an environment having a low heteroatom content. Light products, such as naphtha, kerosene and diesel, may be recycled from fractionation (along with light products from other sources) to the second stage (or a subsequent stage) in order to produce a larger yield of lighter products, such as gas and naphtha. Subsequent zones are maintained at a lower pressure than that of the first zone, thereby reducing operating expenses.
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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL RIGHTS
This invention was made with government support under Contract No. W7405-ENG-36 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy to The Regents of The University of California. The government has certain rights in the invention.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the synthesis of the insensitive high-explosive triaminotrinitrobenzene. (TATB) and, more particularly, to the synthesis of ultrafine TATB by sonochemical amination.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The compound 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) is an explosive having a high melting point and thermal stability that has been applied in situations where insensitivity to impact hazards is important. In the past, production-grade TATB was prepared by amination of 1,3,5-trichloro-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TCTNB) in toluene with anhydrous ammonia gas in a pressurized reactor. TATB thus produced is suitable for most applications requiring a particle size ranging from 30-60 μm. However, for applications requiring higher sensitivity to shock initiation, fine-grained TATB is desirable. Ultrafine TATB is generally considered to be TATB having a particle size under 10 μm. Unfortunately, the processes involved for the production of such ultrafine TATB (UF-TATB) are complicated and time consuming.
Ultrasound includes sound frequencies beyond human hearing; that is, above 16 kHz. When ultrasound is applied to liquids of either a homogeneous or heterogeneous reaction system, acoustic cavitation results. Rate enhancement of chemical reactions accompanied by higher production yields has been demonstrated under the influence of ultrasonic irradiation (ultrasonication).
In “Synthesis And Characterization Of Sonochemically Aminated 1,3,5-Triamino-2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene” by Julie Bremser et al., J. Energetic. Materials 17, 297 (1999), the preparation of TATB from TCTNB in toluene by amination with ammonium hydroxide solution under the influence of ultrasonic irradiation is described. The room-temperature reaction was initiated by immersing the sonicator horn of an ultrasonic liquid processor operating at 20 kHz into a vessel containing a two-phase solution of TCTNB in toluene and ammonium hydroxide. A piece of aluminum foil was used to cover the vessel in order to avoid the escape of a significant amount of ammonia gas. After 40 min. of sonication, the resulting emulsion was allowed to stand overnight at ambient temperature. The TATB precipitate was collected by filtration, washed sequentially with hot water, toluene and acetone, and dried at 98° C. in a vacuum oven overnight. Although the arithmetic median diameter of the TATB particles produced by this method was approximately 15 μm, the TATB was found to be slightly more sensitive to shock initiation than the approximately 5 μm median diameter micronized (fluid energy mill) UF-TATB prepared using established methods.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for preparing TATB having improved sensitivity to shock initiation over that for ultrafine TATB prepared by other methods.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, and, in part, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the foregoing and other objects of the present invention, and in accordance with its purposes, as embodied and broadly described herein, the method for producing triamino-trinitrobenzene hereof includes ultrasonically mixing a solution of trichloro-trinitrobenzene in a solvent therefor and a solution of ammonium hydroxide in a cooled, sealed vessel such that an emulsion of triaminotrinitrobenzene is formed; and separating the triamino-trinitrobenzene from the emulsion.
It is preferred that the solvent for trichloro-trinitrobenzene is toluene.
Preferably, the solution of trichloro-trinitrobenzene and the solution of ammonium hydroxide are maintained at between 1° C. and 15° C. during the step of ultrasonically mixing the solutions.
Benefits and advantages of the present invention include the single-step production of fine-grained triamino-trinitrobenzene (TATB) powders having improved detonation-spreading performance and hence increased shock sensitivity when compared with that for ultrafine TATB (UF-TATB).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a graph of the volume percent for sonochemically aminated TATB (SA-TATB) and ultrafine TATB (UF-TATB) as a function of particle diameter and illustrates the particle size distributions for these two materials.
FIG. 2 a is a scanning electron micrograph of UF-TATB, while FIG. 2 b is a scanning electron micrograph for SA-TATB.
FIG. 3 is a graph of the dent profiles for UF-TATB and SA-TATB for two compacted densities, deeper dents indicating better detonation spreading.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Briefly, the present invention includes the direct preparation of fine TATB powder using ammonium hydroxide solution and ultrasonic irradiation rather than anhydrous ammonia gas for the amination of TCTNB, since ultrasound generates extremely fine emulsions from mixtures of immiscible liquids.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. A solution of TCTNB in toluene is added to an ammonium hydroxide solution in an air-sealed sonication reactor having a sonicator horn powered by a 20 kHz, variable-amplitude power supply output (275-330 W). The horn is disposed below the liquid level. The reactor is placed in a circulating bath at between 1° C. and 15° C. and the liquids sonochemically aminated between 10 min and 40 min. The resulting TATB was collected by filtration, washed sequentially with water, toluene and acetone, and dried in an oven. Particle-size analysis of aqueous TATB suspensions was performed using a particle sizer.
Having generally described the present invention, the following EXAMPLES provide additional detail.
EXAMPLE 1
To the air-sealed sonication reactor containing 25 ml of 30% aqueous ammonium hydroxide (NH 4 OH) was added 15 ml of TCTNB (2.08 g of TCTNB, 85% purity) in toluene. The reactor was then sealed with the sonicator horn (0.5 in. probe) immersed in the liquid. The entire reactor was then immersed in a circulating bath at 1° C. With the sonicator power set at 330 W, the amination reaction was started. After 20 min. of sonication, the reaction was stopped and the sonicator allowed to warm to ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was then poured into a beaker, and the resulting TATB was collected by filtration using a membrane filter paper, washed sequentially with water, toluene and acetone, and dried in an oven at 98° C. The particle median diameter of the TATB was measured to be 4.90 μm.
EXAMPLE 2
To the air-sealed sonication reactor containing 15 ml of a stock solution of TCTNB (20.8 g of TCTNB in 140 ml of toluene which yields 150 ml of solution) was added 25 ml of 30% aqueous ammonium hydroxide. The reactor was then sealed with the sonicator horn (0.5 in. probe) immersed in the liquid. The entire reactor was then immersed in a circulating bath at 10° C. With the sonicator power set at 275 W, the amination reaction was started. After 20 min. of sonication, the reaction was stopped and the sonicator allowed to warm to ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was then poured into a beaker, and the resulting TATB was collected by filtration using a membrane filter paper, washed sequentially with water, toluene and acetone, and dried in an oven at 98° C. The particle median diameter of the TATB was measured to be 5.29 μm.
Turning now to FIG. 1, a graph of the particle size distributions of both UF-TATB and SA-TATB are displayed as a function of particle diameter. From this graph, the median diameters of the two TATB powders are each determined to be approximately 6 μm. FIG. 2 shows the surface structure for TATB powders visualized using scanning electron microscopy. Samples were gold-coated for examination at room temperature. FIG. 2 a shows the micrograph of UF-TATB, while FIG. 2 b shows that for SA-TATB, both taken at 2 kV.
The Floret test (called the detonation-spreading spot-size test in “Detonation Spreading In Fine TATBs” by J. E. Kennedy et al., Proceedings, 24 th International Pyrotechnics Seminar, Monterey, Calif., July, 1998, IIT Research Institute, pp. 743-748) is a means for ranking the shock sensitivity of fine TATB powders using a small quantity of powder. See also, “Synthesis, Detonation Spreading And Reaction Rate Modeling Of Fine TATB” by Kien-Yin Lee et al., 11 th International Detonation Symposium, Aug. 31 through Sep. 4, 1998, Snowmass Conference Center, Snowmass Village, Colo. 81615, pp. 362, released in August, 2000. The test involves the impact of a thin pellet of pressed TATB by an explosively driven stainless-steel flyer plate that is much smaller in diameter than the explosive pellet. In insensitive high explosives, detonation initiated over a small area may not spread throughout the entire diameter of the pellet. The degree of detonation spreading is determined by measurement of the dent pattern produced on a copper plate upon which the TATB pellet rests. Floret testing was performed at room temperature and a strong dependence of the detonation spreading behavior on pellet density was observed. FIG. 8 shows that SA-TATB displays better detonation spreading performance than UF-TATB. In earlier work (see, e.g., Julie Bremser et al., supra) detonation spreading of FP-TATB was found to be slightly better than that for UF-TATB at about 1.81 g/cm 3 , but the improvement was not significant. Since the detonation spreading behavior of fine TATB is much better at low density, tests were performed at 1.70 g/cm 3 with SA-TATB. Results confirmed the improved detonation spreading, showing that SA-TATB performs much better than UF-TATB at this lower density.
In conclusion, finer TATB materials having greater shock sensitivity (as measured by detonation-spreading behavior) than UF-TATB at the same density can be produced using a simple one-step method.
The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. For example,
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.
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A method for producing fine-grained triamino-trinitrobenzene (TATB) powders having improved detonation-spreading performance and hence increased shock sensitivity when compared with that for ultrafine TATB is described. A single-step, sonochemical amination of trichloro-trinitrobenzene using ammonium hydroxide solution in a sealed vessel yields TATB having approximately 6 μm median particle diameter and increased shock sensitivity.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tetrazolium salts, such as 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3- (4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl tetrazolium (INT), are very useful in the measurement of analytes which can be converted to an equivalent concentration of NADH due to the reduction of the tetrazolium salt to its corresponding formazan which reduction can be accurately measured by colorimetric means.
A typical reagent system for determining glucose concentration in body fluids is based on reductive chemistry wherein the primary components are hexokinase (HK), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), diaphorase, nicotinamideadenine dinucleotide (AND) and a tetrazolium salt as indicator. In operation, hexokinase catalyzes the reaction in which, in the presence of glucose, a phosphate radical is taken from ATP thereby converting it to adenosine diphosphate to form glucose-6-phosphate which is oxidized in the presence of AND and G-6-PDH thereby reducing AND to NADH. The NADH, in the presence of diaphorase as electron acceptor, reduces the colorless tetrazolium salt to its colored formazan counterpart thereby providing a detectable response. The reaction steps, as represented by the following scheme, represent the determination of NADH as an indirect means of determining the glucose concentration in the test sample: ##STR1##
The utility of tetrazolium salts in such systems for detecting such analytes is proportional to their solubility in water or suitable organic solvents. This is particularly true in the case of dry reagent diagnostic test devices, such as those in which a tetrazolium salt is dissolved in a polar organic solvent for impregnation into a carrier matrix such as paper or a polymer matrix or dissolved in an aqueous solution of a film forming polymer such as gelatin. Tetrazolium salt indicators are typically used with gelatin film and other dry reagent formulations which employ diaphorase or a chemical mediator in the color generating step. An adequate amount of indicator must be present to completely consume the reducing equivalents that originate from the influx of an analyte such as glucose. In most cases, in order to obtain a reasonably thin coating of the film forming polymer and to provide a sufficient supply of the indicator within the porous matrix, the concentration of indicator must be in the range of 0.05M to 0.15M or more.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,892,019 discloses the increased water solubility of benzylmorphine after it is reacted with alkyl sulphonic acid, e.g. methane or ethanesulfonic acid, by formation of the corresponding salt. U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,071 discloses the enhancement of the solubility of 17-cyclobutylmethyl-3-hydroxy-862 -methyl-6-methylene morphinane by converting its chloride salt to the corresponding methanesulfonate.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,382 discloses tetrazolium thiazolium salts in which the counteranion can be chloride, iodide, bromide, thiocyanate, thiosulfate, sulfate, paratoluenesulfonate, methylsulfate, ethyl sulfate, nitrate, acetate, perchlorate, perborate, sulfite, hydroxide or carbonate.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,864 the patentees state that one of the objects of their invention is to provide a novel light sensitive photographic material containing a tetrazolium compound. They point out that this and other objects can be attained by preparing a photographic material which comprises a support and at least one light sensitive silver halide layer and another hydrophylic colloidal layer coated on the support, one of which layer contains a tetrazolium salt. They point out that where the salt of a tetrazolium compound is used as a non-diffusible ingredient, such a salt can be synthesized by reacting a tetrazolium cation with an anion capable of making the selected compound non-diffusible. Counteranions such as those derived from higher alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, e.g. dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid or a higher alkyl sulfuric acid ester such as lauryl sulfate are disclosed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention involves certain salts of tetrazolium compounds which exhibit unexpectedly high solubility in polar solvents. These salts include a counteranion of the formula: ##STR2## In the above formula, R is an organic radical suitable for increasing the solubility of the tetrazolium salt in an aqueous or non-aqueous polar solvent. Preferably, R is a straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 7 carbon atoms or phenyl.
Also included within the scope of this invention is a diagnostic test device comprising a reagent system incorporated into a carrier matrix containing one or more of the sulfonate and/or phosphonate tetrazolium salts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The tetrazolium salts of the present invention can be represented by the formula: ##STR3## wherein X.sup.⊖ is the counteranion as defined above, R 1 and R 3 are phenyl groups and R 2 is phenyl or 2-thiazolyl. The phenyl and optional thiazol groups can be substituted or unsubstituted. More specifically, R 1 , R 3 and optionally R 2 can be represented by, but are not limited to, the formula: ##STR4## wherein the Y groups (Y 1 , Y 2 , Y 3 or Y 4 ) which are the same or different can be, for example, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, halo, hydrogen, hydroxy, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, trialkylamino amino or ureido groups.
When R 2 is a thiazole group, it can be unsubstituted or substituted. For example, where the thiazole group is represented by the formula: ##STR5## where R 4 and R 5 are hydrogen or some other substitutent.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the R 1 and R 3 moieties of the tetrazolium salt are as described above and R 2 is a thiazole group in which R 4 and R 5 together form a benzo ring which is substituted or unsubstituted; R 4 is carboxyl, carbalkoxy, carbamoyl, or cyano and R 5 is alkyl or chloro; R 4 is alkyl or aryl and R 5 is carboxyl, carbalkoxy, carbaryloxy, carbamoyl or cyano; R 4 is di- or trifluoroalkyl wherein the fluoro substituents are on the carbon adjacent to the thiazolyl residue; or one or both of R 4 and R 5 are substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, and if only one is substituted phenyl, the other is hydrogen or alkyl. Among those tetrazolium cations which are particularly useful in the context of the present invention are those in which R 4 and R 5 together form a benzo ring to give a benzothiazole residue having the formula: ##STR6## wherein (i) R 6 and R 7 or R 7 and R 8 or R 8 and R 9 together form a benzo or cyclohexyl ring that is unsubstituted or substituted with alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, amino, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, cyano, halo, hydroxyl, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, trialkylammonio, or ureido, and wherein the others, same or different, are hydrogen, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, amino, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, cyano, halo, hydroxyl, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, trialkylammonio, or ureido, provided that where R 7 and R 8 together form a benzo or cyclohexyl ring, R 6 is not hydrogen, or
(ii) one or more of R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , and R 9 is alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, amino, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, cyano, halo, hydroxyl, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, trialkylammonio, or ureido, and the others, if any, are hydrogen.
The salts of the present invention are most conveniently prepared by interaction of less soluble salts of the tetrazolium compound with an anion exchange resin which is converted to its alkyl or benzene sulfonate or phosphonate form. This procedure is preferably carried out in the presence of an ion exchange resin due to the ease of purification which is rendered by this technique. Thus, by using the ion exchange resin one can simply stir the tetrazolium salt in a slurry of the resin followed by filtration, concentration and crystallization to obtain the pure salt. Alternative procedures which involve stirring the less soluble tetrazolium salt with the alkyl or benzene sulfonic or phosphoric acid or their salts can also be employed. However, when an ion exchange resin is used the excess sulfonate or phosphate tetrazolium salt is attached to the resin and can be separated from the reaction mass by filtration.
The following examples illustrate the general procedure for preparation of the tetrazolium salts of the present invention and their inclusion in analytical test devices. EXAMPLE I
A. Preparation of ion exchange resin (RSO 3 - form).
Sulfonic acid is added to 20 g of Amberlite IRA-400 (--OH) ion exchange resin in 60 mL of water until a pH of 1.5 is achieved. The mixture is filtered and washed with 100 mL of water followed by a second washing with 100 mL of methanol.
B. Preparation of tetrazolium sulfonates.
A slurry of 5.5 g of tetrazolium salt, e.g. the tetrafluoroborate, and 50 g of moist resin is stirred in 300 mL of methanol for 2-4 hours. In cases where the tetrazolium salt's poor solubility inhibits the exchange, the mixture is warmed to 40° C. The mixture is filtered and then concentrated to a gum like residue whereupon the product precipitates after stirring with ethyl acetate.
C. Preparation of tetrazolium bromides.
A slurry of 2 g of the tetrazolium tetrafluoroborate is stirred overnight with 50 mL of 48% hydrobromic acid. The mixture is then filtered and washed with 200 mL of water to yield the tetrazolium bromide.
D. Preparation of tetrazolium tetrafluoroborates.
These salts are prepared by stirring the appropriate formazan with isoamylnitrate in the presence of 48% fluoroboric acid in acetic acid and filtering the product. Optionally, if the product does not precipitate, ether is added to force precipitation. Nitrate salts are prepared in a similar manner in the absence of fluoroboric acid.
E. Solubility testing.
Approximately 10 mg of the tetrazolium salt is measured out and the solvent added in increments of 25 μL until the salt dissolves. When it becomes apparent that a particular compound is only marginally soluble, the volume of solvent increments is increased to 50 and then to 100 μL.
The results of this solubility testing are set out in Table I in which the following abbreviations are used:
INT: 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl tetrazolium
MTT: [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium
DCT: 2-(4-difluoromethyl-5-chlorothiazol-2-yl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl) tetrazolium
DCMT: 2-(4-difluoromethyl-5-chlorothiazol-2-yl)-3-(2 methoxyphenyl)-5-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl) tetrazolium
MTM: 2-(5-methoxynaphtho[1,2-d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl) tetrazolium
Me: methyl
Et: ethyl
Pr: propyl
Bu: butyl
Pe: pentyl
Bz: benzene
TABLE I______________________________________ Solubility (m mol L)Compound mp (°C.) Methanol Water______________________________________INT Cl.sup.- 3INT MeSO.sub.3.sup.- 132-135 35MTT Br.sup.- 360 18MTT MeSO.sub.3.sup.- 189-193 1150 >1,000DCT Br.sup.- 189-191 10 <1DCT BF.sub.4.sup.- 239-241 <16 <0.5DCT NO.sub.3.sup.- 184-185 22 2DCT MeSO.sub.3.sup.- 129-131 >500 73DCT EtSO.sub.3.sup.- 157-159 >600 26DCT PrSO.sub.3.sup.- 174-176 >650 16DCT BzSO.sub.3.sup.- 175-177 >550DCMT Br.sup.- 167-169 24 <1DCMT BF.sub.4.sup.- 231-233 12.9 2.7DCMT MeSO.sub.3.sup.- 170-179 >760 248DCMT PrSO.sub.3.sup.- 176-168 >760 23DCMT BuSO.sub.3.sup.- 183-185 >700 15DCMT PeSO.sub.3.sup.- 198-200 >700 2.6MTM NO.sub.3.sup.- 251-252 7.6MTM MeSO.sub.3.sup.- 257-258 48MTM PrSO.sub.3.sup.- 241-141 100MTM BzSO.sub.3 251-251 19______________________________________
From the data tabulated in Table I it can be determined that the conversion of the chloride salt of INT to its methanesulfonate increased its water solubility by a factor of greater than 10. The conversion of MTT bromide to the methane sulfonate provides an even greater increase in water solubility as well as increasing the salt's solubility in methanol. In the case of DCT, the bromide, tetrafluoroborate and nitrate salts are only marginally soluble in water and methanol whereas the methanesulfonate is highly soluble in both. As the size of the alkyl group increases, the water solubility decreases whereas solubility in methanol increases. The enhanced water solubility of these salts is significant since it facilitates the inclusion of adequate quantities of the tetrazolium salt into thin films of water soluble polymers such as gelatin. The high methanol solubility of the benzenesulfonate is also significant. The use of non-aqueous solvents in preparing the previously mentioned carrier matrix films is important because it enables one to deposit the indicator into the matrix from non-aqueous solutions wherein the liquid phase is a non-solvent for the reagent system used to create the detectable response. Typical carrier matrixes include bibulous materials such as filter paper or a nonbibulous material such as a membrane of a polymerized substance or a combination thereof. Accordingly, it is significant that methanol solubility of MTM is substantially increased by converting it to the methane- or propanesulfonate. The solubility of this tetrazolium compound decreases when it is converted to the benzenesulfonate but is still substantially greater than the nitrate. Conversely, no improvement in methanol solubility was observed for the paratoluene and naphthalene salts of these tetrazolium compounds.
Further reference to Table I reveals that the water and methanol solubility of DCMT is greatly enhanced by conversion of the bromide or tetrafluoroborate salts to the corresponding methanesulfonate. As the length of the alkyl chain increases, water solubility declines while methanol solubility remains substantially unchanged.
The tetrazolium salts of the present invention are particularly suitable for use in analytical test devices of the type previously mentioned since the solubility of the salt can be tailored to the particular device being fabricated. For example if it is desired to impregnate a carrier matrix or a gelatin film with the tetrazolium salt from an aqueous solution, the organic moiety, R in the foregoing general formula, is lower alkyl, preferably methyl, in order to provide a tetrazolium salt with the requisite hydrophilic properties. In the manufacture of analytical devices where it is desirable to apply the various reagents from a solution other than that from which the tetrazolium salt is applied, the R group is selected to render the salt soluble in polar organic solvents, which are not good solvents for the other reagents, to facilitate application of the tetrazolium indicator from its solution in the polar organic solvent either before or after the other reagents have been applied to the substrate from their aqueous solution. In this manner premixing of the reagent system and the tetrazolium salt in a single solvent system can be avoided by tailoring the counteranion to the solvent system of choice. Methanol is a particularly good solvent for certain tetrazolium indicators wherein the R group in the counteranion is phenyl.
The preparation of a polymer matrix, analytical device using a tetrazolium salt of the present invention is illustrated by the following example. EXAMPLE II
An 80 millimole/liter solution of 2-(4-difluoromethyl-5-chlorothiazol-2-yl)-3-(3,4,5 trimethoxyphenyl)-(5-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl) tetrazolium benzenesulfonate in methanol containing 0.75% Cremophor surfactant was prepared. A 500 foot strip of a 6 mil thick, 8.625 inch wide, zwitterionic charged nylon fabric was impregnated with 4 liters of the tetrazolium salt solution to cause saturation. Extraction of the fabric with methanol and determination of the indicator's concentration by HPLC spectroscopy indicated that it was present in the fabric at a concentration of 4-5μ mole/in 2 . After drying, the strip was treated with 5 1/2liters of an aqueous solution containing 100 mM/L adenosine triphosphate. After the aqueous impregnation, 1 liter of the aqueous solution remained which was found to contain 3 mM of the tetrazolium salt which was extracted from the treated membrane. The solution also contained some formazan which was not quantified. Assuming that the formazan was also 3 mM, there was recovered an equivalent of 6 millimoles of the tetrazolium salt which had been extracted from the membrane during the aqueous impregnation, representing a loss of 1.875 percent.
4 L×0.08 moles/L=0.32 moles of tetrazolium salt impregnated into the membrane during first treatment.
1 L×0.006 moles/L=0.006 moles extracted during aqueous impregnation. ##EQU1## The amount of ATP in the membrane was determined to be between 82 and 92% of the theoretical level.
Impregnation of the fabric with methanolic, ethanolic or other alcoholic solutions of the indicator in which the counteranion was nitrate or tetrafluoroborate was unsuccessful due to the low solubility of these salts in alcohol. Concentrations of these salts comparable to that achieved with methanol was achieved using a 1:1 mixture of dimethylformamide and methanol. However, the use of dimethylformamide is undesirable on an industrial manufacturing scale since it is an established liver and kidney toxin. Furthermore, application of the tetrazolium salt from its methanol solution facilitates the use of a two dip procedure for applying the indicator in a first dip with the enzymes and other water soluble constituents of the reagent system in a second dip from their aqueous solutions without rehydrating the already deposited tetrazolium salt. By selecting a more hydrophilic organic radical, such as that of methanesulfonate, the tetrazolium salt is rendered water soluble so that the entire reagent system including the indicator can be applied in a single dip. Application from separate dips as in this example is preferred in order to minimize interaction between the reagents during the application of the reagent system to the substrate.
While the foregoing data illustrate the enhanced solubility of alkyl and benzenesulfonates, similar results can be achieved with the corresponding phosphonate salts. This is the case because the oxygen atoms on the phosphorous group improve water solubility through hydrogen bonding in a manner similar to those on the sulfonate. The organic group on the phosphonates is analogous to the alkyl or phenyl group of the sulfonates and can be manipulated in a similar manner to aid in the salt's solubility in various solvents.
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Disclosed are sulfonate and phosphonate salts of tetrazolium compounds whose enhanced solubility in various solvents renders them particularly suitable for use as redox indicators in dry reagent, diagnostic test systems.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a U.S. continuation application filed under 35 USC 111(a) claiming benefit under 35 USC 120 and 365(c) of PCT application JP2010/065440, filed on Sep. 8, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a method for providing a function for managing, storing, printing, and sending image data by cooperation of an imaging terminal, a data terminal, a connected display, and server, and an imaging terminal, data terminal, display terminal, and server.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the spread of digital cameras, the number of images taken by a single user has increased dramatically compared to the period when silver halide film type cameras were prevailing. This is largely due to the low cost per image taken. Furthermore, in recent years the storage capacity of storage devices such as a flash memory used in a digital camera has increased significantly with the miniaturization of semiconductor technology leading to an increase in the number of photographed images. A camera user can photograph a large amount of images without concern for cost or storage capacity limitations and by adjusting images after they are taken can select and keep only those deemed good.
In addition, in recent years, imaging elements have been increasingly installed in mobile type data terminals other than cameras such as mobile personal computers, mobile phones, mobile music players, and the like. This has made imaging possible using mobile data terminals. Many of these data terminals can connect to the internet and not only are photographed images stored in a storage means within the terminal but can also be sent to a server via the internet and used in various Web services.
Recently, many mobile phones include an imaging function. Although many people do not usually carry cameras, since most people usually carry mobile phones, more images are being taken compared to the period which relied exclusively on camera dedicated devices for taking photographs. Since many mobile phones include a function for connecting to the internet, many of the images taken using a mobile phone are utilized in various services on the internet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In this way, the spread of digital cameras, the large increase in capacity of storage devices, the installation of imaging devices in various mobile terminals and connecting these devices and terminal to the internet has led to a dramatic increase in the number of images taken by a single user. As stated above, this has provided various benefits to users. On the other hand, in order for a user to take a large number of images using a plurality of imaging terminals it is difficult to manage and maintain the images taken leading to new problems. There are seven problems. which are facing photographers, which need to be addressed relating to managing and maintaining a large number of images.
First, there is a problem whereby copying to a data terminal which manages and maintains image data from an imaging device is troublesome. Generally, image data taken by a camera or a data terminal is stored in a detachable storage media. SD memory cards or compact flash (registered trademark) cards are mainly used as storage media. After a user takes an image, these storage media are removed from the imaging terminal, a connection is made to the data terminal for managing and maintaining images and the image is copied to the data terminal. A personal computer is often used as such a data terminal for managing and maintaining images. For general users, copying a large amount of image data to a personal computer from a storage media is troublesome.
Second, there is a problem whereby it is difficult for a user to consolidate the locations of each image in order to use a plurality of imaging terminals such as a camera or mobile phone, image data held by a user who owns a plurality of imaging terminals is separated into storage media attached to each imaging terminal and stored. In order to consolidate the image data it is necessary to sequentially copy the image data from each storage media to a personal computer for managing and maintaining the image data. Not only is this process troublesome but in the case where the format of image data is different in each data terminal, it is necessary to convert the format of the image data before managing all the images in a personal computer. This process becomes more difficult when there is a large amount of image data.
Third, since there are many methods for using image data it is necessary for a user to copy image data or convert the format of each image for each usage method. For example, in the case where data taken with a camera is uploaded to a server of an SNS (Social Networking Service), a user must carry out a number of complex operations such as first copying image data from a storage media in the camera to a personal computer, adjusting the resolution or convert the format of the images on the personal computer before uploading the SNS server. In addition, in the case of printing image data, a user copies image data from the storage media of a camera to a personal computer, further copies the image data to a disk before taking the disk to a print service provider. In order to use an image browsing device such as a digital photo frame which have become widespread in recent years, after copying image data to another storage media via a personal computer it is necessary to connect the storage media to the image browsing device. In particular, it becomes even more troublesome when using images taken with a plurality of imaging terminals for various different purposes and there are not many users who have already managed all of their image data.
Fourth, backing up image data is difficult. In addition to a user taking a large amount of images using a plurality of imaging terminals, the storage capacity per image is increasing along with improvements in the capabilities of recent imaging devices. The total volume of image data taken by a single user has increased significantly due to these synergetic effects. The total volume of all images is often more than a storage device of a personal computer let alone a memory card or a storage disk. As a result, it becomes more difficult to perform a backup so that image data is not lost. In the case where the volume of image data to be backed up exceeds the capacity of usual storage media, a Large capacity external storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is used as a backup means. Alternatively, it is possible to use a backup service on a server which can be connected to the internet. However, these not only incur costs but also time to transfer such a large amount of data.
The first to third problem and the fourth problem have a two sided relationship. Because it is difficult to organize a large amount images, a large capacity storage means is required for maintaining most image data that cannot be organized. In addition, because all of this image data is stored in a large capacity storage means, it becomes even more difficult to organize the image data and the image data which cannot be organized further increases. For many users this is a vicious circle.
Attempts have been made to solve these problems using the internet. There are already many mobile phones and personal computers that can be connected to the internet. In addition, proposals have made to directly connect cameras, mobile music players or storage media used in cameras to the internet (JP4,251,757B, JP3,664,203B, JP2003-283900A). In addition, proposals have also been disclosed to either select or set whether image data is stored to a memory card of an imaging terminal or directly uploaded to the internet (JP2010-178360A). However, attempts to utilize the internet such as these produce further problems such as the fifth, six and seventh problems described below. As a result, management and maintenance of image data utilizing the internet is not widely used and therefore does not lead to solving the first to fourth problems described above.
Fifth, costs are incurred when consolidating a large amount of image data taken with a plurality of imaging terminals in a storage device of a Web server. Although many services which store image data in a server on the internet provide such services with free of charge, such services have an upper limit storage capacity and charge a fee for storage of data which exceeds this capacity. This upper limit storage capacity is below the storage capacity required by most users for unified storage of all their data. Many users do not like to pay such costs and therefore do not use these services. As a result, the first to the fourth problems are not solved.
Sixth, maintaining privacy and impossibility of improving convenience are problems. When a user manages image data in a unified storage device in a Web server, at least the provider of the Web service can specify the image data taken by each user. Furthermore, because it is assumed that most recent photograph storage services mainly publish image data on the internet or provide browsing by internet acquaintances, data related to image data held by a user may be disclosed on the internet. In addition, by correlating in advance data which can uniquely specify an imaging device or data which can uniquely specify a user on the internet with image data taken with a plurality of imaging devices, each image data can specify who and by what device such images were taken. If this is possible, it becomes possible to significantly improve the convenience of a Web service related to the storage of image data. However, while such image data is data which has a possibility of being disclosed on the internet, it is difficult to correlate data related to an imaging device or a user with such image data.
Seventh, there are many Web service on the internet related to storing, sharing, and sending images and thus a situation arises where image data taken by a single user is scattered among various Web services. Generally, a single user uses a number of Web services. For example, a certain user generally uses various image data service such as a service Z on the internet mainly for backing up image data, a print service U on the internet for printing image data, a service V on the internet for exchanging a diary with acquaintances which includes image data and electronic mail for sending image data to acquaintances. In this case, even if all the image data taken by a single user exists in a server on the internet, since this data is scattered on and managed by various services, the difficulty of organizing such data described as the first to the third problems above are not resolved.
The present invention attempts to solve the problems described above by providing a server, an imaging terminal, a data terminal, a display terminal, and a system in which a user can uniformly organize, manage, and maintain image data which are taken by various imaging terminals and which are scattered and stored among various servers and terminals by using a gateway service on the internet. In addition, according to the present invention, because it is possible to separate and store image data among various storage media, it is possible to solve the problem of cost incurred when storing a large amount of image data on a server and to solve the problem of backup without increasing the complexity of organizing, managing and maintaining image data.
One embodiment of the present invention provides a server providing a network service including: receiving from a first imaging terminal of a first user a first image data group comprised from a plurality of image data and a first imaging terminal ID for uniquely specifying the first imaging terminal; storing in a first storage means a first image ID for uniquely specifying a first image data being one image data in the first image data group, the first imaging terminal ID, and the first image data with the first image ID and the first imaging terminal ID correlated with the first image data; storing in the first storage means a second image ID for uniquely specifying a second image data being another image data in the first image data group sent from the first imaging terminal, the first imaging terminal ID, and the second image data with the second image ID and the first imaging terminal ID correlated with the second image data; receiving a first user ID for specifying the first user among users of the network service and the first imaging terminal ID from a first data terminal of the first user; storing in a second storage means the first user ID and the first imaging terminal ID with the first user ID correlated with the first imaging terminal ID; searching in the second storage means using the first user ID as a search key and extracting the first imaging terminal ID as a search result; searching in the first storage means using the extracted first imaging terminal ID as a search key and extracting the first image data and the second image data as a search result; generating a first summary image, which represents the first image data, having a smaller amount of data than the first image data; generating a second summary image, which represents the second image data, having a smaller amount of data than the second image data; storing in a third storage means the first summary image with the first imaging terminal ID and the first image ID correlated with the first summary image; storing in the third storage means the second summary image with the first imaging terminal ID and the second image ID correlated with the third storage means; and sending the first summary image and the second summary image to the first data terminal.
One embodiment of the present invention provides a server providing a network service including: receiving a first image data group comprised from a plurality of image data and a first imaging terminal ID for uniquely specifying a first imaging terminal of a first user from the first imaging terminal of the first user, the first image data group being imaged by the first imaging terminal; storing in a first storage means a first image ID for uniquely specifying a first image data being one image data in the first image data group with the first imaging terminal ID and the first image data correlated with the first image ID; storing in the first storage means a second image ID for uniquely specifying a second image data being another image data in the first image data group with the first imaging terminal ID and the second image data correlated with the second image ID; receiving a first user ID for specifying the first user among users of the network service and the first imaging terminal ID from a first data terminal; searching in a second storage means using the first user ID as a search key and extracting the first imaging terminal ID as a search result; searching in the first storage means using the extracted first imaging terminal ID as a search key and extracting the first image data and the second image data as a search result; generating a first summary image, which represents the extracted first image data, having a smaller amount of data than the first image data; generating a second summary image, which represents the extracted second image data, having a smaller amount of data than the second image data; storing in a third storage means the first summary image with the first imaging terminal ID and the first image ID correlated with the first summary data; storing in the third storage means the second summary image with the first imaging terminal ID and the second image ID correlated with the second summary image; and sending the first summary image and the second summary image to the first data terminal.
One embodiment of the present invention provides a server providing a network service including: receiving from a first imaging terminal of a first user a first image data group comprised from a plurality of image data and a first imaging terminal ID for uniquely specifying the first imaging terminal; sending a first image ID for uniquely specifying a first image data being one image data in the first image data group, a second image ID for uniquely specifying a second image data being another image data, and the first imaging terminal ID to a server of a bridge service; receiving a first scrambled PID and a second scrambled PID from the server of the bridge service; storing in a first storage means the first scrambled PID and the first image data with the first scrambled PID correlated with the first image data; storing in the first storage means the second scrambled PID and the second image data with the second scrambled PID correlated with the second image data; receiving a first user ID for specifying the first user among users of the network service and the first imaging terminal ID from a first data terminal of the first user; storing in a second storage means the first user ID and the first imaging terminal ID with the first user ID correlated with the first imaging terminal ID; searching in the second storage means using the first user ID as a search key and extracting the first imaging terminal ID as a search result; sending the extracted first imaging terminal ID to the server of the bridge service; receiving the first scrambled PID and the second scrambled. PID from the server of the bridge service; searching in the first storage means using the received first scrambled PID as a search key and extracting the first image data as a search result; searching in the first storage means using the received second scrambled PID as a search key and extracting the second image data as a search result; generating a first summary image, which represents the extracted first image data, having a smaller amount of data than the first image data; generating a second summary image, which represents the second image data, having a smaller amount of data than the second image data; storing in a third storage means the first summary image and the first scrambled PID with the first summary image correlated with the first scrambled PID; storing in the third storage means the second summary image and the second scrambled PID with the second summary image correlated with the second scrambled PID; and sending the first summary image and the second summary image to the first data terminal.
One embodiment of the present invention provides a server providing a network service including: receiving from a first imaging terminal of a first user a first image data group comprised from a plurality of image data and a first imaging terminal ID for uniquely specifying the first imaging terminal, the first image data group being imaged by the first imaging terminal; sending a first image ID for uniquely specifying a first image data being one image data in the first image data group, a second image ID for uniquely specifying a second image data being another image data, and the first imaging terminal ID to a server of a bridge service; receiving a first scrambled PID and a second scrambled PID from the server of the bridge service; storing in a first storage means the first scrambled PID and the first image data with the first scrambled PID correlated with the first image data; storing in the first storage means the second scrambled PID and the second image data with the second scrambled PID correlated with the second image data; receiving a first user ID for specifying the first user among users of the network service and the first imaging terminal ID from a first data terminal; storing in a second storage means the first user ID and the first imaging terminal ID with the first user ID correlated with the first imaging terminal ID; searching in the second storage means using the first user ID as a search key and extracting the first imaging terminal ID as a search result; sending the extracted first imaging terminal ID to the server of the bridge service; receiving the first scrambled PID and the second scrambled PID from the server of the bridge service; searching in the first storage means using the received first scrambled PID as a search key and extracting the first image data as a search result; searching in the first storage means using the received second scrambled PID as a search key and extracting the second image data as a search result; generating a first summary image, which represents the extracted first image data, having a smaller amount of data than the first image data; generating a second summary image, which represents the extracted second image data, having a smaller amount of data than the second image data; storing in a third storage means the first summary image and the first scrambled PID with the first summary image correlated with the first scrambled PID; storing in the third storage means the second summary image and the second scrambled PID with the second summary image correlated with the second scrambled PID; and sending the first summary image and the second summary image to the first data terminal.
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system including: a first imaging terminal of a first user, a server of a network service, and a bridge server; wherein: the first imaging terminal of the first user sends a first image data group comprised from a plurality of image data and a first imaging terminal ID for uniquely specifying the first imaging terminal to a server of a network service; the server of the network service sends a first image ID for uniquely specifying a first image data being one image data among the first image data group, a second image ID for uniquely specifying a second image data being another image data, and the first imaging terminal ID to a bridge server; the bridge server generates a first scrambled PID formed by a non-reversible calculation of the first image ID and the first imaging terminal ID; the bridge server generates a second scrambled PID formed by a non-reversible calculation of the second image ID and the first imaging terminal ID; the bridge server stores in a fifth storage means the first imaging terminal ID, the first scrambled PID, and the second scrambled PID with the first imaging terminal ID and the first scrambled RD correlated with the second scrambled PID; the bridge server sends the first scrambled PID and the second scrambled PID to the sever of the network service; the server of the network service stores in a first storage means the first scrambled PID and the first image data with the first scrambled RID correlated with the first image data; the server of the network service stores in the first storage means the second scrambled PID and the second image data with the second scrambled PID correlated with the second image data; a first data terminal of the first user sends a first user ID for specifying the first user among users of the network service and the first imaging terminal ID to the server of the network service; the server of the network service stores in a second storage means the received first user ID and the first imaging terminal ID with the received first user ID correlated with the first imaging terminal ID; the server of the network service searches in the second storage means using the first user ID as a search key and extracting the first imaging terminal ID as a search result; the server of the network service sends the extracted first imaging terminal to the bridge server; the bridge server searches in the fifth storage means using the received first imaging terminal ID as a search key; the bridge server sends the first scrambled PID and the second scrambled PID extracted as a search result to the server of the network service; the server of the network service receives the first scrambled PID and the second scrambled PID; the server of the network service searches in the first storage means using the received first scrambled RID as a search key and extracting the first image data as a search result; the server of the network service searches in the first storage means using the received second scrambled PID as a search key and extracting the second image data as a search result; the server of the network service generates a first summary image, which represents the extracted first image data, having a smaller amount of data than the first image data; the server of the network service generates a second summary image, which represents the extracted second image data, having a smaller amount of data than the second image data; the server of the network service stores in a third storage means the first summary image and the first scrambled PID with the first summary image correlated with the first scrambled PID; the server of the network service stores in the third storage means the second summary image and the second scrambled PID with the second summary image correlated with the second scrambled PID; the server of the network service sends the first summary image and the second summary image to the first data terminal; and a display means of the first data terminal displays the received first summary image and the second summary image.
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system including: a first imaging terminal of a first user, a server of a network service, and a bridge server; wherein: the first imaging terminal of the first user sends a first image data group comprised from a plurality of image data to a first data terminal of the first user; the first data terminal sends the first image data group and a first imaging terminal ID for uniquely specifying the first imaging terminal to a server of a network service; the server of the network service sends a first image ID for uniquely specifying a first image data being one image data among the first image data group, a second image ID for uniquely specifying a second image data being another image data, and the first imaging terminal ID to a bridge server; the bridge server generates a first scrambled PID formed by a non-reversible calculation of the first image ID and the first imaging terminal ID; the bridge server generates a second scrambled PID formed by a non-reversible calculation of the second image ID and the first imaging terminal ID; the bridge server stores in a fifth storage means the first imaging terminal ID, the first scrambled PID, and the second scrambled PID with the first imaging terminal ID and the first scrambled PID correlated with the second scrambled PID; the bridge server sends the first scrambled PID and the second scrambled PID to the server of the network service; the server of the network service stores in a first storage means the first scrambled PID and the first image data with the first scrambled PID correlated with the first image data; the server of the network service stores in the first storage means the second scrambled PID and the second image data with the second scrambled PID correlated with the second image data; the first data terminal of the first user sends a first user ID for specifying the first user among users of the network service and the first imaging terminal ID to the server of the network service; the server of the network service stores in a second storage means the received first user ID and the first imaging terminal ID with the received first user ID correlated with the first imaging terminal ID; the server of the network service searches in the second storage means using the first user ID as a search key and extracting the first imaging terminal ID as a search result; the server of the network service sends the extracted first imaging terminal to the bridge server; the bridge server searches in the fifth storage means using the received first imaging terminal ID as a search key; the bridge server sends the first scrambled PID and the second scrambled PID extracted as search results to the server of the network service; the server of the network service receives the first scrambled PID and the second scrambled PID from the bridge server; the server of the network service searches in the first storage means using the received first scrambled PID as a search key and extracting the first image data as a search result; the server of the network service searches in the first storage means using the received second scrambled PID as a search key and extracting the second image data as a search result; the server of the network service generates a first summary image, which represents the extracted first image, having a smaller amount of data than the first image data; the server of the network service generates a second summary image, which represents the extracted second image data, having a smaller amount of data than the second image data; the server of the network service stores in a third storage means the first summary image and the first scrambled PID with the first summary image correlated with the first scrambled PID; the server of the network service stores in the third storage means the second summary image and the second scrambled PID with the second summary image correlated with the second scrambled PID; the server of the network service sends the first summary image and the second summary image to the first data terminal; and a display means of the first data terminal displays the received first summary image and the second summary image.
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exemplary structural diagram of an image data processing system related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is an exemplary structural diagram of a server X of an image data processing system related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 3 is an exemplary structural diagram of a server Y of an image data processing system related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 4 is an exemplary structural diagram of an a server Y and a server U of an image data processing system related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 5 is an exemplary structural diagram of server V of an image data processing system related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 6 is an exemplary structural diagram of an imaging terminal of an image data processing system related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 7 is an exemplary structural diagram of a data terminal of an image data processing system related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 8 is an exemplary structural diagram of an imaging terminal of an image data processing system related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 9 is an exemplary structural diagram of a data terminal of an image data processing system related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 11 is an exemplary diagram of a user registration screen related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 12 is an exemplary diagram of a user data table related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 13 is an exemplary diagram of a list display screen of a requested image group related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a process related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 15 is an exemplary diagram of a browsing display screen renewed by a process related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a process related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 17 is an exemplary diagram of a storage service table in a server Y related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 18 is an exemplary diagram of a storage service selection screen provided by a server Y related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 19 is an exemplary diagram of an authentication screen provided by a server Z related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 20 is an exemplary diagram of a renewed browsing display screen provided by a server X related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram of a process related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 22 a flowchart of a process related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 23 in an example diagram of an authentication screen in a print service related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a process related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 25 is an example diagram of a display terminal ID acquisition screen provided by a server X related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a process related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 27 is an exemplary diagram of a Web service table in a server Y related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 28 is an exemplary diagram of a Web service selection screen displayed on a data terminal related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 29 is an exemplary diagram of an authentication screen displayed on a data terminal related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 30 is an exemplary diagram of a user table in a server V related to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 31 is an exemplary diagram of an image sending destination selection screen displayed on a data terminal related to one embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 32 is an exemplary of a message displayed on a data terminal related to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments currently considered as a best for realizing the invention are explained below. Because the scope of the present invention is clearly defined by the scope of the attached claims, the explanation should not be interpreted as narrowing the present invention and is merely intended to exemplify the general principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of the present invention and shows an exemplary structure of an image data processing system. The image data processing system which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention includes a server 100 of an image gateway service X, a server 120 of a bridge service Y, a server 140 of a storage service Z, a server 150 of a print service U, a server 160 of a Web service V, a server 137 of a storage service W, a server 138 of a print service T, a server 139 of a Web service S, an imaging terminal 170 of a user A, a second imaging terminal 115 of the user A, an imaging terminal 116 of a user C, a data terminal 180 of the user A, a display terminal 190 of the user A, a data terminal 195 of a user B, and a data terminal 117 of the user C and all these servers, data terminals and display terminals are connected by a network 199 .
Furthermore, in the present specification and attached diagrams, the server 100 of the image gateway X is sometimes abbreviated to the server X, the server 120 of the bridge service Y to the server Y, the server 140 of the storage service Z to the server Z, the server 150 of the print service U to the server U, the server 160 of the Web service V to the server V, the server 137 of the storage service W to the server W, the server 138 of the print service U to the server U, and the server 139 of the Web service S to the server S. In addition, the imaging terminal 170 of the user A is sometimes abbreviated to the imaging terminal A, the data terminal 180 of the user to the data terminal A, the display terminal 190 of the user A to the display terminal A, and the data terminal 195 of the user B to the data terminal B. An image described in the present specification may be a still image or a motion image.
FIG. 2 is an exemplary structural diagram of the server X 100 . The server X includes a sending and receiving means 101 a temporary entity storage means 102 , a summary image storage means 103 , a user data table 105 , a temporary image storage means 109 , an authentication means 104 , a HTML generation means 106 , a summary image generation means 107 , a search means 108 , and a generation means 111 of an URL for sending image.
FIG. 3 is an exemplary structural diagram of the server Y 120 . The server Y includes a sending and receiving means 121 , a storage means 122 , an SPID table 123 , a storage service table 124 , a Web service table 125 , a sending destination temporary storage means 126 , a search means 131 , an SPID generation means 133 , and an HTML generation means 134 .
FIG. 4 ( a ) is an exemplary structural diagram of the server Z 140 . The server Z includes a sending and receiving means 141 , an HTML generation means 142 , an authentication means 143 , an image data storage means 144 , a search means 145 , and a user data table 146 . FIG. 4 ( b ) is an exemplary structural diagram of the server U 150 . The server U includes a sending and receiving means 151 , an HTML generation means 152 , an authentication means 153 , an image data storage means 154 , a search means 155 , and a user data table 156 . In addition, the server U 150 is connected to a printing device 157 via a network 119 . The network 119 may be the same as the network 199 or a different network.
FIG. 5 is an exemplary structural diagram of the server V 160 . The server V includes a sending and receiving means 161 , an HTML generation means 162 , a search means 163 , a user data table 164 , and an authentication means 168 .
FIG. 6 is an exemplary structural diagram of the imaging terminal A 170 . The imaging terminal A includes a sending and receiving means 171 , an imaging means 172 , an image storage means 173 , a CID storage means 174 , and an input means 175 . The imaging terminal A may or may not include the sending and receiving means 171 .
FIG. 7 is an exemplary structural diagram of the data terminal A 180 . The data terminal A includes a sending and receiving means 181 , an HTML analysis means 182 , a display means 183 , an input means 184 , an image storage means 185 , and a search means 186 .
FIG. 8 is an exemplary structural diagram example of the display terminal A 190 . The display terminal A includes a sending and receiving means 191 , an HTML analysis means 192 , a display means 193 , an input means 194 , an image storage means 149 , and an HID storage means 148 .
FIG. 9 is an exemplary structural diagram example of the data terminal B 195 . The data terminal B includes a sending and receiving means 196 , a message analysis means 197 , a display means 198 , an input means 158 , and an image storage means 159 .
Furthermore, because the exemplary structures of the second imaging terminal 115 of user A and the imaging terminal of user C shown in FIG. 1 are the same as the imaging terminal of the user A shown in FIG. 6 , an explanation with reference to the diagram is omitted. In addition, because the exemplary structure of the imaging terminal 117 of the user C shown in FIG. 1 is the same as the imaging terminal of the user A shown in FIG. 7 , an explanation with reference to the diagram is omitted.
In the present specification, image data imaged by an imaging terminal and stored in an image storage means of the imaging terminal is called an original image. In addition, an image obtained by processing a certain original image is called a processed image of the original image. When comparing two images among certain original images or processed images, the image with a large amount of information is called an entity image and the image with a small amount of data is called a summary image. For example, when a RAW format original image is converted to a JPEG format (Joint Photographic Experts Group) which has a smaller amount of information, the original image is the entity image and the processed image of the original image is the summary image. Furthermore, in the case where two processed images are generated from one original image, the processed image with a large amount of information is the entity image and the processed image with a small amount of information is the summary image. An entity image may have any format such as RAW, JPEG, TIFF (Tagged File Format), or GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) inherent to each imaging terminal if the entity image is image data stored in an image storage means of an imaging terminal. A summary image may also have any format such as JPEG, RAW, PNG (Portable Network Graphic), TIFF, or GIF.
Three embodiments of the present invention are exemplified below. First, in the processes shown in the flowcharts in FIG. 10 , FIG. 14 and FIG. 16 , an entity image imaged by the user A using imaging the terminal A is stored between the server X, the data terminal A, and the server X. At this time, regardless of the storage location of the entity image, the user A treats the entity image as a single unified image using the image gateway service X as the only intermediate. The processes shown by the flowcharts in FIG. 10 , FIG. 14 , and FIG. 16 are common to all three embodiments, and each process in each embodiment is performed after step S 1613 in FIG. 16 . In the first embodiment explained in the flowchart of FIG. 22 , regardless of the storage location of an entity image, a printing process of an image selected in the print server U is performed by the user A with server X as an intermediate. In the second embodiment explained in the flowchart of FIG. 24 , regardless of the storage location of an entity image, a selected image is displayed by the display terminal A by the user A with server X as an intermediate. In the third embodiment explained in the flowchart of FIG. 26 , regardless of the storage location of an entity image, the user A sends a selected image to the data terminal of the user B who is an acquaintance in the Web service V.
First, an explanation of the present invention starts with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 10 . The user A takes images using the imaging means 172 by operating the input means 175 of the imaging terminal A and a plurality of imaged entity image groups are stored in the image storage means 173 . At this time, each individual entity image among the entity image group imaged by the imaging terminal A is correlated with an ID for uniquely specifying that image and stored in the storage means 173 (step S 1001 ). In the present specification, an ID for uniquely specifying an image among entity images imaged using the imaging terminal A is called a PID. In this example, a PID for specifying each entity image is correlated with each of the entity images taken by the user A and stored. When each entity image is taken and stored, the sending and receiving means 171 may or may not be connected to the network 199 .
Next, the sending and receiving means 171 of the imaging terminal A is connected to the network 199 (step S 1002 ). The sending and receiving means 171 sends the entity image group stored in the image storage means 173 in a state in which each image is correlated with a PID to the server X 100 via the network 199 . Furthermore, at this time, the sending and receiving means 171 sends an ID which can specify the imaging terminal A among all the imaging terminals after correlating with each entity image and PID (step S 1003 ). In the present specification, an ID for specifying a certain imaging terminal among all the imaging terminals is called a CID. In addition, the CID of the imaging terminal A is called CIDa. CIDa is stored in the CID storage means 174 of the imaging terminal A.
In this example, the imaging terminal A includes the sending and receiving means 171 and is connected to the network 199 in step 1002 . In the present invention, either of the following two processes may be performed instead of steps S 1002 and S 1003 . In one method, the sending and receiving means 171 of the imaging terminal A and the sending and receiving means 181 of the data terminal A are not connected via network 199 but are directly connected and an entity image group stored in the image storage means 173 and a PID of each entity image are sent to the server X 100 via the data terminal A. The second method can be applied to an information terminal without a sending and receiving means to a network. In this method, the user A detaches the image storage means 173 from the imaging terminal A 170 and connects it to the input means 184 of the data terminal A. Following this, the user A extracts an entity images from the image storage means 173 and sends the entity images and each PID to the server X 100 . As in these two methods, an entity image stored in the image storage means 173 of the imaging terminal A may be sent to the server X 100 via the data terminal A.
Furthermore, when sending an entity image group to the server X 100 from the imaging terminal A 170 and the data terminal A 180 , each entity image is correlated with a RD and sent to the server. However, a PID may be generated by the server X after an entity image is sent to the server X 100 from the imaging terminal A or the data terminal A without being correlated with a PID.
Next, when the sending and receiving means 101 of server X receives the entity image group, PIDs correlated with each image and a CIDa, they are stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 . That is, a PID for specifying each image and a CIDa are correlated with each entity image and stored in the temporary entity image means 102 (step S 1004 ). The image gateway service X is used by a plurality of users. One user of the image gateway service X can also use a plurality of imaging terminals. As a result, entity images taken by different imaging terminals of a plurality of users are stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 . However, each PID and a CID is correlated with all of the entity images stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 and stored. Therefore, any entity image stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 is specified when a combination of a PID and a CID is provided.
However, according to this method, the operator of the image gateway service X can know the entity images taken by user A by searching the entity images stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 using CIDa as a search key. This is often an undesirable situation from the viewpoint of privacy protection. The following methods are used to prevent the operator of the image gateway service X from being able to search entity images taken by each user.
First, the sending and receiving means 101 of the server X sends the CIDa and a PID group correlated with entity images sent from the imaging terminal A in step S 1003 to the bridge server Y 120 via the network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 102 of the server X receives these, the SPI generation means 133 combines each of the PIDs in the received PID group and the CIDa and calculates a scrambled PID using an irreversible calculation F shown by the formula below. The scramble PID is notated by SPID.
SPIDn=F ( PIDn,CIDa )
Here, the suffix n is a number which specifies each entity image among the entity images imaged by the imaging terminal A. In addition, the calculation F here satisfies F(x 1 , y 1 )≠F(x 2 , y 2 ) in the case where x 1 ≠x 2 or y 1 ≠y 2 . Due to this property, the SPID can be used as an ID for specifying each entity image among an entity image group stored in the temporary entity storage means. The generated SPID group is correlated with the CIDa and stored in the SPID table in the storage means 122 of server Y. The sending and receiving means 121 sends the generated SPID group to the server X via the network 199 . When the sending and receiving mean 101 of the server X receives the SPID group, the SPID instead of a PID are correlated with each entity image sent from the imaging terminal A in step S 1003 and stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 (step S 1004 ). Because F is an irreversible calculation, the operator of the image gateway service X cannot get to an SPID from the CIDa. Therefore, the operator of the image gateway service X can no longer search for an entity image taken by user A using the CIDa.
Next, the user A performs a user registration in the image gateway service X using the data terminal A 180 . The data terminal A may be any kind of data terminal such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, a mobile type data terminal, a camera, or a music player for example. The data terminal A may also be arranged with an imaging function. The user A inputs data for specifying the server X 100 by operating the input means 184 . For example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) may be the data for specifying the server X 100 . Next, the sending and receiving means 181 sends this data to the server X via the network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 101 of the server X receives this data, the HTML generation means 106 generates an HTML code for a user data registration screen or an authentication screen. The sending and receiving means 101 sends the HTML code to the data terminal A via the network 180 . When the sending and receiving means 181 receives the HTML code, the HTML analysis means 182 analyzes the code and this is displayed on a display means. Next, the user A inputs the data required for registering a user in the image gateway service X using the input means 184 . In the case where the HTML code is for an authentication screen, the user A inputs the data required for authentication using the input means 184 . The case of user registration is explained below.
An example of a user registration screen is shown in FIG. 11 . The display means 183 includes a user registration screen window 1101 of the image gateway service X. Furthermore, the window 1101 includes a display 1102 which displays the fact that this is a screen of the image gateway service X, a user ID input section 1111 , a password input section 1112 , a camera ID 1 input section 1111 , a camera ID 2 input section 1122 , a camera ID 3 input section 1123 and a user registration button 1130 . The user ID here is for uniquely specifying each user among the users of the image gateway service X. It is possible to input any number of camera IDs. In the present specification, a user ID in the image gateway service X is expressed as UIDx. In addition, a UID of user A in the image gateway service X is expressed as UIDxa. In the example shown in FIG. 11 , “hoge@example.com” is input as UIDxa and “12345” is input as a password. However, in the example in FIG. 11 , the display in the password input section 1112 is displayed in turned letters. Furthermore, a CID for uniquely specifying an imaging terminal held by user A is input to the camera ID input section. In the example shown in FIG. 11 , “N12345678” is input as a CIDa. As is shown in the example in FIG. 11 , in the present invention, it is possible to register a plurality of CIDs with respect to a single user ID. That is, the user A can use a plurality of imaging terminals in the present example. Any number of CIDs may be correlated with one UID and registered.
Furthermore, the user A moves a cursor 1103 displayed in the display means 183 using the input means 184 and selects the user registration button 1130 . The sending and receiving means 181 sends UIDxa, a password, and CIDa to the server X 100 via network 199 (step S 1005 ). When the sending and receiving means of 101 of the server X receives these data, the user data table 105 correlates UIDxa, the password, and CIDa and stores them.
An example of the user data table 105 is shown in FIG. 12 . The user data table includes a user ID column 1201 , a password column 1202 , a CID column 1203 and an HID column 1204 . Although not shown in FIG. 12 , the user data table may also include a column which stores attribute data of a user such as a name and an address, which are correlated with a user ID, and stored. In addition, the user data table may also be formed by a plurality of tables. In FIG. 12 , data which is stored in step S 1006 is stored as the user ID 1211 , the password 1212 and the CID 1213 . In the user table 105 it is possible to correlate a plurality of CIDs with one user ID and to store them. In the user table 105 it is also possible to correlate a plurality of HIDs with one user ID and to store them. A correlation of a user ID of the image gateway service X and a CID of an imaging terminal held by this user is stored in the user table. In step S 1006 , it is also possible to correlate a plurality of CIDs with respect to a single UID and to store these in a column of the user table 1203 . This is the case when a single user uses a plurality of imaging terminals. In the case where user A has completed the user registration of the image gateway service X in advance, it is enough to send the authentication data to server X.
Next, the search means 108 searches for an entity image group taken by the imaging terminal A from the temporary entity storage means 102 which stores the entity image group taken by a plurality of users using a plurality of imaging terminals. In step S 1004 , in the case where an entity image and a CID are correlated and stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 , the search means 108 searches the temporary entity storage means 102 using the CIDa as a search key and thereby the entity image group taken by imaging terminal A is obtained (step S 1007 ). In step S 1004 , in the case where an entity image and an SPID are correlated and stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 , an entity image taken by the imaging terminal A is obtained using the following procedure. First, the sending and receiving means 101 sends the CIDa to the server Y 120 via the network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 121 of the server Y receives the CIDa, the search means 131 searches the SPID table and a SPID group correlated with the CIDa is obtained. The sending and receiving means 121 sends this SPID group to the server X 100 via the network 199 . The search means 108 of the server X searches the temporary entity storage means 102 using the SPID group as a search key (step S 2007 ).
Next, the summary image generation means 107 of the server X generates a summary image group of the entity image group searched in step S 1007 . Next, the HTML generation means 106 of the server X generates an HTML code for displaying a list of the summary image group of images taken using the imaging terminal A using the generated summary image group. A PID or an SPID is correlated with each summary image. The sending and receiving means sends this HTML code to the data terminal A 120 via the network 199 (step S 1008 ). When the sending and receiving means 181 of the data terminal A receives the HTML code, the code is displayed on the display means 183 after being analyzed by the HTML analysis means 182 (step S 1009 ).
Furthermore, in this explanation, the storage of a summary image in the server X 100 to the summary image storage means 103 is performed in step S 1405 described below. However, following step S 1008 described above, a summary image generated in step S 1008 may be correlated with the CIDa and a PID or the SPID and stored in the summary image storage means 103 .
An example of a browsing display screen of a summary image group is shown in FIG. 13 . The display means 183 includes a window 1300 of the browsing display screen. The browsing display screen window 1300 includes a display 1301 which displays the fact this is the image gateway service X and an authentication completed user data display 1302 . The browsing display window 1300 further includes a summary image display area 1310 , a storage destination selection button area 1320 and a sending destination selection button area 1330 . The storage destination selection button area 1320 includes a button 1321 for data terminal A and a storage service button 1323 . The sending destination selection button area 1330 includes a print service button 1331 , a display terminal button 1332 and an acquaintance button of a different service 1333 . The summary image of an entity image searched from the temporary entity storage means 102 in step S 2005 is displayed in the summary image display window 1310 . In addition, in the example in FIG. 13 , a [T] mark attached to each summary image is displayed. The [T] mark expresses the fact that an entity image which is the source of each summary image is stored in the temporary entity image storage means 102 . In FIG. 13 , for example, the [T] mark 1312 attached to the summary image 1311 being displayed expresses the fact an entity image which is the source of the summary image 1311 is stored in the temporary entity image storage means 102 . The method for displaying in the display means 183 indicating the fact that an entity image is stored in the temporary entity image storage means 102 does not require that a [T] mark be attached. Ant method may be used such as an explanation using an image, a color, a character or a separation by areas. A summary image of each entity image may be displayed in the summary image display area, a folder of summary images which express the fact that a plurality of entity images are collected in the folder may be displayed in the summary image display area, and a [T] mark mat be attached to the folder.
A process for storing an entity image group taken by the imaging terminal A 170 in the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X has been explained above using the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 . Because it is also possible to store an entity image group taken by a second imaging terminal 115 of the user A in the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X using the same process a detailed explanation is omitted here. In this case, an HID of the second imaging terminal 115 of the user A is input in a user registration screen or an authentication screen displayed in the data terminal A shown in FIG. 11 , the HID is sent to the server X and the user ID 1211 of the user A is correlated with the CID column 1204 in the user data table 105 shown in FIG. 12 and stored. In addition, each entity image taken by the second imaging terminal of the user A is correlated with a PID and the CID of the second imaging terminal of the user A or the SPID and stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 . In addition, in the present invention, the same processes as in FIG. 14 , FIG. 16 , FIG. 22 , FIG. 24 , and FIG. 26 are possible with respect to an entity image taken with the second imaging terminal of the user A and stored in the temporary entity storage means of the server X. A detailed explanation of a process of an entity image taken by the second imaging terminal of the user A is omitted here.
In addition, because it is also possible to store an entity image group taken by the imaging terminal 116 of the user C in the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X using the same process a detailed explanation is omitted here. In this case, an HID of the second imaging terminal 116 of the user C is input in a user registration screen or authentication screen displayed in the data terminal C 117 , the HID is sent to the server X and the user ID of the user C is correlated with the CID column 1204 in the user data table 105 shown in FIG. 12 and stored. In addition, each entity image taken by the imaging terminal 117 of the user C is correlated with a PID and the CID of the imaging terminal of the user C or an SPID and stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 . In addition, in the present invention, the same processes as in FIG. 14 , FIG. 16 , FIG. 22 , FIG. 24 , and FIG. 26 are possible with respect to an entity image taken by the imaging terminal of the user C and stored in the temporary entity storage means of the server X. A detailed explanation of a process of an entity image taken by the imaging terminal of the user C is omitted here.
Next, a process following the process shown by the flowchart in FIG. 10 is explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 . Again referring to FIG. 13 , the cursor 1303 displayed in the display means 183 is moved using the input means 184 of the data terminal A and an optional summary image is selected. In the example of FIG. 13 , the summary images 1313 , 1314 , 1315 , and 1316 are selected. In the example of FIG. 13 , the summary image enclosed by a double line indicates that it is a summary image selected here. Next, the cursor 1303 displayed in the display means 183 is moved using the input means 184 of the data terminal A and the button 1321 of the data terminal A is selected as a storage destination (step S 1401 ).
Then, the sending and receiving means of the data terminal A sends a PID and the CIDa or the SPUD correlated with the selected summary image or the information for specifying the data terminal A to the server X via network 199 . The sending and receiving means 101 of the server X receives this data (step S 1402 ). Here, a method for correlating a PID and the CIDa or an SPID with each summary image in step S 1008 and sending to the data terminal A and sending the PID and the CIDa or the SPID of a summary image selected in step S 1401 to the server X has been explained. However, a method is not limited to the method explained above. For example, it is not necessary to correlate a PID and the CIDa or an SPID in the data terminal A with each summary image. Any method may be used as long as the server X obtains a PID and the CIDa or an SPID of a summary image selected in step S 1401 .
Next, search means 108 searches the temporary entity storage means using a combination of the PID and the CIDa received in step S 1402 as a search key or the SPID as a search key (step S 1403 ). Next, the sending and receiving means 101 sends an entity image group to the data terminal A after each image in the entity image group obtained as a result of the search is correlated with the PID and the CIDa or the SPID. When the sending and receiving means 101 of the data terminal A receives the entity image group, the entity image group is stored in the image storage means 185 after each image is correlated with the PID and the CIDa or the SPID (step S 1404 ).
Next, the server X correlates the PID and the CIDa or the SPID and data for uniquely specifying the data terminal A as storage destination data with each summary image group of an image selected in step S 1401 and stores the summary image group in the summary image storage means 103 (step S 1405 ). In the example shown in the present embodiment, the summary image group stored in step S 1405 is generated by the summary image storage means 103 for use in an HTML code of the browsing display screen in step S 1008 . However, in the present invention the summary images stored in step S 1405 may be generated by a separate process to that of step S 1008 . In addition, the summary images stored in step S 1405 may be generated by the imaging terminal A and sent to the server X together with an entity image group. In addition, in the case where a summary image selected in step S 1401 is already stored in the summary image storage means 103 in step S 1008 , it is not necessary to store the image in step S 1405 . Next, the temporary entity storage means 102 deletes the entity image group sent from the data terminal A in step S 1404 (step S 1406 ).
Using the processes described above, the entity image group taken by the imaging terminal A and which is temporarily stored in the server X is moved from the temporary entity storage means of the server X to the data terminal A. Using this type of process it is possible to prevent an increase in the amount of image data held by the image gateway service X.
Next, at an arbitrary time after step S 1405 is performed, the HTML generation means of the server X generates HTML code for a renewed browsing display screen. The sending and receiving means 101 sends this HTML code to the data terminal A 180 via the network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 181 of the data terminal A receives the HTML code, the code is displayed is on the display means 183 after being analyzed by the HTML analysis means 182 (step S 1407 ).
An example of a renewed browsing display screen is shown in FIG. 15 . The screen shown in FIG. 15 is the same as the display in FIG. 13 except the display of the summary image display area 1310 . Using the processes in steps S 1401 to S 1406 , the entity images represented by the summary images 1313 , 1314 , 1315 , and 1316 in FIG. 13 are moved from the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X to the image storage means 185 of the data terminal A. When FIG. 13 and FIG. 15 are compared, the mark attached to a summary image which represents these four entity images changed from a [T] mark to an [L] mark. An [L] mark expresses the fact that the entity images corresponding to each summary image are stored in the image storage means 185 of the data terminal A. The attachment of an [L] mark is not necessary for representing this fact. As long as the method distinguishes between an entity image stored in the temporary storage means 102 and an entity image stored in the storage means 185 of the data terminal A, an explanation using an image, color, a character, or a separation by area may also be used. A summary image of representing each entity image may be displayed in the summary image display area, a folder of summary images which express the fact that a plurality of entity images are collected in the folder may be displayed in the summary image display area, and an [L] mark may be attached to the folder.
Next, a process whereby an entity image of the image selected by the user A among an entity image group taken in step A 1001 and stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 is copied to the image data storage means 144 of the storage service Z, only the summary image group is stored in the summary image storage means of the server X and these selected entity image groups are deleted from the temporary entity storage means 102 is explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 . Again referring to FIG. 15 , the cursor 1303 displayed in the display means 183 is moved using the input means 184 of the data terminal A and an arbitrary summary image is selected. In the example in FIG. 15 , the summary images 1515 , 1516 , 1517 , and 1518 are selected. In the example of FIG. 15 , the summary image enclosed by a double line indicates that it is a summary image selected here. Furthermore, the cursor 1303 displayed in the display means 183 is moved using the input means 184 of the data terminal A and the button 1323 of the storage service is selected as a storage destination (step S 1601 ).
Next, the sending and receiving means 181 sends each PID and the CIDa of the selected summary images 1515 , 1516 , 1517 , 1518 or the SPID and the information representing the fact that the storage service button 1323 is selected to the server X 100 via network 199 . The sending and receiving means 101 of server X receives this data (step S 1402 ). Here, a method for correlating the PID and the CIDa or the SPID with each summary image in step S 1407 and sending to the data terminal A and sending the PID and the CIDa or the SPID of the summary image selected in step S 1601 to the server X has been explained. However, in the present invention, a method is not limited to the method explained above. For example, it is not necessary to correlate the RD and the CIDa or the SPID in the data terminal A with each summary image. Any method may be used as long as the server X obtains the PID and the CIDa or the SPID of the summary image selected in step S 1601 . Next, search means 108 searches the temporary entity storage means using a combination of the PD and the CIDa received here as a search key or the SPID as a search key (step S 1603 ). However, in this example, the summary image 1515 is attached with a mark [L] as is shown in FIG. 15 . This represents the fact that the summary image is deleted from the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X in step S 1406 and the entity image represented by this summary image is stored in the image storage means 184 of the data terminal A. Therefore, the entity image indicated by the summary image 1515 must be obtained from the data terminal A after the server X 100 sends the PID and the CIDa or the SPID to the data terminal A 180 . In this way, in the case where the entity image doesn't exist in the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X, the entity image is obtained by the server X from a data terminal or a server which stores the entity image. Because this process is explained in detail in steps S 2204 to S 2206 , step S 2404 to S 2406 and step S 2604 to S 2606 , it is omitted here.
Next, the sending and receiving means 101 redirects a connection between the data terminal A 180 and the sever X 100 to the server Y 120 using the data received in step S 1602 which expresses the fact that the button 1323 of the storage service is selected. Next, the HTML generation means 134 generates HTML code for generating a storage service selection screen using the data of the storage service stored in the storage service table 124 in server Y. An example of the storage service table 124 is shown in FIG. 17 . The storage service table 124 includes a storage service name column 1701 , an authentication URL column 1702 , and a sending URL column 1703 . In the example of the present embodiment, a bridge service Y provides a bridge services to two storage services, a storage service Z, and a storage service W are provided to a user. Furthermore, the storage service Y and the storage service Z may be any service as long as they provide a storage function of image data. For example, as long as the storage services used in the present invention provide a storage function of image data, a service which mainly provides storage and a browsing function of images (FLICKR etc.), or a service (FACEBOOK etc.) which mainly provides an exchange of diaries such as an SNS (Social Networking Service) or a service which mainly provides electronic mail (GMAIL etc.) can be used.
Next, the sending and receiving means 121 sends the HTML code to the data terminal A via the network 199 (step S 1604 ). When the sending and receiving means 181 of the data terminal A receives the HTML code, the display means 183 displays the storage service selection screen after the code is analyzed by the HTML analysis means 182 . An example of the storage service selection screen is shown in FIG. 18 . The window 1801 of the storage service selection screen includes a display 1802 which indicates that this is a service of the bridge service Y, a checkbox 1811 for selecting the storage service Z, a checkbox 1812 for selecting the storage service W, and a selection completed button 1804 . The storage service selection screen may or may not include the bridge service display 1802 . In addition, the checkbox 1811 and 1812 may be any type of checkbox as long as it is possible to select each storage service. In addition, it may be possible to select one storage service or a plurality of storage services simultaneously. In this example, when the storage service selection screen is displayed, the HTML generation means of the server Y generates HTML code and sends the code to the data terminal A after the connection to the data terminal A is redirected from the server X 100 to the server Y 120 . Other than this, a code such as a script (javascript etc.) for receiving data from the server Y is attached in advance to the HTML code sent to the data terminal A from the server X, and the storage service selection screen output by the server Y may be directly displayed on the screen of the image gateway service X. Furthermore, the server X may include a function equivalent to a storage service table and the server X may send the storage service selection screen to the data terminal A.
Next, the cursor 1803 displayed on the display means 183 is moved using the input means 184 of the data terminal A and the checkbox for selecting a storage service is selected. In the example of FIG. 18 the checkbox 1811 is selected. Following this, the cursor 1803 is moved using the input means 184 and the selection completion button 1804 is selected. The sending and receiving means 181 sends data which expresses the fact the checkbox 1811 is selected to the server Y 120 via the network 199 (step S 1604 ). When the sending and receiving means 121 of the server Y receives this data, the search means 131 searches the storage service table 124 for the authentication URL 1712 correlated and stored with the storage service Z. The sending and receiving means 121 redirects a connection between the terminal A and the server Y to the server Z 140 according to the authentication URL 1712 .
When the sending and receiving means 141 establishes a connection with the data terminal A, the HTML generation means 142 generates an HTML code for generating an authentication screen of the storage service Z and the sending and receiving means 141 sends the code to the data terminal A via the network 199 (step S 1606 ). When the sending and receiving means 181 of the data terminal A receives the code, an authentication screen of the storage service Z is displayed on the display means 183 after the code is analyzed by the HTML analysis means 182 . An example of the storage service Z authentication screen is shown in FIG. 19 . The storage service Z authentication screen includes an authentication screen window 1901 . The authentication screen window 1901 includes a display 1902 which expresses the fact that this is a screen of the storage service Z, a user ID input section 1911 , a password input section 1912 and an authentication button 1904 . In the example in FIG. 19 , after the cursor 1903 is moved to the user ID input section 1911 using the input means 184 , the user ID [hoge@ServiceZ.com] of the user A in the service Z is input and the password 1922 is input after moving the cursor 1903 to the password input section 1912 . Here, the user ID of the storage service Z is expressed as UIDz. In addition, the UID of the user A in the storage service Z is expressed as UIDza. In the example in FIG. 19 , the password 1922 is displayed as turned characters. Next, when the cursor 1903 is moved by the input means 184 and the authentication button 1904 is selected, the sending and receiving means 181 sends the user ID 1921 and the password 1822 to the server Z via the network 199 . When the user ID and the password are received by the sending and receiving means of the server Z, the authentication means 143 performs an authentication by searching for the UIDza and the password data of the user A stored in advance in the user table (step S 1607 ). Here, it is presumed that the UIDza and the password of the user A are stored in advance in the user data table 146 . That is, the user A is a user of the image gateway service X as well as a user of the storage service Z. In the case where the user A is not a user of the storage service Z at the time when step S 1606 is performed, the UIDza and the password are stored in server Z at this time.
Next, the sending and receiving means 141 of the server Z sends data which expresses that fact that the user A is authenticated to the server Y 120 via the network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 121 of the server Y receives this data, the sending and receiving means 121 of the server Y sends to the server X 100 data required for sending an entity image of the user A selected in step S 1601 to the server Z 140 . This data may be an ID for uniquely specifying the server Z 140 which is a sending destination on network 199 , a receiving address or a port number when receiving an entity image group in the server Z 140 , a session data generated for sending this data by the server Y or a negotiation data between the server X and the server Z or a digest data of an image data for guaranteeing security or accuracy of the entity image group. However, any data may be used as long as it is used for sending an entity image group selected in step S 1601 to the server Z 140 from server X 100 . In addition, the sending and receiving means 121 of the server Y sends data necessary for receiving an entity image group of an image selected in step S 1601 from the server X 100 to the server Z 140 . This data may be an ID for uniquely specifying the server X 100 which is a sending destination on network 199 , a receiving address or a port number when receiving an entity image group in the server X 100 , a session data generated for sending this data by the server Y or a negotiation data between the server X and the server Z or a digest data of image data for guaranteeing security or accuracy of the entity image group. However, any data may be used as long as it is used for sending an entity image group selected in step S 1601 to the server Z 140 from the server X 100 (step S 1608 ). In this example, the server Y performs negotiation for sending and receiving entity image groups between the server X and the server Z for sending and sending and receiving of entity image groups is directly carried out between the server X and the server Z via the network 199 . However, the server Y may relay sending and receiving of entity image groups. In addition, the server Y does not have to perform negotiation and a negotiation may be performed directly between the server X and the server Z.
Next, the sending and receiving means 101 of the server X and the sending and receiving means 141 of the server Z receive data sent from the server Y 120 in step S 1608 . Next, the sending and receiving means 101 of the server X and the sending and receiving means 141 of server Z the establish a session for sending and receiving the entity image group selected in step S 1601 . The sending and receiving means 101 of the server X sends the entity image group of an image selected in step S 1601 correlated with each PID and the CIDa or each SPID to the sever Z via network 199 (step S 1609 ). The sending and receiving means 141 of the server Z receives the entity image group and stores them in the image data storage means 144 correlated with each PID and the CIDa or each SPID (step S 1610 ).
Next, the server X correlates each PID and the CIDa or each SPID and the information which uniquely specifies the storage service Z as storage destination data with each summary image group of an image selected in step S 1601 and stores the summary image group in the storage means 103 (step S 1611 ). In the example shown here, the summary image storage means 103 generates the summary image group stored in step S 1611 for use in an HTML code of a browsing display screen in step S 1008 . However, in the present invention, the summary images stored in the summary image storage means 103 in step S 1611 may be generated independently in step S 1008 . In addition, in the case where summary images selected in step S 1601 are already stored in the summary image storage means 103 in step S 1008 , it is not necessary to store them in step S 1611 . In addition, the summary images stored in the summary image storage means 103 in step S 1611 may be generated by the imaging terminal A and sent to the server X with an entity image group. Next, the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X deletes the entity image group sent from the data terminal A in step S 1609 (step S 1612 ).
Next, at an arbitrary time after step S 1611 is performed, the HTML generation means of the server X generates an HTML code for a renewed image data browsing display screen. The sending and receiving means 101 sends this HTML code to the data terminal A 180 via the network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 181 of the data terminal A receives the HTML code, the code is displayed on the display means 183 after being analyzed by the HTML analysis means 182 (step S 1613 ).
An example of a renewed browsing display screen is shown in FIG. 20 . The screen shown in FIG. 20 is the same as the display in FIG. 13 and FIG. 15 except the display of the summary image display area 1310 . Using the processes in steps S 1601 to S 1613 , the entity image group represented by the summary images 1516 , 1517 , 1518 , and 1519 in FIG. 15 are moved from the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X to the image storage means 144 of the server Z. In addition, the entity image group represented by the summary image 1515 in FIG. 15 is copied to the image data storage means of the server Z from the image storage means 185 of the data terminal A. When FIG. 15 and FIG. 20 are compared, the display attached to the summary images 1516 , 1517 , and 1518 among these images changes from a [T] mark to an [S] mark. An [S] mark expresses the fact that the entity images which represent each summary image or the summary images are stored in the image storage means 144 of the server Z. The attachment of an [S] mark is not necessary for representing this fact. As long as the method distinguishes between an entity image stored in the temporary storage means 102 of the server X and an entity image stored in the storage means 185 of the data terminal A, and an entity image or summary image stored in the image data storage mean 144 of the server Z, an explanation using an image, a color, a character or, a separation by area may also be used. In addition to mark [L] 1515 which represents the fact the entity image with respect to the summary image 1515 is stored in the image storage means 185 of the data terminal A, an [S] mark 2016 which is stored in the image data storage means 144 of the server Z is also attached to the entity image or summary image. This expresses the fact that an image represented by the summary image 1515 is stored in both the image storage means 185 of the data terminal A and the image data storage means 144 of the server Z.
Furthermore, an SPID generation and storage function in the server Y 120 and another bridge function provided by the server Y may be realized by different servers. In addition, these different servers may be operated by different operators
The processes of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in each flowchart in FIG. 10 , FIG. 14 , and FIG. 16 are organized together and shown in the sequence shown in FIG. 21 . FIG. 21 shows each step explained in each flowchart described above is processed in which of the imaging terminal, the data terminal, or the server. By the processes described above, a summary image of all images taken by the imaging terminal A is stored in the summary image storage means 103 of the server X. The entity image of the summary image is stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X, the image storage means 185 of the data terminal A and the image data storage means 144 of the storage service Z. In this state, the user A can use various services such as printing images, displaying images on a display terminal or sending image data to another user using the image gateway service X as an entrance.
A print process of an image using a print service U is explained as a first embodiment with the processes shown in FIG. 21 as common processes after step S 1613 , image display using a display terminal A is explained as a second embodiment, and a process whereby user A sends image data to a user B who is an acquaintance on a Web service V is explained. All three embodiments start at step S 1613 . That is, in each of the three embodiments, a process begins from a state where a browsing display screen of the summary images shown in FIG. 20 is displayed in the display means 183 of the data terminal A.
(First Embodiment: Printing Using a Print Service U)
Next, a process for batch printing a plurality of images of which entity images are stored in different terminals or servers using a print service U via an image gateway service X is explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. 22 . Again referring to FIG. 20 , the cursor 1303 displayed in the display means 183 is moved using the input means 184 of the data terminal A and an arbitrary summary image is selected. In the example in FIG. 20 , summary images 2051 , 2052 , and 2054 are selected. In FIG. 20 , the summary image enclosed by a double line refers to the fact that it is a selected image at this time. In the example shown in FIG. 20 , a [T] mark 2053 is attached to the summary image 2052 and an entity image represented by this summary image is stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X. Similarly, an [L] mark 2055 is attached to the summary image 2054 and an entity image represented by this summary image is stored in the image storage means 185 of the data terminal A. Furthermore, an [S] mark 2011 is attached to the summary image 2051 and an entity image represented by this summary image is stored in the image data storage means 144 of the server Z. Next, the cursor 1303 displayed on the display means 183 is moved using the input means 184 of the user A and a button 1331 for a print service is selected as a sending destination (step S 2201 ).
Next, the sending and receiving means 181 sends each of the PID and the CIDa or each SPID of each selected summary image 2051 , 2052 , and 2054 and information which expresses the fact that the button 1331 for the print service is selected is sent to the server X 100 via the network 199 . Here, any data which expresses the fact that the summary images 2051 , 2052 , and 2054 are selected may be sent instead of the PID and CIDa or the SPID of the selected summary image. The sending and receiving means 101 of the server X receives this data (step S 2202 ). Here, a method for correlating each of the PID and the CIDa or each SPID with each summary image in step S 1613 and sending to the data terminal A and sending the PID and the CIDa or the SPID of the summary image selected in step S 2201 to the server X has explained. However, a method is not limited to the method explained above. For example, it is not necessary to correlate each of the PID and the CIDa or the SPID in the data terminal A with each summary image. Any method may be used as long as the server X obtains the PID and the CIDa or the SPID of the summary image selected in step S 2201 .
Next, search means 108 searches the temporary entity storage means 102 using the PID and the CIDa or the SPID correlated with the summary image 2052 as a search key and an entity image corresponding to the summary image 2053 is obtained. This entity image is correlated with the UIDxa and stored in the temporary image storage means 109 (step S 2203 ). In addition, the sending and receiving means of the server X sends the PID and the CIDa or the SPID of the summary image 2054 together with a storage destination of an entity image represented by the summary image 2054 stored in the summary image means in step S 1405 to the data terminal A and thereby requests that an entity image represented by the summary image 2054 is obtained. When the sending and receiving means 181 of the imaging terminal of the user A receives this request, the search means 186 searches the image storage means 185 using the PID and the CIDa or the SPID, which are received, as a search key and obtains the entity image represented by the summary image 2054 . This search becomes possible because the entity image represented by the summary image 2054 in step S 1404 is correlated with the PID and the CIDa or the SPID and stored. The sending and receiving means 181 sends this entity image to the server X 100 via the network 199 . The sending and receiving means 101 of the server X receives this entity image. This entity image is correlated with the UIDxa and stored in the temporary image storage means 109 (step S 2204 ).
Furthermore, the sending and receiving means 101 of the server X redirects a connection with the data terminal A to the server Z. The sending and receiving means 141 of the server Z sends an HTML code generated by the HTML generation means 142 for generating an authentication screen of the storage service Z to the data terminal A via network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 181 receives the HTML code, the HTML analysis means 182 analyzes the code and the display means displays the authentication screen of the storage service Z shown as an example in FIG. 19 . Next, the user A inputs the user ID 1921 and the password 1922 using input means 184 which are authentication data and selects the authentication button 1904 . Next, the sending and receiving means 181 sends this authentication data to the server Z 140 via the network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 141 of the server Z 140 receives this data, the authentication means 143 authenticates the user A. Following this process, a connection between the data terminal A and the server Z is again redirected to the server X.
Sending and receiving means 141 of server Z sends data which expresses the fact that user A is authenticated to server X via network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 101 of server X receives this data, a request for obtaining an entity image represented by the summary image 2051 is sent to the server Z 140 via network 199 together with the PID and the CIDa or the SPID of this entity image (step S 2205 ). When the sending and receiving means 141 of server Z receives this, the search means 145 performs a search using the PID and the CIDa or the SPID of the requested entity image as a search key. This search becomes possible because the entity image represented by the summary image 2051 in step S 1610 is correlated with the PID and the CIDa or the SPID and the PID and the CIDa or the SPID are stored. The entity image represented by the summary image 2052 obtained as a result of this search is sent to the server X 100 via the network 199 by the sending and receiving means 141 . The sending and receiving means 101 receives the image. The entity image is correlated with UIDxa and stored in the temporary image storage means 109 (step S 2206 ). Furthermore, the order of the three processes of processes in step S 220 , a process in S 2204 , and processes steps from S 2205 to 2206 may be interchanged.
The entity image represented by the summary images 2052 , 2054 , and 2051 selected by user A in step S 2201 are correlated with UIDxa and stored by server X in the temporary image storage means 109 using the processes in steps S 2203 to S 2206 described above. Next, the sending and receiving means 101 of the server X redirects a connection between the data terminal A 180 and the server X 100 to the server U 150 . The HTML generation means 152 of server U generates an HTML code for generating an authentication screen of print service U and the sending and receiving means 151 sends this code to the data terminal A via network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 180 of the data terminal A receives this code, an authentication screen is displayed on the display means 183 after analysis by the HTML analysis means 182 .
An example of the authentication screen of the print service U is shown in FIG. 23 . The authentication screen of the print service U includes a display 2302 which shows that window 2301 is a screen of the print service U, a user ID input section 2311 , a password input section 2312 , a sending destination name input section 2313 , a sending destination address input section 2314 , and an authentication button 2304 . In the example in FIG. 23 , the cursor 1903 is moved to the user ID input section 2311 by the input means 184 and the user ID [hoge@ServiceU.com] 2321 of the user A in the print service U is input and the password 2322 is input to the password input section 2312 . Here, the user ID in the print service U is expressed as UIDu. In addition, UIDu of user A is express as UIDua. In the example shown in FIG. 23 , the password 1922 is displayed by turned letters. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 23 , a name 2323 is input to the sending destination name input section 2313 and an address 2324 is input to the sending destination address input section 2314 . Next, when the cursor 1903 is moved by the input means 184 and authentication button 2304 is selected, the input means sends the user ID UIDua 2321 and the password 2322 to the server U 150 via network 199 . When the sending and receiving mean 151 of the server U receive the ID and the password, the authentication means 153 performs an authentication (step S 2207 ). Furthermore, the sending destination name and sending destination address may be input by the user A using the input means 184 in the authentication screen of the print service U as is shown here. Alternatively, the data stored in advance in the user data storage means 156 of the print server U may be displayed in FIG. 23 . Alternatively, data stored in advance in the user data table 105 of the server X may be sent to the server U via network 199 and this data may be used in the server U. In this case, the user table 105 of the server X must include a column for storing a user data such as a name and an address in addition to the columns shown in FIG. 12 . In addition, the authentication of the user A by the server U may be omitted and replaced by the authentication process in step S 2207 after the authentication of the user A by the server X in step S 1005 . In this case, step S 2207 is omitted.
Next, the server U sends data which expresses the fact that the user A is authenticated is sent to the server X via network 199 . When the server X receives this data, the sending and receiving means 101 sends an entity image group stored in the temporary image storage means 109 in step S 2203 , S 2204 and 2206 to the server U via network 199 (step S 2008 ). When the sending and receiving means 151 of server U receives the entity image group, the user ID (UIDua) of the user A in the print service U is correlated with the entity image group and stored in the image data storage means 154 . Next, the sending and receiving means 151 sends the entity image group to a printing device 157 via network 119 (step S 2009 ), and the printing device 157 prints the images (step S 2010 ). The entity image group stored in the image data storage means 154 is deleted from the image data storage means 154 when a process in step S 2009 is complete and the delivery of the printed entity images is complete and no longer required by the service U. Furthermore, the image gateway service X may be adapted to a plurality of print services, for example, the same processes are performed in the case where the entity images of the summary images selected in FIG. 20 are sent to the server of a print service T shown in FIG. 1 .
(Second Embodiment: Display of an Image by Display Terminal A)
Next, a process for displaying a plurality of entity images stored on a terminal or server on a display terminal A via the image gateway service X is explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. 24 . The display terminal A 190 may be an image display terminal such as a digital photo-frame or a data device arranged with a display means such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, a camera, a television, or a music player. In addition, the display terminal A 190 may also be a data terminal for outputting to other media such as printed paper. The processes in the second embodiment also start after performing step S 1613 the same as the first embodiment.
Again referring to FIG. 20 , the cursor 1303 displayed in the display means 183 is moved using the input means 184 of the data terminal A and an arbitrary summary image is selected. In the example in FIG. 20 , the summary images 2051 , 2052 , and 2054 are selected. In FIG. 20 , the summary images enclosed by double lines express the fact that these are summary images selected at this time. In the example in FIG. 20 , a [T] mark 2053 is attached to the summary image 2052 and an entity image represented by the summary image is stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X. Similarly, an [L] mark 2055 is attached to the summary image 2054 and an entity image represented by this summary image is stored in the image storage means 185 of the data terminal A. Furthermore, an [S] mark 2011 is attached to the summary image 2051 and an entity image represented by this summary image is stored in the image data storage means 143 of the data server Z. Next, the cursor 1303 displayed in the display means 183 is moved by the input means 184 of the data terminal A and the button 1322 of the display terminal is selected as a sending destination (step S 2401 ).
Next, entity images of summary images selected in step S 2401 are stored in the temporary image storage means 109 of the server X using the series of processes in step S 2402 to S 2406 in the flowchart in FIG. 24 . This series of processes is exactly the same as the processes from step S 2202 to 2206 in the first embodiment except for the following point. In step S 2202 in the first embodiment, the data terminal A sends data expressing the fact that a print service selection button 1331 is selected in addition to summary images selected in step S 2201 and a PID and a CIDa or an SPID correlated with the summary images to the server X. In step S 2402 in the second embodiment, the data terminal A sends data expressing the fact that a display terminal selection button 1332 is selected in addition to the summary images selected in step S 2401 and a PID and a CIDa or an SPID correlated with the summary images to the server X. Here, instead of the PID and the CIDa or the SPID of the selected summary images, data expressing the fact that the summary images 2051 , 2052 and 2054 are selected may be sent. Except this point, the processes from step S 2202 to S 2206 in the first embodiment and the processes from step S 2402 to S 2406 in the second embodiment are the same and thus an explanation is omitted here. Furthermore, the order of the three processes of a process in step S 2402 , a process in S 2404 and processes from S 2405 to 2406 may be interchanged. Using these processes, the entity images represented by the summary images 2052 , 2054 , and 2051 are correlated with UIDxa and stored in the temporary image storage means 109 .
Next, the HTML generation means 106 of server X generates an HTML code for generating a screen for obtaining a display terminal ID and the sending and receiving means 101 sends the HTML code to the data terminal A 180 via the network 199 . The sending and receiving means 180 of the data terminal 180 receives the HTML code and the display means 184 displays the screen for obtaining a display terminal ID after the code is analyzed by the HTML analysis means 182 . An example of a screen for obtaining a display terminal ID is shown in FIG. 25 . The display means 183 includes a window 2501 of the image gateway service X. Furthermore, the window 2501 includes a display 2502 which expresses the fact that this is a screen of the image gateway service X, data 2503 for specifying the user A, the display terminal ID input sections 2521 , 2522 , and 2523 , and a registration button 2504 . The display terminal ID is for uniquely specifying a display terminal connected to the network 199 . Here, the display terminal ID is written as HID. In addition, the HID of the display terminal A 190 is written as HIDa. In the present invention, it is possible to register a plurality of HIDs with respect to a single user D. That is, in the present example, the user A can use a plurality of display terminals.
Next, the user A inputs an HIDa 2531 by operating the input means 184 and selects the registration button 2504 . The sending and receiving means 181 sends HIDa to the server X via the network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 101 of the server X receives the HIDa, it is stored in the user data table 105 (step S 2407 ). In the example in FIG. 12 , an HIDa 1214 is correlated with the UIDxa 1211 of the user A and stored using this step. An HIDa may be stored in the user data table in advance after being obtained in the screen for obtaining authentication data shown in FIG. 11 during the process in step S 1005 .
The display terminal A 190 is connected to the network 199 at an arbitrary time after the HIDa is correlated with the UIDxa and stored in the user data table 105 . Next, the sending and receiving means 191 of the display terminal A sends the HIDa of the display terminal A to the server X 100 via the network 199 . The HIDa may be sent after being stored in the HID storage means 148 at the time of manufacture of the display terminal A or after being input by the user A using the input means 194 . When the sending and receiving means 101 of the server X receives the HIDa from the display terminal A (step S 2408 ), the search means 108 searches the user table 105 using the HIDa as a search key and obtains the UIDxa of the user A. Furthermore, the search means 108 searches the temporary image storage means 109 using the UIDxa as a search key and obtains the entity image group stored in step S 2403 , 2404 and S 2406 .
The sending and receiving means 101 sends the entity image group obtained here to the display terminal A 190 via the network 199 (step S 2409 ). When the sending and receiving means 191 of the display terminal A receives the entity image group, the entity image group is stored in the image storage means 159 and the display means 198 displays the entity image group (step S 2410 ).
(Third Embodiment: Display of an Image Using Display Terminal of User B)
Next, a process for displaying a plurality of entity images, which are stored on a terminal or a server, on a data terminal 195 of user B via the image gateway service X is explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. 26 . In the second embodiment, the display terminal A 190 is owned by the user A and as a result, the user A can send the HIDa for uniquely specifying the display terminal A 190 to the server X via the data terminal A 180 (step S 2407 ). In the third embodiment, the data terminal B 195 is not owned by the user A and since the user A does not know the HID of the data terminal B 195 , cannot send the HID of the data terminal B to the server X from the data terminal 180 . In addition, in the example in the third embodiment, the user B is an acquaintance of the user A via a Web service V, for example.
The data terminal B 195 may be an image display terminal such as a digital photo-frame or a data device arranged with a display means such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, a camera, a television, or a music player. In addition, the data terminal B 195 may also be a data terminal for outputting to other media such as printed paper. The processes in the third embodiment also start after performing the process in step S 1613 the same as the first and the second embodiments.
Again referring to FIG. 20 , the cursor 1303 displayed in the display means 183 is moved using the input means 184 of the data terminal A and an arbitrary summary image is selected. In the example in FIG. 20 , the summary images 2051 , 2052 , and 2054 are selected. In FIG. 20 , summary images enclosed by double lines express the fact that these are summary images selected at this time. In the example in FIG. 20 , a [T] mark 2053 is attached to the summary image 2052 and an entity image represented by the summary image is stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X. Similarly, an [L] mark 2055 is attached to the summary image 2054 and an entity image represented by this summary image is stored in the image storage means 185 of the data terminal A. Furthermore, an [S] mark 2011 is attached to the summary image 2051 and an entity image represented by this summary image is stored in the image data storage means 144 of the data server Z. Next, the cursor 1303 displayed in the display means 183 is moved by the input means 184 of the data terminal A and the acquaintance button 1333 of another service is selected as a sending destination (step S 2601 ).
Next, entity images of summary images selected in step S 6401 are stored in the temporary image storage means 109 of the server X using the series of processes in step S 2602 to S 6406 in the flowchart in FIG. 26 . This series of processes is exactly the same as the processes from step S 2402 to 2406 in the second embodiment except for the following point. In step S 2402 in the second embodiment, the data terminal A sends data expressing the fact that the display terminal 1332 is selected in addition to the summary images selected in step S 2401 and a PID and a CIDa or an SPID correlated with each summary images to the server X. In step S 2602 in the third embodiment, the data terminal A sends data expressing the fact that an acquaintance of another service button 1333 is selected in addition to the summary images selected in step S 2601 and a PID and a CIDa or an SPID correlated with each summary images to the server X. Here, instead of a PID and a CIDa or the SPID of each selected summary images, data expressing the fact that the summary images 2051 , 2052 , and 2054 are selected may be sent. Except this point, the processes from steps S 2402 to S 2406 in the second embodiment and the processes from steps S 2602 to S 2606 in the third embodiment are the same and thus an explanation is omitted here. Furthermore, the order of the three processes of a process in step S 6403 , a process in S 2604 , and processes from S 2605 to 2606 may be interchanged. Using these processes, the entity images represented by the summary images 2052 , 2054 , and 2051 are correlated with UIDxa and stored in the temporary image storage means 109 .
Next, the sending and receiving means 101 of the server X redirects connection between the data terminal A and the server X 100 to the server Y 120 using the data expressing the fact the acquaintance of another service selection button 1333 received in step S 2602 is selected. Next, the HTML generation means 134 generates an HTML code for generating a Web service selection screen using data of a Web service stored in a Web service table 125 of the server Y. An example of a Web service table 125 is shown in FIG. 27 . The Web service table 125 includes a Web service name column 2701 , an authentication URL column 2702 , a URL for obtaining an acquaintance list column 2703 and a URL for sending a message column 2704 . In the example in the third embodiment, the bridge service Y provides a bridge to two Web services, a Web service V 160 and a Web service S 139 . Furthermore, here, the Web service V 160 and the Web service Ss 139 may be any services as long as they store an acquaintance list of the user A. For example, as long as the storage services used in the present invention provide a storage function for storing an ID list of acquaintances of a user in each server, any service can be used such as a service which mainly provides storage and a browsing function of images (FLICKR etc.), or a service (FACEBOOK etc.) which mainly provides an exchange of diaries such as an SNS (Social Networking Service) or a service which mainly provides an electronic mail (GMAIL etc.), a messenger service (SKYPE etc.), which provides chat or voice telephony, or a goods sales service (AMAZON etc.).
Next, the sending and receiving means 121 sends an HTML code for generating the Web service selection screen to the data terminal A via the network. When the sending and receiving means 181 of the data terminal A receives the HTML code, the Web service selection screen is displayed by the display means 183 after the HTML code is analyzed by the HTML analysis means 182 .
An example of the Web service selection screen is shown in FIG. 28 . The window 2801 of the Web service selection screen includes a display 2802 that shows that this is the a service of the bridge service Y, a Web service V selection button 2811 , a Web service S selection button 2812 , and a selection completed button 2804 . The Web service selection screen may or may not include the bridge service display 2802 . In addition, the buttons 2811 and 2812 do not have to be buttons as long as each Web service can be selected. In this example, when the Web service election screen is displayed, the HTML generation means of server Y generates an HTML code and sends the code to the data terminal A after the connection to the data terminal A is redirected from the server X 100 to the server Y 120 . Other than this, a code such as a script (javascript etc.) for receiving data from the server Y is attached in advance to the HTML code sent to the data terminal A from the server X, and the Web service selection screen output by the server Y may be directly displayed on the screen of the image gateway service X. Furthermore, the server X may include a function equivalent to a Web service table and the server X may send the Web service selection screen to the data terminal A.
Next, the cursor 2803 displayed on the display means 183 is moved using the input means 184 of the data terminal A and the Web service selection button is selected. In the example of FIG. 28 the button 2811 is selected. Following this, the cursor 2803 is moved using the input means 184 and the selection completion button 2804 is selected. The sending and receiving means 181 sends data which expresses the fact that the button 2811 is selected to the server Y 120 via the network 199 (step S 2607 ). When the sending and receiving means 121 of the server Y receives this data, the search means 131 searches the Web service table 125 using the Web service name V as a search key and the authentication URL 1212 correlated and stored with the Web service Z is obtained. The sending and receiving means 121 redirects a connection between the terminal A and the server Y to the server V 160 according to the authentication URL 2712 .
When the sending and receiving means 161 establishes a connection with the data terminal A, the HTML generation means 162 generates an HTML code for generating an authentication screen of the Web service V and the sending and receiving means 161 sends the code to the data terminal A via the network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 181 of the data terminal A receives the code, an authentication screen of the Web service V is displayed on the display means 183 after the code is analyzed by the HTML analysis means 182 . An example of the Web service V authentication screen is shown in FIG. 29 . The Web service V authentication screen includes an authentication screen window 2901 . The authentication screen window 2901 includes a display 2902 which expresses the fact that this is a screen of the Web service V, a user ID input section 2911 , a password input section 2912 and an authentication button 2904 . In the example in FIG. 29 , after the cursor 2903 is moved to the user ID input section 2911 using the input means 184 , the user ID [hoge@svcV.com] of the user A in the Web service V is input and the password 2922 is input after moving the cursor 2903 to the password input section 2912 . Here, the ID for uniquely specifying a user of the Web service V is expressed as UIDv. In addition, the ULD of the user A in the Web service V is expressed as the UIDva. In the example in FIG. 29 , the password 2922 is displayed as turned characters. Next, when the cursor 2903 is moved by the input means 184 and the authentication button 2904 is selected, the sending and receiving means 181 sends the user ID 2921 and the password 2822 to the server V via the network 199 . When the user ID and the password are received by the sending and receiving means of the server V, the authentication means 168 performs an authentication (step S 2608 ). In the example shown here, the user A is a user of the image gateway service X as well as a user of the Web service V, and UIDv and the password are stored in the user table 164 of the server V in advance. In step S 2608 , the user A may send the UIDva and a password to the server V via the data terminal A 180 and perform a user registration in user table 164 .
Next, the search means 164 of the server V searches the user table 164 using UIDva as a search key. An example of the user table is shown in FIG. 30 . In this example, the user table 164 includes a user ID column 3001 , a user display name column 3003 , and an acquaintance ID column 3004 . In column 3004 , UIDv's of a plurality of acquaintances may be correlated with a single UIDv and stored. In the example in FIG. 30 , two UIDs [foo@svcV.com] 3014 and [bar@svcV.com] 3015 are correlated with a UIDva 3011 and stored. The search means 163 searches for the UIDva and obtains the UIDv's of acquaintances and using the UIDv's of these acquaintances obtains the display names [Betty] 3023 and [Fred] 3033 . Next, the sending and receiving means 161 of the server V sends the acquaintance UID and each display name obtained in this search to the server Y via the network 199 . The server Y stores the acquaintance ID and each display name in the sending destination temporary storage means 126 (step S 2609 ). Other than these, a UIDv of each acquaintance and additional information of each acquaintance may also be sent to the server Y.
When the sending and receiving means 121 of the server Y receives the data, the HTML generation means 134 generates an HTML code for generating an image sending destination authentication screen. The sending and receiving means 121 of the server Y sends the HTML code to the data terminal A via the network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 181 of the data terminal A receives the code, an image sending destination authentication screen is displayed on the display means 183 after the code is analyzed by the HTML analysis means 182 . An example of the image sending destination authentication screen is shown in FIG. 31 . The image sending destination authentication screen window 3101 includes a display 1302 which expresses the fact that this is an a screen of the bridge service Y, a display 3103 which expresses that cat that this is an image sending destination authentication screen, acquaintance display names 3121 and 3122 of the user A in the Web service V, selection checkboxes 3111 and 31112 of each acquaintance, and a selection completed button 3105 . In the image sending destination selection screen 3101 , the display 1302 may indicate that this is a screen of the bridge service Y, a screen of the Web service V or a screen of the image gateway service X. Here, while the image sending destination selection screen is generated by the server Y 120 and sent to the data terminal A 180 , the screen may also be generated by the server Y 160 and sent to the data terminal A 180 . In addition, while display names of acquaintances are sent to the server Y in step S 2609 , the display names may also be sent to the data terminal A 180 after being sent to the server X and the server X 100 creates the image sending destination selection screen.
Next, the user A moves the cursor 3104 displayed on the display means tip 183 using the input means 184 of the data terminal A, selects the selection checkbox 3111 of the user B [Betty], who is an acquaintance of user A, and then selected the selection completed button 3105 (step S 2610 ). Here, [Betty] is the display name of user B and [foo@svcV.com] is the UIDvb of that ID. Next, when the sending and receiving means 121 of the server Y receives this notification, data which expresses the fact that the selection is completed is correlated with the ID of the acquaintance selected by the user A in step S 2610 among acquaintances in the acquaintance list of the user A stored in the sending destination temporary storage area 12 in step S 2609 and stored. Alternatively, the ID of an acquaintances other than the acquaintance selected in step S 2610 may be deleted from the sending destination temporary storage area 126 . Next, the sending and receiving means 121 of the server Y sends a request for an image sending URL of entity images correlate with UIDxa and stored in step S 2603 , S 2604 , and S 2606 to the server X via the network 199 (step S 2611 ). When the sending and receiving means 101 of the server X receives this request, the image sending URL generation means 111 generates an image sending URL of the entity image group. Next, the image sending URL generated for the entity image group correlated with UIDxa and stored in the temporary image storage means in step S 2603 , S 2604 , and S 2606 is correlated and stored. In addition, the image sending URL generated by the sending and receiving means 101 is sent to the server Y 120 via the network 199 (step S 2612 ).
The sending and receiving means 121 of the server Y receives the image sending URL from the server X. Next, the sending and receiving means 121 sends UIDva which is the ID of an acquaintance selected by the user A in step S 2610 and stored in the sending destination temporary storage area in step S 2609 and the image sending URL received from the server X to the server V 160 via network 199 with respect to a message sending URL 2711 shown in FIG. 27 (step S 2613 ).
The sending and receiving means 161 of the server V receives these and sends the image sending URL received from the server Y to the data terminal 8195 via the network 199 using UIVb of [Betty] of user B received from the server Y as a receiving address (step S 2614 ). Therefore, the image sending URL to [Betty] selected by the user A as a sending destination is includes in a message to [foo@svcV.com]. The UIDv may be the ID of a message sending means such as a general electronic mail or any other ID of a message sending means. Data other than the image sending URL may also be includes in an electronic mail to the data terminal B.
When the sending and receiving means 196 of the data terminal B receives the electronic mail message which includes the image sending URL from the server V, the message is analyzed by the message analysis means 197 and displayed on the display means 198 . An example of a message displayed on the data terminal B is shown in FIG. 32 . The display means 198 includes a window 3201 for displaying a message. The window 3201 includes a display 3202 which shows that Web service V is the provider of the message, a display 3203 which shows that user A is the image sending source and an image sending URL display 3204 . The user B moves the cursor 3205 displayed in the display means 198 using the input means 158 and selects the image URL display 3204 .
Next, the sending and receiving means 196 sends a request for obtaining an image sent to the user B by the user A to the server X indicated by the image sending URL via the network 199 (step S 2615 ). When the sending and receiving means 101 of the server X receives this request, the temporary image storage means is searched using the received image sending URL as a search key and an entity image group correlated with the UIDxa in step S 2612 and stored in the temporary image storage means is obtained. Next, the sending and receiving means 101 sends the entity image group to the data terminal B 195 via the network 199 . When the sending and receiving means 196 of the data terminal B receives the entity image group, the entity image group is stored in the image storage means 159 and displayed in the display means 158 (step S 2616 ). A message sent to the data terminal B 195 from the server V 160 may be sent by an HTML code as well as by electronic mail. In addition, acceptance of image browsing by user B using the data terminal B may be performed by selecting a button rather than a URL. In addition, the image gateway service X may be adapted to a plurality of Web services. For example, in the case where the user A sends a summary image selected in step S 2601 to an acquaintance in the Web service S via the server of the Web service S shown in FIG. 1 , the same processes explained in FIG. 26 are performed.
In the present invention, a summary image of an entity image taken by the user A is stored in a summary image storage means 103 of the server X. However, the entity images of an image taken by the user A are stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X and in the image storage means 185 of the data terminal A and the image data storage means 144 of the server Z. For example, in the case where the user attempts to delete the entity images from the image storage means 185 of the data terminal A, summary images are stored in server X. However, entity images corresponding to these summary images may not exist. Again referring to FIG. 20 , when this situation occurs the mark [X] 2060 shows that entity images corresponding to summary image 2061 stored by the server X have been deleted from the data terminal A and do not exist anywhere. Any method for displaying this fact may be used apart from an [X] mark.
Next, the operational effects related to the present invention are explained in detail using the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment described above. The following nine effects are obtained using a server, a data terminal, an imaging terminal, a display terminal, a method, and a system of the present invention.
The first effect is that it is possible to reduce a cumbersome procedure of copying to a data terminal which performs management and maintenance of image data from a data terminal. In step S 1003 , when the imaging terminal A is connected to the network, all the entity images are sent to the server X and stored in the temporary entity storage means. At this time, it is not necessary for the user A to perform a process for management. According to a conventional method, it is necessary to select which image data is to be uploaded to a server via a network or at least perform this setting in advance. According to the present invention, because entity images are only uploaded to the server X once, the cumbersome procedure of copying to a data terminal is greatly reduced.
Furthermore, as stated previously, the imaging terminal A may upload entity images to the serve X via the data terminal A in the present invention. In addition, entity images stored in a storage media of the imaging terminal A may be uploaded to the server X via the data terminal A without providing the imaging terminal A with a sending and receiving means, but by connecting the storage media to the data terminal A. In this case also, the user A does not need to set which entity images are to be copied to the data terminal A or the server X since all the entity images may be automatically uploaded to the server X. As a result, the first effect is effective also in this case.
The second effect is that it is possible for the user A to maintain image data groups taken with a plurality of imaging terminals as one batch. According to the present invention, as is shown in FIG. 11 , it is possible to correlate a plurality of CIDs with UIDxa of the user A in the image gateway service X. All the entity images imaged by a plurality of imaging terminals are stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 of the server X. In the case where the user A uses a plurality of imaging terminals, the temporary entity storage means is searched using all the CIDs and the PIDs or the SPID correlated with the UIDxa. In this way, in a browsing display screen of the image gateway service X shown in FIG. 15 , it is possible to manage image data taken with all imaging terminals in an integrated manner and greatly reduce the work required for managing image data compared to a conventional method.
The third effect is that it is possible for a user to batch manage entity images stored across a plurality of storage destinations. According to the present invention, the plurality of storage destinations of the entity images may be a server or an imaging terminal. In addition, the plurality of storage destinations of the entity images may also be servers on different networks. For example, all entity image groups taken by the user A using the imaging terminal A are stored in the temporary entity storage means of the server X in step S 1404 . However, following this, one part of the entity images is moved to the storage means of the data terminal A in step S 1404 and another part is moved to the storage means of server Z in step S 1609 . Therefore, in step S 1613 , at the point where the screen in FIG. 2 is displayed in the data terminal A, the entity images taken using the imaging terminal A are separated and stored in the server X, the data terminal A and the server Z. However, as is clear from the explanations in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment, the user A can execute printing images, backing up images, or sending images to an acquaintance without being aware of the location of the entity images. Even when there is a plurality of storage destinations, the effort required for management of images by a user does not increase, which is an important effect of the present invention.
The fourth effect is that it is easy to backup a large amount of image data. In the present image, all entity images taken by all the imaging terminal of a user can be easily copied or moved to an arbitrary data terminal or a server via the image gateway service X. Therefore, it is possible to easily backup image data by copying entity images to a plurality of data terminals or servers. For example, in FIG. 20 , an [L] mark 1511 and an [S] mark are attached to the summary image 1515 . This represents the fact that the entity images represented by the summary image 1515 are stored in both image storage means 185 of the data terminal A and the image data storage means 141 of the server Z. This means that even if the entity images stored in either storage location are lost it is possible to use the entity images via the screen of the image gateway service X.
The fifth effect is that it is possible to reduce a cost for managing and storing a large amount of entity data taken with a plurality of imaging terminals in a Web server. With regards to cost it is necessary to examine the three following points: the cost to the operator of the image gateway service X, the cost to the operator of the storage service Z, and the cost to the user A.
First, the cost to the operator of the image gateway service X is examined. It was necessary for a Web service or storage service which stores entity images in a server to store in advance all entity images in a storage means in a server of that service. As a result, if a limit is not set to the volume of entity images entrusted by a user or a charge is set for storing a large amount of image data above an maximum amount, the cost to the service provider increases making it impossible to maintain operation of the service. However, according to the present invention, while all entity images are temporarily stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 in the server X, only summary images are stored in the summary image storage means 103 after moving the entity images to a data terminal or other storage service. Usually, because the amount of a summary image is significantly small compared to its entity image, the amount of data per person that is stored in the server X can be reduced compared to a conventional method. As a result, the image gateway service X can reduce costs regardless of the interface provided to a user for uniformly managing all image data.
Next, the cost to an operator of the storage service Z is examined. Most of the storage services on the internet provide a user with a screen for browsing image data or exchanging with image data with acquaintances and realize profits by displaying advertisements on this screen. According to a conventional method, the cost of providing the storage capacity required by a single user often exceeds the profit from these advertisements. As a result, the use of a storage service is limited to the display of photographs or acquaintance introduction on the internet and opportunities for profit are lost while the number of visiting users decreases. According to the present invention, the operator of the storage service Z can accept entity images within a range matching advertising profits and thereby improve the visiting frequency of users to the storage service Z and increase profits.
Finally, the cost to a user is examined. Until recently, it was cumbersome for a user to store entity images in a plurality of storage destinations and it was often the case that entity images would be stored together in one data terminal or one storage service. However, according to the present invention, such cumbersome operations are not required and it is possible to store entity images in an arbitrary storage destination. As a result, it is possible to store many entity images in an available storage means among a plurality of data terminals. Alternatively, it is possible to use a plurality of Web storage service on the internet and easily separate and store entity images so that each storage service can be used freely. Therefore, the cost of storing a large amount of entity images to a user can be significantly reduced compared to a conventional method.
The sixth effect of the present invention is protection of privacy in the case where image data is kept on the internet. According to a conventional method, in the case image data taken by a user is stored in a server in each internet services, the image data is correlated with a user ID of that internet service and stored. As a result, it is possible for at least the operator of the internet service to specify all the entity images taken by each user by searching image data stored in the server from the user ID. In the method of the present invention, the image gateway service X stores all the reserved images correlated with the user UIDa and stored by simply temporarily storing entity images in the temporary entity storage means 102 . Therefore, the problem of privacy is less significant compared to a conventional method. Furthermore, in step S 1004 , in the case where an entity image group is correlated not only with a combination of a PID and a CIDa but also an SPID and stored in the temporary entity storage means 102 , there is no method for specifying an image taken by the user A using the imaging terminal A even for the operator of the image gateway service X. This is realized because an SPID is represented by the following formula and the calculation F is non-reversible and a correlation of a CIDa and an SPID is not stored in server X.
SPIDn=F ( PIDn,CIDaa )
The seventh effect is that it is possible to unify various operations such as backup, printing, sending to an acquaintance, display on a data terminal, or display terminal of all images taken on a plurality of imaging terminals by a single user. In the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment, a user can execute backing up images, printing images, or sending images to an acquaintance by selecting a service or terminal on the bridge service Y after selecting an image which the user wishes to use on a screen of the image gateway service X shown in FIG. 20 . At this time, it is not necessary for the user A to be aware of which imaging terminal took each image or the storage destination of the entity images. In addition, it is not necessary for a user to be aware if the sending destination of an image is a Web service, a display terminal, or a data terminal.
The eighth effect is that it is possible to easily send or share image data on the image gateway service X by integrally using the acquaintance relationships known by a user of the image gateway service X on other Web services. Most internet users use various Web services and possess acquaintance relationships on each service. For example, a user may have a sending destination list on an electronic mail service, an acquaintance list of exchanging diaries on an SNS service, a telephone number list on a messenger service such as a chat or voice telephony, or a list of acquaintances for exchanging photographs on a photograph sharing service. In the system of the present invention, it is possible to easily send image data by selecting all of the acquaintance selection buttons 1333 of another service shown in FIG. 20 and selecting a Web service for on which a user wishes to a use an acquaintance list on the bridge service Y.
The ninth effect is a high scalability of service expansion. As explained herein, in the present invention it is possible to easily execute backing up image data, displaying image data, printing image data, or sending image data to an acquaintance on another Web service by linking the image gateway service X, the display terminal or the data terminal and various Web services. Actually, there are many services on the internet such as storage services, image browsing services, print services, and Web services including an acquaintance list. It is possible to realize the method of the present invention even if a function provided by the server Y explained above is provide by the server X. However, it is possible to add or delete corresponding storage services, image browsing services, print services, and Web services including an acquaintance list without adding changes to the server X by providing the server Y with a bridge function which links the image gateway service X and various terminals or servers. For example, in step S 1604 or step S 2607 , the server Y provides a storage service selection screen shown in FIG. 19 or a Web service selection screen shown in FIG. 28 to the data terminal A. Even in the case where storage services, print services, or Web services, which is compatible with the image gateway service X, increase, according to the method of the present invention, it is not necessary to make the bridge service Y compatible or to change the server X.
Furthermore, in the present invention there may be a plurality of image gateway services X. For example, a further image gateway service R is connected to the network 199 of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 which links storage services Z and W, print services U and T, and Web services V and S. In this case also, it is possible to provide a user of the image gateway service R with the first to the eighth effects described above simply by adding a mechanism corresponding to the image gateway service R to the server Y without adding changes to each server of Z, W, U, T, V, and S.
According to the present invention, a server, an imaging terminal, a data terminal, a display terminal, and system are provided in which a user can uniformly organize, manage and maintain image data which are taken by various imaging terminals and which are scattered and stored among various servers and terminals by using a gateway service on the internet. In addition, according to the present invention, because it is possible to separate and store image data among various storage media, it is possible to solve the problem of cost incurred when storing a large amount of image data on a server and to solve the problem of backup without increasing the complexity of organizing, managing, and maintaining image data.
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Provided is a server, wherein an image group and a terminal ID are received from an imaging terminal, a first ID specifying a first image among the image group, the terminal ID, and the first image are stored in a first storage, a second ID specifying a second image among the image group, the terminal ID, and the second image are stored in a first storage, a user ID and a terminal ID are received from an data terminal, the user ID and the terminal ID are stored in a second storage, the terminal ID is extracted by conducting a search thereof inside the second memory using the user ID as the key, the first image and the second image are extracted as a result of conducting a search thereof inside the first storage using the terminal ID as the key, a first summary image is stored in association with the terminal ID and the first ID in a third storage, a second summarized image is stored in association with the terminal ID and the second ID in the third storage, and the first summary image and the second summary image are sent to the data terminal.
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This application is a 371 of PCT/IB2004/003306 filed on Sep. 24, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a metallic formwork used for molding concrete in construction works and substructures. Specifically, the invention is easily operated and suitable for many uses within a modular environment that allows interconnection through a range of metallic accessories. More specifically, these metallic formworks are modules formed from steel sheets with reinforcements having dimensions according to any desired requirements. The formworks of the present invention are selectively positioned and interconnected adjacent to each other to selectively shape concrete in walls or partition walls.
The formwork of the present invention is made from steel sheets (2 mm to 3 mm thick) and the modules formed therefrom can have a weight of up to 43 kg and dimensions varying from 5 cm to 80 cm in width and 20 cm to 240 cm in height, with increasing scales of 5 cm among different sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The metallic formwork of the present invention is a lightweight, portable and easy to use system. The basic module of the system is designed to weight not more than 25 Kg, although modules having dimensions of 240 cm×60 cm can weight up to 43 kg and still be easily handled by any person.
According to an aspect of the invention, the metallic formwork modules provide a visible smooth finish or texture to the concrete walls.
According to another aspect of the invention, the metallic formwork modules can be built in different sizes with different measurements to provide irregular-sized modules when needed.
In accordance to a further aspect of the invention, the metallic formwork modules are manually installed without the need of expensive and heavy equipment and crane towers.
According to one aspect of the invention, the system is easily transported to the construction site due to its box-like configuration.
According to an aspect of the invention, the metallic formwork modules are designed in accordance to earthquake resistant regulations.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the system avoids unwanted waste materials and debris.
According to another aspect of the invention, the system allows controlling the use of construction tools and materials.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, the system is designed to be re-used due to its metallic construction.
In accordance to an aspect of the invention, the metallic formwork system reduces construction costs and storage space.
According to another aspect of the invention, the versatility of the system allows it to be used in residential and commercial sites.
According to one aspect of the invention, the metallic formwork modules can be easily washed and cleaned after being used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other aspects and advantages of the formwork of the present invention are more apparent from the following detailed description and claims, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows the basic arrangement of the metallic modules forming the formwork according to the invention;
FIG. 2 shows an L-shaped angular metallic accessory that allows external turn between adjacent modules according to the invention;
FIG. 3 shows a corner cupboard-type box accessory that allows internal turn between adjacent modules according to the invention;
FIG. 4 ( a - e ) shows a plurality of metallic accessories used to assemble the formwork according to the invention;
FIG. 5 shows an exemplary formwork arrangement having formwork modules in parallel according to the invention;
FIG. 6 shows formwork modules in parallel separated by a distancing element according to the invention;
FIG. 7 shows a formwork module aligning arrangement according to the invention;
FIG. 8 shows a joining element securing adjacent formwork modules according to the invention;
FIG. 9 shows a formwork module having V-shaped reinforcing metallic elements according to the invention;
FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a formwork module's back surface having V-shaped reinforcing metallic elements according to the invention;
FIG. 11 shows another perspective view of a formwork module's front flat surface according to the invention; and
FIG. 12 shows a fixed securing element according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a metallic formwork arrangement according to the present invention. A modular frame 10 comprises a rectangular-shaped steel sheet 11 longitudinally surrounded on its sides by metallic side members 12 and on its top and bottom sides by metallic top and bottom members 13 , respectively as shown in FIG. 11 . Angular cuts are formed at the corners of said modular frame 10 where an end of a metallic side member 12 meets an end of a metallic member 13 as shown in FIGS. 1 , 5 and 6 .
Each metallic side member 12 comprises a plurality of equally spaced holes 14 across its length. The modular frame 10 is reinforced with V-shaped metallic reinforcing elements 15 extending from the top side to the bottom side as shown in FIG. 9 . It is further reinforced with struts longitudinally extending from side to side and perpendicular to said V-shaped metallic reinforcing elements 15 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10 .
FIG. 2 shows an L-shaped angular accessory 17 having an angular profile. This accessory acts as a coupling element that allows angular interconnection between external formwork modules to form concrete corners as shown in FIG. 1 . L-shaped accessory 17 is a metallic accessory having the same length as the formwork module 10 and also comprises a plurality of equally spaced holes on its sides and distributed across its length.
FIG. 3 shows another metallic formwork accessory of the present invention. An internal corner element 28 comprises a box-type metallic frame that allows angular interconnection between internal formwork modules to form concrete corners as shown in FIG. 1 . The corner element 28 has metallic walls 29 and 30 comprising a plurality of equally spaced holes on its surfaces and distributed across its length to facilitate passage of pins as will be shown later.
The metallic formwork arrangement of the invention comprises formwork modules connected in parallel and having a distance e between the parallel-connected modules as shown in FIG. 5 , where the space provided by distance e is filled with concrete to form walls or partition walls in a building or structure. These parallel-connected modules are coupled and secured to each other by distancing elements 18 shown in FIG. 4 c , made of metallic sheet from 5 cm to 120 cm and having on its ends holes 10 (10 mm diameter) that allow tight passage of a rod-shaped hook or pin 20 having an angular folded end as shown in FIG. 4 b . As previously mentioned, this distancing element 18 selectively regulates the space between two parallel-connected modules.
Once two modules are installed, an alignment element 21 comprising a metallic U-shaped element of variable length is provided to vertically align the modules and provide structural stability and rigidity to the same as shown in FIGS. 4 d and 5 . A U-shaped gripping press 22 shown in FIG. 4 e , is used to longitudinally secure said alignment element 21 against the width of said metallic formwork modules as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 . The gripping press 22 comprises a manually-rotated screw 23 structurally coupled to said press 22 and a pair of metallic hooks 24 extending away from said gripping press 22 as shown in FIG. 4 e . In operation, the U-shaped alignment element 21 is placed inside the U-shaped gripping press 22 and then hooks 24 are inserted into holes 14 provided on metallic side members 12 . When the screw 23 is rotated, alignment element 21 is pressed against the metallic formwork modules as shown in FIGS. 1 , 5 and 7 .
Laterally-adjacent modules are complementary secured to each other by a linking element 25 shown in FIG. 4 a , comprising a rectangular metallic sheet having an axial receiving slot. The linking element 25 has an angular folding configuration and further comprises a welded rod 27 having a folded end. When two modules are positioned side-by-side, their respective metallic side members 12 being in close proximity to each other are inserted into the axial receiving slot and rod 27 is inserted into holes 14 to secure the modules against each other as shown in FIG. 8 .
As shown in FIGS. 1 , 5 , 6 and 12 , a locking element 40 is fixedly provided on the corners of the formwork modules for receiving and securing a pin 20 used to secure the distancing element 18 to said formwork modules. Specifically, the locking element 40 is provided with a slot for receiving and latching a folded end of said pin 20 . The other end of pin 20 is simultaneously inserted into hole 19 of said distancing element 18 and hole 14 of said side member 12 as shown in FIG. 6 . This locking arrangement ensures that the concrete remains inside the parallel-connected formwork modules when the concrete is being molded.
The metallic formwork modules of the present invention can be manually installed in accordance to the following general steps:
1. Apply a demoulding material to the surfaces of the modules; 2. Assemble the formwork modules in accordance with the construction requirements; 3. Install and secure the L-shaped angular accessory 17 to adjacent modules as needed; 4. Install the linking elements 25 ensuring the metallic side members 12 are inserted into the axial receiving slot and that rod 27 is inserted into holes 14 to secure the modules against each other; 5. Install the distancing elements 18 to position the formwork modules in parallel by inserting one end of pin 20 into holes 19 of the distancing elements and securing the other end of the pin 20 with the locking element 40 ; and 6. Adjusting alignment element 21 against the formwork modules with the gripping press 22 to vertically align the modules and provide structural stability and rigidity to the same prior to pouring the concrete into the parallel-connected formwork modules arrangement.
The flat surfaces of the metallic formwork modules are coated with a demoulding material prior to pouring the concrete to prevent said concrete from adhering to said flat surfaces. The surfaces are easily pressure-washed once the concrete filing process is finished.
The rigidity and integrity of the system is ensured by the installation of pins into the appropriate holes provided for securing the distancing elements to the modules.
These modules can be made in sizes of 240 cm in height and from 5 to 80 cm in width. The internal corner modules and the L-shaped angular accessories can have lengths of from 20 to 240 cm. The formwork module's weight based on the selected dimensions can very from 3 kg (5×120 cm) to 43 kg (60×240 cm).
Because many varying and differing embodiments maybe made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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The metallic formwork system of the invention is used for concrete molding in constructions, by virtue of a diversity of metallic accessories that allow interconnection between metallic formwork modules providing a versatile, easy-to-use and portable system.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is related to hot water distribution systems. More particularly, the present invention is related to immediate hot water delivery systems.
[0002] The present invention relates to a provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/475,492 filed at the United States patent and trademark office on the 4 th of Jun. 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In many hot water supply systems, such as ones used in homes, the start of hot water consumption mostly includes loss of immense amount of water, inconvenience and even chill during waiting for hot water arrival to the tap.
[0004] In known immediate hot water delivery system, hot water line from the heater to the tap is kept from chilling by circulation or by reciprocation of hot water between hot and cold water pipes.
[0005] Closest patent based on circulation principle is aspirator water circulation apparatus disclosed in European Patent Application EP 0 809 079 A1. U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,844 is related to storing hot water in an insulated reservoir and after the stored volume returns to the system, storing is repeated. U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,235 teaches a reciprocate circulation of water between hot and cool lines. Main disadvantages of commercially available circulation and reciprocation instantaneous hot water delivery are high production cost, high electricity consumption, and poor service characteristic. No analogues based on heat transfer along hot water lines have been found.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Heat transfer from water heater into hot water line in accordance with regenerative heat transfer technique ensures instantaneous hot water delivery to hot tap even when taps are closed in position. The process is maintained by longitude water oscillations, caused by inserting at least two flexible elements into the hot water system: an air pressure accumulator and a water oscillations initiator.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide immediate hot water supply device with a longitude heat transfer that ensures at least one of the following: good service, hot water temperature is close to that of heater water, significantly low cost, less power consumption, and easy installation.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide an immediate hot water supply device that is produced without a motor, in absence of pump and the electrical power is small because it only maintains natural water oscillations in the pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in the following section with respect to the drawings. The same reference numbers are used to designate the same or related features on different drawings. The drawings are generally not drawn to scale.
[0010] [0010]FIG. 1 illustrates an immediate water supply system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] [0011]FIG. 2 illustrates air pressure accumulator in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] [0012]FIG. 3 illustrates a water oscillations initiator in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] [0013]FIG. 4 illustrates an immediate water supply system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the present invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles in accordance with the present invention. The scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.
[0015] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 illustrating an immediate water supply system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Immediate hot water delivery system 100 comprises water heater 1 that is connected to cold water supply by line 2 and includes oil or gas burner or other built in heating element 3 , which heats water in water heater reservoir 4 . Hot water reservoir 4 is connected to hot water line 5 that delivers hot water to one or several optional hot water taps 6 . Tap 7 is the most remote hot water supply fixture of line 2 .
[0016] If all taps on line 2 are in closed position, the temperature of water in the line will reach an ambient temperature. Starting the flow of hot water from a tap causes loss of some water before it become suitable for use. Besides water loss, waiting create inconvenience in the customer's side and sometimes chill of people in bathroom. The use of cold water instead of hot water in kitchen often provokes dermatitis of housewife hands.
[0017] It is an object of the present invention to ensure immediate water supply to all fixtures. Air pressure accumulator 8 provided in the system and connected to the hot water line 5 in vicinity of most remote tap 7 . Water oscillations initiator 9 consists of air pressure accumulator, combined with water oscillations driver is inserted in water supply system 100 and is fluidically connected to heater reservoir 4 . Water oscillations initiator 9 , together with air pressure accumulator 8 creates longitude oscillation for water between heater reservoir 4 and remote air pressure accumulator 8 . Oscillating system that is organized by elastic supports, air chambers of pressure accumulator 8 and water oscillations initiator 9 together with mass of pipe water used to oscillate water and to fulfill regenerative heat transfer along the hot water line that heats water using heat of water heater.
[0018] Optionally, cold water supply by line 2 is connected to the bottom of water heater 1 . Optionally, cold water supply by line 2 is equipped with non-return valve (not shown) that prevents hot water from heater 1 to return into the cold water system. Optionally, heater 1 is equipped with a safety pressure release valve preventing system rupture due to overpressure.
[0019] Optionally, hot water line 5 is connected to the top portion of heater 1 , where the water temperature is higher.
[0020] Optionally, oscillations initiator 9 is connected to cold water line 2 , close to heater 1 . In this configuration, oscillations initiator 9 is connected between heater 1 and the optional non-return valve.
[0021] An advantage of the above-described system is that it can easily installed in existing hot water systems converting them to immediate hot water delivery systems.
[0022] In contrast to water circulation method, no return water pipes need to be installed. Oscillations initiator 9 may easily be installed near the water heater, where electric power supply is readily available. Air pressure accumulator 8 may be installed out of sight under the kitchen sink.
[0023] If more than one hot water lines 5 are used or if hot water line 5 is branches, it is preferable to install an air pressure accumulator near each of the terminal most remote tap 7 .
[0024] Alternately, the locations of oscillations initiator 9 and air pressure accumulator 8 may be reversed.
[0025] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 illustrating air pressure accumulator in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows details of an exemplary embodiment of air pressure accumulator 8 . Pressure accumulator 8 consists of air chamber that is connected to hot water line 5 by connection pipe 11 . Bottom part of chamber 10 filled by water 12 . Pressed air 13 is filled in the upper portion of the chamber. Optionally, additional tank 14 is connected to chamber 10 by optional connection lines 15 . The water level oscillates between minimal level 16 and maximal level 17 . Optional air tube 18 and optional air valve 19 may be connected to the top part of chamber 10 . Drain valve 20 is optionally placed on lower part of pressure accumulator 8 .
[0026] Optional oblique tube 21 is equipped by valve 22 that is open if the system is under the working pressure and is closed if pressure is low. The switch of the valve is provided by standard pressure relay. Tube 21 is connected to chamber 10 in vicinity of minimal water level 16 .
[0027] Optional separation valve 201 on connection pipe 11 may be closed to separate the pressure accumulator 8 from the hot water line 5 for maintenance, as an example.
[0028] Alternatively, the function of pressure accumulator 8 may be achieved by using a cylinder and piston system where the piston is moved by the water pressure against air pressure on the other side or against a spring. Elastic membrane may replace the piston in this configuration.
[0029] Reference is now made to FIG. 3 illustrating a water oscillations initiator in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows details of an exemplary embodiment of water oscillation initiator 9 .
[0030] Water oscillation initiator 9 comprises hermetic cylinder 23 that is connected to heater 1 by connection pipe 24 , optionally equipped with valve 25 . The bottom part of the cylindrical core 23 is filled by water 26 , while upper part of the cylinder filled by pressed air 27 . Water oscillation initiator 9 includes piston 28 that separates air and water that fill parts of cylinder 23 . Optionally piston 28 is made of light material, thus it remains in this position by its floatage properties.
[0031] Optionally, radial clearance between piston 28 and the internal walls of cylinder 23 is between 0.2 and 0.3 mm to avoid semidry friction. Alternatively, piston 28 may be substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of the cylinder and optionally fitted with O-rings or other means for preventing water 26 from entering air 27 . Piston 28 is mechanically connected to magnetic frame 29 of electromechanical pulse driver.
[0032] Pulse driver comprises magnetic frame 29 , winding 30 and feedback and automation electric circuitry (not shown). At least part of the cylindrical core 31 between the winding 30 and magnetic frame 29 is made of material that facilitates the conduction of magnetic field created by varying electric current in the winding to the magnetic frame, thus affecting force on the piston. Water oscillation initiator 9 optionally includes sockets 32 that provide option to connect with additional oscillation initiator.
[0033] Optional oblique tube 33 is equipped with valve 34 that is open if the system is under working pressure and is closed if pressure is low. The switch of the valve is provided with standard pressure relay. Optional tube 33 is connected to the cylinder in vicinity of minimal water level in cylinder 23 .
[0034] Optional air tube 35 and air valve 36 are connected to the top part of cylinder 23 .
[0035] Optionally, drain valve 37 is placed on drain passage 38 optionally connected to lower part of the oscillation initiator.
[0036] Valves 201 , 19 , 36 and 38 are used for installation and maintenance.
[0037] Electromechanical pulse driver is built of standard blocks usually used in electronics for the purpose of operating the oscillations initiator.
[0038] Mechanical pulses of the driver in one or both dead position(s) ensures water pushing, maintaining continuous back-and-forth motion of water inside hot water pipe 5 between heater and air pressure accumulator 9 installed in vicinity of most distant hot tap 7 .
[0039] Optionally, automation facilities (not shown) ensure synchronizing of mechanical pulses with frequency of natural oscillations of water mass on two elastic supports i.e. air accumulators 8 and oscillation initiator 9 . Water oscillation and heat transfer along the pipe will be maintained with minimum influx of energy. Automation facilities ensure also an initial pulse to start water oscillations.
[0040] Volume of air in each accumulator varies dependant of pressure in water supply system 100 and may be regulated by additional tanks 14 (shown in FIG. 2). Volume of air may be adjusted according to the length and diameter of hot water pipe 5 . Similarly, the stroke of the piston may be adjusted.
[0041] Air chambers charging is executed by pouring water in previously empty chambers or cylinders.
[0042] Water rising from the bottom into empty chamber or cylinder presses air in the chamber and displaces it into the top portion of the chamber or cylinder.
[0043] The optional use of additional tanks 14 creates facility to correct and correct air volume to produce oscillating system that keeps optimal frequency of natural oscillations and optimal amplitude of oscillations within allowances. This charging method ensures automatic charging after deterioration of water supply.
[0044] Optionally, if additional air will liberate from water the optional oblique passages 21 or 33 , which are equipped with valves 22 and 34 , respectively that are open if system is under working pressure and are closed if pressure is low will put excessive air into water supply system. The connection point of the optional oblique passages 21 and 33 may be adjusted to the working conditions of the system during installation.
[0045] Alternatively, the function of oscillation initiator 9 may be achieved by using any type of pump. For example, but not limited to a cylinder and piston system, the piston can move by a motor. Elastic membrane may replace the piston in this configuration.
[0046] Reference I snow made to FIG. 4 illustrating an immediate hot water supply device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, hot water heater 102 includes hot water reservoir 39 which contains air filled volume 40 at the top. The volume is used as elastic element at the heater side of hot water line 5 . Hot water 41 is supplied by hot water line 2 to hot water tap(s) 6 including most remote fixture of the line 7 .
[0047] Water oscillation initiator 9 is connected to pipe in vicinity of most remote tap 7 .
[0048] Hot water oscillating is maintained by elastic air volume of heater tank and water oscillations initiator 9 with its air chamber together with mass of water in the pipe, thus fulfilling regenerative heat transfer along hot water line that heats water using the heat of water heater.
[0049] If more than one hot water lines 5 are used or if hot water line 5 is branches, it is preferable to install a Water oscillation initiator near each of the terminal most remote tap 7 .
[0050] Alternately or additionally, an air filled balloon may be inserted into hot water heater 102 inside the hot water reservoir 39 .
[0051] Optionally, cold water supply by line 2 connected to heater 102 is equipped with non-return valve (not shown), which prevents hot water from lo heater 1 to return into the cold water system. Optionally heater 101 is equipped with a safety pressure release valve preventing system rupture due to overpressure.
[0052] Optionally, hot water line 5 is connected to the top of heater 1 , where the water temperature is higher.
[0053] While the invention has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, various modifications will be readily apparent to and may be readily accomplished by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the above teachings.
[0054] It should be understood that features and/or steps described with respect to one embodiment may be used with other embodiments and that not all embodiments of the invention have all of the features and/or steps shown in a particular figure or described with respect to one of the embodiments. Variations of embodiments described will occur to persons of the art.
[0055] It is noted that some of the above described embodiments may describe the best mode contemplated by the inventors and therefore include structure, acts or details of structures and acts that may not be essential to the invention and which are described as examples. Structure and acts described herein are replaceable by equivalents which perform the same function, even if the structure or acts are different, as known in the art. Therefore, the scope of the invention is limited only by the elements and limitations as used in the claims. The terms “comprise”, “include” and their conjugates as used herein mean “include but are not necessarily limited to”
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In a hot water distribution system, the water oscillation in hot water supply line maintains hot water line in heated condition by ensuring heat transfer from the water heater to a hot water line executing regenerative heat transfer technique. Fulfillment of longitude water oscillations is ensured by installation of at least two flexible elements such as pressure air accumulators, wherein one is connected to water heater reservoir, and another is connected to hot water line in vicinity to most remote hot water fixture.
This can be combined with one of pressure air accumulators initiator of water oscillations that is used for initiation and maintaining of the water oscillation. Heat spreads through the hot water line ensuring hot state of water near all fixtures of the line ensuring instantaneous hot water supply at moment of tap opening.
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CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/431,982, filed on Nov. 1, 1999, for A Golf Club Head With A Face Composed Of A Forged Material.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for processing a striking plate for a golf club head. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for forging a relatively thin metal striking plate for a golf club head.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a golf club head strikes a golf ball, large impacts are produced that load the club head face and the golf ball. Most of the energy is transferred from the head to the golf ball, however, some energy is lost as a result of the collision. The golf ball is typically composed of polymer cover materials (such as ionomers) surrounding a rubber-like core. These softer polymer materials having damping (loss) properties that are strain and strain rate dependent which are on the order of 10-100 times larger than the damping properties of a metallic club face. Thus, during impact most of the energy is lost as a result of the high stresses and deformations of the golf ball (0.001 to 0.20 inches), as opposed to the small deformations of the metallic club face (0.025 to 0.050 inches). A more efficient energy transfer from the club head to the golf ball could lead to greater flight distances of the golf ball.
The generally accepted approach has been to increase the stiffness of the club head face to reduce metal or club head deformations. However, this leads to greater deformations in the golf ball, and thus increases in the energy transfer problem.
Some have recognized the problem and disclosed possible solutions. An example is Lu, U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,814, for a Hollow Club Head With Deflecting Insert Face Plate, discloses a reinforcing element composed of a plastic or aluminum alloy that allows for minor deflecting of the face plate which has a thickness ranging from 0.01 to 0.30 inches for a variety of materials including stainless steel, titanium, KEVLAR®, and the like. Yet another Campau invention, U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,248, for a Golf Club Having Insert Capable Of Elastic Flexing, discloses a wood club composed of wood with a metal insert.
Although not intended for flexing of the face plate, Viste, U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,624 discloses a golf club head having a face plate composed of a forged stainless steel material and having a thickness of 3 mm. Anderson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,140, for a Golf Club Head And Method Of Forming Same, also discloses use of a forged material for the face plate. The face plate of Anderson may be composed of several forged materials including steel, copper and titanium. The forged plate has a uniform thickness of between 0.090 and 0.130 inches.
Another invention directed toward forged materials in a club head is Su et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,011 for a Golf Club Head. Su discloses a club head composed of three pieces with each piece composed of a forged material. The main objective of Su is to produce a club head with greater loft angle accuracy and reduce structural weaknesses.
The typical forging process for metal golf club faces involves heating the metal bar at a temperature in excess of 1000° C. for longer than twenty minutes, pressing and then repeating the process. The forged face is then milled or ground to obtain the proper face thickness. Thus, all current golf club face plates that claim to be forged, actually have undergone a post-forging milling or grinding to achieve a proper thickness, and proper bulge and roll. Therefore, the golf industry is absent a truly forged face plate.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method for producing a face member for golf club head that has a relatively thin striking plate, and that is forged to a finished state. The thin striking plate allows for greater compliance of the striking plate with a golf ball during impact. A more compliant striking plate provides for lower energy loss and a higher coefficient of restitution.
One aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a golf club head with a finished forged striking plate. The method includes heating a metal bar to a temperature less than 1000° C. for less than 20 minutes, and then pressing the heated metal bar into an L-shape metal bar. Next, the L-shape metal bar is again heated to a temperature less than 1000° C. for less than 20 minutes, and then pressed into an intermediate shape face member. Next, the intermediate shape face member is glassed with a ceramic compound. Next, the glassed intermediate shape face member is heated to a temperature less than 1000° C. for less than 20 minutes, and then pressed into a final face member configuration.
The method may also includes additional heating and pressing at even lower temperatures and at a lowered pressure to finalize the bulge and roll of a striking plate of the final face member configuration. The preferred metal is titanium, and most preferably beta-titanium. The multiple heating and pressing provides a thin face with greater durability.
Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club produced according to the method of the present invention.
FIG. 1A is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a golf club produced according to the method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of golf club head of FIG. 1 .
FIG. 2A is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a golf club produced according to the method of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a top plan isolated view of the face member of a golf club head produced according to the method of the present invention with the crown in phantom lines.
FIG. 4 is a side plan view of a golf club head produced according to the method of the present invention.
FIG. 4A is a side plan view of an alternative embodiment of a golf club head produced according to the method of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a golf club head produced according to the method of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the golf club head produced according to the method of the present invention illustrating the variations in thickness of the striking plate.
FIG. 7 is an isolated top view of the striking plate illustrating the variable face thickness.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the components of a golf club head produced according to the method of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an isolated view of the face member of FIG. 9 .
FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the crown and the connected sole and face member.
FIG. 12 is a side view of a golf club head produced according to the method of the present invention immediately prior to impact with a golf ball.
FIG. 13 is a side view of a golf club head produced according to the method of the present invention during impact with a golf ball.
FIG. 14 is a side view of a golf club head produced according to the method of the present invention immediately after impact with a golf ball.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed at a method for producing a golf club head with a forged, relatively thin, striking plate thereby allowing for greater compliance of the striking plate during impact with a golf ball. The compliant striking plate allows for a high coefficient of restitution thereby allowing for greater distance of a golf ball hit with the golf club head of the present invention. The coefficient of restitution (also referred to herein as “COR”) is determined by the following equation: e = v 2 - v 1 U 1 - U 2
wherein U 1 is the club head velocity prior to impact; U 2 is the golf ball velocity prior to impact which is zero; v 1 is the club head velocity just after separation of the golf ball from the face of the club head; v 2 is the golf ball velocity just after separation of the golf ball from the face of the club head; and e is the coefficient of restitution between the golf ball and the club face. The values of e are limited between zero and 1.0 for systems with no energy addition. The coefficient of restitution, e, for a material such as a soft clay or putty would be near zero, while for a perfectly elastic material, where no energy is lost as a result of deformation, the value of e would be 1.0. The present invention provides a club head having a striking plate or face with a coefficient of restitution approaching 0.93, as measured under conventional test conditions.
As shown in FIGS. 1-5, a golf club is generally designated 40 . Such a golf club is described in greater detail in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/431,982, filed on Nov. 1, 1999, for A Golf Club Head With A Face Composed Of A Forged Material, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The golf club 40 has a golf club head 42 with a body 44 and a hollow interior, not shown. Engaging the club head 42 is a shaft 48 that has a grip 50 , not shown, at a butt end 52 and is inserted into a hosel 54 at a tip end 56 . An O-ring 58 may encircle the shaft 48 at an aperture 59 to the hosel 54 .
The body 44 of the club head 42 is generally composed of four sections, the hosel 54 , a face member 60 , a crown 62 and a sole 64 . The club head 42 may also be partitioned into a heel section 66 nearest the shaft 48 , a toe section 68 opposite the heel section 66 , and a rear section 70 opposite the face member 60 .
The face member 60 is generally composed of a single piece of forged metal, and is preferably composed of a forged titanium material. The face member 60 generally includes a striking plate (also referred to herein as a face plate) 72 and a face extension 74 extending laterally inward from the perimeter of the striking plate 72 . The striking plate 72 has a plurality of scorelines 75 thereon. A more detailed explanation of the scorelines 75 is set forth in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/431,521, filed on Nov. 1, 1999, entitled Contoured Scorelines For The Face Of A Golf Club, and incorporated by reference in its entirety. The face extension 74 generally includes an upper lateral extension 76 , a lower lateral extension 78 , a heel wall 80 and a toe wall 82 .
The upper lateral extension 76 extends inward, toward the hollow interior 46 , a predetermined distance to engage the crown 62 . In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined distance ranges from 0.2 inch to 1.0 inch, as measured from the perimeter 73 of the face plate 72 to the edge of the upper lateral extension 76 . Unlike the prior art which has the crown engage the face plate perpendicularly, the present invention has the face member 60 engage the crown 62 along a substantially horizontal plane. Such engagement enhances the flexibility of the striking plate 72 allowing for a greater coefficient of restitution. The crown 62 and the upper lateral extension 76 are secured to each other through welding or the like along the engagement line 81 . As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in an alternative embodiment, the upper lateral extension 76 engages the crown 62 at a greater distance inward thereby resulting in a weld that is more rearward from the stresses of the striking plate 72 than that of the embodiment of FIG. 2 .
The uniqueness of the present invention is further demonstrated by a hosel section 84 of the upper lateral extension 76 that encompasses the aperture 59 leading to the interior hosel 54 . The hosel section 84 has a width w 1 that is greater than a width w 2 of the entirety of the upper lateral extension 76 . The hosel section 84 gradually transitions into the heel wall 80 . The heel wall 80 is substantially perpendicular to the striking plate 72 , and the heel wall 80 covers the interior hosel 54 before engaging a ribbon 90 and a bottom section 91 of the sole 64 . The heel wall 80 is secured to the sole 64 , both the ribbon 90 and the bottom section 91 , through welding or the like.
At the other end of the face member 60 is the toe wall 82 which arcs from the striking plate 72 in a convex manner. The toe wall 82 is secured to the sole 64 , both the ribbon 90 and the bottom section 91 , through welding or the like.
The lower lateral extension 78 extends inward, toward the hollow interior 46 , a predetermined distance to engage the sole 64 . In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined distance ranges from 0.2 inches to 1.0 inches, as measured from the perimeter 73 of the striking plate 72 to the end of the lower lateral extension 78 . Unlike the prior art which has the sole plate engage the face plate perpendicularly, the present invention has the face member 60 engage the sole 64 along a substantially horizontal plane. This engagement moves the weld heat affected zone rearward from a strength critical crown/face plate radius region. Such engagement enhances the flexibility of the striking plate 72 allowing for a greater coefficient of restitution. The sole 64 and the lower lateral extension 78 are secured to each other through welding or the like, along the engagement line 81 . The uniqueness of the present invention is further demonstrated by a bore section 86 of the lower lateral extension 78 that encompasses a bore 114 in the sole 64 leading to the interior hosel 54 . The bore section 86 has a width w 3 that is greater than a width w 4 of the entirety of the lower lateral extension 78 . The bore section 86 gradually transitions into the heel wall 80 .
The crown 62 is generally convex toward the sole 64 , and engages the ribbon 90 of sole 64 outside of the engagement with the face member 60 . The crown 62 may have a chevron decal 88 , or some other form of indicia scribed therein that may assist in alignment of the club head 42 with a golf ball. The crown 62 preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.025 to 0.060 inch, and more preferably in the range of 0.035 to 0.043 inch, and most preferably has a thickness of 0.039 inch. The crown 62 is preferably composed of a hot formed or “coined” material such as a sheet titanium. However, those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that other materials or forming processes may be utilized for the crown 62 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
The sole 64 is generally composed of the bottom section 91 and the ribbon 90 that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom section 91 . The bottom section 91 is generally convex toward the crown 62 . The bottom section has a medial ridge 92 with a first lateral extension 94 toward the toe section 68 and a second lateral extension 96 toward the heel section 66 . The medial ridge 92 and the first lateral extension 94 define a first convex depression 98 , and the medial ridge 92 and the second lateral extension 96 define a second convex depression 100 . A more detailed explanation of the sole 64 is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,433, filed on Apr. 2, 1998, for a Sole Configuration For Golf Club Head, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The sole 64 preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.025 to 0.060 inch, and more preferably 0.047 to 0.055 inch, and most preferably has a thickness of 0.051 inch. The sole 64 is preferably composed of a hot formed or “coined” metal material such as a sheet titanium material. However, those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that other materials and forming processes may be utilized for the sole 64 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the variation in the thickness of the striking plate 72 . The face plate or striking plate 72 is partitioned into elliptical regions, each having a different thickness. A central elliptical region 102 preferably has the greatest thickness that ranges from 0.110 inch to 0.090 inch, preferably from 0.103 inch to 0.093 inch, and is most preferably 0.095 inch. A first concentric region 104 preferably has the next greatest thickness that ranges from 0.097 inch to 0.082 inch, preferably from 0.090 inch to 0.082 inch, and is most preferably 0.086 inch. A second concentric region 106 preferably has the next greatest thickness that ranges from 0.094 inches to 0.070 inch, preferably from 0.078 inch to 0.070 inch, and is most preferably 0.074 inch. A third concentric region 108 preferably has the next greatest thickness that ranges from 0.090 inch to 0.07 inch. A periphery region 110 preferably has the next greatest thickness that ranges from 0.069 inch to 0.061 inch. The periphery region includes toe periphery region 110 a and heel periphery region 110 b . The variation in the thickness of the striking plate 72 allows for the greatest thickness to be distributed in the center 111 of the striking plate 72 thereby enhancing the flexibility of the striking plate 72 which corresponds to a greater coefficient of restitution.
Additionally, the striking plate 72 of the present invention has a smaller aspect ratio than face plates of the prior art. The aspect ratio as used herein is defined as the width, “w”, of the face divided by the height, “h”, of the face, as shown in FIG. 1 A. In one embodiment, the width w is 78 millimeters and the height h is 48 millimeters giving an aspect ratio of 1.635. In conventional golf club heads, the aspect ratio is usually much greater than 1. For example, the original GREAT BIG BERTHA® driver had an aspect ratio of 1.9. The face of the present invention has an aspect ratio that is no greater than 1.7. The aspect ratio of the present invention preferably ranges from 1.0 to 1.7. One embodiment has an aspect ratio of 1.3. The face of the present invention is more circular than faces of the prior art. The face area of the striking plate 72 of the present invention ranges 4.00 square inches to 7.50 square inches, more preferably from 4.95 square inches to 5.1 square inches, and most preferably from 4.99 square inches to 5.06 square inches.
The club head 42 of the present invention also has a greater volume than a club head of the prior art while maintaining a weight that is substantially equivalent to that of the prior art. The volume of the club head 42 of the present invention ranges from 175 cubic centimeters to 400 cubic centimeters, and more preferably ranges from 300 cubic centimeters to 310 cubic centimeters. The weight of the club head 42 of the present invention ranges from 165 grams to 300 grams, preferably ranges from 175 grams to 225 grams, and most preferably from 188 grams to 195 grams. The depth of the club head from the striking plate 72 to the rear section of the crown 62 preferably ranges from 3.606 inches to 3.741 inches. The height, “H”, of the club head 42 , as measured while in striking position, preferably ranges from 2.22 inches to 2.27 inches, and is most preferably 2.24 inches. The width, “W”, of the club head 42 from the toe section 68 to the heel section 66 preferably ranges from 4.5 inches to 4.6 inches.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention, generally designated 200 . The method 200 commences at block 202 with a metal bar being provided for forging into a face member 60 . The metal bar preferably has a diameter of 1.8 centimeters and is preferably 10 centimeters in length. The metal bar is preferably composed of titanium, and most preferably alpha-beta titanium. At step 204 , the metal bar is heated in a furnace at a temperature less than 1000° C. for less than 20 minutes. Preferably, the metal bar is heated in a rotary furnace at a temperature between 900° C. and 970° C., most preferably 920° C., for between 10 and 17 minutes, preferably 15 minutes. At step 206 , the heated metal bar is pressed immediately after removal from the furnace into an L-shape bar. The L-shape bar, has a smaller portion that is pressed at substantially a right angle to a larger portion of the metal bar. The pressing is performed in a conventional press at conventional pressures.
At step 208 , the L-shape metal bar is again heated in a furnace at a temperature less than 1000° C. for less than 20 minutes. Preferably, the L-shape metal bar is heated in a rotary furnace at a temperature between 900° C. and 970° C., most preferably 920° C., for between 10 and 17 minutes, preferably 15 minutes. At step 210 , the heated metal bar is pressed immediately after removal from the furnace into an intermediate shape face member.
At step 212 , the intermediate shape face member is placed in a tumbler for tumbling to improve the surface condition of the intermediate shape face member. At step 214 , the tumbled, intermediate shape face member is placed in an acidic bath for a light chemical etching to remove dirt and other particles on the surface. The acidic bath is preferably composed of a nitric acid, a hydrochloric acid, or a mixture of both. At step 216 , the etched, intermediate shape face member is coated with a conventional glazing coating, such as DELTAGLAZE 153 available from Acheson Colloids Company of Michigan, to provide lubrication during the final full pressure pressing to form the final configuration.
At step 218 , the coated, intermediate shape face member is heated in a furnace at a temperature less than 1000° C. for less than 20 minutes. Preferably, the coated, intermediate shape face member is heated in a rotary furnace at a temperature between 900° C. and 970° C., most preferably 920° C., for between 10 and 17 minutes, preferably 15 minutes. At step 220 , the heated, intermediate shape face member bar is pressed immediately after removal from the furnace into a final face member configuration. The final face member configuration preferably has a variable face thickness as set forth in FIGS. 6 and 7. Further, the final face member configuration has the face extension with the upper lateral extension 76 , the lower lateral extension 78 , the heel wall 80 and the toe wall 82 .
At step 222 , a hot set operation is begun to ensure that the striking plate 72 of the final face member configuration has a proper bulge and roll. At step 222 , the final face member configuration is heated in a furnace at a temperature less than 600° C. for less than 20 minutes. Preferably, the final face member configuration is heated in a furnace at a temperature of 250° C. to 520° C. for 15 to 20 minutes, and most preferably 300° C. At step 224 , the heated final face member configuration is immediately placed in a low pressure press for ensuring the proper bulge and roll of the striking plate 72 . After step 224 , the face member 60 has finished the forging process, and is ready for assembly with the other components of the golf club head 42 .
FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a preferred assembly of the different components of the golf club head 42 . Essentially there are four main components, the face member 60 , the crown 62 , the sole 64 and the interior hosel 54 . Sub-components include two weight members 122 and 123 and a decal 88 . The face member 60 is formed in the forging process 200 to create the striking plate 72 and face extension 74 with the upper lateral extension 76 , the lower lateral extension 78 , the heel wall 80 and the toe wall 82 . The aperture 59 is drilled in the hosel section 84 of the upper lateral extension 76 , after forging, and the drilling continues downward to the bore section 86 where the bore 114 is created in the bore section 86 .
Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the interior hosel 54 is welded to the hosel section 84 and the bore section 86 in alignment with the aperture 59 and the bore 114 . In a preferred embodiment, a sold cylinder is welded to the hosel section 84 and the bore section 86 in alignment with the aperture 59 and the bore 114 , and then the solid cylinder is reamed to create the hollow interior 118 of the interior hosel 54 , as defined by the hosel wall 120 . In an alternative embodiment, the interior hosel may be pre-reamed prior to welding to the face member 60 . Those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that methods similar to welding may be employed for attachment of the hosel 54 to the face member 60 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Next, the sole 64 is welded to the face member 60 (with attached hosel 54 ) as shown in FIG. 11 . The weight members 122 and 123 are attached on the bottom section 91 of the sole 64 , and then the crown 62 is welded to the face member 60 and the ribbon section 90 .
As shown in FIGS. 12-14, the compliance of the striking plate 72 allows for a greater coefficient of restitution, in the range of 0.83 to 0.93 under test conditions such as the USGA test conditions specified pursuant to Rule 4-1e, Appendix II of the Rules of Golf for 1998-1999. At FIG. 12, the striking plate 72 is immediately prior to striking a golf ball 140 . At FIG. 13, the striking plate 72 is engaging the golf ball, and deformation of the golf ball 140 and striking plate 72 is illustrated. At FIG. 14, the golf ball 140 has just been launched from the striking plate 72 . Thus, unlike a spring, the present invention increases compliance of the striking plate to reduce energy losses to the golf ball at impact, while not adding energy to the system.
From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following appended claims.
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A method for producing a forged striking plate for a golf club is disclosed herein. The forging process involves multiple heating and pressing of a metal bar to obtain a final face member configuration. The heating of the metal bar is performed at temperatures below 1000° C. for less than twenty minutes. The final face member configuration has a striking plate with regions of variable thickness. The metal bar is preferably composed of a forged titanium material.
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[0001] This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/126,970, filed Mar. 2, 2015, titled “Flexible Digital Image Sensor,” the text of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, existing silicon-based technologies lead to relatively large and rigid thin-film photo-sensing pixels. This can lead to challenges when such devices are to be utilized in applications where a conformable shape, small size and high resolution is desired such as, for example, a biomimetic retinal implant.
[0003] Biomimetic prostheses seek to replace human tissues/organs and restore functionality. The human retina has nearly one hundred thousand photoreceptor cells in a millimeter-size soft tissue and is central to vision in the eye system. Retinal prostheses seeks to mimic the human retina in material, mechanics, and morphologies. Unfortunately, existing technologies for retinal prostheses have a limited number of micro-metal electrodes implanted, leaving bulky parts that sense vision information outside the body. Image sensing techniques can be affected by pixel size and pixel deformability. Implantable electronic image sensors with the same hemispherical shape as a human retinal prostheses have many design and fabrication considerations. As noted above, existing silicon-based technologies lead to relatively large and rigid thin-film photo-sensing pixels. Retinal prostheses with comparable resolution to the eye and flexibility in three dimensions to conform to the lining tissue in a human eyeball are lacking.
[0004] Therefore, what are needed are devices, systems and methods that overcome challenges in the present art, some of which are described above.
SUMMARY
[0005] In an aspect of this disclosure, a device comprising flexible photo-sensing pixels is described. In one exemplary application, embodiments of such a device can be integrated with comparable pixel densities and functionality as the human retina. In one aspect of this disclosure, the pixels comprise vertically aligned, nanowire cluster piles that serve as the three-dimensionally compressible photoreceptor pixels, and flexible, transparent interconnected electrodes. The material chosen for the device can result in the device being transformable onto any curvilinear surface. Embodiments of the device can realize shape-adaptive high-resolution optic-electrical imaging system such as, for example, a human retina and in one exemplary application of the technology can serve as a retinal prosthesis for restoring vision for patients with degenerative retinal diseases.
[0006] In another aspect of the disclosure, an optical device comprising semiconducting material sandwiched by two electrodes is disclosed. In an exemplary application of the optical device, it can at least partially comprise a retinal implant.
[0007] The optical device can at least partially comprise biocompatible materials. It can at least be partially comprised of translucent materials. It can at least partially be comprised of materials that allow light to pass through them. It can be deformable. The semiconducting material of the device can exhibit a photon effect. The semiconducting material can comprise material that exhibits a photo-resistance change under illumination. The semiconducting material can comprise nanowires. The nanowires can be arranged in an array pattern. The nanowires can be at least partially comprised of zinc oxide. The optical device can have the zinc oxide deposited through sputtering. The nanowire array can comprise at least one pixel. The at least one pixel can comprise individually clustered groups of the nanowires. In one aspect, at least one of the two electrodes comprises semi-transparent semiconducting material. In another aspect, at least one of the two electrodes comprises transparent semiconducting material. At least one of the two electrodes can comprise graphene operatively connected to the nanowires. The graphene can be deposited by spin coating. The graphene can be optimized for thickness. The optimization of the graphene can be performed through comparisons of a spinning speed in the spin-coating step versus a bending curvature radius of the graphene, spinning speed versus a bending cycle life of the graphene, spinning speed versus a maximum stretching strain of the graphene, or spinning speed versus an optical transmittance of the graphene. A photoresist can be spin-coated on part of the optical device to pattern portions of the electrodes. The photoresist can comprise poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The electrodes can be patterned with lithography. The electrodes can be etched with ion milling. The electrodes can be etched into micro-stripes by ion milling and shadow masking. A layer of material can be deposited between the semiconducting material and an electrode to form a Schottky barrier. The material layer can be deposited through sputtering. The material layer can comprise gold, or any metallic layer or non-metallic layer with similar electronic properties, i.e. potentially including but not limited to parameters such as work-function, conductivity, and the like. A portion of the optical device can be immersed in polystyrene sulfate (PSS) and poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The semiconducting material comprises a nanowire array and the portion of the device comprising at least the nanowire array immersed with poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) can be cleaned by oxygen plasma. The nanowires can be functionalized with polystyrene sulfate (PSS). Other polymers and non-polymeric materials with similar electrical properties (i.e. potentially but not limited to those materials with similar ionization potentials and electron affinity values, conductivity, and morphology/mechanical properties) can be used instead of or in addition to the PSS. A portion of the optical device can be conformably covered by a thin layer of Parylene C. Alternatively any variety of polymers, epoxies, and the like that serve as moisture and dielectric barriers can be used. The optical device can be electrical addressed by querying current on the electrodes under a voltage bias.
[0008] In another aspect of the disclosure a method of creating an optical device is disclosed. The optical device comprises semiconducting material sandwiched by two electrodes. In an exemplary application of the optical device, it can at least partially comprise a retinal implant. The optical device can at least partially comprise biocompatible materials. It can at least be partially comprised of translucent materials. It can at least partially be comprised of material that allow light to pass through them. It can be deformable. The semiconducting material can exhibit a photon effect. The semiconducting material can comprise material that exhibits a photo-resistance change under illumination. The semiconducting material can comprise nanowires. The nanowires can be arranged in an array pattern. The nanowires can be at least partially comprised of zinc oxide. The optical device can have the zinc oxide deposited through sputtering. The nanowire array can comprise at least one pixel. The at least one pixel can comprise individually clustered groups of the nanowires. At least one of the two electrodes can comprise semi-transparent semiconducting material. At least one of the two electrodes can comprise transparent semiconducting material. At least one of the two electrodes can comprise graphene operatively connected to the nanowires. The graphene can be deposited by spin coating. The graphene can be optimized for thickness. The optimization of the graphene can be performed through comparisons of a spinning speed in the spin-coating step versus a bending curvature radius of the graphene, spinning speed versus a bending cycle life of the graphene, spinning speed versus a maximum stretching strain of the graphene, or spinning speed versus an optical transmittance of the graphene. A photoresist can be spin-coated on part of the optical device to pattern portions of the electrodes. The photoresist can comprise poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The electrodes can be patterned with lithography. The electrodes can be etched with ion milling. The electrodes can be etched into micro-stripes by ion milling and shadow masking. A layer of material can be deposited between the semiconducting material and an electrode to form a Schottky barrier. The material layer can be deposited through sputtering. The material layer can comprise gold or any metallic layer or non-metallic layer with similar electronic properties, i.e., potentially including but not limited to parameters such as work-function, conductivity, and the like. A portion of the optical device can be immersed in polystyrene sulfate (PSS) and poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS. The semiconducting material comprises a nanowire array and the portion of the device comprising at least the nanowire array immersed with poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) can be cleaned by oxygen plasma. The nanowires can be functionalized with polystyrene sulfate (PSS). Other polymers and non-polymeric materials with similar electrical properties (i.e. potentially but not limited to those materials with similar ionization potentials and electron affinity values, conductivity, and morphology/mechanical properties) can be used instead of or in addition to the PSS. A portion of the optical device can be conformably covered by a thin layer of Parylene C. Alternatively any variety of polymers, epoxies, and the like that serve as moisture and dielectric barriers can be used. The optical device can be electrical addressed by querying current on the electrodes under a voltage bias.
[0009] In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a biomimetic nanowire optical device configured to be implanted in an eyeball is described. Such a device can comprise an array of ZnO (zinc-oxide based) nanowire piles sandwiched between a top electrode and a bottom electrode, wherein at least one of the top electrode or the bottom electrode comprises a stripe multi-graphene electrode; and a layer of poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) that encapsulates the ZnO nanowire piles, wherein the biomimetic nanowire optical device can be conformably shaped to the dimensions of the eyeball without substantial loss of optical properties. In one aspect, the eyeball is a human eyeball.
[0010] Other systems, methods, features and/or advantages will be or may become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and/or advantages be included within this description and be protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other and like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:
[0012] FIG. 1 , comprising panels 1 a , 1 a , 1 a , 1 d, 1 e, 1 f, and 1 g, shows schematic architecture illustrations and images of a nanowire retina with the similar structure of a human retina as its biomimetic replacement.
[0013] FIG. 2 , comprising panels 2 a , 2 b , 2 c , 2 d , 2 e , 2 f, 2 g, 2 h, and 2 i, illustrates aspects of the flexibility of the nanowire retina which allow for its placement on a 1:1 PDMS human eyeball.
[0014] FIG. 3 , comprising panels 3 a , 3 b , and 3 c , shows exemplary representative output images of the nanowire retinal prosthesis implanted in the PDMS eyeball system.
[0015] FIG. 4 , comprising panels 4 a, 4 b, 4 c , 4 d, 4 e, 4 f, 4 g, 4 h, 4 i, and 4 j, shows performance evaluation and biological stimulation of the nanowire retina.
[0016] FIG. 5 , comprising panels 5 a , 5 b, and 5 c , shows an exemplary 3D printer used for manufacturing a 1:1 PDMS human eyeball, the 3D printed molding jig and the 3D printed stage used for casting and holding the hemispherical PDMS eyeball.
[0017] FIG. 6 , comprising panels 6 a and 6 b, shows a cross-sectional schematic illustration of an exemplary PDMS eyeball with dimensions and parameters listed, compared with a human eyeball.
[0018] FIG. 7 , comprising panels 7 a, 7 b, 7 c, 7 d, and 7 e, shows fabrication and characterization processes of exemplary stripe multi-graphene electrodes.
[0019] FIG. 8 , comprising panels 8 a, 8 a, 8 c, and 8 d, shows the optimization of stripe multi-graphene electrodes with approximately 15 mg/mL graphene solution.
[0020] FIG. 9 shows a schematic of the steps for fabricating an exemplary vertical ZnO nanowire cluster pile pixels and nanowire retina.
[0021] FIG. 10 , comprising panels 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, and 10 d, shows an exemplary nanowire retina and transferring to an eyeball.
[0022] FIG. 11 , comprising panels 11 a , 11 b, 11 c, 11 d, and 11 e, shows a mapping of projected pixel positions of an exemplary nanowire retina from flat to hemispherical shape. FIG. 12 , comprising panels 12 a , 12 b , 12 c , and 12 d , shows the strain and the curvilinear transformation of an exemplary nanowire array.
[0023] FIG. 13 , comprising panels 13 a , 13 b , and 13 c , shows a comparison of the photocurrents and response time of ZnO nanostructured materials with approximately 1 V bias under white light illumination (approximately 10 mW/cm 2 ) while FIG. 13 d shows an I-V curve of a single nanowire cluster pile pixel under illumination.
[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates a dark current and bad pixel test for an exemplary nanowire retina under approximately 1 V bias, indicating that 63,271 out of 78,010 (approximately 81%) pixels work.
[0025] FIG. 15 shows a statistical evaluation on the performance of an exemplary nanowire retina where each graph illustrates the performance under different illumination conditions.
[0026] FIG. 16 , comprising panels 16 a, 16 b, 16 c, 16 d, and 16 e, shows that the changing image distance results from adjusting the focus band of an exemplary PDMS eye system.
[0027] FIG. 17 a shows an optical setup for querying images by an exemplary nanowire retina implanted in a 1:1 PDMS eye system.
[0028] FIG. 17 b shows grayscale photos printed on transparent films as the objects for imaging while FIG. 17 c shows the original photos.
[0029] FIG. 18 , comprising panels 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, and 18 d, shows a first series of images sensed by an exemplary nanowire retina with different resolutions (269×290, 62×72, 20×21, 10×11, respectively) to demonstrate the achievable resolutions for restoring normal vision.
[0030] FIG. 19 , comprising panels 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, and 19 d, shows a second series of images sensed by an exemplary implanted nanowire retina with pixel numbers of 269×290, 62×72, 20×21, 10×11, respectively.
[0031] FIG. 20 , comprising panels 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, and 20 d, shows a third series of images sensed by an exemplary implanted nanowire retina with pixel numbers of 269×290, 62×72, 20×21, 10×11, respectively.
[0032] FIG. 21 shows representative queried data of the nanowire retina for the image in FIGS. 19 a - 19 d.
[0033] FIG. 22 , comprising panels 22 a , 22 b , 22 c , and 22 d , shows a) aspects of bio-experimentation for stimulating nerve cells by the nanowire retina based on a live frog. b) The stimulus voltage selection for the stimulating experiments. c) If the stimulating probe does not touch the nerve cells, the frog has no response with electrical stimulating pulses. d) The live frog responds with the electrical stimulating pulses when the probe touches the nerve cells.
[0034] FIG. 23 shows the strain distribution as the stimulating probe inserts in the eyeball of a live frog. The results indicate an approximately 5% strain has been introduced. The small strain rate of the eyeball ensures the slight damage on the live frog.
[0035] FIG. 24 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary nanowire retina on a human eyeball working as an implantable nanowire retinal prosthesis for restoring vision.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure.
[0037] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value.
[0038] When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
[0039] “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
[0040] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.
[0041] Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.
[0042] The present methods and systems may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the Examples included therein and to the Figures and their previous and following description.
[0043] In one aspect of the disclosure, a Nanoelectronic Image System (NETS) is disclosed employing self-assembled semiconducting vertically aligned nanowire (nanowire) arrays as 3D image pixels to sense vision information by photo-resistance change that can be used for imitating a human retina similarly in functions, morphologies, and properties, among other uses. In one aspect of this disclosure, vertical nanowire clustered pile arrays that can be grown with planar process approaches prepare deformable photoreceptors, and multi-graphene stripe electrodes orthogonally connecting the nanowire cluster pile pixels at bottoms and tops function as flexible and transparent interconnects. In one aspect of this disclosure, a thin layer of gold or similar materials can be deposited between the roots of the nanowire clusters and bottom graphene electrodes to form a Schottky barrier, working as a current-gate for reducing photo noise. The entire device can be immersed and protected by materials such as, for example, polystyrene sulfate (PSS) and/or poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to effectively increase pixel photo-response and device elastomeric durability. The nanowire cluster pile architecture and flexible graphene electrodes yield both active photo sensing components and interconnects flexibility in 3D to withstand stretch and compression with large levels of strains. In one aspect according to this disclosure, a NETS, composed of biocompatible materials, can have the geometric layout to transform into arbitrary curvilinear shapes. Once the NEIS is transformed onto the retina position of an artificial PDMS eye ball (1:1 size ratio with a human eyeball) manufactured by, for example, a 3D printer, it outputs sensed images as a well-established electronic nanowire image sensor (nanowire retina) and has comparable characteristics with a human retina in overall size, pixel size and number, and photo-electric response time.
[0044] FIG. 1 a schematically illustrates the architecture of an exemplary nanowire optical device with a 269×290 matrix pixels fabricated on a flat elastomeric PDMS substrate (having a thickness of approximately 0.3 mm and a size of approximately 2 mm×2 mm). In one aspect, the active component (pixel) can be composed of a cluster pile of light-sensitive photo-resistors such as, for example, vertically grown zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires ( 101 , FIG. 1 a ). Stripe shaped bottom and top electrodes orthogonally connect the vertical nanowire cluster piles 101 to electrically address the individual pixels. In one aspect of this disclosure, the entire device of FIG. 1 a can be packed in, for example, a thin PDMS film, resulting in a thin, flexible, and transparent retinal prosthesis. This vertical nanowire cluster pile 101 architecture of the pixels is inspired from the structure of human retina. The nanowires can comprise materials other than ZnO as well, including, but not limited to: any semiconducting material, and metal oxide material, carbon nanotubes, and the like. Figure lb shows a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of a ZnO nanowire cluster pile arrays grown in a pattern on a PDMS substrate before filling with protective fillers and depositing top electrodes. The left inset 102 of Figure lb shows the microstructure of a human retina and the right inset 103 is the enlarged image of one pixel of an exemplary nanowire retina. The photoreceptor cells (cones and rods) of a human retina stand independently and separately, and keep certain spaces from each other to withstand deforming strains. Thus an element of the design of the nanowire retina can be the use of vertical nanowire cluster piles (averaging approximately 50 nm in diameter and approximately 1.5 μm in height) as the light sensitive pixels, leading to elastic compressibility in individual pixels. The spaces between nanowires and parallel connected multiple nanowire photo-resistors of one pixel allow the pixel to sustain large strains from deformation without damaging the photo-sensing function (in fact, the nanowire itself can withstand more strain compared with its micro/bulk count part, see FIG. 12 ), similar with the flexible feature of the human retina. (Detailed descriptions of growing vertical nanowire arrays according to the defined pattern as the nanowire retina pixels are discussed further in the Example section.)
[0045] According to one non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, a fabricated nanowire retina has an approximately 2 mm×2 mm working area (similar in size to the macula of the human retina) with a pixel number of 78,010 (269×290, similar to the number of photoreceptor cells in a human retina) as shown in the optical micrograph of FIG. 1 c. The pixel size of the exemplary nanowire retina can be controlled at approximately 3.5 μm×3.5 μm ( FIG. 1 c, approximately 1 μm for neighbor distance), comparable with the size of human visual cells (approximately 3 μm×3 μm for rods, approximately 5 μm×5 μm for cones, inset 104 of FIG. 1 d ). FIG. 1 d is an enlarged top view photograph of an exemplary nanowire retina to reveal the details about the transparent, flexible, and conductive electrodes. These interconnects can be composed of multi-graphene (as the schematic inset of FIG. 1 d ), consisting of small pieces of single-layer graphene (of size approximately 200 nm to approximately 300 nm). In one aspect, these small graphene pieces can be plated over the entire top and bottom of nanowire retina pixels by spin-coating, and further etched into micro-stripes according to a shadow mask by ion milling (see details in Example section). Graphene, with one atomic thick film morphology, can be transparent, elastic, and can have a high electric conductivity. Thus, graphene can be selected as the electrode material for the nanowire retina. The as-fabricated multi-graphene electrodes preserve transparency (>95%) and high conductivity while allowing large bending deformation strains (the exemplary nanowire retina device can undergo approximately a 4 mm bending curvature radius without noticeable damage; multi-layer slips of the graphene electrodes allow the large strain, and the advantages of multi-graphene electrodes can be found in Example section, see FIGS. 7 and 8 ).
[0046] In one aspect, ZnO nanowire can be selected to form nanowire retina pixels due to its photoelectric properties, which can be improved by functionalizing the nanowire with a film such as a PSS film. The nanowires can however, comprise materials other than ZnO as well, including, but not limited to: any semiconducting material, and metal oxide material, carbon nanotubes, and the like. The PSS can additionally be partially or fully replaced with similar polymers derived from polystyrene containing sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups. Other polymers and non-polymeric materials with similar electrical properties (i.e. potentially but not limited to those materials with similar ionization potentials and electron affinity values, conductivity, and morphology/mechanical properties) can be used instead of or in addition to the PSS. The top-left of FIG. 1 e shows a schematic of a thin layer (of thickness approximately 3 nm) of PSS coating on ZnO nanowire surface, which can function as a surface oxidization layer to adsorb carriers. The characteristic of oxide-carrier bonds, formed between ZnO nanowires and PSS, can be controlled by the intensity of illumination. Under external illumination, PSS releases the surface bounded electrons. Photocurrent in the nanowires can be induced under external bias as a result of free electrons distributed at the inner surface. This can lead to an improved light-dark photocurrent ratio. Meanwhile, the PSS changing surface energy band states can play a role in shifting the absorption spectra of ZnO nanowires to have a photo response in the visible part of the spectrum. The model of PSS affecting the energy band states of a ZnO nanowire can be shown in the top-right of Figure le. To further understand the interaction between ZnO nanowire electrical carriers and PSS, a numerical simulation of the Meyer-Neldel equations with the finite element method (FEM) can be performed. The distribution of free carriers in the cross-section of the nanowire in the dark can be obtained, as shown in the lower portion of FIG. 1 e.
[0047] In one exemplary aspect, a thin gold film (approximately 5 nm in thickness) can be formed between the bottom electrodes and the nanowire cluster pile pixels to create a Schottky barrier. The Schottky barrier formed between ZnO nanowires and gold film can lead to improved current-blocking for matrix pixel readout. In various aspects, the layer does not have to be gold, but rather can comprise any metallic layer (e.g. silver, platinum, etc.) or non-metallic layer (indium tin-oxide (ITO), Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), etc.) with similar electronic properties, i.e. potentially including but not limited to parameters such as work-function, conductivity, and the like.
[0048] The equivalent circuit diagram of FIG. 1 f shows the operation of an exemplary nanowire optical device for image acquisition. In the image sensing process, the light intensity incident on the nanowire pixels can be electrically addressed by querying current by one top electrode and the sequential connections with each bottom electrodes under an approximately 1 V bias. In such an X-Y addressing scheme, individual pixels of the nanowire device can be electrically addressed by one pair of top and bottom electrode combination. The dash line circled region of FIG. 1 f is one pixel unit, in which the conducting characteristic of nanowire photo-resistor cluster pile can be modulated by photo illumination. Solid lines in the X-direction and dashed lines in the Y-direction connecting the pixels represent top and bottom stripe electrodes, correspondingly. FIG. 1 g shows the transparency (approximately 80%) feature of the approximately 2 mm×2 mm nanowire optical device on one US dollar currency.
[0049] In one aspect, the as-fabricated nanowire optical device can be conformably covered by a thin layer of a conformal coating such as, for example, parylene C (Parylene Engineering, San Clemente, Calif.) (of thickness approximately 1 μm) or any other suitable polyxylylene polymer as a protective cover (fabrication details are discussed in the Example section below).
[0050] After fabrication, the nanowire optical device can be transferred onto any arbitrary curvilinear surface. FIG. 2 a schematically illustrates the nanowire cluster pile structure that enables the flexible feature of the photoreceptor pixels to fit hemispheric shape, like the inner surface of a human eye ball. The slim, vertical nanowires in the cluster pile pixels can accommodate large strains by locally blooming (inset 201 of FIG. 2 a ) from the original planar position to the adopted arc shape, by mechanics conceptually similar to the spines as a hedgehog rolls up into a ball. This process allows the geometrical transformation of plan-to-sphere accomplished by the entire device without oversized planar strains like previous semi-deformable camera with rigid photodiodes. To demonstrate that the flexible nanowire optical device can perform as retinal prostheses, a 1:1 PDMS human eyeball can be fabricated by 3D printing. FIG. 2 b shows a photograph of the PDMS eyeball with a nanowire retina seamlessly transferred/implanted on the back curvilinear surface of the eyeball (the right-inset 202 shows an enlarged image of the nanowire retina) by a ‘printing’ transfer method (see FIG. 10 in the Example section for details). The nanowire retina with, for example, an approximately 2 mm×2 mm active area is placed where the macula is normally located in the human retina (position shown in the left-inset 203 FIG. 2 b, the peripherals of the nanowire retina are shown in FIG. 10 .). FIG. 2 c shows a SEM image illustrating the curvilinear shaped nanowire retina on the PDMS eyeball. FIGS. 2 d and 2 e show enlarged SEM images of an implanted nanowire retina to illustrate part of the matrix arrays of 269×290 nanowire cluster pile pixels and the details of a deformed pixel, respectively. Nanowire cluster piles can bloom and absorb large strain to avoid functional damage to the pixels.
[0051] The process of the nanowire retinal prosthesis that is transferred from planar state to the curvilinear shape according to the back surface of the PDMS eyeball can be simulated by finite element method (FEM) analysis, which can show the detailed strain distribution in individual nanowires, pixels, and the stripe electrodes (See the Example section for details). The simulation indicates that the pixels of the nanowire retina on the hemispherical surface have small projection position variations (approximately 0% to approximately 11%) with their initial positions before the transform, and 8% or smaller position variations for the nanowires in one pixel. In addition, the mechanics model predicts that maximum strains of approximately 0.01% in a ZnO nanowire, approximately 40% in-between spaces of nanowires within one pixel, approximately 40% in the space between pixels, and approximately 30% in multi-graphene electrode for the transform, can be observed.
[0052] With 3D printing technology, an exemplary 1:1 PDMS eyeball for demonstrating the performance of the nanowire retina can be formed that is flexible and transparent (greater than approximately 85%, FIG. 2 f ). The periphery circuit that connects the top and bottom stripe electrodes of the nanowire retina can be operably connected with an A/D board for querying image sensed by the pixels of a nanowire retinal prosthesis. The entire PDMS eyeball and the periphery circuit can be packed in a protective package (right side of FIG. 2 f ) for mounting on an optical table.
[0053] Many parameters of the PDMS eyeball are comparable to a real human eye ( FIG. 2 g ), ( FIG. 6 presents the human eyeball system in detail). A glass lens with focal length of approximately 18 mm can be placed in the PDMS eyeball to simulate a human eye lens as the photograph of half-cut PDMS eyeball shown in the inset 204 of FIG. 2 g. Because the embedded lens has a fixed focal length, a plastic focus band (inset 205 of FIG. 2 h ) can be fastened on the middle of the artificial eyeball to change the image distance by adjusting the circumference to form clear image on the nanowire retina for object with various distance, as the schematic FIG. 2 h shows (see FIG. 16 for details).
[0054] An exemplary optical setup for image acquisition and testing the biomimetic retina is shown in FIG. 2 i, including a fiber optic illumination mechanism, an image stage for holding a printed grayscale photo on a transparency film as the object, and a simple auxiliary lens (A-lens) for forming images (additional details of the exemplary system are shown in the Example section).
[0055] A curvilinear image sensor owns many advantages over planar shaped ones in optical engineering applications, for instance, in obtaining aplanatic images. Thus, the flexible nanowire retina can record better images as it can be transformed onto an artificial or prosthetic eyeball such as the PDMS eyeball described herein, compared with the planar rigid image sensor with the same resolution and optical setup. FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c illustrate images recorded by an exemplary nanowire retina implanted on the hemispherical back surface of a PDMS eyeball with the optical setup shown in FIG. 2 i. On the left side of FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c, the direct image outputs of the nanowire retina for the corresponding images of The Big Ben, The Starry Night, and Audrey Hepburn is shown, which are the grayscale images printed on transparent planar films approximately 1 cm×1 cm in size. The illumination for these objects is white light (approximately 10 mW/cm 2 light intensity, similar to sunlight illumination) to simulate natural light. Curvilinear shaped images can be the readouts from the nanowire retina pixels on their spatial positions, and the lower images are the projected planar count parts of the arc shape images. Images are recorded by a 269×290 (78010) pixel array of an implanted nanowire retina, which has a similar resolution as compared with a human retina. The images on the right side of FIG. 3 ( 300 ) are detailed projected planar images and dash-line-highlighted insets 303 on the left side of 300 are the nanowire retina sensed images resized to compare with the objects (right dash-line-highlighted insets 305 ). (The comparison and details of different resolution images are also shown in FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 .)
[0056] FIG. 4 a illustrates a statistical function evaluation of the implanted nanowire retina as it is in the dark and under illumination. The bars 401 and 402 shown in FIG. 4 a represent the current output distribution of all pixels of an exemplary optical device as described herein in a dark environment and with light illumination (approximately 10 mW/cm 2 ) under approximately 1V bias, respectively. Under 1V bias, the current values distribute within approximately 0.5±0.7 μA and approximately 40±17 μA for the optical device in dark environment and under illumination, correspondingly, revealing the photoelectrical characteristics of the nanowire cluster pile pixels. (The detailed nanowire retina performance evaluation under various light intensities can be found in FIG. 19 ). The left inset of FIG. 4 a 405 is the nanowire retina pixel absorption spectra, demonstrating a strong light response range from approximately 250 nm to approximately 450 nm. The absorption spectra can be extended to the whole visible wavelength, for example, by doping or surface modifying the nanowires such as ZnO nanowires. The right inset 410 of FIG. 4 a shows the metrology mapping of the nanowire retina pixel matrix can correspond to the current outputs of each pixel, revealing 63,271 (approximately 81% of 78,010) pixels of the nanowire retina are functional. The current response of a pixel from the nanowire retina under multi-cycle light illumination is shown in FIG. 4 b, revealing stable values of approximately 0.4 μA and approximately 35 μA in the dark and under illumination, respectively. Measured light intensity-dependent currents of one nanowire retina pixel are shown in the inset 415 of FIG. 4 b. As a human retinal prosthesis, light response time of the pixel comparable or smaller than that of human photoreceptor cells can be desirable. A ZnO nanowire possesses response time on the order of microseconds, which depends on the structure and height-diameter ratio of the nanowires. To balance the performance between the photo response time and output current value, the cluster pile structured pixel of the nanowire retina can be composed with nanowires of approximately 50 nm in diameter and approximately 1.5 μm in height (details of the photo response time and photo current depending on ZnO nanowire morphology are shown in FIG. 13 ). FIGS. 4 c and 4 d show representative measured rising and recovery times of one exemplary nanowire retina pixel, respectively. The total response time of the nanowire retina (approximately 0.13 s) is comparable with that of human retina (approximately 0.1 s to approximately 0.4 s).
[0057] As a retinal prosthesis, the nanowire retina can be used to restore visual function for patients with degenerative retinal diseases by direct implantation without, for example, an external camera system. As an example, a design with functional electrical stimulation, a biological visual stimulation method, has been induced to activate visual nerves, and shows the feasibility of retinal prostheses implantation. A biological experiment can be performed to demonstrate that the electrical signal sensed by the nanowire retina can stimulate the live optical nerve. The active partial implanting surgical trials can be performed on a live Siberia frog ( FIG. 4 e ) with a nanowire retina system, consisting of a signal probe (induce stimulus signal from one nanowire cluster pile pixel), a PDMS eyeball (optical system to form the image), and a data analysis system. The conductive signal probe (approximately 0.1 mm in diameter at the tip), with side insulation to avoid non-visual signal stimulation ( FIG. 4 f ), touches the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) layer of the frog with a low risk of injury (see FIG. 4 g and FIG. 23 for details) and delivers an electrical stimulation by the current signal from one nanowire retina pixel. The inset 420 of FIG. 4 h illustrates a schematic diagram showing the stimulation mechanism. An image can be projected onto the curvilinear nanowire retina through the PDMS eyeball; the pixels of the nanowire retina sense the higher light intensity and convert it into electrical signals that can be transferred to an analyzer. The analyzer then produces the corresponding voltage signal to stimulate the visual nerves of a frog. Thus, visual signals can be transferred and interpreted by the frog. (A sudden light intensity change sensed by a frog can result in lag stretch due to the natural response of a live amphibian with strong protection awareness. See FIG. 22 for details). FIG. 4 h shows the representative stimulating voltage corresponding to a pixel of the nanowire retina. The dash lines 425 display the leg movement of the frog resulted from the stimulation signal received from its visual nerves.
[0058] According to the test results, the output voltages were selected as approximately 0.5 V and 0 V, representing illumination and the dark, respectively. More than approximately 80% of the experiment results showed the legs of the frog were in a rest state ( FIG. 4 i ) when the nanowire retina was in the dark, and retracted ( FIG. 4 j ) when the nanowire retina was illuminated (with light of approximately 10 mW/cm 2 ).
EXAMPLES
[0059] The steps, processes and devices described below are to provide a non-limiting examples of applications of an exemplary nanowire optical device as described herein. It is to be appreciated that these are only exemplary applications of the disclosed technology and are not to be limiting in scope or embodiments.
[0060] The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how the compounds, compositions, articles, devices and/or methods claimed herein are made and evaluated, and are intended to be purely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the methods and systems. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.), but some errors and deviations should be accounted for.
Nanowire Retina Preparation
Soft PDMS Substrate Preparation
[0000]
1. Clean a silicon wafer (acetone, DI water).
2. Deposit a thin layer of PDMS (approximately 0.3 mm) to the substrate via spin coating method at approximately 500 rpm for approximately 30 s and baking at approximately 85° C. for approximately 15 min.
3. Peel the PDMS film off from the silicon wafer.
Bottom Electrode Fabrication
[0000]
4. The graphene (ACS material) is suspended in water under ultrasonication for approximately 30 min, followed by a centrifuge at approximately 2000 rpm for approximately 30 min.
5. The supernatant is dried via an oven at approximately 60° C. Then, the solid is dispersed in water (approximately 15 mg/mL) by ultrasonication for approximately 2 h ( FIG. 7 a, 700 ) and spun at approximately 4000 rpm for approximately 15 min onto the PDMS substrates 701 ( FIG. 7 b 1 and FIG. 7 b 2 ).
6. Spin-coat photoresist 705 (S1818) on the PDMS substrate and bake at approximately 90° C. for approximately 120 s.
7. Expose the samples using stripe mask with approximately 365 nm UV lithography 710 .
8. Develop the exposed sample in developer.
9. Rinse and dry the sample in the oven.
10. Etching the sample with ion milling for approximately 2 min approximately 5 times ( FIG. 7 b 3 ).
11. Lift-off rest photoresist in acetone ( FIG. 7 b 4 ).
Bottom Schottky Contact and Seed Layer Fabrication
[0000]
12. Clean the processed samples in step 9 (DI water).
13. Pattern photoresist using dots mask with dots alignment on the stripe electrodes (steps 6-9).
14. Deposit approximately 5 nm Au through RF magnetron sputtering.
15. Deposit approximately 10 nm ZnO through RF magnetron sputtering.
16. Lift-off photoresist in acetone.
Synthesis of Vertical ZnO Nanowire Array
[0000]
17. Clean the processed samples in step 12 (DI water).
18. The samples are placed into a nutrient solution containing approximately 50 mM zinc nitride (Alfa Aesar) and approximately 50 mM hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) (Fluka) to obtain nanowire growth at approximately 95° C. for approximately 24 hours.
Surface Modification and Encapsulation of Vertical ZnO Nanowires Array
[0000]
19. Clean the processed samples by the process of step 17 (DI water).
20. Spin-coat approximately 3% PSS (in weight) onto the samples at approximately 3000 rpm for approximately 5 min, and bake at approximately 90° C. for approximately 1 min.
21. Spin-coat 17% liquid PDMS (in weight) onto the samples at approximately 2000 rpm for approximately 2 min, and bake at approximately 90° C. for approximately 5 min.
22. Clean sample by oxygen plasma.
Top Electrode Formation
[0000]
23. Clean the processed samples as step 19 (DI water).
24. Pattern electrodes using stripes mask according to the bottom stripe electrodes with orthogonal configuration and the crossed areas right cover the tops of nanowire cluster pile pixels (steps 4-11).
25. Perform Parylene C coating (approximately 1 μm thickness)
Fabrication of a 1:1 PDMS Human Eyeball
[0086] Casting and curing procedures manufactured these 1:1 artificial human eyeballs from PDMS (Sylgard 184). FIG. 5 a shows a 3D printer lab in Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Alabama, where a highly precise human eyeball mold is printed. FIGS. 5 b and 5 c show the 3D printed jig (approximately 12 mm radius) used for casting PDMS eyeball and the 3D printed eyeball stage. FIG. 6 a provides a cross sectional illustration of an exemplary hemispherical PDMS eyeball with relevant parameters compared to the parameters of a human eyeball ( FIG. 6 b ).
Stripe Multi-Graphene Electrodes
[0087] FIG. 7 shows: a) an optical image of the graphene solution (approximately 15 mg/mL); b) the main steps for the stripe multi-graphene electrodes fabrication by spin coating and ion milling; c) a top-view optical image of the as fabricated stripe multi-graphene electrodes; d) a photograph of the conductive and transparent multi-graphene electrodes; and e) photographs of deformable feature characterization on stripe multi-graphene electrodes.
[0088] The multi-graphene electrode ( FIG. 7 c ) with high conductivity, transparency and bendable features ( FIGS. 7 d and 7 e ) is employed as the interconnections between nanowire cluster pile pixels. To optimize the performance of a multi-graphene electrode, characterization experiments can be designed and exemplary electrode performance is shown in FIG. 8 .
[0089] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary multi-graphene electrode: a) spinning speed of coating versus stripe electrodes bending curvature radius; b) bending (approximately 10 mm curvature radius) cycle life of the stripe electrodes as a function of coating spinning speed; c) spinning speed versus maximum stretching strain of the multi-graphene electrode; and d) coating spinning speed versus transmittance of the multi-graphene electrodes. The spinning speed for coating graphene can be chosen at approximately 4,000 rpm to balance the flexibility and transparency.
[0090] FIG. 9 shows a schematic of the steps for fabricating the exemplary vertical ZnO nanowire cluster pile pixels and nanowire retina. Specifically, the intermediate fabrication steps shown in FIG. 9 comprise: the preparation of the bottom graphene electrode, the deposition of the Au and ZnO seed layers, the synthesis of the ZnO nanowires and their coating with PSS, the encapsulation of the nanowires with PDMS and plasma cleaning of the surface, and finally the deposition of the top graphene electrode. Details for each of these steps can be found herein in various sections of this disclosure including: Soft PDMS Substrate Preparation, Synthesis of Vertical ZnO Nanowire Array, and Surface modification and Encapsulation of Vertical ZnO Nanowires Array in the Nanowire Retina Preparation section.
Transformation on a Curvilinear Surface and Packaging for Multichannel Measurements
[0091] FIG. 10 shows: a) images of nanowire cluster pile pixels before and after top electrodes deposition (inset 1000 ); b) an image of an exemplary nanowire retina with top and bottom electrodes connected with the inner ends of 269×290 conductive channels where the region outlined by white dashed lines represents a 2 mm×2 mm nanowire retina with 269×290 pixels and the left-inset 1005 shows the schematic diagram of the conductive channels with large outer pads for connecting on a square periphery and the right-inset 1010 shows the schematic diagram cross-section-view of the structure of b; c) show the transfer the nanowire retina onto a PDMS eyeball where the upper left image shows the schematic diagram of the nanowire retina fitting the hemispherical back surface of the PDMS eyeball and the rest are the images of curved nanowire retina on PDMS eyeball, from top-view (upper right), side-view (lower left), and back-view (lower right), respectively; and d) shows an artificial eye system with the nanowire retina implanted in a protective package for querying images.
[0092] An exemplary nanowire retina can be fabricated on a flat flexible PDMS substrate with flexible photo-sensing pixels and interconnects ( FIGS. 10 a ) and 269×290 electrode channels with inner ends connecting the top and bottom stripe electrodes of the nanowire retina and separated pads at the square periphery as shown in FIG. 10 b. Then, a “printing” method can be used to transfer the nanowire retina to the hemispherical back surface of PDMS eyeball, as follows:
1. Attach the nanowire retina on the PDMS substrate with 269×290 conductive channels and connect the top and bottom electrodes with the inner ends of the channels. The PDMS substrate may be formed on a solid bottom substrate. 2. Remove the middle round part (approximately 15 mm in diameter) of the solid substrate without damaging the PDMS substrate. 3. Transfer the as-fabricated system to the PDMS eyeball with the nanowire retina seamlessly fitting the back curvilinear surface through the hole of the solid substrate as FIG. 10 c shows. Outer pads of the electrode channels then can be connected to a 600-pin electrical card installed on the protective package board ( FIG. 10 d ). By such configuration, each of the 269×290 pixels can be individually electrically-addressed by iteratively switching two multiplexer. The conductive change of each nanowire retina pixel can be characterized by the current in the circuit under an approximately 1V bias by the mean value within approximately 0.01 s duration through a current meter. The synchronized operations can be controlled by a customized program using, for example, Labview software. Currents corresponding to the pixels that are connected into the measuring circuit can be processed and reconstructed to form the image, fulfilling the image querying process. The dark and illumination currents for the measurement system can be also characterized by this process (see FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 ). FIG. 14 shows the dark current and bad pixel test for the NW retina under an approximately 1 V bias, indicating that 63,271 out of 78,010(˜81%) pixels work. FIG. 15 shows the statistical evaluation on the performance of a NW retina with different illuminating light intensity.
Mapping Nanowire Pixels from Flat to a Hemispherical Shape
[0096] An idea mechanics model, based on FEM analysis, shows how nanowire cluster pile pixels can be mapped from flat shape onto a hemispherical surface. FIG. 11 a shows the deformed mesh of a nanowire retina transformed on the back surface of a hemispherical PDMS eyeball, while Figure llb shows the original mesh of the nanowire retina when it is in flat shape before the transform. The projecting position change of center of the nanowire retina is negligible, δ center =0. This can be verified by FEM analysis shown in FIG. 11 c. The projecting position change of the nanowire retina then can be expressed by
[0000]
δ
circumference
=
ω
-
sin
ω
ω
.
[0097] Since each ZnO nanowire cluster pile pixel can be filled with PDMS, the projecting position change in nanowire pixels can be treated as the same as PDMS. For the nanowire retina on a hemispherical surface, the parallel position of each pixel from center of the nanowire retina can be reduced from d original to d deformed .
[0000] d orignal =( L orignal +I orignal ) n
[0000] L orignal is the original length between two pixels, I orignal is the original length of one pixel. n is the nth pixel from device center.
[0098] And the length of the arc is equal to the d original :
[0000] ω R=d orignal =( L orignal +I orignal ) n
[0000] R is the radius of PDMS eyeball.
[0000]
sin
ω
=
d
deformed
R
Then,
[0099]
δ
position
=
d
orignal
-
d
deformed
d
orignal
=
1
-
sin
[
(
L
orignal
+
l
orignal
)
n
R
]
R
(
L
orignal
+
l
orignal
)
n
[0000] For the hemispherical PDMS eyeball and L orignal =1 μ, I orignal =3.5 m, the n ranges from 1 to 145.
[0100] FIG. 11 d shows an image obtained by FEM simulation of the mapping process with original pixel sites as the dash circle indicated for comparison. A schematic diagram (full dots 1110 ) of projected spatial positions of nanowire pixels on a hemispherical PDMS eyeball is shown. The dash dots represent the original positions of the pixels when the nanowire retina is in a flat shape. FIG. 11 e shows the nanowire retina pixel position change rate in the x-y plan projection as it can be transformed from flat into hemispherical shape. These mechanics models indicate approximately 11% changes in the local pitch across the entire area of the nanowire retina.
Strain Distributions in a Nanowire Retina
[0101] FIG. 12 shows: a) a schematic diagram of one nanowire cluster pile pixel before the nanowire retina is transferred to a hemispherical PDMS eyeball back surface; b) a schematic diagram of the deformation distribution in the nanowire pixel after transformation on a hemispherical surface; and c) the simulation of the strain distribution within one pixel where the results indicate up to 8% stain could be observed in the PDMS that is filled in the spaces between nanowires.
[0102] Because the Young's modulus of ZnO (approximately 110 GPa) is five orders greater than the Young's modulus of PDMS (2 MPa), the strains in ZnO nanowire are significantly smaller (treated as approximately 0.01%) when the nanowire retina with a structure of nanowires vertically embedded in the PDMS film is transformed into a hemispherical shape. The strains induced in one pixel can be approximately treated as only the strains in the PDMS between nanowires.
[0103] The bending energy of a pixel is
[0000]
U
1
=
π
4
Eh
3
d
2
12
(
1
-
v
2
)
L
0
3
[0000] where L 0 =3.5 μm is the planar size of the pixel as it is in a flat shape as FIG. 12 a shows, d and h are the height of arc of the bended pixel and the thickness of the nanowire retina without bottom PDMS substrate as FIG. 12 b shows, E is the Young's modulus of PDMS, v is the Poisson's ratio of PDMS.
[0104] And surface energy is
[0000]
U
2
=
EhL
0
2
(
1
-
v
2
)
(
π
2
d
2
4
L
0
2
-
L
0
-
L
L
0
)
2
.
[0105] L is the middle planar length of a bended pixel as FIG. 12 b shows.
[0106] With minimized energy, we can have
[0000]
∂
U
1
+
U
2
∂
d
=
0
,
[0000] the height of arc d can be obtained as
[0000]
d
=
2
L
0
π
L
0
-
L
1
L
0
-
π
2
h
2
3
L
0
2
,
[0000] and strain distributions in the nanowire pixels is
[0000]
ɛ
=
π
2
h
2
3
L
0
2
,
[0107] FIG. 12 c shows the strain distribution of one nanowire pixel with a 12×12 nanowires (the average nanowire number in one pixel) transferred to a hemispherical back surface of the PDMS eyeball calculated by the mechanics model above. These mechanics model indicates up to approximately 8% strain in the PDMS which can be filled in the spaces of the nanowires. Additionally, the large-bending curvature of ZnO nanowires (approximately 50 nm in diameter) in previous literature ( FIG. 12 d ) proves that a ZnO nanowire itself can withstand a large deformation.
[0000] The Photoelectric Property Change with Nanowire Pixel Structure.
[0108] With the variance of nano-confinement strength, the photoelectric property of ZnO nanostructures will be different. To optimize the performance of the artificial retina pixel, characterization of the photoelectric property of ZnO nanostructures with different size and morphology can be performed. The photocurrents can be measured on the ZnO nanomaterials with approximately 1V bias under white light illumination of approximately 10 m W/cm 2 . FIG. 13 a shows a single ZnO nanowire with large radius (approximately 450 nm) has large current (approximately 110 μA) but slow response time (approximately 4 s rising and approximately 60 s recovery). FIG. 13 b shows that a single ZnO nanowire with a small radius (approximately 25 nm) has fast response time (approximately 0.7 μs rising and approximately 45 ms recovery) but small response current (approximately 80 nA). FIG. 13 c shows a ZnO nanowire cluster pile with small nanowire radius (approximately 25 nm) has intermediate response time (approximately 0.05 s rising and approximately 0.08 s recovery) and photocurrent (approximately 40 μA). With the comparison, ZnO nanowire cluster pile with small nanowire radius (approximately 25 nm) was chosen as the photoreceptor pixel for an exemplary nanowire retina with relative large response current (approximately 40 approximately μA) and fast response time (approximately 0.05 s rising and approximately 0.08 s recovery). The photoelectric response of a representative individual nanowire retina pixel is shown in FIG. 13 d.
Image Distance Adjusting Procedure of the PDMS Eyeball
[0109] FIG. 16 a shows the photograph of the 1:1 PDMS eyeball with a focus band for image distance adjustment. FIG. 16 b presents schematic principle of changing PDMS eyeball image distance by adjusting the focus band for objects with different distance to form clear image on the nanowire retina. FIG. 16 c shows the experimental curve of the transverse diameter of the PDMS eyeball as a function of focus band diameter. FIGS. 16 d and 16 e show the recorded images of an object letter “T” with approximately 18 mm distance from the PDMS eye acquired by 26×20 pixels of the nanowire retina. The images are collected by the PDMS eye system with transverse diameter ranging from approximately 22.8 mm (image 9 , left) to approximately 24.6 mm (image 1 , right). The right image distance is close to approximately 23.7 mm.
Optical Setup and Image Resolution
[0110] FIG. 17 a demonstrates the optical setup used for the nanowire retina sensing images.
[0111] Through optical fiber and an integrated auxiliary lens, white light illuminates the grayscale photos printed a transparency film (size of approximately 2 cm×2 cm) as the objects ( FIG. 17 b, FIG. 17 c are the original photos). The objects form images on the PDMS eyeball nanowire retina through a convex lens. FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 are the corresponding images that were sensed by the nanowire retina with different resolution by nanowire retina pixel number of 269×290, 62×72, 20×21, 10×11, respectively. The higher resolution images can reveal more details, indicating higher resolution. FIG. 21 shows a representative high resolution image data with the full pixels (269×290) of the implanted nanowire retina. FIG. 24 shows a schematic diagram of the nanowire retina on a human eyeball working as an implantable NW retinal prosthesis for restoring vision.
Bio-Experimentation Procedure
[0000]
1. A Siberia frog is chosen for nanowire retina implant experiments.
2. Place a piece of ether cotton into the box where the live frog is held. Approximately 3 min later, frog achieves the effect of anesthesia.
3. Take the frog out and put it on a lab board.
4. Fix the main body of the frog on the board.
5. Set a probe on a cantilever of the probe station.
6. Adjust the cantilever ( FIG. 22 a ) to insert the probe into the eye from the side of the pupil and touch the nerve cells, to limit damage to the frog eye system ( FIG. 23 ).
7. With the probe connected to a stimulus voltage generator, fine adjust the inserting depth of the probe to find the position of the nerve cells by stimulus signal (0.5V, FIG. 22 b ). (If probe does not touch the nerve cells, the frog has no response as the case in FIG. 22 c. If probe does touch the nerve cells, the frog has response as FIG. 22 d .)
8. Connect the analyzer with the PDMS eye system after locating the right position for the probe touching with the nerve cells.
9. Repeat the optical nerves response experiments for statistical analysis.
[0121] Greater than approximately 80% of 30 stimulation experiments show the leg extension under the stimulation from one pixel of the nanowire retina.
CONCLUSION
[0122] While the methods and systems have been described in connection with preferred embodiments and specific examples, it is not intended that the scope be limited to the particular embodiments set forth, as the embodiments herein are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive.
[0123] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.
[0124] Throughout this application, various publications may be referenced. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which the methods and systems pertain.
[0125] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
|
Systems and methods are disclosed that describe flexible photo-sensing pixels and interconnects that have comparable pixel densities and functionality as the human retina. The pixels comprise vertically aligned, nanowire cluster piles that serve as the three-dimensionally compressible photoreceptor pixels, and flexible, transparent interconnected electrodes. Shape-adaptive high-resolution optic-electrical imaging system are described that can serve as a human retina and a retinal prosthesis for restoring vision.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a dry-cleaning method in a film-formation apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the production process of semiconductor elements, a metal film is formed as a metal gate material, an electrode material or a magnetic material on the substrate surface by a film-formation apparatus. Upon this, besides on the substrate surface, there occurs an adhesion of unnecessary metal films, etc. on the surfaces in the inside of the film-formation apparatus, such as a stage for holding and heating the substrate in a film-formation chamber of the apparatus, an electrode for generating plasma, or other jigs, and furthermore an inner wall of the chamber and as one connecting with this an inner wall of piping, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to remove this. There is known a dry-cleaning method using β-diketone, as a method for removing unnecessary metal films, etc. under a condition that the inside of the chamber is heated after the substrate has been taken out of the chamber. For example, there is known a dry-cleaning method of reacting and removing a metal oxide film as a metal coordination compound by bringing β-diketone, such as hexafluoroacetylacetone (in the following, abbreviated as HFAcAc), into contact with the metal oxide film (e.g., Patent Publication 1). However, when this method is conducted against a metal film, it is not possible to turn the metal into an oxidized condition, resulting in no progress in etching reaction. Thus, there is known a dry-cleaning method that makes it possible to react and remove a metal film as a metal coordination compound by using a combination of oxygen and β-diketone, such as HFAcAc (e.g., Patent Publications 2 and 3).
PRIOR ART PUBLICATIONS
Non-Patent Publications
[0003] Patent Publication 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication 2001-176807.
[0004] Patent Publication 2: Japanese Patent 4049423.
[0005] Patent Publication 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication Heisei 6-101076.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In general, when conducting a dry-cleaning of a metal film adhered to sites other than the substrate surface, after depositing the metal film on the surface of the substrate, there occur temperature differences among adhesion sites of the metal film, such as the inner wall of the chamber heated to high temperature, thereby causing a wide temperature distribution. Hitherto, in a dry-cleaning method of a metal film using β-diketone, in a method for removing a metal film as the removal target by etching using β-diketone and oxygen, in case that the temperature distribution of the metal film among adhesion sites ranges, for example, from 250° C. to 370° C., etching does not progress at all at a low temperature site of around 250° C., thereby causing a phenomenon that the temperature range in which the etching removal is possible gets narrower. Such phenomenon becomes conspicuous, particularly when the metal is nickel.
[0007] Therefore, there is a demand for a dry-cleaning method capable of conducting an efficient cleaning, even in case that the temperature difference among adhesion sites of the metal film is large when conducting a cleaning of a chamber inner wall, etc. under a heated condition at high temperature without opening the chamber.
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problem and to provide a dry-cleaning method capable of progressing etching, even if the temperature difference among sites of the adhered metal film occurs, when removing the metal film adhered in the inside of the film-formation apparatus.
[0009] As a result of a repeated eager study the present inventors have found that, in a dry-cleaning method for removing a metal film adhered in the inside of a film-formation apparatus (for example, CVD apparatus, sputtering apparatus, vacuum deposition apparatus, etc.) using β-diketone, it becomes possible to progress etching of the adhered metal film in a wide temperature range in the film-formation apparatus by using a gas containing β-diketone and NOx (representing at least one of NO and N 2 O) as cleaning gas.
[0010] That is, the present invention provides a dry-cleaning method for removing a metal film adhered in the inside of a film-formation apparatus by using β-diketone, the dry-cleaning method (first method) being characterized by that a gas containing β-diketone and NOx (representing at least one of NO and N 2 O) is used as a cleaning gas and that the metal film within a temperature range of 200° C. to 400° C. is reacted with the cleaning gas, thereby removing the metal film.
[0011] The first method may be a dry-cleaning method (second method), which is characterized by that the β-diketone is hexafluoroacetylacetone or trifluoroacetylacetone.
[0012] The first or second method may be a dry-cleaning method (third method), which is characterized by that the cleaning gas contains at least one gas selected from the group consisting of He, Ar, and N 2 .
[0013] The first method may be a dry-cleaning method (fourth method), which is characterized by that the metal film is constituted of at least one element of from group 6 to group 11 of the periodic table. cl ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0014] By using the dry-cleaning method of the present invention, it becomes possible to efficiently conduct a cleaning of a metal film adhered in the inside of a film-formation apparatus, due to a wide temperature range in which the etching removal is possible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a schematic system diagram of an apparatus used in the test.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The removal target by the dry-cleaning method of the present invention is a metal film. This metal film is constituted of at least one of elements of group 6 to group 11 of the periodic table. Specifically, it is possible to cite elements, such as Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, and Au. As the metal film constituted of the element, it is possible to cite, for example, a film made of any one of the elements. It may be a metal film constituted of a plurality of the elements. For example, it is possible to cite NiFe, CoFe, CoFeNi, NiFeCr, NiFeMo, CuNiFe, etc. On a metal film containing any of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, and Pt as constituent elements, the advantageous effect of the present invention becomes conspicuous.
[0017] In the dry-cleaning method of the present invention, a cleaning gas is introduced into a film-formation apparatus and brought into contact with a metal film adhered in the film-formation apparatus to generate a reaction to form a metal coordination compound, thereby removing the metal film by etching. Upon this, the cleaning gas must contain β-diketone and NOx (representing at least one of NO and N 2 O). The reason why the temperature range in which the metal film can be removed by etching becomes wider by using NOx as compared with O 2 used hitherto is not certain. We have not found a similar advantageous effect in NO 2 , which belongs to the same nitrogen oxides and has an oxidative action. Therefore, it is considered to be an action special to NO and N 2 O, in which reactivity of complexation of a metal oxide film generated by an oxidative action improves by not only the oxidative action of NO and/or N 2 O but also an interaction between NO or N 2 O and β-diketone.
[0018] As β-diketone, it is possible to cite, for example, hexafluoroacetylacetone, trifluoroacetylacetone, acetylacetone, etc. It is possible to use not only one type, but also at least two types. In particular, in terms of etching capability at high rate, hexafluoroacetylacetone and trifluoroacetylacetone are preferable. Etching rate of the metal film increases with the increase of concentration of β-diketone contained in the cleaning gas. In case that vapor pressure of β-diketone is low to cause a risk of possibility of liquefaction in the film-formation apparatus, it is preferable to suitably adjust the concentration by a diluting gas.
[0019] It is preferable that volume fraction of NOx contained in the cleaning gas relative to volume fraction of β-diketone contained in the cleaning gas, that is, NOx/β-diketone ratio, is from 0.02 to 0.60. If NOx/β-diketone ratio is less than 0.02 or exceeds 0.60, there is a risk of lowering of etching rate of the metal film.
[0020] It is optional that NO and N 2 O are mixed together in the cleaning gas, and its ratio is not particularly limited.
[0021] It is optional that at least one gas selected from inert gases, such as N 2 , He and Ar, is mixed in the cleaning gas, together with the above-mentioned β-diketone and NOx. Its concentration is not particularly limited. For example, it is usable by setting the concentration of inert gas in a range of 0 to 90 volume %.
[0022] As to temperature during the cleaning, etching is possible as long as temperature of the metal film as the removal target is in a temperature range of 200° C. to 400° C. It is preferably from 250° C. to 370° C. In particular, it is desirable to be from 260° C. to 350° C. in order to obtain a higher etching rate.
[0023] Pressure in the inside of the chamber during the cleaning is not particularly limited. In general, the pressure range in the film formation is from 0.1 kPa to 101.3 kPa. Etching is also possible in this pressure range.
[0024] By conducting a dry-cleaning under the above-mentioned conditions, it becomes possible to efficiently remove the metal film adhered in the film-formation chamber or in the piping. This is the same, even if the inside of the film-formation chamber immediately after taking the substrate out of the chamber after forming a film on the substrate is in a heated condition or even if the chamber has been once cooled and then reheated.
[0025] In particular, in the case of a CVD apparatus using a chemical vapor deposition method for forming a metal film, the temperature of the film-forming substrate of the film for ration process is as high as 300° C. or higher, as compared with that according to other film formation apparatuses. Therefore, there is a large temperature difference between that and a low-temperature section, which is lower than 300° C., in the film formation chamber. Thus, in view of the effect on the film formation process, it is preferable to conduct a cleaning for removing a metal film adhered in the film formation chamber, under a condition of a wide temperature distribution in the film formation apparatus. Therefore, it is particularly effective for a cleaning in a CVD apparatus.
EXAMPLES
[0026] In the present test, in order to examine the etching behavior of a metal film depending on the temperature distribution in the chamber, a test was conducted by using a chamber equipped in the inside with five heater stages each carrying a sample of a metal film adhered.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic system diagram of an apparatus used in the present test. In the chamber 1 , heater stages 5 A to 5 E are provided. Outside of the chamber 1 and in the insides of the heater stages 5 A, 5 B, 5 C, 5 D and 5 E, heaters 61 , 62 A, 62 B, 62 C, 62 D and 62 E are provided. It is possible to separately set each stage at a predetermined temperature. This heater stage 5 A, 5 B, 5 C, 5 D or 5 E carries thereon a sample 7 A, 7 B, 7 C, 7 D or 7 E. The sample 7 A, 7 B, 7 C, 7 D or 7 E is a metal foil (shape: 2 cm×2 cm, thickness: 0.1 mm). The metal foil is one assumed to be a metal film adhered in the film formation apparatus.
[0028] To the chamber 1 , there are connected a gas pipe 41 for introducing gas and a gas pipe 42 for discharging gas. β-diketone supply system 21 , NOx gas supply system 22 , and diluting gas introducing system 23 are connected to the gas pipe 41 through valves 31 , 32 and 33 . A vacuum pump 8 is connected to the gas pipe 42 through a valve 34 . Pressure of the inside of the chamber 1 is controlled by the valve 34 , based on the indicated value of a pressure gauge (omitted in the drawings) attached to the chamber 1 .
[0029] Next, the operation method is explained. The insides of the chamber 1 and the gas pipes 41 and 42 were subjected to a vacuum displacement until less than 10 Pa. Then, the samples, which have been placed on the heater stages and of which weights have been measured, are heated at a predetermined temperature by the heaters 61 , 62 A, 62 B, 62 C, 62 D and 62 E. After confirming that the heaters 61 and 62 A to 62 E have reached predetermined values, the valves 31 , 32 and 33 are opened. While a cleaning gas is introduced into the chamber 1 by supplying β-diketone, NOx and the diluting gas from β-diketone supply system 21 , NOx gas supply system 22 , and diluting gas supply system 23 at predetermined flow rates, the inside of the chamber 1 is adjusted to a predetermined pressure. After the start of the introduction, after a lapse of a predetermined time (10 minutes), the introduction of the cleaning gas is stopped. The inside of the chamber 1 is subjected to a vacuum displacement. Then, the samples are taken out to measure their weights. The amount of etching is calculated from the weight change of the sample before and after the test. In this case, due to the measurement accuracy of a scale for measuring the weight, the quantitative lower limit of the amount of etching to be calculated is 20 nm.
Examples 1-21
[0030] In the present test, the total flow rate of the cleaning gas to be introduced was 500 sccm. The diluting gas was N 2 . The samples 7 A, 7 B, 7 C, 7 D, and 7 E were respectively heated at 240° C., 275° C., 300° C., 325° C. and 370° C.
[0031] Furthermore, the above test was conducted by adjusting the volume concentration of hexafluoroacetylacetone as β-diketone in the cleaning gas to 50%, changing volume concentration of NO as NOx in the cleaning gas to a concentration shown in Table 1, adjusting the pressure in the inside of the chamber to 13.3 kPa, and using a Ni foil as the metal foil (Examples 1-6).
[0032] Furthermore, Example 1 was repeated except in that the pressure in the inside of the chamber was adjusted to 40 kPa (Example 7), 6.7 kPa (Example 8), 1.3 kPa (Example 9), and 80 kPa (Example 10).
[0033] Furthermore, Example 1 was repeated except in that β-diketone was trifluoroacetylacetone (Example 11).
[0034] Furthermore, Example 1 was repeated except in that N 2 O was used. as NOx (Example 12).
[0035] Furthermore, Example 1 was repeated except in that the volume concentration of hexafluoroacetylacetone in the cleaning gas was adjusted to 25%, and that the volume concentration of NO in the cleaning gas was adjusted to 5% (Example 13).
[0036] Furthermore, Example 1 was repeated except in that the volume concentration of hexafluoroacetylacetone in the cleaning gas was adjusted to 83%, and that the volume concentration of NO in the cleaning gas was adjusted to 17% (Example 14).
[0037] Furthermore, Example 1 was repeated except that, as shown in Table 1, the metal foil was changed to Cr, Mn, Fe, Co Pt, or NiFe alloy (permalloy, an alloy of Fe:Ni=22:78) (Examples 15-20).
[0038] Example 1 was repeated except in that the volume concentrations of NO and N 2 O in the cleaning gas were respectively adjusted to 5% and 5%, 10% in total (Example 21).
[0039] Table 1 shows the gas, the pressure and the temperature condition of the test and the result of calculating the amount of etching. As a result, it as confirmed that all the samples with different temperatures were etched in all of Examples.
[0040] It has been confirmed that the result is similar even if changing the diluting gas from N 2 to Ar or He.
[0000]
TABLE 1
Conc. (vol. %)
NO x /β-
Chamber
Amount of etching (nm)
Test
β-
β-
diketone
pressure
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Sample D
Sample E
No.
Metal
diketone
NO x
diketone
NO x
vol. ratio
kPa
240 ° C.
275 ° C.
300 ° C.
325 ° C.
370 ° C.
Ex. 1
Ni
HFAcAc
NO
50%
10%
0.20
13.3
kPa
700
nm
1800
nm
1600
nm
1400
nm
1200
nm
Ex. 2
Ni
HFAcAc
NO
50%
5%
0.10
13.3
kPa
1000
nm
2000
nm
3200
nm
4000
nm
3900
nm
Ex. 3
Ni
HFAcAc
NO
50%
2%
0.04
13.3
kPa
700
nm
1500
nm
1800
nm
2000
nm
1900
nm
Ex. 4
Ni
HFAcAc
NO
50%
0.5%
0.01
13.3
kPa
100
nm
150
nm
150
nm
100
nm
90
nm
Ex. 5
Ni
HFAcAc
NO
50%
25%
0.50
13.3
kPa
900
nm
1100
nm
1300
nm
1500
nm
1300
nm
Ex. 6
Ni
HFAcAc
NO
50%
35%
0.70
13.3
kPa
80
nm
200
nm
300
nm
300
nm
280
nm
Ex. 7
Ni
HFAcAc
NO
50%
10%
0.20
40
kPa
1500
nm
2100
nm
3500
nm
3100
nm
2500
nm
Ex. 8
Ni
HFAcAc
NO
50%
10%
0.20
6.7
kPa
600
nm
1500
nm
1400
nm
1400
nm
1300
nm
Ex. 9
Ni
HFAcAc
NO
50%
10%
0.20
1.3
kPa
200
nm
500
nm
500
nm
400
nm
350
nm
Ex. 10
Ni
HFAcAc
NO
50%
10%
0.20
80
kPa
1400
nm
2000
nm
3200
nm
3000
nm
2000
nm
Ex. 11
Ni
TFAcAc
NO
50%
10%
0.20
13.3
kPa
500
nm
1300
nm
1100
nm
1000
nm
900
nm
Ex. 12
Ni
HFAcAc
N2O
50%
10%
0.20
13.3
kPa
200
nm
400
nm
500
nm
600
nm
500
nm
Ex. 13
Ni
HFAcAc
NO
25%
5%
0.20
13.3
kPa
400
nm
800
nm
800
nm
700
nm
600
nm
Ex. 14
Ni
HFAcAc
NO
83%
17%
0.20
13.3
kPa
800
nm
1900
nm
1700
nm
1500
nm
1400
nm
Ex. 15
Cr
HFAcAc
NO
50%
10%
0.20
13.3
kPa
600
nm
1500
nm
1300
nm
1000
nm
900
nm
Ex. 16
Mn
HFAcAc
NO
50%
10%
0.20
13.3
kPa
700
nm
1700
nm
1600
nm
1400
nm
1300
nm
Ex. 17
Fe
HFAcAc
NO
50%
10%
0.20
13.3
kPa
900
nm
2200
nm
2000
nm
2000
nm
1900
nm
Ex. 18
Co
HFAcAc
NO
50%
10%
0.20
13.3
kPa
800
nm
2000
nm
1800
nm
1600
nm
1500
nm
Ex. 19
Pt
HFAcAc
NO
50%
10%
0.20
13.3
kPa
400
nm
900
nm
900
nm
800
nm
600
nm
Ex. 20
NiFe
HFAcAc
NO
50%
10%
0.20
13.3
kPa
800
nm
1600
nm
1600
nm
1500
nm
1500
nm
Ex. 21
Ni
HFAcAc
NO +
50%
5% +
0.20
13.3
kPa
600
nm
1600
nm
1600
nm
1500
nm
1200
nm
N2O
5%
*HFAcAc: hexafluoroacetylacetone, TFAcAc: trifluoroacetylacetone
Comparative Examples 1-6
[0041] In the present test, the total flow rate of the cleaning gas to be introduced was 500 sccm. The diluting gas was N 2 . The samples 7 A, 7 B, 7 C, 7 D, and 7 E were respectively heated at 240° C., 275° C., 300° C., 325° C. and 370° C.
[0042] Furthermore, Examples 1, 2 and 3 were repeated except in that O 2 was used as the additive gas, in place of NOx (Comparative Examples 1, 2 and 3).
[0043] Furthermore, Example 14 was repeated except in that O 2 , was used as the additive gas, in place of NOx (Comparative Example 4).
[0044] Furthermore, Example 1 was repeated except in that NO 2 was used as the additive gas, in place of NOx (Comparative Example 5).
[0045] Furthermore, Example 1 was repeated except in that NOx was not introduced into the cleaning gas (Comparative Example 6).
[0046] Table 2 shows the gas, the pressure and the temperature condition of the test and the result of calculating the amount of etching. As a result, it was confirmed that, in case that O 2 was used as the additive gas in place of NOx, the nickel foil sample was almost not etched at every sample temperature or etched at particular sample temperatures, not all sample temperatures.
[0000]
TABLE 2
Conc. (vol. %)
Addi-
Addi-
NO x /β-
Chamber
Amount of etching (nm)
Test
β-
tive
β-
tive
diketone
pressure
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Sample D
Sample E
No.
Metal
diketone
gas
diketone
gas
vol. ratio
kPa
240 ° C.
275 ° C.
300 ° C.
325 ° C.
370 ° C.
Com. Ex. 1
Ni
HFAcAc
O2
50%
10%
0.20
13.3
kPa
<20 nm
<20 nm
<20
nm
<20
nm
60
nm
Com. Ex. 2
Ni
HFAcAc
O2
50%
5%
0.10
13.3
kPa
<20 nm
<20 nm
<20
nm
400
nm
700
nm
Com. Ex. 3
Ni
HFAcAc
O2
50%
2%
0.04
13.3
kPa
<20 nm
<20 nm
1500
nm
5000
nm
4500
nm
Com. Ex. 4
Ni
HFAcAc
O2
83%
17%
0.20
13.3
kPa
<20 nm
<20 nm
<20
nm
<20
nm
<20
nm
Com. Ex. 5
Ni
HFAcAc
NO2
50%
10%
0.20
13.3
kPa
<20 nm
<20 nm
<20
nm
<20
nm
<20
nm
Com. Ex. 6
Ni
HFAcAc
—
50%
—
—
13.3
kPa
<20 nm
<20 nm
<20
nm
<20
nm
<20
nm
*HFAcAc: hexafluoroacetylacetone
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0047] The present invention becomes effective for the removal of a metal film adhered in the inside of a film-formation chamber, particularly for the cleaning in case that the temperature difference among adhesion sites of the metal film is large.
EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
[0000]
1 : a chamber
21 : a β-diketone supply system
22 : a NOx supply system
23 : a diluting gas supply system
31 , 32 , 33 and 34 : valves
41 and 42 : gas pipes
5 A, 5 B, 5 C, 5 D and 5 E: heater stages
61 , 62 A, 62 B, 62 C, 62 D and 62 E: heaters
7 A, 7 B, 7 C, 7 D and 7 E: samples
8 : a vacuum pump
|
Disclosed is a dry-cleaning method for removing a metal film adhered to a film-formation apparatus by using β-diketone, the dry-cleaning method being characterized by that a gas containing β-diketone and NOx (representing at least one of NO and N 2 O) is used as a cleaning gas and that the metal film within a temperature range of 200° C. to 400° C. is reacted with the cleaning gas, thereby removing the metal film. According to this method, it is possible to make etching progress even if there occurs a temperature difference depending on the position of the adhered metal film.
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This application is a continuation, of now abandoned application Ser. No. 566,387, filed Dec. 28, 1983, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus for continuously surveying and aligning railroad track.
One well-established technique, described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,411,455, Stewart and von Beckmann, involves the use of an infrared beam transmitter, two infrared receivers and two shadow boards. The transmitter typically is mounted on a self-propelled front rail engaging buggy, both receivers are mounted on a rear rail engaging buggy and one shadow board is mounted on a self-propelled jacking car positioned much nearer to the rear buggy than to the front buggy and arranged to tow the rear buggy. The other shadow board is mounted on a further buggy closely positioned in front of the jacking car and arranged to be pushed by the jacking car.
The transmitter together with the last mentioned shadow board (reference) and one of the receivers operate as a reference system to establish a reference line and the first mentioned shadow board (detecting) together with the other receiver operate as a detection system to detect the track condition relative to the reference line. More particularly, the reference line is established by moving the reference shadow board transversely outwardly to interrupt the beam from the transmitter to the reference receiver. The reference receiver and the detection receiver are mounted for conjoint movement and they also can be moved transversely so as to vary the ratio of the distance the reference shadow board projects transversely from the track to the distance the receivers extend transversely according to whether the alignment apparatus is operating on straight (tangent) track where this ratio is a fixed constant, circular track where the ratio is a different fixed constant and spiral track where the ratio varies continuously. In a practical example of the prior system only one receiver is used, the system being switched from a "detecting" mode to an "aligning" mode. For this purpose the two shadow boards have flip away edges permitting only the appropriate shadow board to work with the receiver at any one time. In any event, a human operator has to decide what type of track is being operated on.
The detection system indicates when the track at the working station, where the detection shadow board is located, is out of alignment with the reference line. More particularly if the detection shadow board blocks the beam from the transmitter to the detection receiver or single receiver, the receiver signals a jack on the jacking car to move the track a sufficient distance to permit the receiver to "see" the beam.
One disadvantage of such a system is that it requires a human operator to make decisions based on judgment and expertise in order to arrive at a preadjustment of the apparatus.
Other systems which overcome this disadvantage have been proposed. For example U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,456, Helmuth von Beckmann, describes a system in which, instead of a shadow board technique, two overlapping mechanical chords, which may be wires or rods, are provided. A first measuring device is located at a predetermined point on one of the chords and measures the lateral distance of that point on the one chord from the track centre line. Processing circuitry is arranged to sum and average distance values sampled at ten or so consecutive points each spaced apart two meters or so such that a running mean track position value or reference is obtained.
A second measuring device is located at another predetermined point on the other chord and measures the lateral distance of that point from the track center line. The value obtained is compared with the mean value or reference obtained from the processing circuitry and any difference or error causes a track correcting device located adjacent the second measuring device to move the track rightwards or leftwards to reduce the error.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,291, Charles Shupe, describes a similar system in which three mechanical chords are used instead of two and the measuring devices measure the angles between each successive pair of chords rather than offset from the chords. The principle is otherwise the same as that taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,456.
Both of the latter two described systems suffer from the disadvantage that a wire or rod serving as a mechanical chord passes by the position at which the track correcting machinery is located tending to obstruct proper operation of the correcting machinery or damage to the chord. This is particularly true if an attempt is made to operate in switches where the correcting machinery has to move laterally in order to cover a branch line track.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to overcome this disadvantage.
Broadly the invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by combining in one system two different types of measuring systems. The first measuring system involves the use of physical member(s) forming chord(s) and a device cooperating with the physical member(s) to derive a signal indicative of the track geometric condition. The value of this signal can be averaged to obtain a desired value. The second measuring system does not use a physical reference member but an infrared beam with which a shadow board cooperates. The shadow board is extended a value determined by the previously obtained average value. The track is then connected at the shadow board such that the edge of the shadow board just blocks the beam. The use of a beam rather than a physical member for the second reference chord prevents obstruction of the operation of the track correction machinery. Of course, instead of infrared, a visible light beam could be used.
Preferably two physical members are used, for example rods or tensioned wires, and the angle between them is measured in which case an ordinate value has to be computed from the angle using trigonometric principles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates diagrammatically an exemplary embodiment of a track position error and realigning apparatus according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a geometric diagram for use in explaining the derivation of a mathematical equation forming the basis of the measuring technique used in the apparatus of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring firstly to FIG. 1, four rail engaging buggies 10, 12, 14 and 16 are shown. Buggy 10 is the lead buggy and thus carries a laterally offset infrared transmitter 17 aligned to transmit radiation back along the track. The front end of a first chord formed as a stiff rod (or tensioned wire) 18 is hinged to the buggy 10 at point 20. The rear end of rod 18 is hingedly connected to following buggy 12 at point 22. Also hingedly connected at point 22 is the front end of a second chord formed as a stiff rod (or tensioned wire) 24 the rear end of which is hingedly connected to point 26 on buggy 14.
An angle measuring device 28, which may for example be of the type described in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,291, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, is also mounted on buggy 12 so as to measure the angle Q between rod 18 and the extension 24' of rod 24. Angle measuring device 28 derives an analog voltage the value of which is dependent on the size of angle Q and is operated in conjunction with a distance measuring device shown schematically at 30 such that at convenient intervals along the track, for example every two meters, the analog voltage may be sampled using a sampling circuit shown schematically at 32.
The analog voltage is passed to a microprocessor 34 for processing. This may include an averaging apparatus 36 and a computing device 38. The averaging apparatus 36 is designed to receive the analog voltages samples at a predetermined number of consecutive points, sum them and obtain a mean track position value over the distance travelled. The apparatus 36 may conveniently include an analog to digital converter, the digital values being summed and divided by the number of samples. As the apparatus traverses the track the first of the predetermined number of samples is dropped and a new sample is added to the remaining ones and in this way a running average is obtained every two meters, for example.
Rear buggy 16, at the rear end of a third chord 60, which is actually only an imaginary line along the apparatus, carries a laterally offset infrared receiver 42 which faces generally down the track to receive infrared radiation from transmitter 16. A shadow board 44 is carried by buggy 14 and projects laterally in a direction towards the beam from transmitter 16 to receiver 42.
Track correcting means 52, which can be any suitable device for shifting track laterally as is known in the art and typically including a double acting jack, is positioned on buggy 14 as close as practicable to shadow board 44 so that correction of the track occurs as near as possible to point 26. Receiver 42 is connected so as to control the operation of track correcting jack 52 in a manner conventional in the art. More particularly, when receiver 42 receives infrared energy from projector 17 it causes jack 52 to operate in a radially inwardly direction and when receiver 42 does not receive infrared energy it causes jack 52 to operate to move the track in a radially outwardly direction.
The signal representing the mean value of angle Q which is derived by averager 36 is fed into the computing device 38 in which is derived a signal representing a distance F which, for circular tracks, is the desired radial distance from the track center line at point 26 to the long chord formed by the infrared radiation beam extending between transmitter 17 and receiver 42.
The signal representing F is fed into a shadow board drive circuit, shown schematically at 50, which includes a drive motor (not specifically illustrated) for driving the shadow board 44 radially to a point where the distance from its tip to point 26 is F. The drive circuit 50 includes means for measuring automatically the distance F and stopping the drive motor when this distance is reached. One such means might involve measuring the rotation of gearing associated with the drive motor.
With the shadow board 44 in the correct position to define the correct distance F, the shadow board will interrupt or block the infrared beam from projector to receiver if the actual shape of the curved track is too "flat" at point 26 and will be free of the beam if the actual shape of the track at point 26 is too "curved". Assuming the second condition is present, initially light is received by receiver 42 so that the receiver commands track correction jack 52 to move the track radially inwardly at point 26 (actually, close to point 26) until the shadow board 44, which is of course being carried radially inwardly with the track, blocks the infrared beam at which point the jack is stopped and the track correction at point 26 is completed.
Assuming, on the other hand, the first track condition outlined above in which the infrared beam is blocked by shadow board 44, receiver 42 commands the track correction jack to move the track radially outwardly at point 26 until receiver 42 "sees" the infrared beam. Then receiver 42 commands jack 52 to move the track radially inwardly until the beam is again blocked at which point jack 52 stops and the track correction action at point 26 is completed.
Reference will now be made to FIG. 2 to explain how the angle Q, which is the angle between chords 18 and 24, is related to the distance F which is the radial distance from the track center line at point 26 to the long chord formed by the infrared radiation beam extending between transmitter 16 and receiver 42.
In FIG. 2 the curved line of approximate radius R represents the track section shown in FIG. 1. Point A corresponds to the location of receiver 42, point B coincides with point 26 in FIG. 1, point C coincides with point 22 in FIG. 1 and point D represents the location of transmitter 17. Chords b and c correspond, respectively, to rods 24 and 18 of FIG. 1 and the long chord joining A and D corresponds to the infrared beam. The ordinate from point B to this long chord is referenced F and corresponds to the lateral extension of shadow board 44. Ordinate F intersects the long chord to define a first portion of length a.
A line joining B and D is drawn and a line V drawn from point c intersects line BD at right angles. The extension of line V intersects the long chord to define a second portion of length approximately equal to b and a third portion of length equal to C.
In the field of large radii railway curves, the following mathematical derivations and relations include approximations which have a negligible effect on the values obtained.
Using established geometrical principles, angle Q =α+β where Q is the exterior angle of Triangle BDC and α and β are the two interior opposite angles. ##EQU1## which reduces to ##EQU2##
The above equation is in the form of ax 2 +bx+c=0 which can be solved using ##EQU3## Let
K.sub.1 =-(c+b),
K.sub.2 =(c+b).sup.2,
K.sub.3 =4bc
Thus, expressing V as a function of Q gives ##EQU4##
From the known relationship of versine, chord lengths and radius of curvature ##EQU5## which reduces to ##EQU6##
Equating these two expressions gives ##EQU7##
Solving for F and expressing it as a function of Q gives ##EQU8##
If a=c we have ##EQU9## substituting V(Q) from equation (1) gives ##EQU10##
The above equation establishes the relationship that should occur between the angle Q measured on the track and the value F for a circular section of track. Computing device 38 is, of course, programmed to derive an output signal F from an input signal Q according to equation (4).
In a practical embodiment of the invention the chord segments a, b and c were chosen, respectively, as 13 feet, 75 feet and 13 feet but the values are merely exemplary and chord segments a and c do not need to be identical to each other.
The present invention is specifically described as embodying, in combination with a shadow board system, an angle measuring system as shown per se in above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,291 and for that reason it uses two chords b and c. However, it is also envisaged that, instead of that angle measuring system, a system measuring the ordinate with respect to a single chord (rod or tensioned wire) as shown per se in above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,456, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, could be combined with the shadow board system. In that case it would not be necessary to convert an angle to an ordinate and so the computation of F would be simpler.
Although, in the system described with reference to the drawings the shadow board 44 is moved firstly a distance F and then the receiver 42 commands track correcting jack 52 to move the track in a direction such that the shadow board 44 just blocks the infrared beam it is envisaged that other techniques using the basic system described could be used to achieve the correct action of jack 52. For example, instead of the shadow board 44 being moved the desired distance initially, the shadow board could be driven initially to just block the beam to derive a position signal which is then compared with the value F to obtain an error signal which error signal could then cause appropriate operation of jack 52.
Although the projector 17 is shown virtually coincident with leading point 20 this is not essential. Projector 17 could be located forwardly or rearwardly of point 20 and new relationships between F and Q derived as appropriate.
The invention as described herein could be combined with a track levelling system of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,105 (Stewart et al) in which two infrared projectors cooperate with two separate receivers positioned about 8 feet above respective rails. This prior system uses two vertically adjustable shadow boards the upper horizontal edges of which are arranged to interrupt the beam impinging on the respective receivers. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,105 is incorporated herein by reference. In the combined system one of the two projectors could be used for the aligning system of the present invention but a separate receiver 42 and shadow board 44 for the aligning system of the present invention would be necessary. (Alternatively, instead of a separate receiver, one of the two receivers could also be used for the aligning action provided it is able to distinguish between the different signals received.) The separate receiver 42 would be located proximate the other two receivers at approximately the same height and shadow board 44 could be mounted for horizontal movement directly on one of the other shadow boards. Measurement of angle Q would be made as described in the principal embodiment, value F computed and shadow board 44 extended and the track corrected as described above.
A variation of the combination described in the preceding paragraph could be a single projector 17 above the track working with a single receiver 42 in the center of the track similar to the levelling system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,266 (Hurni) the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The single shadow board used in the Hurni System could be adapted so that, in an alignment mode, it could be moved horizontally a distance F to cut off by means of a vertical edge the infrared beam. Such an adaptation could, for example, involve the use of means for rotating the existing levelling shadow board by 90° to bring it into an aligning mode.
Finally, in addition to the aligning operation described, the averaged value of Q could be used also to determine the desired superelevation of one rail compared to the other as discussed in above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,291.
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Apparatus for continuously surveying and aligning railroad track has a measuring system with a leading point and a trailing point, both points being on the track center line. Two tensioned wires extend between these points, respectively, and a common intermediate point also on the track center line. At the trailing point a shadow board is located and this is arranged to interrupt an infrared beam extending between a projector at the leading point and a receiver behind the trailing point. A device measures continuously the angle between the two wires and this value is averaged and then subjected to mathematical manipulation in a computing device to derive an ordinate value for the shadow board which is automatically extended accordingly. The receiver then commands a track correction ram located adjacent the shadow board to move the track radially inwardly or outwardly until alignment between projector, receiver and shadow board causes the receiver to stop the lining action.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims benefit of provisional application No. 60/581,612 filed Jun. 21, 2004, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/790,036 filed on Feb. 20, 2001, and is a continuation-in-part of PCT patent application US03/37635 filed on Nov. 25, 2003, both of which are herein incorporated by reference. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/441,683 filed on May 20, 2003 which is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/790,036 filed on Feb. 20, 2001 which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,904 filed on May 22, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application 60/049,077 filed on Jun. 5, 1997, 60/069,936 filed on Dec. 17, 1997, and 60/079,225 filed on Mar. 24, 1998. U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,904 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/739,257, filed Oct. 30, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/730,661, filed Oct. 11, 1996, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/706,819, filed Sep. 3, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,507 and U.S. Ser. No. 08/707,341, filed Sep. 3, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,738.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to methods of manufacturing dispersions of submicron and nanoscale powders.
RELEVANT BACKGROUND
[0003] Powders are used in numerous applications. They are the building blocks of electronic, telecommunication, electrical, magnetic, structural, optical, biomedical, chemical, thermal, and consumer goods. On-going market demands for smaller, faster, superior and more portable products have demanded miniaturization of numerous devices. This, in turn, demands miniaturization of the building blocks, i.e. the powders. Sub-micron and nano-engineered (or nanoscale, nanosize, ultrafine) powders, with a size 10 to 100 times smaller than conventional micron size powders, enable quality improvement and differentiation of product characteristics at scales currently unachievable by commercially available micron-sized powders.
[0004] Nanopowders in particular and sub-micron powders in general are a novel family of materials whose distinguishing feature is that their domain size is so small that size confinement effects become a significant determinant of the materials' performance. Such confinement effects can, therefore, lead to a wide range of commercially important properties. Nanopowders, therefore, are an extraordinary opportunity for design, development and commercialization of a wide range of devices and products for various applications. Furthermore, since they represent a whole new family of material precursors where conventional coarse-grain physiochemical mechanisms are not applicable, these materials offer a unique combination of properties that can enable novel and multifunctional components of unmatched performance. Yadav et al. in a co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/638,977, which along with the references contained therein, is hereby incorporated by reference in full, teaches some applications of sub-micron and nanoscale powders.
[0005] Some of the challenges in the cost-effective production of powders involve controlling the size of the powders as well as controlling other characteristics such as the shape, distribution, the composition of the powder, etc. Innovations are desired in these regard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Briefly stated, the present invention provides methods for manufacturing nanoscale powders comprising a desired metal and applications thereof.
[0007] In some embodiments, the present invention provides dispersions of nanoparticles comprising doped or undoped metal oxides.
[0008] In some embodiments, the present invention provides composites and coatings that comprise doped or undoped metal oxides.
[0009] In some embodiments, the present invention provides applications of dispersions of powders comprising doped or undoped metal oxides.
[0010] In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for producing dispersions of novel nanoscale powders comprising metals in high volume, low-cost, and reproducible quality with control of various powder and dispersion characteristics.
[0011] In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for producing dispersions of novel nanoscale powders comprising metals in high volume, low-cost, and reproducible quality with control of various powder and dispersion characteristics.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary overall approach for producing submicron and nanoscale powders in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] This invention is generally directed to very fine inorganic powders. The scope of the teachings includes high purity powders. Powders discussed herein are of mean crystallite size less than 1 micron, and in certain embodiments less than 100 nanometers. Methods for producing and utilizing such powders in high volume, low-cost, and reproducible quality are also provided.
[0000] Definitions
[0014] For purposes of clarity the following definitions are provided to aid the understanding of the description and specific examples provided herein. Whenever a range of values are provided for a specific variable, both the upper and lower limit of the range are included within the definition.
[0015] “Fine powders” as used herein, refers to powders that simultaneously satisfy the following criteria:
(1) particles with mean size less than 10 microns; and (2) particles with aspect ratio between 1 and 1,000,000.
For example, in some embodiments, the fine powders are powders that have particles with a mean domain size less than 5 microns and with an aspect ratio ranging from 1 to 1,000,000.
[0018] “Submicron powders” as used herein, refers to fine powders with a mean size less than 1 micron. For example, in some embodiments, the submicron powders are powders that have particles with a mean domain size less than 500 nanometers and with an aspect ratio ranging from 1 to 1,000,000.
[0019] The terms “nanopowders,” “nanosize powders,” “nanoparticles,” and “nanoscale powders” are used interchangeably and refer to fine powders that have a mean size less than 250 nanometers. For example, in some embodiments, the nanopowders are powders that have particles with a mean domain size less than 100 nanometers and with an aspect ratio ranging from 1 to 1,000,000.
[0020] Pure powders, as the term used herein, are powders that have composition purity of at least 99.9% by metal basis. For example, in some embodiments the purity is 99.99%.
[0021] Nanomaterials, as the term used herein, are materials in any dimensional form (zero, one, two, three) and domain size less than 100 nanometers.
[0022] “Domain size,” as that term is used herein, refers to the minimum dimension of a particular material morphology. In the case of powders, the domain size is the grain size. In the case of whiskers and fibers, the domain size is the diameter. In the case of plates and films, the domain size is the thickness.
[0023] The terms “powder,” “particle,” and “grain” are used interchangeably and encompass oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, chalcogenides, halides, metals, intermetallics, ceramics, polymers, alloys, and combinations thereof. These terms include single metal, multi-metal, and complex compositions. These terms further include hollow, dense, porous, semi-porous, coated, uncoated, layered, laminated, simple, complex, dendritic, inorganic, organic, elemental, non-elemental, composite, doped, undoped, spherical, non-spherical, surface functionalized, surface non-functionalized, stoichiometric, and non-stoichiometric forms or substances. Further, the term powder in its generic sense includes one-dimensional materials (fibers, tubes, etc.), two-dimensional materials (platelets, films, laminates, planar, etc.), and three-dimensional materials (spheres, cones, ovals, cylindrical, cubes, monoclinic, parallelolipids, dumbbells, hexagonal, truncated dodecahedron, irregular shaped structures, etc.). The term metal used above includes any alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, rare earth metal, transition metal, semi-metal (metalloids), precious metal, heavy metal, radioactive metal, isotopes, amphoteric element, electropositive element, cation forming element, and includes any current or future discovered element in the periodic table.
[0024] “Aspect ratio,” as the term is used herein, refers to the ratio of the maximum to the minimum dimension of a particle.
[0025] “Precursor,” as the term is used herein, encompasses any raw substance that can be transformed into a powder of same or different composition. In certain embodiments, the precursor is a liquid. The term precursor includes, but is not limited to, organometallics, organics, inorganics, solutions, dispersions, melts, sols, gels, emulsions, or mixtures.
[0026] “Powder,” as the term is used herein, encompasses oxides, carbides, nitrides, chalcogenides, metals, alloys, and combinations thereof. The term includes hollow, dense, porous, semi-porous, coated, uncoated, layered, laminated, simple, complex, dendritic, inorganic, organic, elemental, non-elemental, dispersed, composite, doped, undoped, spherical, non-spherical, surface functionalized, surface non-functionalized, stoichiometric, and non-stoichiometric forms or substances.
[0027] “Coating” (or “film” or “laminate” or “layer”), as the term is used herein, encompasses any deposition comprising submicron and nanoscale powders. The term includes in its scope a substrate, surface, deposition, or a combination thereof having a hollow, dense, porous, semi-porous, coated, uncoated, simple, complex, dendritic, inorganic, organic, composite, doped, undoped, uniform, non-uniform, surface functionalized, surface non-functionalized, thin, thick, pretreated, post-treated, stoichiometric, or non-stoichiometric form or morphology.
[0028] “Dispersion,” as the term is used herein, encompasses inks, pastes, creams, lotions, suspension, Newtonian, non-Newtonian, uniform, non-uniform, transparent, translucent, opaque, white, black, colored, emulsified, organic, inorganic, polymeric, with additives, without additives, molten substance-based, water-based, polar solvent-based, or non-polar solvent-based compositions of matter comprising fine powders in any fluid or fluid-like state of substance. For purposes herein, a dispersion comprises at least one solid phase and at least one fluid or fluid-like phase, wherein the fluid or fluid like phase exhibits a viscosity that is less than 10,000 Pa·sec at any temperature between 0 K to 2275 K. Non-limiting illustrations of fluid or fluid-like phases included within the scope are organic solvents, inorganic solvents, polymeric solvents, aqueous solvents, oxygen comprising compositions, chalcogenides comprising compositions, boron comprising compositions, phosphorus comprising compositions, halogen comprising compositions, nitrogen comprising compositions, metal comprising compositions, carbon comprising compositions, molten metals and alloys, molten salts, supercritical fluids, liquids, oils, or gels which are synthetic or derived from nature such as agriculture, fishes, trees, fruits, seeds, flora, or fauna; the fluid or fluid-like phases includes water, acids, alkalis, organic melts, monomers, polymers, oligomers, biological fluids, ethers, esters, aromatics, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, organometallics, terpenols, acetates, sulfonic acids, emulsions, mixture of two or more liquid compositions, solutions, and the like.
[0029] This invention is directed to submicron and nanoscale powders comprising doped or undoped metal oxides, in certain embodiments. Given the relative abundance of metal in the earth's crust and current limitations on purification technologies, it is expected that many commercially produced materials would have naturally occurring metal impurities. These impurities are expected to be below 100 parts per million and in most cases in concentrations similar to other elemental impurities. Removal of such impurities does not materially affect the properties of interest to an application. For the purposes herein, powders comprising metal impurities wherein the impure metal is present in a concentration similar to other elemental impurities are excluded from the scope of this invention. However, it is emphasized that in one or more doped or undoped compositions of matter, certain metal may be intentionally engineered as a dopant into a powder at concentrations of 100 ppm or less, and these are included in the scope of this invention.
[0030] In a generic sense, the invention provides dispersions of nanoscale powders, and in a more generic sense, submicron powders comprising at least 100 ppm by weight, in some embodiments greater than 1 weight % by metal basis, and in other embodiments greater than 10 weight % by metal basis of at least one metal. Even though methods for preparing fine powders are illustrated herein, the teachings herein relating to manufacturing dispersions and concentrates can be applied to fine powders and nanomaterials produced by any method.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary overall approach for the production of submicron powders in general and nanopowders in particular. The process shown in FIG. 1 begins with a metal containing raw material (for example, but not limited to, coarse oxide powders, metal powders, salts, slurries, waste products, organic compounds, or inorganic compounds). FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a system for producing nanoscale and submicron powders in accordance with the present invention.
[0032] The process shown in FIG. 1 begins at 100 with a metal-containing precursor such as an emulsion, fluid, particle-containing fluid suspension, or water-soluble salt. The precursor may be evaporated metal vapor, evaporated alloy vapor, a gas, a single-phase liquid, a multi-phase liquid, a melt, a sol, a solution, fluid mixtures, solid suspension, or combinations thereof. The metal-containing precursor comprises a stoichiometric or a non-stoichiometric metal composition with at least some part in a fluid phase. Fluid precursors are utilized in certain embodiments of this invention. Typically, fluids are easier to convey, evaporate, and thermally process, and the resulting product is more uniform.
[0033] In one embodiment of this invention, the precursors are environmentally benign, safe, readily available, high-metal loading, lower-cost fluid materials. Examples of metal-containing precursors suitable for purposes of this invention include, but are not limited to, metal acetates, metal carboxylates, metal ethanoates, metal alkoxides, metal octoates, metal chelates, metallo-organic compounds, metal halides, metal azides, metal nitrates, metal sulfates, metal hydroxides, metal salts soluble in organics or water, ammonium comprising compound of the metal, and metal-containing emulsions.
[0034] In another embodiment, multiple metal precursors may be mixed if complex nanoscale and submicron powders are desired. For example, a calcium precursor and a titanium precursor may be mixed to prepare calcium titanium oxide powders for electroceramic applications. As another example, a cerium precursor, a zirconium precursor, and a gadolinium precursor may be mixed in correct proportions, which could be readily determined by one of skill in the art, to yield a high purity, high surface area, mixed oxide powder for ionic device applications. In yet another example, a barium precursor (and/or zinc precursor) and a tungsten precursor may be mixed to yield powders for pigment applications. Such complex nanoscale and submicron powders can be used to create materials with surprising and unusual properties not available through the respective single metal oxides or a simple nanocomposite formed by physically blending powders of different compositions.
[0035] It is desirable to use precursors of a higher purity to produce a nanoscale or submicron powder of a desired purity. For example, if a purity greater than x % (by metal weight basis) is desired, one or more precursors that are mixed and used may have purities greater than or equal to x % (by metal weight basis) to practice the teachings herein.
[0036] With continued reference to FIG. 1 , the metal-containing precursor 100 (containing one or a mixture of metal-containing precursors) is fed into a high temperature process 106 , which may be implemented using a high temperature reactor, for example. In some embodiments, a synthetic aid such as a reactive fluid 108 may be added along with the precursor 100 as it is being fed into the reactor 106 . Examples of such reactive fluids include, but are not limited to, hydrogen, ammonia, halides, carbon oxides, methane, oxygen gas, and air.
[0037] While the present invention provides methods of preparing nanoscale and submicron powders of oxides, the teachings may be readily extended in an analogous manner to other compositions such as carbides, nitrides, borides, carbonitrides, and chalcogenides. These compositions can be prepared from micron-sized powder precursors of these compositions or by utilizing reactive fluids that provide the elements desired in these metal comprising compositions. In some embodiments, high temperature processing may be used. However, a moderate temperature processing or a low/cryogenic temperature processing may also be employed to produce nanoscale and submicron powders using the methods of the present invention.
[0038] The precursor 100 may be pre-processed in a number of other ways before any thermal treatment. For example, the pH may be adjusted to ensure precursor stability. Alternatively, selective solution chemistry, such as precipitation with or without the presence of surfactants or other synthesis aids, may be employed to form a sol or other state of matter. The precursor 100 may be pre-heated or partially combusted before the thermal treatment.
[0039] The precursor 100 may be injected axially, radially, tangentially, or at any other angle into the high temperature region 106 . As stated above, the precursor 100 may be pre-mixed or diffusionally mixed with other reactants. The precursor 100 may be fed into the thermal processing reactor by a laminar, parabolic, turbulent, pulsating, sheared, or cyclonic flow pattern, or by any other flow pattern. In addition, one or more metal-containing precursors 100 can be injected from one or more ports in the reactor 106 . The feed spray system may yield a feed pattern that envelops the heat source or, alternatively, the heat sources may envelop the feed, or alternatively, various combinations of this may be employed. In some embodiments, the spray is atomized and sprayed in a manner that enhances heat transfer efficiency, mass transfer efficiency, momentum transfer efficiency, and reaction efficiency. The reactor shape may be cylindrical, spherical, conical, or any other shape. Methods and equipment such as those taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,788,738, 5,851,507, and 5,984,997 (each of which is specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) can be employed in practicing the methods of this invention.
[0040] In certain embodiments, the precursor feed conditions and feed equipment are engineered to favor flash boiling. Precursor may be fed utilizing any shape or size and device. Illustrative spray device include spray nozzle, tubular feed orifice, flat or bent nozzles, hollow pattern nozzle, flat or triangular or square pattern nozzle and such. In certain embodiments, a feed system that yields cavitation enhanced flash boiling are utilized for improved performance. In this regard, a useful guideline is to utilize a dimensionless number, called cavitation index (C.I.), which is defined, for purposes herein, as
C.I .=( P o −P v )/ρ V 2
where, Po is the process pressure, Pv is the vapor pressure of the precursor in the feed nozzle, ρ is the density of the precursor, V is the average velocity of the precursor at the exit of the feed nozzle (volumetric feed rate divided by cross sectional area of the feed nozzle). In certain embodiments, a negative value of cavitation index is favorable. In other embodiments, a value less than 15 for cavitation index is favorable. In yet other embodiments, a value less than 125 for cavitation index is favorable. In certain embodiments, the process pressure is maintained between 1 Torr and 10,000 Torr. In other embodiments, the process pressure is maintained between 5 Torr and 1,000 Torr. In certain embodiments, the process pressure is maintained between 10 Torr and 500 Torr. The process pressure can be maintained using any method such as, but not limiting to compressors, pressurized fluids, vacuum pumps, venturi-principle driven devices such as eductors and the like.
[0042] In case the density or the vapor pressure data for the precursor are unknown, it is recommended that they be measured by methods known in the art. Alternatively, as a useful guideline, higher feed velocities are favorable in certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, higher precursor feed temperatures are also favorable. Higher feed precursors are useful in certain embodiments wherein the precursor is viscous or becomes viscous due to flow (viscosity is greater than that of water). In certain embodiments, precursor formulations and compositions, solvents, feed spray equipment design (e.g. spray tip length, diameter, shape, surface roughness, etc.), or precursor feed parameters that lead to flash evaporation or cavitation of one or more components of the precursor stream upon spraying in the process reactor 106 ( FIG. 1 ) are useful.
[0043] With continued reference to FIG. 1 , after the precursor 100 has been fed into reactor 106 , it may be processed at high temperatures to form the product powder. In other embodiments, the thermal processing may be performed at lower temperatures to form the powder product. The thermal treatment may be done in a gas environment with the aim to produce products, such as powders, that have the desired porosity, density, morphology, dispersion, surface area, and composition. This step produces by-products such as gases. To reduce costs, these gases may be recycled, mass/heat integrated, or used to prepare the pure gas stream desired by the process.
[0044] In embodiments using high temperature thermal processing, the high temperature processing may be conducted at step 106 ( FIG. 1 ) at temperatures greater than 1500 K, in some embodiments greater than 2500 K, in some embodiments greater than 3000 K, and in some embodiments greater than 4000 K. Such temperatures may be achieved by various methods including, but not limited to, plasma processes, combustion in air, combustion in purified oxygen or oxygen-rich gases, combustion with oxidants, pyrolysis, electrical arcing in an appropriate reactor, and combinations thereof. The plasma may provide reaction gases or may provide a clean source of heat.
[0045] In certain embodiments, the high temperature is achieved by utilizing enriched oxygen or pure oxygen (or other oxidants). Adiabatic temperatures greater than 3000 K, 4000 K, or 5000 K can be achieved by utilizing purified oxygen. In certain embodiments, a low cavitation index in combination with a purified oxidant stream favors useful peak temperatures. In certain embodiments, a gas stream with greater than 25% oxygen is useful. In other embodiments, a gas stream with greater than 50% oxygen is useful. In other embodiments, a gas stream with greater than 75% oxygen is useful. In yet other embodiments, a gas stream with greater than 95% oxygen is useful. In other embodiments, a gas stream with greater than 99.5% oxygen is useful.
[0046] In some embodiments, the precursor and feed gas stream feed conditions are mixed in a ratio that favors complete evaporation of the precursor. In certain embodiments, a molar ratio of precursor to gas stream between 0.001 and 0.72 is useful. In certain embodiments, a molar ratio of precursor to gas stream between 0.01 and 0.3 is useful. In certain embodiments, a molar ratio of precursor to gas stream between 0.05 and 0.2 is useful for high temperature thermal processing. In certain embodiments, the oxygen may be added in stages thereby controlling the thermokinetic ratio of fuel and oxidant. In other embodiments, the fuel to oxidant ratio may be maintained between the upper and lower flame limits for the precursor.
[0047] The combusted precursor and oxidant stream may be further heated utilizing various thermal sources such as, but not limiting to, plasma processes (DC, RF, microwave, transferred arc, non-transferred arc, etc.), radiation, nuclear energy, etc.
[0048] In certain embodiments, a plug flow system be used. A plug flow eliminates axial mixing and thereby can yield narrow size distribution nanopowders. The design principle preferred for the design of plug flow reactor system is given by
UL/D>β
Where,
U: axial velocity L: axial length of the reactor D: axial dispersion coefficient β: plug flow index (preferably equals or more 5, more preferably equals 50 or more, and most preferably equals 500 or more)
[0053] A high temperature thermal process at 106 results in a vapor comprising elements, ionized species and/or elemental clusters. After the thermal processing, this vapor is cooled at step 110 to nucleate nanopowders. The nanoscale particles form because of the thermokinetic conditions in the process. By engineering the process conditions, such as pressure, temperature, residence time, supersaturation and nucleation rates, gas velocity, flow rates, species concentrations, diluent addition, degree of mixing, momentum transfer, mass transfer, and heat transfer, the morphology of the nanoscale and submicron powders can be tailored. It is important to note that the focus of the process should be on producing a powder product that excels in satisfying the end application requirements and customer needs.
[0054] The surface and bulk composition of the nanopowders can be modified by controlling the process temperature, pressure, diluents, reactant compositions, flow rate, addition of synthetic aids upstream or downstream of the nucleation zone, process equipment design and such. In certain embodiments, the nucleation temperature is adjusted to a temperature range wherein the condensed species is in liquid form at the process pressure. These cases, the nanomaterial product tends to take a spherical shape; thereafter the spherical nanomaterial is then cooled further to solidify. In certain embodiments, the nucleation temperature is adjusted to a temperature range wherein the condensed species is in solid form at the process pressure. In these embodiments, the nanomaterial product tends to take faceted shape, platelet shape or a shape wherein the particle's aspect ratio is greater than one. By adjustments in nucleation temperature with other process parameters, the shape, size and other characteristics of the nanomaterial can be varied.
[0055] In certain embodiments, the nanopowder comprising stream is quenched after cooling to lower temperatures at step 116 to minimize and prevent agglomeration or grain growth. Suitable quenching methods include, but are not limited to, methods taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,738. In certain embodiments, sonic to supersonic processing before quenching and during quenching is useful. In certain embodiments, process stream velocities and quench velocities greater than 0.1 mach are useful (determined at 298 K and 760 Torr or any other combination of temperature and pressure). In others, velocities greater than 0.5 mach are useful. In still others, velocities greater than 1 mach are useful. Joule-Thompson expansion based quenching is useful in certain embodiments. In other embodiments, coolant gases, water, solvents, cold surfaces, or cryogenic fluids might be employed. In certain embodiments, quenching methods are employed which can prevent deposition of the powders on the conveying walls. These methods may include, but are not limited to, electrostatic means, blanketing with gases, the use of higher flow rates, mechanical means, chemical means, electrochemical means, or sonication/vibration of the walls.
[0056] In some embodiments, the high temperature processing system includes instrumentation and software that can assist in the quality control of the process. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the high temperature processing zone 106 is operated to produce fine powders 120 , in certain embodiments submicron powders, and in certain embodiments nanopowders. The gaseous products from the process may be monitored for composition, temperature, and other variables to ensure quality at step 112 ( FIG. 1 ). The gaseous products may be recycled to be used in process 106 or used as a valuable raw material when nanoscale and submicron powders 120 have been formed, or they may be treated to remove environmental pollutants if any. Following quenching step 116 , the nanoscale and submicron powders may be cooled further at step 118 and then harvested at step 120 . The product nanoscale and submicron powders 120 may be harvested by any method. Suitable collection means include, but are not limited to, bag filtration, electrostatic separation, membrane filtration, cyclones, impact filtration, centrifugation, hydrocyclones, thermophoresis, magnetic separation, and combinations thereof.
[0057] The quenching at step 116 may be modified to enable preparation of coatings. In such embodiments, a substrate may be provided (in batch or continuous mode) in the path of the quenching powder containing gas flow. By engineering the substrate temperature and the powder temperature, a coating comprising the submicron powders and nanoscale powders can be formed.
[0058] In some embodiments, a coating, film, or component may also be prepared by dispersing the fine nanopowder and then applying various known methods, such as, but not limited to, electrophoretic deposition, magnetophorectic deposition, spin coating, dip coating, spraying, brushing, screen printing, inkjet printing, toner printing, and sintering. The nanopowders may be thermally treated or reacted to enhance their electrical, optical, photonic, catalytic, thermal, magnetic, structural, electronic, emission, processing, or forming properties before such a step.
[0059] It should be noted that the intermediate or product at any stage of the process described herein, or similar process based on modifications by those skilled in the art, may be used directly as a feed precursor to produce nanoscale or fine powders by methods taught herein and other methods. Other suitable methods include, but not limited to, those taught in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,788,738, 5,851,507, and 5,984,997, and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/638,977 and 60/310,967 which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. For example, a sol may be blended with a fuel and then utilized as the feed precursor mixture for thermal processing above 2500 K to produce nanoscale simple or complex powders.
[0060] In summary, one embodiment for manufacturing powders consistent with teachings herein, comprises (a) preparing a precursor comprising at least one metal; (b) feeding the precursor under conditions wherein the cavitation index is less than 1.0 and wherein the precursor is fed into a high temperature reactor operating at temperatures greater than 1500 K, in certain embodiments greater than 2500 K, in certain embodiments greater than 3000 K, and in certain embodiments greater than 4000 K; (c) wherein, in the high temperature reactor, the precursor converts into vapor comprising the metal in a process stream with a velocity above 0.1 mach in an inert or reactive atmosphere; (d) the vapor is cooled to nucleate submicron or nanoscale powders; (e) the nucleated powders are then quenched at high gas velocities to prevent agglomeration and growth; and (f) the quenched powders are filtered from the gas suspension.
[0061] Another embodiment for manufacturing inorganic nanoscale powders comprises (a) preparing a fluid precursor comprising two or more metals, at least one of which is in a concentration greater than 100 ppm by weight; (b) feeding the said precursor into a high temperature reactor with a negative cavitation index; (c) providing an oxidant such that the molar ratio of the precursor and oxidant is between 0.005 and 0.65; (d) wherein the precursor and oxidant are heated to a temperatures greater than 1500 K, in some embodiments greater than 2500 K, in some embodiments greater than 3000 K, and in some embodiments greater than 4000 K in an inert or reactive atmosphere; (e) wherein, in the said high temperature reactor, the said precursor converts into vapor comprising the metals; (f) the vapor is cooled to nucleate submicron or nanoscale powders (in some embodiments, at a temperature where the condensing species is a liquid; in other embodiments, at a temperature where the condensing species is a solid); (g) in some embodiments, providing additional time to let the nucleated particles grow to a desired size, shape and other characteristics; (h) the nucleated powders are then quenched by any technique to prevent agglomeration and growth; and (i) the quenched powder comprising stream is processed to separate solids from the gases. In certain embodiments, the fluid precursor may include synthesis aids such as surfactants (also known as dispersants, capping agents, emulsifying agents, etc.) to control the morphology or to optimize the process economics and/or product performance.
[0062] One embodiment for manufacturing coatings comprises (a) preparing a fluid precursor comprising one or more metals; (b) feeding the said precursor at negative cavitation index into a high temperature reactor operating at temperatures greater than 1500 K, in some embodiments greater than 2500 K, in some embodiments greater than 3000 K, and in some embodiments greater than 4000 K in an inert or reactive atmosphere; (c) wherein, in the high temperature reactor, the precursor converts into vapor comprising the metals; (d) the vapor is cooled to nucleate submicron or nanoscale powders; (e) the powders are then quenched onto a substrate to form a coating on a surface to be coated.
[0063] The powders produced by teachings herein may be modified by post-processing as taught by commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/113,315, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0000] Methods for Manufacturing Nanomaterial Dispersions
[0064] In certain embodiments, once nanoparticles of desired composition and characteristics are available, they are first deagglomerated such that the mean size of the agglomerate is equal to or less than twenty times (in certain embodiments equal to or less than ten times, in certain embodiments equal to or less than five times, and in certain embodiments equal to or less than three times) the primary particle (crystallite) size as determined by Warren-Averbach analysis of X-ray spectra for the particles. The deagglomerated powders are then optionally treated to either remove surface adsorbed species or add surface species or both. Methods for such treatment include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following (a) heat treatment at high pressures, ambient pressures and vacuum using inert, oxidizing or reducing atmospheres; (b) chemical treatment at suitable pressures, temperatures, times, and fluid phases; (c) mechanical treatment such as those in milling, microchannels, homogenizers, and any method of applying fluid dynamic effects in general and shear forces in particular. Such treatments are useful and help ease the dispersion of nanoparticles and engineer the characteristics of the dispersions including those based on water, organic solvents, inorganic solvents, melts, resins, monomers, any type of fluid and such. Other methods of treatment would be obvious and readily available to one of ordinary skill in the art and may be employed depending on the results desired.
[0065] In some embodiments, heat treatment of nanopowders may be at temperatures less than 75% of the melting point of the substance, in other embodiments at temperatures less than 50% of the melting point of the substance, and in still further embodiments at temperatures less than 25% of the melting point of the substance. If the melting point is unknown or as a generic guideline, the heat treatment may be done between 100 to 400° C. and in other embodiments between 175 to 300° C. under air or gas flow. In certain embodiments, the heat treatment may be done between 400 to 800° C. and in other embodiments between 750 to 1200° C. under air flow or gas flow. The heat treatment may be done in vacuum, ambient pressure, or under pressure or under supercritical conditions, in air, pure oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon, hydrogen containing, inert, halogen containing, organic vapor containing, or other suitable chemical environments. It is to be noted that in certain embodiments, the melting point of the nanoparticle is surprisingly lower than the melting of coarse powder of the same composition.
[0066] If chemical treatment is employed, the chemical environment of the treatment media may be monitored and refreshed appropriately to reflect the changes in the media from the reaction products. Specific illustration of the media properties that can be monitored depends on the fluid phase and can optionally include one or more of the following—pH, temperature, zeta potential, conductivity, flocculate size, optical absorption characteristics, nanoparticle loading, chemical composition. In certain embodiments, the chemical treatment of nanoparticles is done between a pH of about 0.5 and about 13, in certain embodiments between a pH of 2 to 5, and in certain embodiments it is done between a pH of 8 and 11.
[0067] The deagglomerated and surface treated nanoscale powders are then mixed with and partially or fully dispersed into a suitable solvent. Illustration of suitable solvents include, but are not limited to, regular or high purity water, methanol, ethanol, iso-propyl alcohol, octane, dodecane, heptane, hexane, acetone, gasoline, DOWANOL® solvents and compositions corresponding to these solvents, glycols, glycerol, phenol, acetates, polyurethanes, acrylates, epoxies, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, acids, amines, quarternary compounds, alkalis, terpenols, liquids with boiling point greater than 400 K, UV curable liquids, plasma curable liquids, heat curable liquids, ionic liquids, molten polymers, molten metals, monomers, oils, silicones, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, ethanolamine, formic acid, acetonitrile, 1-propyl alcohol, acetic acid, 2-ethoxy ethanol, anhydrous isopropanol, DMSO, 1-butyl alcohol, tetrahydro furfuryl alcohol, n,n-dimethyl acetamide, diacetone alcohol, 2-methyl butanol, n-pentanol, acetone, 2-(2-butoxy ethoxy) ethanol, UCAR® Filmer IBT, cellosolve acetate, methotate, isophorone, methylethyl ketone, tetra hydrofuran, aniline, pyridine, methyl n-propyl ketone, UCAR® Ester EEP, UCAR® n-propyl propionate, primary amyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, isobutyl acetate, UCAR® n-butyl propionate, n-butyl acetate, methyl isoamyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, chloroform, 1,4 dioxane, trichloroethane, hydrochlorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, xylene, toluene, benzene, cyclohexane, hexane, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, dimethylene chloride, n-butyl glycolate, glycolic acid, methyl glycolate, ethyl lactate, ethyl glycolate, ethylenediamine, butyrolactone, n-octanol, iso-octanol, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, m-cresol, phenol, biofluids, plant sap, alphahydroxy compounds, sea water, mineral oils, milk, fruit juices, plant-derived oils, seed-derived oils or extracts, the like and combinations thereof. The mixing step can be accomplished by any technique. Illustrations of mixing techniques include, but are not limited to, stirring, sonication, sparging, milling, shaking, centrifugal circulating pump mixing, blade mixing, impact mixing, jet mixing, homogenization, co-spraying, fluid flow through channels with dimensions less than 1000 microns (in certain embodiments less than 250 microns, in certain embodiments less than 100 microns, and in certain embodiments less than 100 times the mean particle size of the powders). In certain embodiments, high to very high shear rates (tip speeds greater than 25 fps in some embodiments, greater than 50 fps in some embodiments, and greater than 100 fps in other embodiments; achieving shear rates greater than or much greater than 25,000 sec −1 ) applied over short periods of time can lead to superior dispersions. In certain embodiments, very high or very low shear rates may lead to agglomeration; in these cases, appropriate moderate shear rates can be empirically discovered and practiced. The dispersion manufacturing steps and process may be automated with computers and software to achieve superior reproducibility and to lower variability.
[0068] In certain embodiments, the solvent composition comprising one or more solvents, non-limiting illustrations of which have been provided above, is selected using Hansen solubility parameters. In these embodiments, the Hansen parameters, namely non-polar (dispersive) component, polar component and hydrogen bonding component of the solubility parameter for the solvents and the fine powder are determined and then that solvent composition is chosen wherein the relative contribution of Hansen parameters for the solvent composition and the desired fine powder match or are closer to each other than the other alternative solvent composition. This insight can also be used when a resin or polymer matrix is being selected for a nanomaterial composition, or vice versa.
[0069] The Hansen parameters are related to Hildebrand solubility parameter per the equation
(Hildebrand parameter, δ t ) 2 =(Hansen non-polar dispersion component, δ np ) 2 +(Hansen polar component, δ p ) 2 +(Hansen hydrogen bonding component, δ h ) 2
[0070] Most large volume manufacturers of solvents such as Dow Chemicals®, DuPont®, Eastman®, BASF®, Ashland®, Bayer® and others determine and list all three Hansen parameters for the solvent they offer. These listed values may be used as described herein. In case of new solvents or other fluids or fluid-like compositions of matter, the numerical values for the Hansen component parameters may be empirically established or theoretically estimated by methods known in the art. For example, the Hansen parameters may be determined in the following way: First, the dispersion force for a particular solvent is calculated using the homomorph method. The homomorph of a polar molecule is the nonpolar molecule most closely resembling it in size and structure (n-butane is the homomorph of n-butyl alcohol). The Hildebrand value for the nonpolar homomorph (being due entirely to dispersion forces) is assigned to the polar molecule as its dispersion component value. This dispersion value (squared) is then subtracted from the Hildebrand value (squared) of the liquid, the remainder designated as a value representing the total polar plus hydrogen bonding interaction of the molecule. Through trial and error experimentation and comparison with known solvents, one may separate the polar value into polar and hydrogen bonding component parameters best reflecting empirical evidence. For fine powders (and nanomaterials), similar techniques may be utilized or the Hansen parameter value may be estimated based on empirical search and match aided by a matrix of solvent and/or polymer compositions and instruments that measure particle characteristics such as crystallite size, particle size, size distribution, light absorption, light reflection, light scattering, surface area, dielectric radii, and the like. The techniques used to determine Hansen parameters for solvents and polymers can be extended and used for determining the Hansen parameters for nanomaterials.
[0071] For certain embodiments herein, a solvent composition with the following parameters is selected
30 (cal/cm 3 ) 1/2 ≦δ np ≦100 (cal/cm 3 ) 1/2 , 0≦δ p ≦50 (cal/cm 3 ) 1/2 , 0≦δ h ≦50 (cal/cm 3 ) 1/2
[0073] In other embodiments herein, a solvent composition with the following parameters is selected
10 (cal/cm 3 ) 1/2 ≦δ np ≦100 (cal/cm 3 ) 1/2 , 0≦δ p ≦50 (cal/cm 3 ) 1/2 , 0≦δ h ≦50 (cal/cm 3 ) 1/2
[0075] For a specific fine powder composition or nanomaterial composition (with composition's Hansen parameters given by δ* np , δ* p , and δ* h ) and a solvent composition (with Hansen parameters given by δ s np , δ s p , and δ s h ) for dispersing the nanomaterial composition is selected as follows. First the percentage contribution of each Hansen parameter for the powder composition is calculated. Next, the percentage contribution of each Hansen parameter for the various solvent compositions is calculated. Then, the Hansen interface match index (HIMI) is calculated as follows
HIMI═SQRT ((δ* np /D*−δ s np /D s ) 2 +(δ* p /D*−δ s p /D s ) 2 +(δ* h /D*−δ s h /D s ) 2 )/0.01
Where,
SQRT: is square root, a mathematical function D*=δ* np +δ* p +δ* h (calculated in (cal/cm 3 ) 1/2 ) D s =δ s np +δ s p +δ s h (calculated in (cal/cm 3 ) 1/2 )
[0079] A solvent with each percentage contribution values closest to the respective percentage contribution of fine powder is selected. In certain embodiments, the Hansen interface match index is less than 25, in other embodiments it is less than 10, in yet other embodiments it is less than 5, and in other embodiments it is less than 1. To illustrate, if the percentage contribution values for the Hansen parameters of a nanomaterial is given by—non-polar 40%, polar 20% and hydrogen bonding component of 40%, a solvent composition with the following percentage contributions would be selected for dispersing the nanomaterials, in certain embodiments—non-polar 35%-45%, polar 14%-26%, hydrogen bonding 30-50%. As another non-limiting illustration, we have determined that aluminum comprising nanomaterials (e.g. aluminum oxide) have Hansen parameters such that a solvent composition with the following percentage contributions would be suitable for dispersing aluminum comprising nanomaterials, in certain embodiments—non-polar 33%-49%, polar 11%-29%, hydrogen bonding 28-47%. As another non-limiting illustration, we have determined that iron comprising nanomaterials (e.g. ferrites, iron oxide and the like) have Hansen parameters such that a solvent composition with the following percentage contributions would be suitable for dispersing aluminum comprising nanomaterials, in certain embodiments—non-polar 40%-63%, polar 14%-33%, hydrogen bonding 14-41%. As another non-limiting illustration, we have determined that titanium comprising nanomaterials (e.g. anatase or rutile titania and the like) have Hansen parameters such that a solvent composition with the following percentage contributions would be suitable for dispersing aluminum comprising nanomaterials, in certain embodiments—non-polar 31%-53%, polar 12%-33%, hydrogen bonding 27-43%. As another non-limiting illustration, we have determined that zirconium comprising nanomaterials (e.g. zirconia, yttria stabilized zirconia, gadolinium doped zirconium compound and the like) have Hansen parameters such that a solvent composition with the following percentage contributions would be suitable for dispersing aluminum comprising nanomaterials, in certain embodiments—non-polar 68%-91%, polar 12%-31%, hydrogen bonding 9-28%.
[0080] In certain embodiments, at least two or more solvents give surprisingly improved dispersion characteristics and are utilized to formulate the dispersion. In certain embodiments, resins, monomers, solutes, additives and other substances may be added to give surprisingly improved dispersion characteristics and are utilized to formulate the dispersion. The choice of additional solvents, resins, monomers, solutes, additives and other substances can also be guided by Hansen interface match index discussed herein. Each Hansen parameter of a solvent composition that comprises two or more solvents can be calculated by multiplying the volume fraction of each solvent with the respective Hansen parameter for each solvent and adding these up. In a generic way, the following equations work as a good guideline
δ np, mix =Σ(volume fraction*δ np ) each solvent
δ p, mix =Σ(volume fraction*δ p ) each solvent
δ h, mix =Σ(volume fraction*δ h ) each solvent
[0081] As discussed for single solvents earlier, in a mixture of solvents too, a solvent composition is chosen wherein the relative contribution of all three Hansen parameters for the solvent composition and those of the desired fine powder match (i.e. choose the solvent composition mix wherein the Hansen Interface Match Index is equal to zero) or almost match or the difference is less than the other alternative solvent composition. In certain embodiments wherein two or more solvents and/or resins, monomers, solutes, additives and other substances are utilized, the Hansen interface match index between the nanomaterial and the mix composition is less than 50, in other embodiments it is less than 20, in yet other embodiments it is less than 10, and in other embodiments it is less than 2.5.
[0082] In certain embodiments, the fine powders are first washed with a solvent composition whose Hansen Interface Match Index is close to that of the fine powders prior to dispersing the fine powders in a different solvent or resin or monomer or polymer or any other matrix. A non limiting illustration of this embodiment is washing a metal oxide nanoparticles with acetic acid prior to dispersing it in isopropanol or acetonitrile or DOWANOL® PM or a mixture of one of more of these or other solvents. In yet other embodiments, the nanomaterial may be surface treated such that the species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemically bonded form is removed, replaced, introduced and/or modified. Surface treatment can be used to modify the surface of the nanomaterial (or fine powder) so that the Hansen interface match index of the surface modified nanomaterial and solvent composition (or resin or polymer or matrix) of interest matches (equal to zero) or is less than a value of 30. The surface treatment (or functionalization) of the nanomaterial may be performed prior to the dispersion step or in situ while the dispersion is being prepared. In some embodiments the species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemical bonded form may be a nitrogen comprising species. In some embodiments the species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemical bonded form may be an oxygen comprising species. In some embodiments, the species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemical bonded form can comprise carbon, silicon, chalcogen, a halogen, or a hydroxyl. In some embodiments the species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemical bonded form may be a combination of two or more species.
[0083] In certain other embodiments, the fine powders are first processed with a vapor comprising a solvent composition whose Hansen Interface Match Index is close to that of the fine powders prior to dispersing the fine powders in a desired solvent, resin, monomer, polymer, or any other matrix. The processing may be done in one or more of the following—a fluidized bed, a furnace, a bed, a conveyor, a mixer, a jet mill, a calciner, a rotary bed, trays, a kiln, a deposition unit and the like. A non-limiting illustration of this embodiment is contacting metal oxide nanoparticles in a calciner with ketone vapor prior to dispersing it in a solvent mixture of isopropanol and water.
[0084] In certain embodiments, the dispersion manufacturing step includes filtration. The filters may be constructed of polypropylene, Teflon®, cellulose, polymeric, silicon-based, porous ceramic, porous metal, anodized porous substrate, porous carbon, porous wood, membrane or other media. The filters may be uniform or may employ gradient structure of pores. The term “filter rating” of a filter depends on the pore size, pore size distribution and pore arrangement; the term refers to the maximum particle size in the dispersion that passes through the filter into the filtrate. In certain embodiments, filters with a filter rating less than 3 microns are employed. In certain embodiments, filters with a filter rating less than 1 micron are employed. In certain embodiments, filters with a filter rating less than 0.5 micron are employed. In certain embodiments, filters with a filter rating less than 250 nanometers are employed. In certain embodiments, filters with a filter rating less than 100 nanometers are employed. In certain embodiments, the gradient structure of the filters may be used wherein the gradient refers to reducing the average diameter of the filter pores in the direction of flow. In other embodiments, a multi-layered structure of filters may be used wherein the layered structure has a reducing average diameter of the filter pores as one proceeds through layers in the direction of flow. In other embodiments, multiple filters may be used in series wherein coarser filters precede the filters with filter rating for smaller particle size. The filters may be regenerated, activated, or pressurized. The filters may be in-line filters or of other configurations. The filters may be back-flushable, disposable, or washable. Filters can be used by any methods known to the filtration community. For example, the filters may be used in combination with pumps wherein the pump pressurizes the dispersion and causes it to flow through the filter. In applications where upper particle limits are desired, filtration is particularly useful. In some embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, 99% of the particle size (d 99 ) by volume as measured by photocorrelation spectroscopy (or other techniques) are less than 1000 nanometers. In certain embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, 99% of the particle size (d 99 ) by volume as measured by photocorrelation spectroscopy (or other techniques) are less than 500 nanometers. In other embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, 99% of the particle size by volume as measured by photocorrelation spectroscopy are less than 250 nanometers. In yet other embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, 99% of the particle size by volume as measured by photocorrelation spectroscopy are less than 100 nanometers. In other embodiments, a nanomaterial dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, 99% of the particle size by volume as measured by photocorrelation spectroscopy are less than 50 nanometers. In some embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, the median aggregate diameter as measured by photocorrelation spectroscopy (or other techniques) is less than 750 nanometers. In certain embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, median aggregate diameter as measured by photocorrelation spectroscopy (or other techniques) is less than 400 nanometers. In other embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, median aggregate diameter as measured by photocorrelation spectroscopy (or other techniques) is less than 200 nanometers. In yet other embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, median aggregate diameter as measured by photocorrelation spectroscopy (or other techniques) is less than 100 nanometers. In other embodiments, a nanomaterial dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, median aggregate diameter as measured by photocorrelation spectroscopy (or other techniques) is less than 50 nanometers.
[0085] In certain embodiments wherein the dispersion (e.g. ink) needs to dry fast, lower boiling and high vapor pressure solvents are generally recommended. Additionally, additives that assist drying by oxidation may be added to the dispersion. Illustrative examples of such additives include, but are not limited to, soaps of metals such as manganese, cobalt, and other metals with organic acids. If it were important to prevent or slow down the drying of a dispersion with time, low vapor pressure solvents or ionic liquids may be used. Premature oxidation of inks may be retarded by adding antioxidants such as ionol, eugenol, and other compounds.
[0086] Additional additives may be added to modify the characteristics of a nanoparticulate ink. For example, waxes may be added to improve slip resistance, scuff resistance, or modify the rheology. Lubricants, defoamers, surfactants, thickeners, preservatives, biocides, dyes, commercially available ink vehicles, catalysts and gellants may be added to achieve a combination of properties needed by the end application. For dispersion stability, salts and pH modifiers may be used. One of ordinary skill in the art may readily choose additional additives depending on the desired characteristics of the nanoparticulate ink.
[0087] The dispersability of the nanoparticles is enhanced in certain embodiments by treating the surface of the metal oxide powders or other metal comprising nanoparticles. This treatment, in some embodiments, is mixing the powders with surfactants of various kinds and different hydrophil lyophil balance (HLB) indices; HLB may be between 1 to 30 or higher. The treatment, in some embodiments, involves coating the particles with another substance such as oxide, carbide, polymer, nitride, metal, boride, halide, salt, sulfate, nitrate, chalcogenides and the like. For example, fatty acids (e.g. propionic acid, stearic acid and oils) can be applied to or with the nanoparticles to enhance the surface compatibility. If the powder has an acidic surface, ammonia, quaternary salts, or ammonium salts can be applied to the surface to achieve desired surface pH. In other cases, acetic acid wash can be used to achieve the desired surface state. Trialkyl phosphates and phosphoric acid can be applied to reduce dusting and chemical activity. In some embodiments, a solvent composition is warmed or chilled prior to and/or during its use for washing or dispersing nanomaterials (or fine powders). In certain embodiments, to illustrate, the temperature of the solvent composition, resin, monomer, or polymer is maintained a temperature between 100 K to 1500 K at low or high pressures (with or without the presence of a radiation) while processing the nanomaterial and/or formulating a dispersion with the nanomaterial.
[0088] For systematic development and manufacturing of the dispersion, the particle size distribution, dispersion's zeta potential, pH and conductivity may be monitored and modified using manual or computer controlled instruments. It should be noted that the various embodiments discussed herein can be applied in isolation or in combination; when applied in combination, they may be applied in different sequence and order to get improved dispersion and products. To illustrate, nanomaterials may be first heat treated, next washed with solvent of first composition and then dispersed in solvent of second composition in one embodiment; while in another embodiment, they may be first washed with solvent of first composition, then heat treated and then dispersed in solvent of second composition. They may be dispersed first and then deagglomerated in one embodiment, while in another embodiment they are deagglomerated first and then dispersed. Numerous additional combinations of such embodiments feasible from teachings herein would be apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0000] Uses of Nanomaterial Dispersions
[0089] In certain embodiments, a paste or concentrate is formed by mixing the fine powder in a solvent composition wherein the fine powder loading is greater than 25% by weight, in certain embodiments greater than 40% by weight, in certain embodiments greater than 55% by weight, in certain embodiments greater than 75% by weight; in other embodiments, the Hansen Interface Match Index between the fine powder and the solvent composition used to prepare the concentrate is less than 50, in other embodiments it is less than 20, in yet other embodiments it is less than 10, and in other embodiments it is less than 2.5. Broadly, the solvent composition used to prepare nanomaterial concentrates can be any; some non-limiting illustrations include one or more of the following substances—organic solvents, inorganic solvents, aqueous solvents, monomers, polymers, solutions, oxygen comprising compositions, chalcogenides comprising compositions, boron comprising compositions, phosphorus comprising compositions, halogen comprising compositions, nitrogen comprising compositions, metal comprising compositions, carbon comprising compositions, molten metals and alloys, molten salts, supercritical fluids, liquids, oils, or gels which are synthetic or derived from nature such as agriculture or fishes or trees or fruits or seeds or flora or fauna; the fluid or fluid-like phase included within the scope are water, acids, alkalis, organic melts, monomers, polymers, oligomers, biological fluids, ethers, esters, aromatics, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, organometallics, terpenols, acetates, sulfonic acids, emulsions, mixture of two or more liquid compositions, solutions, and the like.
[0090] The taught nanomaterial concentrates and pastes are useful in preparing paints, coatings, adhesives, films, tapes, densified parts, composites, devices and other products. The particular usefulness of such concentrates is for reasons such as the following—(a) nanomaterials have low apparent bulk density (tap density) and often require large volumes to store and transport which increases the costs; nanomaterial concentrates have significantly higher bulk density and nanomaterial concentrates therefore need much lower volumes for storage and transportation. Nanomaterial concentrates offer bulk densities that are 3 times or more the bulk density of dry nanomaterials in some embodiments (which can reduce the storage and transportation volume required by the concentrate to less than half required for storing dry nanomaterial), while in other embodiments the bulk density increase is over 10 times the bulk density of dry nanomaterials. This significantly reduces logistical costs and reduces the cost of transporting goods; (b) certain nanomaterials have a tendency of becoming air borne or water borne in a dry form. In certain clean room environments, clean environments and in certain shipping routes, there is a need to find ways to eliminate the risk of certain nanomaterials from becoming airborne or released to environment. Nanomaterial concentrates eliminate this risk because the nanomaterials are now contained because of cohesive forces inherent within the concentrate; (c) nanomaterials can be difficult be add to a processing step or consolidate; nanomaterial concentrates are easier and cheaper to process and consolidate into useful devices and products. The nanomaterial concentrate taught herein offer these and other advantages. To illustrate but not limit, a useful nanomaterial concentrate that is more economical to transport is formed by dispersing the nanomaterial in a solvent composition wherein the nanomaterial content is 60% by weight in certain embodiments. To illustrate again but not limit, a useful nanomaterial concentrate that is more economical to transport is formed by dispersing the nanomaterial in a solvent composition wherein the nanomaterial content is at least 60% by weight and wherein the solvent composition selected for preparing the nanomaterial concentrate has a Hansen Interface Match Index value less than 7.5 with the nanomaterial. To illustrate further but not limit, a useful metal oxide nanopowder concentrate is formed by dispersing the nanomaterial in a ketone comprising liquid composition wherein the nanomaterial content is 30% by weight and wherein the ketone comprising composition selected for preparing the nanomaterial concentrate has a Hansen Interface Match Index value less than 25 with the nanomaterial. To illustrate further but not limit, a useful non-oxide nanopowder concentrate composition of matter is formed (that is inherently less prone to accidental release to air) by dispersing the nanomaterial in ammonia comprising liquid composition wherein the nanomaterial content is 40% by weight and wherein the ammonia comprising composition selected for preparing the nanomaterial concentrate has a Hansen Interface Match Index value less than 35 with the nanomaterial. To illustrate further but not limit, a useful dielectric multimetal oxide nanopowder concentrate composition of matter is formed (that is easier to process into device layers) by dispersing the nanomaterial in an oxygen comprising solvent composition wherein the nanomaterial content is 50% by weight and wherein the oxygen comprising composition selected for preparing the nanomaterial concentrate has a Hansen Interface Match Index value less than 10 with the nanomaterial. To illustrate further but not limit, a useful high refractive index chalcogenide nanopowder concentrate composition of matter is formed (that is easier to process into coatings) by dispersing the nanomaterial in an polymer comprising composition wherein the nanomaterial content is 25% by weight and wherein the polymer comprising composition selected for preparing the nanomaterial concentrate has a Hansen Interface Match Index value less than 35 with the nanomaterial. To illustrate further but not limit, a useful conducting metal nanopowder concentrate composition of matter is formed (that is easier to process into electrodes) by dispersing the nanomaterial in an inorganic or UV curable comprising composition wherein the nanomaterial content is 35% by weight and wherein the inorganic or UV curable comprising composition selected for preparing the nanomaterial concentrate has a Hansen Interface Match Index value less than 15 with the nanomaterial.
[0091] Applications for dispersions and concentrates provided by this invention include structural components, ceramic parts, ceramic matrix composites, carbon matrix composites, polymer matrix composites, coatings, polishing slurries, gaskets, polymer, or composite seals.
[0092] An additional application of the teachings herein is functionally graded parts or components that are dense or porous. Illustration includes a filter with a porosity gradient through the thickness. The invention provided here have application in the biomedical field, among other fields. For example, the present invention may be applied to producing implant materials, monitors, sensors, drug concentrates, water soluble polymers, drug delivery devices, and biocatalysts from nanoscale powders using the multi-layer laminating process to produce three-dimensional shapes.
[0093] This invention may also be applied the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) area. Zirconia is one of the materials that has been investigated as the solid electrolyte for SOFC's. Solid electrolyte components can be made by tape casting multi-layer devices from nanomaterial dispersions (i.e., nanomaterial based electrolytes).
[0094] Additionally, nanopowder dispersions made in accordance with the present invention are useful for producing electrical devices such as varistors, inductors, capacitors, batteries, EMI filters, interconnects, resistors, thermistors, and arrays of these devices from nanoscale powders. Moreover, magnetic components such as giant magnetoresistive GMR devices may be manufactured from nanoscale powders dispersion produced in accordance with the present invention as well as in the manufacture thermoelectric, gradient index optics, and optoelectronic components from nanoscale powders dispersions or concentrates.
[0095] The teachings in this invention are contemplated to be useful in preparing any commercial product from nanoscale powders where performance is important or that is expensive to produce or is desired in large volumes. Moreover, fine powder dispersions have numerous applications in industries such as, but not limiting to biomedical, pharmaceuticals, sensor, electronic, telecom, optics, electrical, photonic, thermal, piezo, magnetic, catalytic and electrochemical products. Table 1 presents a few exemplary non-limiting applications of nanomaterial dispersions.
TABLE 1 Application Useful Nanomaterial Dispersion Capacitors, Resistors, Barium titanate, strontium titanate, Inductors, Integrated barium strontium titanates, silicates, Passive Components yttria, zirconates, nanodopants, fluxes, electrode formulations Substrates, Packaging Alumina, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, cordierite, boron carbide, composites Piezoelectric transducers PZT, barium titanate, lithium titanates, nanodopants Magnets Ferrites, cobaltates, borides, nitrides, high temperature superconductors Electrodes, Antennas Copper, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, precious metal alloys, bronzes, soldering compositions, ITO, ATO, non-stoichiometric oxides Electroptics (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O 3 , nanodopants Insulators Alumina, silicates Varistors ZnO, titania, titanates, nanodopants Thermistors Barium titanates, mangnates, nanodopants Fuel Cells Zirconia, ceria, stabilized zirconia, interconnects materials, electrodes, bismuth oxide, doped ceria, perovskites, PEM, Nafion ®, nanodopants Mechanical components, Silicon nitride, zirconia, titanium sealants, adhesives, carbide, titanium nitride, titanium gaskets, sporting goods, carbonitride, boron carbide, boron structural components nitride, dispersion strengthened alloys Biomedical Aluminum silicates, alumina, hydroxyapatite, zirconia, zinc oxide, copper oxide, titania Coatings Indium tin oxide, nanostructured non- stoichiometric oxides, titania, titanates, silicates, chalcogenides, zirconates, zirconia, alumina, silicates, tungsten oxide, doped oxides, concentric coated oxides, copper oxide, magnesium zirconates, chromates, oxynitrides, nitrides, carbides, cobalt doped titania, borides Pigments Oxynitrides, titania, zinc oxide, zirconium silicate, zirconia, doped oxides, transition metal oxides, rare earth oxides, multimetal oxides, nitrides, borides Engineered plastics Silicates, zirconates, manganates, aluminates, borates, barytes, nitrides, carbides, borides, multimetal oxides Catalysts Aluminum silicates, alumina, mixed metal oxides, zirconia, metal doped oxides, zeolites Abrasives, Polishing Media Aluminum silicates, zirconium silicates, alumina, ceria, zirconia, copper oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, multimetal oxides, silicon carbide, boron carbide, diamong, tungsten carbide, nitrides, titania
[0096] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the claims.
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Methods for manufacturing nanomaterial dispersions, such as nanomaterial concentrates, and related nanotechnology are provided. The nanomaterial concentrates provided can be more cheaply stored and transported compared to non-concentrate nanomaterial forms.
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This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/470,996 filed Jan. 22, 1990, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 06/403,286 filed Jul. 29, 1982, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 06/292,606 filed Aug. 13, 1981, all now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an electrode apparatus including means for applying a compressive load to the electrode and also to a battery and methods employing such an electrode apparatus.
The number of times that a metal electrode, for example an alkali metal anode (i.e., the negative electrode), of an electrolytic cell (battery) can be repeatedly discharged and recharged usually determines the reversibility of the battery. Assuming an excess of electrolyte, the reversibility (R) is the number of complete charges and discharges (cycles) obtainable from a cell, and is given by the product of the number of turnovers (T) achievable for the electrode times the ratio (α) of the amount of metal contained in the electrode to the stoichiometric amount of metal required for complete reaction of the opposite electrode (i.e., R=α T). A turnover (T) is defined as one complete stripping (removal) of the metal from the electrode followed by a complete amalgamation (replating) of the metal onto the electrode. In general, this process cannot be repeated indefinitely because corrosion or physical isolation of the metal within the electrode structure renders it progressively more and more difficult to strip. In some cases, the metal becomes inaccessible for stripping and becomes electrochemically inactive. To compensate for the progressive loss of active metal available for stripping, batteries often include more metal in the electrode than is required for complete reaction with the electrolytically active component of the opposite electrode. Thus, the reversibility is generally a function of the method of stripping and replating, the quantity of metal available in the electrode and the quantity of electrolyte available.
For example, with free-standing (unpressurized) lithium electrodes, a battery has a maximum of between about 1.6-2.5 turnovers, using electrolytes consisting of 1 M LiAsF 6 or 1 M LiC10 4 in proplyene carbonate. It would be highly desirable to be able to increase the reversibility of such electrodes and batteries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has now been found that in accordance with the present invention a significant increase in the number of turnovers can be achieved for electrodes which form porous, exterior amalgamated deposits thereon. The present invention provides an electrode apparatus comprising an electrode which forms such a porous, exterior, amalgamated deposit thereon, and means for applying a compressive load to the electrode such that the deposit, when formed, is compressed so as to enhance stripping from the outer surface of said amalgamated deposit. The invention also provides a battery comprising a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte, wherein said anode forms such a porous, exterior, amalgamated deposit thereon, and means for applying a compressive load to the anode such that the deposit, when formed, is compressed so as to enhance stripping from the outer surface of said amalgamated deposit. Preferably, the electrode is an alkali metal anode, e.g., a lithium anode. Also, the compressive load is preferably applied continuously at least during recharging.
The present invention further provides a method of making a battery and a method for operating a battery to increase its reversibility by increasing the number of turnovers available within an electrode of the cell. The method of making the battery includes the step of constructing an electrolytic cell having a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte, wherein said anode forms such a porous, exterior, amalgamated deposit thereon. A compressive load is applied to such anode as described above. Again, the electrode is preferably an alkali metal anode, e.g., a lithium anode, and the compressive load is preferably applied to the electrode continuously during both discharging and recharging.
The electrode apparatus, battery and methods of the present invention provide a number of distinct advantages. The application of the compressive load forces the particle or grains of the amalgamated deposit on the electrode closer together. As discussed in more detail below, this can also decrease the electrical resistance between the grains and provide for increased resistance to metal ion migration through the porous deposit from the grains in question. Thus, by the present invention, the stripping of metal from the outer surface of the electrode (i.e., from the front of the deposit) is enhanced.
In one embodiment of the invention, the electrolytic cell (battery) comprises at least one cathode, an alkali metal anode, at least one separator deposed between the anode and cathode, a nonaqueous electrolyte, and a means for applying a compressive load which exceeds the compressive strength of the amalgamated deposit on the anode, i.e., the compressive load is such that it deforms the deposit to push the deposit grains closer together and decrease the porosity of the deposit and decrease the electrical resistance between the grains of the deposit. Preferably, the load exceeds the compressive strength of the substrate on which the deposit is plated, i.e., the compressive load is sufficient to physically deform the substrate. As modeled, this load enhances stripping of alkali metal from the electrolytic alkali metal grains at the front of the amalgamated deposit (between the anode and the separator) with the result that the reversibility of the battery is increased significantly. Methods of making the battery of this invention are also disclosed.
The present invention provides particularly advantageous results with lithium electrodes. At a critical pressure, above which the lithium electrode will deform, a plating morphology drastically different from that formed at low pressures is obtained. Plating deposits obtained with lithium at low pressure, as observed under a scanning electron microscope, are very porous in nature, with grains in the form of loose platlets or thin, jointed rod like grains. Plating deposits obtained above the critical pressure are substantially nonporous in nature. The grains are regular columns with their axes aligned perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The columns are close packed with respect to one another, so that the ends of the columns form a nonporous, smooth surface parallel to the substrate surface. This type of deposit can be maintained over many successive dissolution and plating [discharge and charge] cycles. It has been observed in special cases, where the pressure varies across a lithium electrode, that a sharp boundary exists between porous types of deposits and the smooth, columnar type of deposit. This shows that the plating morphology is sharply dependent on the pressure near the critical pressure.
In another preferred embodiment, the cathode is one which provides a uniform current density, e.g., a MoS 2 cathode and the anode is an alkali metal having an alkali metal substrate interior and an amalgamated deposit exterior comprising electrolytic, alkali metal grains having individual passivation films (preferably formed by replating alkali metal on the anode). In one such preferred embodiment, the cathode is a transition metal chalcogenide containing Li x MoS 2 and the anode is lithium. Preferably the Li x MoS 2 cathode-active material is pre-conditioned to operating in "Phase 11" as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,390, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may by fully understood, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic of a battery in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic of a spiral battery in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic of the winding operation for a spiral battery.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Certain electrode materials such as alkali metals, e.g., lithium, are thermodynamically unstable in the presence of metal ion-conducting electrolytes that are liquids at ambient temperature. For example, aqueous electrolytes react violently with alkali metals to form alkali hydroxides and hydrogen gas. Often, this reaction is so violent as to be explosive. Some electrolytes, however, react less violently with electrode metals to form kinetically stable passivation films on the surface of the metal electrode. These latter electrolytes can be used to construct practical cells that use metal electrodes.
For example, after cycling such a metal electrolytic cell, two portions of the electrode are physically isolatable. They are (1) a central, essentially nonporous, metal substrate having a passivation film and (2) a porous, plated, amalgamated deposit of electrolytically active metallic grains, wherein each grain has a passivation film.
Wherever such a metal electrode is exposed to electrolyte, a chemical reaction will begin to occur. The reaction of the electrolyte with the metal creates a passivation film on the surface of the metal. This passivation film is essentially nonporous, although it is ion-permeable. The film tends to isolate the metal grains electrochemically. The desired electrical conductance for the film on the grains balances between increasing the rate of the passivation reaction by too high a conductance and decreasing the electrochemical activity of grains through too low a conductance. While a low conductance reduces the rate of reaction of electrolyte and metal, the low conductance increases the stripping of metal from the substrate rather than from within the grains (because of the high contact resistance between grains).
To have a high turnover number (T) and to minimize the surface area of the metal electrode (so that the reaction with the electrolyte to form additional passivated metal is minimized), it is advantageous that stripping of electrolytically active metal preferentially occurs at the front (outside) of the deposit rather than within the deposit or at the surface of the underlying, nonporous substrate. If the front (outside) is not stripped while underlying portions of the substrate are, the front loses physical contact with the rest of the deposit and the substrate. As a result, the front becomes electrochemically inactive. Pressurizing the electrode above the compressive strength of the deposit (i.e., to deform the deposit so as to force the grains of the deposit together) allows the front to be preferentially stripped.
Three factors may contribute to the resistance to stripping of the different portions of the electrode during operation of the battery. These resistance factors are:
(1) the electrical resistance between the grain (of the deposit) in question and the current collector;
(2) the ionic resistance associated with the migration of metal ions through the porous deposit from the grain in question; and
(3) the resistance associated with stripping a metal ion from a grain and transporting that ion through a passivating film.
Respecting factor (1), ordinarily the electrical resistance is highest for those grains which are nearest the front of the deposit. In fact, it is reasonable to assume that the electrical resistance is essentially zero for grains which lie at the surface of the substrate. Respecting factor (2), the ionic resistance is highest for the substrate and reduces for grains that lie closer to the front of the deposit. The ionic resistance is lowest at the front of the deposit where the diffusion of the ions to reach active grains is the shortest, and is highest at the substrate to which the diffusion path is the longest. Finally, as to factor (3), the passivating film resistance is controlled by the chemical nature of the passivating film and cannot be substantially altered by changing the physical parameters of the deposit.
By applying a compressive load to the surface of the amalgamated deposit (preferably normal to the deposit) that exceeds the compressive strength of the deposit as explained above, a two-fold effect is achieved. First, the porosity of the deposit is decreased by moving grains closer together as the deposit is compressed. Reducing the porosity has the effect of increasing the ionic resistance to stripping more for the substrate than for the front. At the same time, the electrical resistance between grains of the deposit is reduced because the surface-contact area between adjacent grains increases. The net result of the compression is, then, to increase the sum of the three resistance factors near the substrate and the decrease the sum of these resistances for grains near the front of the deposit and achieves the desired effect of improving the reversibility of the battery. (The front is also conveniently identified as the interface between the electrode and the separator). Thus, the compressive load resulting in a smooth, nonporous surface which provides good electromotive activity for the electrode and allows stripping of the electrode from the outer surface thereof.
The present invention can be employed with any battery employing an electrode which will react with the electrolyte to form an amalgamated, porous deposit on the electrode, especially during recharging. For example, anode materials such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and transition metals such as zinc, will form deposits thereon by reaction with certain electrolytes. Thus, alkali metals, e.g., lithium, in the presence of a nonaqueous electrolyte such as propylene carbonate including LiC10 4 forms a salt deposit on the alkali metal and on grains of the alkali metal deposited during recharging (replating).
The compressive load, as explained above, is such that it will deform the deposit by compressing particles or grains of the deposit closer together. Accordingly, the compressive load employed in the present invention varies depending upon the nature of the electrode, the electrolyte and the deposit. A softer metal will require a lower compressive load. For example, the compressive load under which alkali metals deform is typically low and all alkali metals are soft and ductile, e.g., the tensile strength of lithium is in the range of 60-80 psi. Considering that the deposit is a porous metal deposit in which the void spaces are filled with liquid electrolyte, the compressive strength (i.e., force at which the material will deform under pressure) of the deposit is less than or equal to that for the pure metal.
The compressive load does not necessarily have to be applied continuously during charging and discharging. Application of the compressive load to compress the deposit may be, in fact, of short duration, for example, by applying a compressive load for a time during the end of the recharging cycle or even applying the compressive load after recharging and prior to further use. However, the compressive load is preferably applied continuously at least during recharging.
With lithium a compressive load of from about 50 to about 500 psi is preferably applied continuously during recharging. As noted above, such a compressive load on the lithium electrode (e.g., lithium with an appropriate substrate) during recharging results in grains of material being plated thereon having columns with their axes aligned substantially perpendicular to the substrate.
Placing a compressive load on the electrode constrains the materials from which the entire cell is constructed. The cell components are preferably soft and pliable so that the load can be applied uniformly. Use of expanded metal grids for current collectors and hard, gritty powders for electrode-active materials is discouraged. The separator material also should be pliable. Preferably, metallic foils are used as current collectors, and soft materials, such as graphite or molybdenum sulfide (transition metal chalcogenide cathode-active cathodes) are used for the cathode. If possible, the cathode supplies a uniform current density to assure uniform use of the substrate. Polypropylene or other suitable flexible, porous or semipermeable separators are preferred.
As shown in FIG. 1, the means to apply a compressive load may be a simple coil spring 10 which bears upon a pressure plate 12 stacked atop the battery. Of course, other suitable pressure means may be used. FIG. 2 shows a spiral battery wherein an elastic separator and a C-clamp 10a bear radially on the cell to supply the desired load. In both cases, the compressive load of the spring and C-clamp is sufficient to provide the desired decrease in porosity of the deposit and the desired decrease in electrical resistance between grains of the deposit.
Further explaining FIG. 1, an electrolytic cell (battery) has an anode 14 (with a corresponding current collector) sandwiched between two cathodes 16 (with corresponding current collectors). Electrolyte-saturated separators 18 isolate the anode 14 from the cathodes 16 and carry the electrolyte for the cell in their pores. The anode, cathodes, and separators form a cell, which is electrochemically active to product current. The anode is of a composition such that a porous, amalgamated deposit will form thereon as discussed above. Placed in a housing 20, the cell is compressed, as already described. The housing 20 is preferably hermetically sealed in a nonreactive atmosphere.
Directing attention to FIG. 3, in making a spiral cell (battery), the elasticity of two separator layers 18--18, one between the anode 14 and cathode 16, and the other on the outside, is relied upon to provide a radial compressive load on the desired electrode, i.e., either the anode 14 or cathode 16, by tight winding of the layers into a coil around a conductor. The tension on the separator layers is maintained by the C-clamp 10a to provide the desired compressive load. Polypropylene may be used for the layers 18--18.
The following examples are given to illustrate the electrode apparatus, battery and methods of this invention, and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
An electrolytic cell was constructed between two flat, rigid pressure plates. The cathode consisted of a surface-treated molybdenite powder which was spread uniformly on an aluminum-foil substrate, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,606. (This patent is incorporated by reference into this specification.) The cathode provides a uniform current density for the cell. The molybdenite powder was spread at 10 mg/cm 2 on the aluminum foil. The area of the cathode was 5.6 cm 2 . The anode was a similar sized sheet of lithium foil of a thickness of about 125 microns sandwiched between two cathodes with microporous polypropylene separators (Celgard 2500 available from the Celanese Corporation). The electrolyte was 1 M LiAsF 6 in propylene carbonate. The propylene carbonate was initially purified to a total impurity content of less than about 100 ppm. The cathode and separators were initially saturated with electrolyte.
The cell was assembled between pressure plates, and a pressure of 27 psi was applied to the cell through the plates. The entire cell was enclosed in a hermetically sealed container filled with argon gas. A glass-to-metal seal was used for the current feed-through for the negative terminal of the electrolytic cell. The cell was conditioned to convert the cathode-active material to "Phase II" Li X MoS 2 , as described in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,390. (This patent is incorporated by reference in this specification.) Care was taken to ensure that the electrolyte did not degrade during the conversion process. The cell was cycled (charged and discharged) at a current of 2 mA on both recharge and discharge repeatedly between a lower voltage limit of 1.3 volts on discharge and an upper limit of 2.6 volts on recharge. Cycling continued until the charge capacity on discharge fell to fifty percent (50%) of the charge capacity measured at the end of the tenth cycle. The total amount of charge obtained from cell on discharge integrated over all cycles was calculated to be 210 mAH. Calculated by taking the ratio of this amount of charge as compared to the theoretical charge expected if the entire lithium anode was discharged in one cycle, the number of turnovers (T) for the lithium anode was three.
EXAMPLE 2
An electrolytic cell similar to the one constructed in Example 1 in all respects, except that the electrodes were subjected to a pressure of 50 psi, was cycled under identical conditions to those described in Example 1. The number of turnovers (T) for the lithium anode in this second cell equaled eight.
EXAMPLE 3
An electrolytic cell similar to the one constructed in Example 1 in all respects, except that the electrodes were subjected to a pressure of 100 psi, was cycled under identical conditions to those described in Example 1. The number of turnovers (T) for the lithium anode in this third cell equaled nine.
EXAMPLE 4
An electrolytic cell similar in all details to the cell of Example 1, except that the electrodes were subjected to a pressure of 170 psi, was cycled under identical conditions to those described in Example 1. The number of turnovers (T) of the lithium anode in this fourth cell equaled eleven.
EXAMPLE 5
An electrolytic cell similar in all respects to the cell constructed in Example 4, except that the supporting electrolyte used was 0.5 M LiC10 4 instead of 1 M LiAsF 6 , was constructed and tested under the same conditions as those of Example 3. The number of turnovers (T) equaled seven.
Example 5 shows that the application of pressure played at least as important a role in determining the number of turnovers as the choice of the electrolyte in the cell. Although the number of turnovers varies with the choice of the electrolyte, the number of turnovers achievable by applying pressure to the cell is always greater than the number of turnovers possible when running the cell freestanding.
It will be merely understood that the embodiments described above are merely exemplary and that persons skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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An electrode apparatus is disclosed including an electrode which forms a porous, exterior, amalgamated deposit thereon; and means for applying a compressive load to the electrode such that the deposit, when formed, is compressed so as to enhance stripping from the outer surface of said amalgamated deposit. Also a battery, a method of making a battery and a method of operating a battery including such an electrode apparatus are also disclosed.
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CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of a prior U.S. application, filed May 11, 1992, Ser. No. 07/884,858, now abandoned; which is a continuation of prior U.S. application, filed Jul. 30, 1990, Ser. No. 07/474,824, now abandoned; which application claims priority of PCT application, Ser. No. PCT/BE89/00026, filed Jun. 9, 1989; and priority of Belgian application, Serial No. BE 8800660, file Jun. 10, 1988, all of which have the same title and inventors.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to hydrocarbon-based binders, such as bitumens, asphalts and tars, modified with elastomers, and including a vulcanized stage, which are particularly useful as industrial coatings and road bitumens, or the like. It relates more especially to a process for obtaining vulcanized compositions based on bitumens and on styrene/butadiene copolymers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has long been known to incorporate various elastomers such as block copolymers, sequenced or otherwise, of the conjugated diene/vinylaromatic type and most often block copolymers such as styrene/butadiene/styrene di-blocks, into bitumens, in order to improve their mechanical properties and to satisfy the standards established for use as binders. With vulcanization, products are obtained which retain their elastic characteristics, even at low temperatures
However, the production of such bitumen/polymer mixtures causes problems relating to their homogeneity and to the very long malaxation time needed for obtaining the appropriate homogeneity. For example, even under the most favorable conditions known to date, the mixtures must be kept stirred for at least two hours, and most often three to four hours, at a temperature on the order of 150-190C., in order to achieve correct homogeneity of the bitumen/polymer mixture before the vulcanizing agent is added.
Thus, the bitumen/rubber compositions of the prior art were difficult to use, and had poor properties of cohesion and very poor resistance to cracking.
In addition, in the prior processes, elemental sulphur is used as a vulcanizing agent. With elemental sulphur, the vulcanization reaction is very rapid and uncontrollable and, more often than not, an unusable gel is produced.
In order to remedy some of these disadvantages, it has been proposed to mix the rubber with a petroleum cut to incorporate it more rapidly into the bitumen. However, it was found that during the evaporation of this petroleum cut, the final product had a low resistance to cracking due to a lack of elasticity.
The present invention relates to a process for preparing bitumen/polymer compositions having improved properties, including improved resistance to cracking and higher elasticity.
One object of the present invention is to provide a process for preparing bitumen/polymer compositions in the presence of novel vulcanizing agents, in order to achieve better control of the vulcanization reaction.
Another object of the invention is to provide a process for preparing bitumen/polymer compositions which does not necessitate the incorporation of a petroleum cut.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The process of the present invention for the preparation of bitumen/polymer compositions having improved properties comprises the steps of:
(i) bringing a bitumen having a penetration of between 20 and 320 and an elastomeric polymer into mixing contact at a temperature of between 140° and 180° C., the said elastomeric polymer being a styrene/conjugated diene block copolymer comprising from 1 to 20% by weight of the bitumen/polymer mixture;
(ii) as soon as the polymer is incorporated into the bitumen, introducing into the mixture from 0.01 to 0.10% by weight, based on the weight of the bitumen/polymer mixture, vulcanizing agents comprising (a) a sulphur-containing derivative selected from the group of derivatives having the formulae I and II: ##STR3## in which R 1 and R 2 are like or different alkyl radicals having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or, combined together, form a radical having the formula ##STR4## and wherein M is a metal selected from zinc, barium or copper, and (b) elemental sulphur, such that the sulphur-containing derivative: elemental sulphur ratio is between 20:80 and 80:20; and
(iii) introducing into the bitumen/polymer mixture, simultaneously with the vulcanizing agents, an alkaline compound which is soluble in the bitumen.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Applicants have found unexpectedly that by using the vulcanizing agent of the present invention, it is possible to control the reaction much better. In addition, the joint use of this vulcanization system and an alkaline compound makes it possible to prepare bituminous binders having markedly improved resistance to cracking.
In preparing the modified binder according to the present invention, it is possible to use all ordinary bitumen whose penetration is between 20 and 320. Penetration is defined in the art as the distance in tenths of millimeter that a standard needle vertically penetrates a bitumen sample at 25° C. under a load of 100 g in 5 seconds (ASTM D5).
According to the process of the invention, an elastomeric polymer selected from styrene/conjugated diene block copolymers is incorporated into the bitumen. For the elastomeric block copolymers, it is possible to utilize linear, radial or multi-branched block copolymers of the styrene/butadiene or styrene/isoprene type having a weight average molecular weight of between 30,000 and 300,000, (unless stated otherwise, all references herein to molecular weight refer to weight average molecular weight) depending on whether or not a bi- or polyfunctional coupling agent is used. It is also possible to use in the process of the invention linear block copolymers prepared without a coupling agent. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a linear or branched block copolymer of the styrene/butadiene type is used.
Incorporation of the elastomeric polymer into the bitumen is carried out for a period of 1 to 4 hours depending on the type of agitator used, on molecular weight of the polymer, on the penetration index of the bitumen and on the temperature at which the incorporation is carried out.
The amount of elastomeric polymer which is introduced into the bitumen also depends upon the application for which the product is intended. In general, from 1 to 20% by weight of elastomeric polymer is introduced, but preferably from 4 to 10% by weight thereof is most often introduced, based on the weight of the bitumen/elastomeric polymer mixture.
Applicants have also found that the vulcanizing agent system is very important. In fact, it has been found that, unexpectedly, the many disadvantages mentioned above could be eliminated by combining elemental sulphur and a sulphur-containing derivative selected from the derivatives whose formula is ##STR5## in which R 1 and R 2 are like or different alkyl radicals having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or, combined together, form a radical having the formula ##STR6## and wherein M is a metal chosen from zinc, barium or copper.
It was found that the ratio, by weight, of the elemental sulphur to the sulphur-containing derivative should be between 20:80 and 80:20, and preferably between 40:60 and 60:40.
Applicants have also found that the alkaline compound dissolved in the bitumen is essential for carrying out the process of the invention, apparently irrespective of the bitumen used.
In general, the alkaline compound is chosen from amino derivatives such as diethanolamine or diethylene-triamine or triethanolamine. However, other alkaline compounds can also be advantageously used. The appropriate amount of alkaline compound to be introduced is between about 0.05 and about 1% by weight, based on the weight of bitumen/polymer mixture. It was noted that an absence of the alkaline compound in the composition resulted in a definite lacking of these desirable characteristics:
(a) a controllable rate of reaction, and
(b) an appropriate degree of crosslinking.
Although many processes mention the use of a vulcanization accelerator, it is no longer necessary to use one with the composition of the present invention. It is also unnecessary while practicing this invention to add a petroleum oil in order to promote the incorporation of the ingredients into the bitumen, but it is nevertheless possible to use one without departing from the scope of the present invention. The oil may be added before or after the vulcanization reaction.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the appropriate amount of elastomeric polymer is incorporated into the bitumen, this being done usually at a temperature between 140° and 180° C. in order to avoid excessive degradation of the elastomeric polymer. The incorporation time depends primarily on the agitation system used and the working temperature, but also on the form in which the elastomeric polymer is introduced. For example, the polymer can be added in the form of compact granules or in the form of highly porous blocks which dissolve more readily.
Thus, when the incorporation of the elastomeric polymer into the bitumen has taken place, the total amount of vulcanizing agent and of alkaline compound is then introduced into the mixture at the same temperature as that at which the elastomeric polymer has been dissolved. Reaction is allowed to take place for 100 to 150 minutes at this temperature, and the completed binder is then dispatched to be stored or for immediate use.
It was discovered by Applicant that the binders of the present invention retained better elasticity at low temperatures than those of the prior art and, in addition, achieved better cohesion with the aggregates used in road surfacing.
In using the present invention, it is possible to carry out road surfacing by hot distribution of the binders, or alternatively, by distribution of the binder in the form of an aqueous emulsion of bituminous composition.
In general, to prepare an emulsion of this binder, a portion of the total amount of emulsifier is mixed into the binder, and then this mixture is emulsified in an aqueous phase containing the remainder of the emulsifier and a sufficient amount of acid to neutralize the emulsifier. It is understood that the total amount of emulsifier can also be introduced initially into the aqueous phase.
The present invention is illustrated by the following examples that are not limiting.
EXAMPLE 1
A binder was prepared by mixing, for 90 minutes at 160° C., 96 parts of a bitumen having a penetration of 180/200 with 4 parts of a radial-structured block copolymer of the styrene/butadiene type having a molecular weight of 180,000 and in which the proportion of styrene is 20%, used in the form of porous granules.
0.1 part of a mixture comprising equal amounts of elemental sulphur and sulphur-containing derivative of formula ##STR7## was also injected.
0.2 part of triethanolamine was also added to this mixture. (All references herein to "parts" refer to parts by weight unless stated otherwise).
After a period of 90 minutes to 2 hours, a homogeneous mixture was obtained, the properties of which are shown in the table below. The measurements of elongation and of breaking stress were carried out following ASTM method
TABLE______________________________________Malaxation time 0 hr 3 hr______________________________________Viscosity at 135° C. (cp) 765 1008Elongation (%) (measurement at 25° C.) 2400 5200Tensile strength at break (MPa) 0.052 0.120Elongation (%) (measured at -5° C.) 600 2200______________________________________
By way of comparison, the same binder was prepared, also containing diethanolamine but using only elemental sulphur (in the proportion of 0.1 part) as the vulcanizing agent.
The following results were obtained:
______________________________________Malaxation time 0 hr 3 hr______________________________________Viscosity at 135° C. (cp) 750 1900Tensile strength at break (MPa) 0.052 0.150Elongation (%)at 25° C. 2200 1500at -5° C. 600 900______________________________________
In addition, the presence of a substantial amount of gel was noted.
EXAMPLE 2
A binder was prepared by mixing, at 170° C., 87.9 parts of a bitumen having a penetration of 180/200 with 12 parts of a radial-structured block copolymer of the styrene/butadiene type having a molecular weight of 160,000 and in which the proportion of styrene is 30%.
This binder was prepared at a temperature of 170° C.
0.15 part of a mixture comprising 60% of the sulphur-containing derivative having the formula ##STR8## and 40% of elemental sulphur was also injected.
0.2 part of triethanolamine was also added to this mixture.
After a period of between 2 and 3 hours, a homogeneous mixture was obtained, the properties of which were as follows:
______________________________________Viscosity at 180° C. (cp) 1500Tensile strength at break (MPa) 0.076Elongation (%)at 25° C. 2500at -5° C. 1400______________________________________
The same mixture minus the sulphur-containing derivative and having 0.3 part of elemental sulphur as the sole vulcanizing agent had an elongation at -5° C. of only 300%.
EXAMPLE 3
The binder described in Example 1 was prepared by mixing the components in the following proportions:
a. 8500 kg of bitumen of penetration 180/200
b. 436 kg of a butadiene /styrene copolymer of molecular weight 180,000 and having a styrene content of 20%
c. 7.5 kg of a 50:50 mixture of elemental sulphur and sulphur-containing derivative of formula ##STR9## d. 24 kg of an emulsifier comprising a hydrogenated tallow diamine and a hydrogenated tallow polyamine.
An aqueous phase comprising the following was prepared:
a. 31 L of concentrated HCl (concentration approx. 37%)
b. 17 L of the emulsifying system containing 24 kg of the emulsifier listed in (d) above in water
c. 50 L of tar oil
d. 2900 L of water
The two phases were emulsified in a bitumen/water ratio of 70:30 by weight.
This emulsion spreads easily at 70° C. The breaking of the emulsion occurs after approximately 30 minutes.
A sample of emulsion was taken, the water was removed and the elongation was measured on this sample. Water can be removed by extraction with isopropanol or by heating at 80° C.
The elongation at 25° C. was 2700%, while that at -5° C. was 1400%.
In the following claims, % compositions always refer to % by weight unless stated to the contrary.
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An elastomer is blended with bitumen, an alkaline compound is then added which is soluble in the bitumen, and to this mixture is added 0.01 to 0.1% by weight of a mixture of vulcanizing agents comprising elemental sulphur and a sulphur-containing derivative of the form: ##STR1## where R 1 and R 2 are C 1 to C 4 alkyl radicals or, together R 1 and R 2 have the formula ##STR2## and where M, which is optional, is Zn, Ba or Cu.
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GOVERNMENT RIGHTS
The U.S. Government has a paid-up license in this invention and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner to license others on reasonable terms as provided for by the terms of Contract Nos. 50-DKNB-6-90125 and 50-DKNB-7-90149 awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. Nos. 60/035,038 and 60/037,395, entitled "Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy with Multiple, Phaseless Detection", filed on Jan. 9, 1997, and Feb. 6, 1997, respectively, and the specifications thereof are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
The present invention relates to an improvement to wavelength modulation spectroscopy.
2. Background Art
Wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) is a form of optical absorption spectroscopy that allows detection of small optical absorbances. The technique is effective because absorption measurements are shifted from frequencies near DC, where light sources are noisy, to high frequencies where shot-noise-limited absorption measurements are possible. This shift in detection band can improve measurement sensitivity by three to five orders of magnitude.
WMS is usually implemented with continuously tunable lasers such as diode lasers. Typically, the wavelength of the light source is modulated by a small amount about an absorption feature of the target species. The modulation frequency is Ω. As the light beam propagates through a sample, absorption by the target species converts some of the wavelength modulation into amplitude modulation (AM) of the light. When the light impinges onto a photodetector such as a photodiode, the output signal from the detector contains AC components at the modulation frequency, Ω, and its higher harmonics, 2Ω, 3Ω, 4Ω, etc. One of the AC components is selected for measurement using a phase sensitive detector such as a lock-in amplifier or a mixer. This signal processing step is known as demodulation and the signal obtained by demodulation at frequency nΩ is known as the nf signal. Usually a portion of the modulation waveform is used to generate a reference waveform (local oscillator) for the demodulator. The demodulated signal is related to the optical absorbance and to the intensity of the light beam.
Detailed theory describing WMS and the relationships between the absorption lineshape and demodulated lineshapes is given by Silver, "Frequency-modulation spectroscopy for trace species detection: theory and comparison among experimental methods," Applied Optics 31, 707-717(1992). In qualitative terms, the waveform produced by slowly stepping the average laser wavelength across an absorption line while demodulating at frequency nΩ looks like the nth derivative of the absorption lineshape.
The shape of a wavelength modulated spectrum depends strongly on the ratio of the extent of the wavelength modulation to the linewidth of the absorption feature. Any phenomenon that changes the absorber linewidth, such as variations in sample pressure or, to a lesser extent, variations in sample temperature, will change the shape and peak intensities of the corresponding wavelength modulation spectrum. Changes in absorber linewidth can, therefore, introduce error into quantitative applications of WMS. The present invention provides method and apparatus that improve WMS by reducing the measurement uncertainty resulting from such changes.
A number of methods exist that can be used to correct wavelength modulation spectra for changes in the absorber linewidth; each of these approaches, however, has some substantial limitation. For example, Wilson, "Modulation broadening of NMR and ESR line shapes," J. Appl. Phys. 34, 3276-3285 (1963), showed that the exact shape of a wavelength modulation spectrum ran be used to extract the absorber linewidth and, thereby, calculate the actual optical absorbance and the species concentration. Wilson's method, however, requires large signal-to-noise ratios in the WMS measurements in order to obtain accurate linewidths, absorbances, and species concentrations.
Goldstein, et al., have developed an improvement to wavelength modulation spectroscopy in which the detector signal at twice the modulation frequency (2ƒ) is monitored while the extent of the wavelength modulation is changed. Goldstein, et al., "Gaseous Species Absorption Monitor," U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,991; and Goldstein, et al., "Measurement of molecular concentrations and line parameters using line-locked second harmonic spectroscopy with an AlGaAs diode laser," Appl. Opt. 31, 3409-3415 (1992). The response of the 2ƒ signal is representative of the shape and width of the absorption line. Goldstein, et al.'s invention is simple to implement since it requires only a minor modification to standard WMS instrumentation. The most significant limitation of the invention, however, arises because lasers often respond non-linearly to applied modulation waveforms. Both the extent (depth) of modulation and the time dependence of the output wavelength may not track well the changes in the applied modulation signal. Proper implementation of the invention may require careful calibration of the response of each laser or using customized (i.e., non-sinusoidal) modulation waveforms. The non-linearities are particularly important when relatively large wavelength excursions are needed, such as occur for detecting absorbances from samples at atmospheric or higher pressure or from samples at high temperatures.
Species concentrations inferred from wavelength modulation spectra can be corrected by measuring sample temperature and pressure, and using corrections calculated from basic theory or from tabulated calibrations. The computational approach can be slow, however, and requires a significant amount of computing power, tabulating a set of corrections requires a lengthy and tedious calibration. In both cases, the instrument is made more complex and more expensive by adding pressure and temperature sensors.
Some of the demodulation and signal processing techniques employed by the present invention are known in the field of phase fluorometry. Berndt et al., "Fluorometry method and apparatus using a semiconductor laser diode as a light source," U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,709; Lakowicz et al., "Method and apparatus for multi-dimensional phase fluorescence lifetime imaging," U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,530; and Thompson et al., "Phase fluorometry using a continuously modulated laser diode," Anal. Chem. 64, 2075-2078 (1992). Demodulation of high frequency signals makes possible measurement of the phase lag, or time delay, between excitation of a fluorophore and fluorescence emission. These measurements can be used to determine fluorescence lifetimes, including deconvolution of multiple exponential decay rates (lifetimes). Phase fluorometry differs significantly from the present invention in several key ways: 1) the present invention measures optical absorption, not fluorescence; 2) the present invention is best performed using continuous wave (cw) light sources, whereas phase fluorometry requires amplitude modulated or pulsed light sources; 3) phase fluorometry relies on the amplitude modulation of the light source having many frequency components--effected either by varying the frequency of a sinusoidal amplitude modulation or by using short pulses--whereas wavelength modulation spectroscopy is best performed using a single modulation frequency, and relies on optical absorption to introduce multiple amplitude modulation frequencies onto a wavelength-modulated light beam; 4) the present invention provides information about absorption line shapes, whereas phase fluorometry typically uses a fixed wavelength source and acquires no information about spectral profiles.
The following patents likewise do not teach the present invention nor its objects and advantages:
Wong, "Concentration Detector," U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,639 describes an improvement to wavelength modulation spectroscopy which is useful for quantitave detection of a selected gas or gases using a diode laser. Wong describes 2ƒ detection for gas concentration determinations. He employs 1ƒ detection for line-locking, and describes using the 2ƒ signal as a method for guaranteeing "capture" by the 1ƒ error signal. However, Wong uses homodyne, not heterodyne demodulations; requires phase adjustments for all demodulations; and cannot acquire line width information.
Whittaker et al., "Method and Apparatus for Reducing Fringe Interference in Laser Spectroscopy," U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,019, also describes an improvement to wavelength (or frequency) modulation spectroscopy for use in detecting gases using diode laser;. Whittaker '019 achieves absorbance measurements with a reduction in unwanted optical interference fringes (etalons) by modulating the laser wavelength at two frequencies simultaneously and by performing sequential demodulations. While unwanted optical interference fringes can occur during practice of the present invention (and can be seen clearly in the phaseless WMS spectra shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6), the present invention does not address the fringes, nor would one skilled in the art expect the present invention to maximize or minimize the magnitudes of such fringes. Whittaker '019 is distinct from the present invention because he uses homodyne, not heterodyne demodulations; requires phase adjustments for all demodulations; cannot acquire line width information; and the demodulated lineshapes obtained (Whittaker '019 FIGS. 5-8) are significantly distorted relative to standard harmonic lineshapes, which greatly complicates quantitative measurement of absorbance and species concentrations.
Whittaker et al., "Method and Apparatus for Dual Modulation Laser Spectroscopy," U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,035, also describes an improvement to wavelength (or frequency) modulation spectroscopy for use in detecting gases using diode lasers. Whittaker '035 achieves absorbance measurements and laser line-locking by modulating the laser wavelength at two frequencies simultaneously and by performing two sets of sequential demodulations. Whittaker '035 is distinct from the present invention in that he uses homodyne, not heterodyne demodulations; requires phase adjustments for all demodulations; and cannot acquire line width information.
Zybin et al., "Spectroscopic Method with Double Modulation," U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,245, describes an improvement to optical spectroscopy that is best suited to laser light sources, particularly to diode lasers. He performs a wavelength or amplitude modulation of the laser beam at one frequency, f 1 , then modulates some optical property of the target species at a second, different frequency, f 2 . Improved detection limits are possible by demodulating the detector output at the sum frequency, f 1 +f 2 ; or at the difference frequency, f 2 -f 1 ; or at an integral harmonic of the sum or difference; or by using two demodulators in series with the first demodulator referenced to f 1 and the second demodulator referenced to f 2 . Zybin's invention has relatively few applications, however, because it is usually difficult to find a straightforward method for modulating a useful optical property of the target species. Zybin's approach is most useful for detecting species in AC plasmas since species concentrations often vary synchronously with the plasma frequency. But, other applications listed by Zybin, such as changing the optical path length using "an electrically adjustable system of mirrors," are not feasible at the high frequencies, i.e., above 100 kHz, recommended in the description of the invention and, when implemented, may introduce other error sources such as unwanted optical interference fringes (etalons). More importantly, Zybin does not anticipate the present invention. As with Wong and with the two Whittaker patents, Zybin uses homodyne, not heterodyne demodulations; requires phase adjustments for all demodulations; and cannot acquire line shape information.
Lehmann, "Ring-Down Cavity Spectroscopy Cell Using Continuous Wave Excitation for Trace Species Detection," U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,040, describes a highly sensitive implementation of optical spectroscopy that is useful with diode lasers. His approach differs significantly from the instant invention and from the prior art cited above in that neither wavelength modulation nor frequency modulation techniques are used. Instead, weak optical absorbances are detected by using a special, mirrored optical cell that permits optical path lengths in excess of 1 km from a structure that is only about 1 meter long. Since Lehmann performs direct optical absorbance measurements, his invention can provide line width (and line strength) information, yet nothing in Lehmann's patent discloses or obviates the present invention. Key differences between Lehmann's approach and the present invention include: The present invention does not require a special optical cell, and can be used for open path or in situ measurements; and Lehmann does not require any modulation of laser wavelength nor demodulation of the detector output.
McCaul et al., "Gas Spectroscopy," U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,341, describes an optical spectroscopy technique that is well suited to diode lasers for gas measurements. McCaul's only similarity to the present invention is that both provide line width information. The two approaches are distinct, however, in nearly every other detail. Specifically, McCaul measures the optical transmission through a gas at a plurality--usually five--laser wavelengths that are symmetrically disposed about the absorption peak. These measurements provide the peak absorbance, the line width, and the laser wavelength error. The product of the peak absorbance and line width is proportional to the target gas concentration independent of changes in the line width. The laser wavelength error is used to correct the laser wavelength so that the plurality of measurements remains symmetrically disposed about the absorption peak. Other key differences include: (1) The laser wavelength is not varied continuously, as it is in wavelength modulation or frequency modulation spectroscopies. Instead, a sequence of step changes in laser wavelength is employed to obtain the plurality of measurements. Step durations are on the order of 0.5 ms, corresponding to a change rate of about 2 kHz. In contrast, the present invention employs continuous modulation, typically at frequencies of 50 kHz and higher. (2) One result of using step changes in laser wavelength is that synchronous demodulation (either homodyne or heterodyne) is not possible. Instead, McCaul obtains high detection sensitivity using fast subtraction or fast ratioing circuitry to cancel common mode noise between two photodetectors.
Kenny et al., "Method and System for Examining the Composition of a Fluid or Solid Sample Using Fluorescence and/or Absorption Spectroscopy," U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,344, describes an optical method for measuring species concentrations that is far removed from our application. Most importantly, Kenny uses multiple fixed wavelengths to perform absorption and/or fluorescence spectroscopy. Neither wavelength modulation nor detector demodulation are contemplated. Furthermore, the wavelength spacings are typically four orders of magnitude larger than the line widths of the individual rotational lines probed in typical diode laser spectroscopy. This coarse line spacing makes it impossible to obtain line width information. Other key differences include: (1) Kenny uses laser pulses, not a continuous wave (cw) laser beam, which obviates the type of wavelength modulation employed in the present invention; (2) Kenny does claim absorption spectroscopy using incoherent (i.e., lamp) light sources, but only in conjunction with fluorescence measurements made simultaneously with a pulsed laser system; and (3) Kenny does not use a continuously tunable laser but rather a system that can provide a plurality of fixed wavelengths.
Silver et al., "Laser Absorption Detection Enhancing Apparatus and Method," U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,816, describes a method and apparatus for removing the effects of unwanted optical interference fringes. Such fringes can occur during practice of the present invention (and can be seen clearly in the phaseless WMS spectra shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6), but the present invention does not address the fringes, nor would one skilled in the art expect the present invention to maximize or minimize the magnitudes of such fringes. More importantly, nothing in Silver anticipates the phaseless WMS technique. Silver is applicable to a wide variety of laser absorption methods (including the present invention) yet places no constraints on the absorbance method used. Silver invokes wavelength modulation spectroscopy in the preferred embodiment only to the extent that it allows high sensitivity absorption measurements such that unwanted optical interference fringes are significant compared with measured absorbances. Silver does not, however, mention limitations of WMS such as the need for phase adjustment or the lack of line shape information.
Bomse et al., "Mass Spectrometric Apparatus and Method," U.S. Pat. 5,015,848, which is in the field of mass spectrometry, has no relation to the present invention except for presence of a common inventor, but is included for sake of completeness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION)
The present invention is of an improvement to wavelength modulation spectroscopy systems and methods employing modulation means operating at frequency Ω and a photodetector generating output with frequency components Ω, 2Ω, . . . , nΩ, where n is an integer greater than one, the improvement comprising a demodulator operating at frequency Ω+δ, where Ω>>δ, and additionally recovering signals at a set of frequencies Ω+δ, 2Ω+2δ, nΩ+nδ. In the preferred embodiment, the demodulator comprises an oscillator generating pulses at frequency Ω+δ sufficiently narrow in time to recover signals at nΩ+nδ and generates signal output containing signals δ, 2δ, . . . , nδ. Absorption line shapes are generated from the signal output. The signal output can reflect uniform contributions from each of the signals δ, 2δ, . . . , nδ, or by use of a multiplier have contributions of each of the signals δ, 2δ, . . . , nδ be adjusted separately. The invention operates without regard to relative phases of the wavelength modulation frequency and the operating frequency of the demodulator. Output of the demodulator can be digitized at audio frequencies. A phase lock loop may be employed to compare and correct frequency differences between the modulation means and the demodulator. Active stabilization (line locking) of the laser wavelength may also be employed.
The primary objects and advantages of the present invention are:
1. Measurements provide information on multiple detection harmonics simultaneously which makes it possible to acquire absorber line shape information, which is vital for maintaining accuracy in absorbance measurements for systems in which the sample pressure, temperature, and/or composition may vary.
2. No phase adjustment is needed whereas in most wavelength modulation and frequency modulation systems a phased demodulation is required to obtain accurate absorbance measurements, but phase settings may drift in time.
3. The present invention uses a heterodyne, not a homodyne demodulation (demodulation frequency differs from the modulation frequency and all of its harmonics), the former approach retaining the low-noise advantages of conventional wavelength modulation spectroscopy while permitting data acquisition (and analysis) using relatively inexpensive, low frequency electronic components.
Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows power spectra pertinent to phaseless wavelength modulation spectroscopy of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the preferred apparatus of the invention:
FIG. 3 compares a direct absorption spectrum (triangle ramp) with a phaseless wavelength modulation spectrum of 5 torr of water vapor;
FIG. 4 illustrates dependence of phaseless wavelength modulation spectra with changing demodulation pulse width;
FIG. 5 shows direct absorption spectra of 5 torr water vapor as a function of added room air, with traces offset for clarity; and
FIG. 6 shows changes in phaseless WMS linewidths of 5 torr of water vapor as a function of added room air.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION)
In wavelength modulation spectroscopy, the spectral waveforms generated from the various wavelength modulation harmonics --Ω, 2Ω, 3Ω, 4Ω, etc. --look like the corresponding derivatives of the absorption line. The present invention acquires the complete (or nearly complete) absorption line by combining information from the various harmonics in much the same way that a Taylor series expansion allows a function to be evaluated over a certain range by evaluating the function's derivatives within that range. By constructing the true absorption line shape (or, a significant part of it), the integrated absorbance can be obtained which gives the target species concentration accurately and independent of linewidth variations. In contrast, the conventional approach to WMS, in which the AC signal at one modulation harmonic, nΩ, is isolated and demodulated, throws away considerable information by rejecting AC signal components at other harmonics of Ω. The apparatus and method of the present invention do not require a fixed phase between the detector output and the demodulation waveform; this improves long term measurement stability by avoiding phase drift in the demodulation step and electronics. Another key advantage is that the demodulation step is performed at high frequency, where laser noise is unimportant, while the data collection step is performed at low frequencies which permits the use of inexpensive digitizing and signal processing electronics.
FIG. 1 demonstrates a key concept behind the invention. If the photodetector output contains frequency components at Ω, 2Ω, 3Ω, 4Ω, etc., and if the detector is demodulated using a local oscillator containing components at frequencies Ω+δ, 2Ω+2 δ, 3Ω+3 δ, 4Ω+4δ, etc. (where Ω>>δ), then the demodulated output will have components at frequencies δ, 2δ, 3δ, 4δ, etc. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the information contained in the detector output at frequency nΩ and the low frequency signal obtained at frequency nδ. The relatively low frequency signals obtained by collecting the demodulated components at δ, 2δ, 3δ, 4δ, etc., provide the Fourier components needed to construct the true absorption line shape.
The requisite local oscillator waveform is generated by using narrow pulses at frequency Ω+δ. The width of the pulses controls the number of Fourier components included, that is, the largest value of n(Ω+δ). Since the pulsed local oscillator is at a slightly different frequency than the wavelength modulation frequency, their relative phases are unimportant, and the resulting WMS detection method of the invention does not require phase control and does not suffer from phase drift.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the preferred apparatus 10 of the invention. One may acquire phaseless wavelength modulation spectra of water vapor using a laser 12, such as a near-infrared DFB diode laser (e.g. operating at 1305 nm). The laser, such as a Fujistu FLD130F2KP/057 laser, is coupled to connector (e.g. a single mode output fiber 14 or like connector) which, in turn, is connected directly to the input of detector (e.g. a Herriott multiple pass optical cell 16 or like unit). This arrangement provides the long optical paths (e.g 24 m) needed to observe the weak water absorption and excludes air from the optical path so that the signals are free of contributions due to water vapor in air at atmospheric pressure. The laser temperature and DC current are regulated, preferably by a controller (e.g. an ILX 3722 diode laser controller 18 or the like). The laser wavelength is modulated by applying a sine wave output at e.g. 50 kHz 20 from waveform generator (a Stanford Research 545 waveform generator or the like) to the AC input on the controller.
The demodulation waveform is produced by using a wave output (e.g. TTL-level square wave) from a waveform generator (e.g. Stanford Research 340 waveform generator or the like at preferably 50.5 kHz 22 as the input to a monostable (e.g., 74HC123 "one shot") integrated circuit 24. The circuit containing the IC uses, for example, a fixed 100 pF capacitor and a 100 kOhm potentiometer to produce output pulses adjustable from 0.5 to 10 μs duration. Output from the monostable is current amplified using an operational amplifier (e.g. an LH0002 operational amplifier or the like) to make the pulses compatible with the input (e.g. 50 Ohm) to the mixer 26.
A synchronization pulse (e.g. 500 Hz)--used to trigger 29 the digitizer 30 and an oscilloscope (not shown)--is prepared by mixing 32 the reference waveforms (preferably TTL) from the two function generators 20 and 22, passing the IF output through an active low pass filter 28 e.g. 6.25 kHz (TTE, Inc.), then amplifying and DC-shifting the resulting signal using a pair of operational amplifiers (not shown), before applying the resulting signal to a fast comparator (not shown) (e.g. LT1016). The comparator removes false triggers due to ringing at the edges of the TTL reference square wave signals.
Laser light is detected by a photodiode 40 (e.g. 3-mm-diameter InGaAs photodiode or the like, not shown) (e.g. Epitaxx ETX-3000T) cemented into one of the optical cells. The photodiode is biased (e.g. at 1.5 V with a D-cell battery) and output from the detector is terminated (e.g. at either 1 kOhm or 50 Ohm, depending on the type of measurement being made). For direct absorption measurements, for example the 1 kOhm termination is useful, and the photodiode signal is voltage amplified using a preamplifier (e.g. Stanford Research SR560 preamplifier or the like, not shown) and is then digitized using a digitizer (e.g. 12-bit, 200 kHz digitizer or the like) (e.g. Analog Devices RTI-860) that plugs into a personal computer bus 36. Phaseless WM spectra are obtained by first amplifying the detector output using a commercial AC-coupled, RF amplifier (or the like, not shown) (e.g. Mini-Circuits ZFL-500) having a low pass cutoff (e.g. 50 kHz) and bandwidth (e.g. 500 MHZ), then filtering the amplified signal using a notch filter 34 (e.g. 50 kHz) to remove the 1Ω frequency component before applying the resulting AC waveform to the RF input of a double-balanced mixer 26 (or the like) (e.g. Mini-Circuits MC2-3). The IF output from the mixer is further amplified and low-pass filtered by the preamplifier 38 before being digitized.
The notch filter (50 kHz) removes the large laser amplitude modulation (AM) that occurs synchronously with wavelength modulation. From a Fourier analysis point of view, removing the 1Ω) frequency component is equivalent to removing the DC signal level (base band) of the resulting demodulated waveform.
FIG. 3 shows a direct absorption spectrum--the triangle waveform--of 5 torr of water vapor in the optical cell and a phaseless wavelength modulation spectrum of the same sample. The direct absorption spectrum is obtained by ramping the laser current relatively slowly (e.g. 100 Hz) with a triangle ramp while digitizing the photodiode output. The absorption line due to water is clearly visible near the center of both the upward and downward portions of the direct absorption trace. The phaseless WM spectrum also shows two features corresponding to the laser wavelength traversing the absorption line during the two half-cycles of the modulation waveform. Non-linearities in the laser current response are responsible for the lack of symmetry between the two peaks. Nevertheless, the trace clearly shows features that resemble the true absorption line shape instead of the harmonic waveforms generated by standard WMS.
The shape of the phaseless WMS signal is dictated, in part, by the number of demodulation frequencies (values of n[Ω+δ]) applied to the mixer. Narrowing the demodulation pulses increases the number of frequencies at the expense of a reduced duty factor. FIG. 4 shows a set of phaseless WM spectra obtained for seven values of the demodulation pulse width ranging from 4 μs down to 0.5 μs. Again, the laser is probing a 5 torr sample of water vapor. The widest pulses lead to broad WMS signals; reducing the gate width sharpens the WMS features, with little observed distinction among the spectra obtained for 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 μs. The poor quality of the 0.5 μs trace is due, it is believed, to a paucity of low frequency components comprising the narrowest pulses. A 2.0 μs demodulation pulse width represents an 80% reduction in duty factor compared with standard WMS signal processing for 50 kHz modulation.
Note an advantage of the present invention: because double-balanced mixers act like synchronous diode-driven switches, the local oscillator input saturates for signals ≧1.5 V. All local oscillator frequency components that are amplified to at least 1.5 V contribute equally to the demodulation of the photodiode signal. As a result, it is possible to get uniform contributions from a series of demodulation frequencies, n(Ω+δ).
FIGS. 5 and 6 show the effects of collisional line broadening as air is added to the optical cell. Direct absorption spectra are present in FIG. 5; these data were collected using slow (e.g 100 Hz) triangle ramp scans, similar to the first trace in FIG. 1, but the spectrum of an empty cell was subtracted digitally to improve clarity. FIG. 6 shows the corresponding phaseless WM spectra. The WMS lines also broaden, as expected, although a slow shift in line center position (presumed caused by a small amount of laser wavelength drift) makes it difficult to overlay sequential traces.
The present invention permits acquiring wavelength modulation spectra without phase control while also obtaining line shape information. Other advantages include:
1. Because isolated absorption lines typically have a well-defined functional form (Doppler, Lorentz, or Voigt shapes depending on the pressure range), information from only a few Fourier components (harmonics of Ω) is needed in order to characterize the linewidth. Phaseless WMS data, such as the traces in FIGS. 2 and 4, can be Fourier transformed and a least square analysis used to fit the resulting power spectrum to a linewidth and absorption strength.
2. Digitization of the phaseless WMS traces may be performed at audio frequencies (i.e., approximately 44 kHz or lower). Even slower rates are possible by picking smaller values of δ without loss of detection sensitivity. Therefore, the digitization and signal analysis can be performed using extremely low cost digital signal processing (DSP) hardware.
3. Lowered digitization rates and commercial DSP hardware permits adding digital filtering methods to improve signal-to-noise ratios. Implementing digital filters is straightforward because, as noted above, the functional form of the absorption line shapes is typically known.
4. It is preferred to employ two highly stable function generators to provide the modulation and demodulation waveforms. However, one may use low cost waveform sources, such as simple fixed-frequency TTL oscillator and a voltage controlled oscillator, by including a phase lock loop to compare and correct the frequency difference between the two oscillators. This Improvement reduces dramatically the cost of implementing the present invention.
5. Standard laser "line locking " schemes (see, e.g., discussion in U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,639, to Wong) are compatible with the modulation scheme required for phaseless WMS and can be implemented easily and inexpensively with the present invention to provide active stabilization of the laser wave length (see changes in WMS peak positions, FIG. 5, caused by laser wavelength drift). Line locking is becoming a standard feature of diode-laser-based instruments.
6. The present invention is also useful for measurements in which the target absorption line is partially overlapped by one or more lines due to background species, or in which the laser can be modulated over a sufficiently large wavelength range to encompass more than one absorption line of interest. One can recover absorption features of multiple peaks having different linewidths using a single optical beam. This is important for applications where it is necessary to detect several gases simultaneously and where new, multi-section, distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lapsers offer the potential for large tuning and wavelength modulation ranges.
7. The invention is also useful for analyzing wavelength modulation spectra of lines that are much broader than the wavelength modulation range of the laser. Collecting information from multiple harmonics permits fitting a small portion of the absorption feature--such as the region around line center--particularly if the functional form of the feature has been determined previously. Potential applications include detecting gases at high pressures and making measurements of liquids.
8. Laser wavelength modulation can also be combined with a relatively slow ramping of the average (unmodulated) laser wavelength while the detector signal is processed using multiple harmonic phaseless detection. This produces a spectral waveform in which the absorber lineshape is not convoluted with the modulation function, but, instead, shows a more linear wavelength scale.
9. Demodulation can be performed using an analog or digital multiplier instead of a diode mixer. This approach has the advantage of allowing a customized local oscillator in which the magnitudes of the individual Fourier components are adjusted separately. Both unipolar and bipolar local oscillators may be employed.
Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.
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An improvement to wavelength modulation spectroscopy systems operating at frequency Ω and having a photodetector generating output with frequency components Ω, 2Ω, . . . nΩ, where n is an integer greater than one, the improvement comprising a demodulator operating at frequency Ω+δ, where Ω>>δ, and additionally recovering signals at nΩ+nδ. The system provides information on multiple detection harmonics simultaneously, no phase adjustment is needed, and the system uses a heterodyne demodulation with its inherent low-noise advantage.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for excavating a hole by sucking debris and spoil out of the
2. Discussion of Background
Such an apparatus is shown for example in German utility model DE 29902562 U1 which discloses a vehicle with a suction tube to be inserted into a hole or excavation to suck debris and spoil out of the hole, an air pump to cause the suction and a filter to remove the spoil from the airflow.
Excavating holes using a suction excavator as in the above German utility model is advantageous because holes with a much smaller horizontal cross-section can be dug using this device than previous excavations made using drills, spades etc. Excavating using a suction excavator is much quicker than conventional digging techniques, reduces the amount of spoil produced from the hole and the amount of tarmac required to re-fill the hole, causes less damage to tree roots and to other utility pipes and cables and causes much less disruption to pedestrians and drivers if used in a street. However, because of the large volume of air that is sucked through the vehicle, any fuel gas from a leaking gas main for example is likely to be sucked into the vehicle. Any sparks produced within the vehicle, for example from the air pump or static build-up within the vehicle due to the fast movement of air through pipes etc., is likely to cause a spark, igniting the gas and causing an explosion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a suction excavator with a gas sensor arranged to detect for the presence of gas in the passage of air through the suction excavator.
The provision of a gas sensor within the suction excavator enables the presence of potentially dangerous explosive gas within the suction excavator to be determined so that appropriate action can be taken.
There is preferably provided a control means which when gas is detected flushes air through the suction excavator.
All of the components of the suction excavator through which suction air is passed, such as the air pump, suction tube etc., are preferably electrically bonded to each other and a connection between the connected components and earth provided to discharge any electrostatic charge built-up. The bonded components may be connected to earth via electrostatically conducting tyres when the suction excavator is mounted on a vehicle or via an electrically conducting strap, for example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
An example of a vacuum excavator according to the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows an operator excavating a hole by directing the nozzle of a suction tube into the hole;
FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows some elements of the suction excavator;
FIG. 3 shows a hopper arranged to receive spoil from the excavation;
FIG. 4 shows a control system connected to a gas sensor of the suction excavator; and
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing operation of the control system shown in FIG. 4 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows an excavation 10 which may for example be made to reach a subterranean pipe or cable. When in urban areas and the excavation is made into a road or a pavement, a pneumatic drill may initially be used to break into the hard tarmac surface of the ground. A nozzle 11 is connected to an air pump and a filtering unit, which in this case are mounted on a vehicle 12 . The nozzle 11 is used to suck up spoil from the excavation 10 . If necessary whilst sucking up spoil through nozzle 11 the ground in the excavation 10 may be broken up using, for example, a pole, a spade, a fork, or more preferably an air knife as is well known in the art for delivering a high velocity jet of air. This suction nozzle 11 has a circular cross section of about 25 cm diameter and in this case the periphery of the tip of the nozzle 13 follows an undulating path which is less likely to damage subterranean pipes which the free end of the nozzle 11 may encounter. The nozzle 11 is provided with couplings or brackets 14 into which any number of extension pipes 15 may be inserted to extend the length of the nozzle 11 . In this example the nozzle is made from aluminium which is strong and light. The nozzle is provided with an on/off switch, in this case on a handle 16 used by the operator to direct the nozzle. The on/off switch immediately starts/continues or stops suction through the nozzle 11 . The switch is preferably arranged such that an operator must constantly apply pressure to it to continue the sucking operation. When the operator stops applying pressure to the switch suction is then immediately stopped. The ability to immediately disengage suction is particularly useful to enable blockages to be cleared from the end of the nozzle and to prevent injury in case the operator or his clothes are accidentally caught in the nozzle. The nozzle is provided with a flexible hose 17 which may be made from heavy duty rubber to connect the nozzle to a boom 18 which may be hydraulically supported for easy operation and which is mounted on the vehicle 12 containing the air pump and filtering equipment.
FIG. 2 diagramatically shows an example of the suction and filtering equipment. Suction air and entrained spoil is passed from the nozzle 11 shown in FIG. 1 through boom 18 to a hopper 20 , in this case a drop box hopper, to remove the vast majority of the spoil entrained in the suction air. The suction air then passes to a cyclone 30 where it is accelerated and then to a filter 40 where dust and smaller particles are removed from the air. The air then passes through an air pump 50 which in the present example is arranged to pump between 1100 and 1900 cubic metres of air per minute, and suction air is then discharged through exhaust system 60 which includes one or more silencers.
FIG. 3 shows the drop box hopper 20 in more detail. Suction air is passed from boom 18 into the hopper 20 past a gas sensor 21 as is well known in the art. Spoil entrained in the incoming air falls under the influence of gravity to the bottom of the hopper 22 where it is collected. The base 23 of the hopper is hinged along one edge 24 and is arranged such that when a particular weight of spoil 22 has accumulated at the bottom of the hopper 20 the base 23 rotates about a hinge along the edge 24 to pass the spoil 22 down a chute 25 for collection or disposal. The base plate 23 is urged upwardly when in use by the passage of the suction air and is only lowered when the weight of spoil exceeds the upward force provided by the suction air. If desired a counter-balance 26 may be provided on the hinged base 23 to adjust the weight of spoil that causes its ejection down chute 25 .
The substantially spoil-free air passes out of the hopper 20 through a conduit 27 to cyclone 40 . Conduit 27 is provided with a valve 28 and valve actuator 29 arranged, when actuated, to block the passage of air from hopper 20 to conduit 27 and instead admit air from outside into conduit 27 , in this case via conduit 27 a. When not actuated, the valve 28 admits air from hopper 20 into conduit 27 and blocks the passage of air from conduit 27 a into conduit 27 .
The air from conduit 27 is then sucked through a cyclone 30 , as is well known in the art, to accelerate the air and then to a filter 40 as is also well known in the art to remove any dust from the suction air. The filter 40 may be regularly cleaned to prevent dust from causing clogging and preventing the passage of air therethrough.
Air from the filter 40 is sucked to the air pump 50 which is preferably powered by the gearbox of the vehicle 12 upon which the air pump and filtering equipment is mounted.
Air from the pump 50 is then passed to silencers 60 as are well known in the art to vent the air and reduce noise.
FIG. 4 shows a control system including a control means 70 such as a microprocessor for receiving a signal from gas detector 21 . When a signal is received by control means 70 indicating that gas detector 21 has detected explosive gas or a predetermined amount of explosive gas in the boom 18 , control means 70 instructs valve actuator 29 to open valve 28 thereby preventing the further suction of air from excavation 10 . Instead air is drawn from conduit 27 a which is in communication with fresh air, for example from above the vehicle 12 to pass the fresh air through the cyclone 30 , filter 40 , air pump 50 and exhaust system 60 thereby flushing out any fuel gas. A further gas sensor 51 is preferably provided at the suction air inlet of the air pump 50 , the actuation of which also opens valve 28 to prevent the further suction of air from the nozzle 11 and instead flushes clean air through the suction excavation system. An audible or visual alarm is preferably activated when a gas detector 21 , 51 is activated to advise an operator of the reason for the interruption in suction from the nozzle. In order to reactivate the suction excavation system, a manual re-set 71 must be activated to ensure that the operator is aware of the situation. However, the manual re-set 71 will not close valve 28 until the fuel gas concentration detected by sensor 21 , and if used also sensor 51 , has fallen below the predetermined level which caused its actuation.
FIG. 5 shows the operation of the control system. The control means 70 continually monitors gas sensors 21 and 51 to see whether a predetermined concentration of explosive gas has been detected. As soon as a predetermined concentration of explosive gas is detected from either sensor, valve 28 is opened and is not closed to permit further suction excavation until the concentration of explosive gas has fallen below the predetermined level and the manual re-set 71 has been activated. The control means 70 preferably continually monitors the concentration of gas detected by the gas sensors 21 , 51 and may store the received concentrations, for example on a data logger such as a RAM of a computer for subsequent analysis. The control means 70 may be set to open valve 28 when any predetermined gas concentration is detected, for example 1% fuel gas in air. The gas sensors 21 , 51 and control means 70 are preferably calibrated so that a particular signal from a gas sensor 21 , 51 corresponds to a known concentration of gas.
The on/off switch to be engaged by the operator and which in this case is mounted on the operator's handle 16 , shuts off suction by opening valve 27 which provides a much faster shut off than turning off the air pump 50 for example which would take time to slow down through inertia. However, the operator's on/off switch mounted in this case on handle 16 cannot override the opening of valve 28 as a result of a signal from a gas sensor 21 , 51 .
Since the movement of air through the components of the suction excavation system may generate static charge, this raises the possibility of sparks being generated which could possibly cause an explosion, especially if explosive gas is present. To prevent this, each component through which air is passed by the suction system is electrically bonded to each other to enable electrostatic charges to pass therebetween and the system is connected to earth, for example, via electrostatically conducting tyres or via an electrostatically conducting strap connected from the system to earth.
If desired, the control means 70 may be arranged to open valve 28 when any number of potentially explosive situations arise such as an overheating engine or drive belt or dangerously low oil levels. Again the manual reset will not be able to close the valve until the cause of the opening of the valve 27 has been rectified.
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A suction excavator including an air pump for generating a flow of air and a nozzle through which air is drawn under the influence of the air pump, the nozzle being arranged when in use to suck up spoil from an excavation, and a mechanism for separating spoil from the air drawn through the nozzle. The excavator is provided with a fuel gas detector to detect for the presence of fuel gas in the flow of air drawn up through the nozzle. When fuel gas is detected a valve may be actuated to interrupt the flow of air up through the nozzle and instead to admit air from a substantially fuel gas free source to flush any fuel gas out of the system reducing the risk of an explosion.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to a system and method for padding macroblocks outside of the shape of a video object, and more specifically, to an algorithm and new instructions for performing horizontal and vertical padding of macro blocks around a video object in Motion Picture Experts Group Version 4 (MPEG-4) video data.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The MPEG standards define lossy type compression schemes that are adapted to handle a variety of audio/video formats. For example, MPEG-2 (i.e., Version 2) supports standard television signal, HDTV signals, and five-channel surround sound, providing a broadcast-quality image at 720×480 pixel resolution for use in DVD movies. MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 employ frame-based coding standards. In contrast, MPEG4, which is the latest video coding standard, supports object-based compression/decompression and incorporates natural video and synthetic graphics objects. It is capable of relatively high compression ratios and is becoming a powerful tool for a wide range of applications, including Internet browsing, set-top boxes, video games, video conferencing, and wireless networks. In contrast to the frame-based coding standards to which both MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 are limited, this new standard is also capable of handling arbitrary-shaped objects. To facilitate the compression of arbitrary-shaped video objects, several new coding schemes have been added to those of the previous video coding standards. However, these new coding schemes are computationally expensive and relatively difficult to implement in hardware due to their complexity. Any hardware solution adopted to support the new coding schemes must also be able to support other features used in the MPEG standard. Accordingly, it would be preferable to develop a software solution that can more readily be implemented without significant processing overhead. Such a programmable solution would be much better than a hardware solution because of its inherent flexibility, and the relatively short time required to complete its development.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accord with the present invention, a method is defined for using a processing device to pad data in a macroblock of a video object plane. The macroblock includes both texture data and shape data. To improve the efficiency of this task, two instructions are implemented. A first instruction is provided for padding successive data elements of the texture data in a first direction within the macroblock, by selectively copying data from a preceding data element to a current data element of the macroblock in the first direction, as a function of the shape data corresponding to the current data element. Similarly, a second instruction is provided for padding successive data elements of the texture data in a second direction within the macroblock, opposite the first direction, by selectively copying data from a preceding data element to a current data element of the macroblock in the second direction, as a function of the shape data corresponding to the current data element. The data elements of the texture data are processed sequentially with the first instruction, followed by the second instruction, producing first padded texture data. The texture data is processed again with the first instruction, producing second padded texture data. Next, corresponding data elements of the first padded texture data and the second padded texture data are averaged, producing partially padded texture data. Finally, any data elements of the partially padded texture data that are not yet padded are processed in a third direction in the macroblock, to provide padding as a function of the partially padded texture data and of the shape data.
The third direction is orthogonal to the first and the second directions. In one embodiment, the step of padding the data elements of the partially padded texture data that are not yet padded comprises the step of determining for each successive set of data elements that extend in the first and the second directions within the partially padded texture data, whether all of the data elements in the set have been provided with a texture value. For each set of data elements in which none of the data elements have yet been provided with texture values, the following steps are carried out. If, in regard to the third direction, any such set of data elements is disposed between two other sets of data elements that include texture data or padded data in the partially padded texture data, then each data element of said set is padded with an average of the texture data from a corresponding data element of each of said two other sets. Otherwise, each data element of the set of data elements is padded with data from a corresponding data element in an adjacent set of data elements that includes texture data or padded data in the partially padded texture data.
The method further comprises the step of temporarily storing texture data from a data element after padding in either the first direction or the second direction, for use in padding in the other of the first direction and the second direction. In addition, in another embodiment, the step of padding any of the data elements of the partially padded texture data that are not yet padded comprises the step of transforming the partially padded texture data to produce transformed partially padded texture data in which the third direction is aligned with the first and second directions, as a result of the transformation. Then the same sequence of steps initially used is applied to the transformed partially padded texture data to complete the padding operation.
Preferably, the method provides for only processing sets of data elements in the texture data that require padding. To achieve this result, the method includes the step of performing a logical AND of the shape data, along one of the first and second directions, to detect a logical state of a set of data elements in the shape data extending along that direction; the logical state indicates whether a corresponding set of data elements in the texture data requires padding. In addition, a logical AND of the shape data is performed along the third direction, to detect a logical state of a set of data elements in the shape data extending along the third direction; the logical state indicates whether a corresponding set of data elements in the partially padded texture data require padding.
Preferably, the first and second directions extend along rows of the data elements in the texture data of the macroblock, and the third direction extends along columns of the data elements in the texture data. Although horizontal padding must be done first for macroblocks used in MPEG schemes, it should be understood that in other types of applications, the present invention is more generally applicable to processing data in a macroblock without regard to the initial direction in which the data are padded. Thus, if not used for MPEG, the texture data might first be padded vertically and then horizontally using instructions that provide for padding upward, and padding downward to achieve the vertical padding, and then padding horizontally using either of the embodiments noted above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of computing device, such as a conventional computer, set-top box, or video game, illustrating components suitable for implementing the present invention;
FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a 32-bit arithmetic logic unit (ALU) that implements Pad_Right and Pad_Left instructions using multiplexers (MUXs);
FIG. 2 is an example illustrating the horizontal and vertical padding of texture and shape data for a simple video object;
FIG. 3 illustrates the application of the Pad_Left and Pad_Right instructions of the present invention to exemplary texture data;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating further details for applying the instructions of FIG. 3 in two passes;
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing details of an 8-bit D flip-flop (used as a shift register) and four MUXs in a circuit applicable for implementing the Pad Right instruction of FIG. 3 ;
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing details of an 8-bit D flip-flop (used as a shift register) and four MUXs in a circuit for implementing the Pad_Left instruction of FIG. 3 ;
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing further details of the algorithm for horizontal padding on a 32-bit ALU with four 8-bit partitions, in accord with the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram providing an exemplary illustration of how the shape data are generated to determine a vertical padding condition;
FIG. 9 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing how the vertical padding condition is applied in determining vertical padding of texture data having two opaque rows;
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating texture data preprocessing and upward propagation of texture elements in a column;
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the determination of a bottom row used in updating the texture data when vertically padding; and
FIG. 12 is an exemplary table that lists the number of instructions required for preprocessing when padding in accord with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to FIG. 1A , a block diagram of a computing device 10 that is suitable for implementing the present invention is illustrated. The computing device might comprise a conventional general purpose computer, a set-top box, a video game, or other type of video processing hardware that might need to pad macroblocks in a video data stream. While it is likely that many other functional components might be included in such a computing device, FIG. 1A illustrates certain basic components that will likely be included on many such devices. A central processing unit (CPU) 12 is included for carrying out processing of machine instructions that are stored in a memory 14 that includes both volatile random access memory (RAM) and non-volatile read only memory (ROM). Memory 14 is also used for storing data, including video data that are being processed in accord with the present invention. Optionally, a non-volatile storage 16 , such as a hard drive or other magnetic or optical storage media, may be included to provide storage for machine instructions, for example, programs and modules or other executable code, and for storing data. An internal bus 18 is included for conveying data, machine instructions, and other types of signals between CPU 12 , memory 14 , and non-volatile storage 16 . Internal bus 18 is also coupled to a display driver and interface 20 , a user input interface 22 , and optionally, to a network interface 24 . Display driver and interface 20 is coupled to a display 26 , which may comprise, for example, a monitor or a television. A user input device 28 is provided to enable a user to control the operation of the computing device, enter text and other input, manipulate a cursor or other graphical object, and carryout out other types of control and input functions. Examples of such a user input device include (without limitation) a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a wheel, a trackball, a touch pad, a game pad, etc. Computing device 10 may be coupled to a network 30 , which may be a local network, another computing device, the Internet, a wide area network, or a server and may enable communication via either or both wire and wireless links (not shown).
It is contemplated that computing device 10 will include video signal processing means 40 , shown in FIG. 1B , which may be part of display driver and interface 20 , or may be included in CPU 12 . Video signal processing means 40 comprises a 32-bit (or larger) ALU 42 that is coupled to a register file 44 , which may be stored in memory 14 or in non-volatile storage 16 , or received via the network interface from network 30 . The register file includes both shape and texture data that are input to the ALU. Included within the ALU are a plurality of PAD_RIGHT MUXs 46 and a plurality of PAD_LEFT MUXs 48 that carry out two new instructions used for padding macroblocks of video data objects, as described below. ALU 42 carries out the method described below, producing a padded file that is transferred back to register file 44 for further use, as will be well understood by those of ordinary skill in this art.
FIG. 2 shows a relatively simple example of boundary block padding of a 4×4 block, including texture data 50 a and shape data 70 a . Texture values A-G are associated with specific pixels in texture data 50 a for the block. Each pixel having a shape value equal to a binary 0 in shape data 70 a represents a transparent pixel, i.e., a pixel without any associated texture value. Padding is implemented in two steps, the first providing for horizontal padding, producing texture data 50 b and shape data 70 b , and the second providing vertical padding, which produces final padded texture data 50 c and final shape data 70 c . In the horizontal padding of the texture data, texture value A is copied into a pixel 52 , texture value B is copied into a pixel 54 , and texture value G is copied into pixels 58 . Note that a pixel 56 between the opaque pixels that include values C and D in the second row becomes the average of C and D in texture data 50 b , after the horizontal padding. The horizontal padding that produces shape data 70 b results from copying a binary one into each empty pixel 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , and 80 , for each row of shape data 70 a in which at least one pixel has a binary one in shape data 70 a . Note that the shape data, s′[y][x], which is generated by horizontal padding, always consists of rows with either all zeros or all ones. Thus, the third row of shape data 70 b is still empty after horizontal padding, since there is no opaque pixel in this row. During vertical padding, the third row of final texture data 50 c is filled with the average pixel values 60 from the second and fourth rows, and the third row of final shape data 70 c is filled with binary ones.
The padding process applied in FIG. 2 is defined by the following:
/* s[ ][ ] contains original shape data (i.e., shape data 50 a ), d[ ][ ] contains original texture data (i.e., texture data 70 a ), hor_pad[ ] is texture data 70 b , resulting from horizontal padding, s′[ ][ ] is shape data 70 b after horizontal padding, x′ is the location of the nearest valid sample (s[y][x 1 ]==1) at the video object plane (VOP) boundary to the left of the current location x, x″ is the location of the nearest boundary sample to the right, and N is the number of samples of a line in a macroblock. s′[ ][ ] is initialized to 0 and is used in the vertical padding process. */
for (x=0; x<N; x++) { if (s[y][x] == 1) { hor_pad[y][x] = d[y][x]; s′[y][x] = 1; } else { if ( s[y][x′] == 1 && s[y][x″] == 1) { hor_pad[y][x] = (d[y][x′]+ d[y][x″])//2; s′[y][x] = 1; } else if ( s[y][x′] == 1 ) { hor_pad[y][x] = d[y][x′]; s′[y][x] = 1; } else if ( s[y][x″] == 1 ) { hor_pad[y][x] = d[y][x″]; s′[y][x] = 1; } }
New Instructions and Algorithm for Padding
The pixel value used in padding a transparent pixel depends on whether the pixel is surrounded by opaque pixels in the same row. If a transparent pixel is between two opaque pixels in a row, the padded value applied to the transparent pixel will be the average of these two opaque pixels. Otherwise, the value applied to the transparent pixel will be copied from a boundary pixel, i.e., from the nontransparent pixel value in the row. In order to avoid this boundary condition check for every pixel and use partitioned operations (that are currently available in many processors), it is preferable to first generate two intermediate data results (one with texture data propagated to the left and another with the texture data propagated to the right) via two passes, i.e., PadPass 1 and PadPass 2 , and then average them to generate the final padded texture, as shown in the simple example of FIG. 3 .
In FIG. 3 , pixels 92 a , 92 d , 92 e , 92 g , and 92 h are transparent, while pixel 92 b includes a value A, pixel 92 c includes a value B, and pixel 92 f includes a value C. Shape data 94 include binary ones corresponding to each pixel that is opaque and binary zeroes for each transparent pixel. In PadPass 1 , pixel 92 is padded by padding any transparent pixel to the left with the value of the nearest opaque pixel to the right in the row. Thus, pixel 92 a is padded with the value A from pixel 92 b , and pixels 92 e and 92 f are padded with the value C from pixel 92 f . Since there is no opaque pixel to the right of transparent pixels 92 g and 92 h , they are also padded with the value C from the nearest opaque pixel 92 f . Next, in PadPass 2 , pixels 92 d and 92 e are padded to the right with the B value from pixel 92 c , which is the nearest pixel to the left, and pixels 92 g and 92 h are padded to the right with the value C from pixel 92 f , which is the nearest pixel to the left. Since pixel 92 a has no opaque pixel to the left, it is padded with the value A from the nearest opaque pixel, which is pixel 92 b . In the third step, the results of PadPass 1 and PadPass 2 are averaged.
In order to generate the two intermediate data results from PadPass 1 and PadPass 2 more efficiently, two new instructions, Pad_Right (or PadToRight) and Pad_Left (or PadToLeft) are used in the present invention. FIG. 4 shows the implementation of PadPass 1 and PadPass 2 using these new instructions in connection with data for a VPO that includes a row of texture data 92 and a row of shape data 94 . In this simple example, pixels 92 a , 92 d , 92 e , 92 g , and 92 h are transparent, while pixel 92 b includes a value A, pixel 92 c includes a value B, and pixel 92 f includes a value C. A special Shift_in register 106 is used to provide temporary storage of a shift-in value for use with the instructions. PadToRight propagates opaque pixels to the right and updates Shift_in with the rightmost byte of the result, value C from pixel 92 h . Shift_in (before being updated) is used as a value X (i.e., a “don't care” value) that is shifted into pixel 92 a , at the leftmost position of texture data 100 a.
Similarly, PadToLeft propagates opaque pixels to the left and updates Shift_in with the leftmost byte from pixel 92 a , the value A in resulting texture data 100 b . Shift_in (before being updated) is used to provide the value C that shifted into the rightmost position. PadPass 2 is then performed to produce texture data 102 , using the second PadToRight instruction; the value A for leftmost boundary pixel 92 a has already been found with the previous PadToLeft instruction and temporarily stored in Shift_in register 106 .
The PadToRight instruction is implemented in accord with the following logic:
If (shape[0] == 0)
dest[0] = Shift_In;
else
dest[0] = texture[0];
for (i = 1; i < 8; i++ ) {
if (shape[i] == 0 )
dest[i] = dest[i−1];
else
dest[i] = texture[i];
}
PadToRight and PadToLeft instructions can be implemented with a set of 2:1 MUXs). FIG. 5 shows an exemplary circuit to realize the PadToRight instruction in a 32-bit ALU that contains four 8-bit partitions. In this case, the longest path is the four consecutive 2:1 MUXs, which could have one cycle latency in most processor architectures. In the case of a 64-bit ALU, where the total MUX delay might be too large to fit in a single cycle, a pipeline stage can be inserted, and another set of PadToRight+PadToLeft instructions and a Shift_in register can be used for efficient software pipelining. The Shift_in register is not needed for padding 16×8 pixels in a 128-bit ALU. In FIG. 5 , 8-bit texture data 92 and single-bit shape data 94 are input to terminals “1” and “S,” respectively, of 2:1 MUXs 112 . The output of each MUX 112 is directed to one of dest[0]-dest[3] (i.e., to one of destinations 114 ), and all but the output of the last MUX is also applied to the “0” terminal of the next MUX in the group. The output of the last MUX is applied to the “D” terminal of Shift_in register 106 , which is an 8-bit D type flip-flop, with an 8-bit output coupled to the “0” terminal of the first MUX in the group. FIG. 6 illustrates how the PadToLeft instruction is implemented with a similar group of MUXs 112 .
Since padding is performed at the 16×16 macroblock level, each row in a macroblock can be divided into several segments depending on the ALU width. With a 32-bit ALU, for example, there are four (in the case of a luminance block) and two (in the case of a chrominance block) segments in a row. FIG. 7 shows how the new instructions handle eight texture data values (each one byte in size) for pixels 92 a - 92 h , when executed with a 32-bit ALU. The shape data for each pixel are one-bit values 94 a - 94 h . First, two PadToRight instructions ({circle around (1)} and {circle around (2)}) are issued to find the right boundary pixel of the shape in texture data 100 a ′. Shift_in registers 106 are used for temporarily storing texture values, at each end of the texture data in these and the following steps. Second, two PadToLeft instructions ({circle around (3)} and {circle around (4)}) are issued to propagate opaque pixels to the left with the boundary pixel found, producing texture data 100 b ′. Two PadToRight instructions ({circle around (5)} and {circle around (6)}) are again used to propagate opaque pixels to the right, producing texture data 102 ′. Finally, the two intermediate results, texture data 100 b ′ and 102 ′ are averaged. The average results, texture data 104 ′, are rounded away from zero to the nearest integer as defined in the MPEG-4 standard.
Vertical Padding
The simplest method of vertical padding would be to transpose the horizontal padding results (using a conventional array transposition technique) and apply the same horizontal padding algorithm to the transposed block. Alternatively, padding can be applied directly to the columns of the block that has been padded horizontally. The second approach utilizes the fact that the intermediate shape (horizontally padded shape data) contains rows that are either all zeros or all ones, thus simplifying the vertical padding procedure and avoiding transpositions.
A conditional move instruction (CondMove destination, source, control), which can be found in many processors, is preferably used to propagate the texture values of multiple opaque pixels vertically to fill-in transparent pixel texture values that remain after the horizontal padding process is complete. The conditional move instruction copies the source operand to the destination, only if the control value is nonzero. Note that only one column of shape data is needed because the shape data in a row become either all binary zeros or all binary ones after horizontal padding is completed. In this case, the control values of CondMove for a row can be generated by performing bit-wise OR operations on all the shape data in each row 120 a and 120 b , 122 a and 122 b , and 124 a and 124 b , as shown in FIG. 8 , yield vertical padding condition results 126 , as noted in blocks 128 , 130 , and 132 , respectively. Vertical padding condition results 126 are then used to provide the condition of ‘zero’ or ‘nonzero’ for the intermediate shape employed in vertical padding.
FIG. 9 shows vertical padding directions for padding a column 140 of texture data. In these data, pixels 140 a , 140 c , 140 d , 140 e , 140 g , and 140 h are transparent and must be vertically padded relative to opaque pixels 140 b and 140 f . Each opaque row (i.e., any row with a nonzero intermediate shape condition) must be propagated to pad neighboring transparent rows in both upward and downward directions, and any transparent pixels between two opaque rows must be padded with the average of the texture value for its two boundary opaque rows. The result is indicated in the texture data of column 142 . As shown in this figure, the texture value from pixel 140 b is copied into pixel 142 a , and the texture value form pixel 140 g is copied into pixels 140 g and 140 h.
A two-step vertical padding technique that includes the steps of preprocessing and upward propagation is shown in FIG. 10A last opaque row is found to determine the value of a bottom row 144 . In the example shown, bottom row 144 has the texture value B. In addition, the shape and texture data are updated, so that the last row in each transparent region (e.g., r4 in preprocessed texture data 140 ′) is padded with the average value of two surrounding opaque rows. Then, in the second step, the value of each pixel that is opaque in preprocessed texture data 140 ′ is propagated upward using the conditional move instructions, producing upward propagated texture data 142 .
The following code indicates how the shape and texture data are updated and how the bottom opaque row on a 4×8 block is determined:
For row 0
flag = 0;
if (s[i] !=0 {
bottom = t[i];
flag = 1;
}
For rows 1 to 7
if (s[i] != 0 ) {
if (s[i−1] == 0 ) {
t[i−1] = average ( t[i], bottom );
s[i−1] = flag;
flag = 1;
}
bottom = t[i];
}
/* Where current_t is t[i], current_s is s[i], prev_t is t[i−1], and prev_s
is s[i−1].*/
In FIG. 11 , shape data 150 , s[i], are scanned from top to bottom. Note that s[i] and t[i], s[i−1] and t[i−1] indicate the shape and texture of the current and previous rows, respectively of shape data 150 and texture data 152 . First, the shape and texture for a row are updated if the row is the last row in each transparent region, then a bottom row 156 is updated if the row is nonzero. In other words, while scanning downward, if s[i−1] is zero and s[i] is nonzero, then t[i−1] becomes the average of t[i] and bottom and s[i−1] becomes nonzero; and, bottom is updated to t[i] if s[i] is nonzero. In fact, s[i−1] is set to flag in the code example shown to get around a problem that can result in the wrong shape and texture for the first transparent region identified, as shown in a result shape 150 ′ and a result texture 152 ′ in FIG. 11 . This method is used intentionally to minimize the number of required instructions. The use of the flag variable solves this problem, since flag is initialized to 0 and becomes 1 once an opaque row is found, thus preventing the shape for the first transparent region from being updated to a nonzero value. Note that all other rows in each transparent region are updated in upward propagation as shown in FIG. 11 .
The number of instructions used in this algorithm is shape dependent. For the first row, it takes four instructions if s[i] !=0, and two instructions otherwise. For other rows, there are three cases depending on whether the current and previous shapes are zero or nonzero.
Case 1 (s[i]==0): takes one branch instruction.
Case 2 (s[i] !=0 && s[i−1] ! 0): takes three instructions.
Case 3 (s[i] !=0 && s[i−1]==0): takes six instructions.
This method can be easily extended to the case where there are multiple words in a row. The following shows an example of the code for vertical padding on a 16×16 block, which consists of four 32-bit words in a row.
For row 0 flag = 0; if ( s[i] ! = 0 ) { bottom[0] = t[i][0]; bottom[1] = t[i][1]; bottom[2] = t[i][2]; bottom[3] = t[i][3]; flag = 1; } For rows 1 to 15 if ( s[i] == 1 ) { if ( s[i−1] == 0 ) { t[i−1][0] = average ( t[i][0], bottom[0] ); t[i−1][1] = average ( t[i][1], bottom[1] ); t[i−1][2] = average ( t[i][2], bottom[2] ); t[i−1][3] = average ( t[i][3], bottom[3] ); s[i−1] = flag flag = 1 } bottom[0] = t[i][0]; bottom[1] = t[i][1]; bottom[2] = t[i][2]; bottom[3] = t[i][3]; } /* Where current_t is t[i], current_s is s[i], prev_t is t[i−1], and prev_s is s[i−1]. */
Performance Estimate
With the proposed instructions in this invention disclosure, horizontal padding for one segment requires four instructions, i.e., PadToRight, PadToLeft, PadToRight, and Average. For a 16×16 luminance block, 256 instructions (16 lines×4 segments/row×4 instructions/segment) are required with a 32-bit ALU. For an 8×8 chrominance block, 64 instructions (8 lines×2 segments/line×4 instructions/segment) are required. Since one macroblock consists of one 16×16 luminance block and two 8×8 chrominance blocks, a total of 384 instructions (256+64×2) are required to perform horizontal padding. In addition, 56 OR instructions (3 instructions/row×16 rows for the luminance shape and 1 instruction/row×8 rows for chrominance shape) are required to generate shape data for vertical padding.
The number of instructions required for preprocessing (updating the shape and texture) before upward propagation in vertical padding is shape dependent. Assuming worst case shape data 160 with binary values of 10101010 . . . , for the luminance block and corresponding values in shape data 164 for the chrominance block a total of 142 instructions are required as shown by adding the number of instructions tabulated in a column 162 and a column 166 in FIG. 12 .
Upward propagation in vertical padding requires 8 instructions for an 8×4 block on a 32-bit ALU. Therefore, a total of 96 instructions (12 blocks×8 instructions/blocks) are needed to perform vertical padding on one macroblock, including the luminance and chrominance components.
It should be noted that a further reduction in the number of instructions required for padding can be made. First, more than 50% of macroblock rows are either all zeros or all ones. Each of these conditions can be detected by performing OR and AND operations on all the shape data in a row, respectively. Note that OR operations are already performed to generate shape data for vertical padding. In addition, 56 AND operations are required. Second, less than one half of the macroblocks actually require vertical padding, since many macroblocks are padded completely after only the horizontal padding operation is carried out. This condition in which vertical padding is not required can also be easily detected with an additional 15 AND operations. Note that it is only necessary to test the shape for luminance in this case, since the shape for chrominance is sub-sampled from the luminance shape.
The following code illustrates the steps for testing the shape data to further reduce the average number of instructions in actual bit streams. This method reduces the actual number of instructions that are required so that the number is significantly lower than the above worst case estimate. Also, since less than 4% of macroblock rows that require vertical padding need to be averaged, case 3 of the preprocessing step in the vertical padding rarely occurs, thus further reducing the actual processing time.
For ( rows ) {
if ( ( OR al l shape data in the row) != 0 ) {
if ( ( AND all shape data in the row ) != −1 )
PerformHorizontalPadding ();
}
}
if ( ( AND all vertical shape data ) != −1 ) {
Pre-processing ();
For ( columns ) {
UpwardPropagation ();
}
}
Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred form of practicing it and modifications thereto, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many other modifications can be made thereto within the scope of the claims that follow. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the invention in any way be limited by the above description, but instead be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
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A method for efficiently padding a macroblock of a video object plane employs two new instructions. The instructions, PadToRight and PadToLeft, are applied in alternating sequence during a PadPass 1 operation and a PadPass 2 operation. The results of these two operations are then averaged to pad each transparent pixel in each row of a macroblock that includes at least one opaque pixel. A Shift_in register is used to temporarily store data to facilitate the operation implemented by these instructions. Once the transparent pixels in each row have been padded horizontally, pixels in rows having shape data equal to zero (indicating all pixels in the row are transparent) are padded in a pre-processing step, followed by an upward propagation step. The two instructions are preferably implemented using 2:1 multiplexers implemented with an arithmetic logic unit. The method is particularly useful in set-top boxes, games, and other video applications.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns the type II restriction endonuclease SgrAI, a process for its isolation and its use.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Type II restriction endonucleases are endodeoxyribonucleases which recognize and cleave particular DNA sequences. In this process one phosphodiester bridge is hydrolyzed in each polynucleotide strand of the target sequence. Type II restriction endonucleases are thus of value for the analysis of DNA molecules. Although type II restriction endonucleases are known which are specific for numerous DNA sequences, there is still a need for further restriction endonucleases with new specificities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a type II restriction endonuclease having the recognition sequence ##STR3## and the cleavage site defined by the arrows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The new restriction endonuclease according to the present invention, which is denoted SgrAI hereafter, has a temperature optimum at ca. 37° C. The enzyme has good activity between pH 7.5 and pH 8.5 in 33 mmol/1 Trisacetate buffer with 10 mmol/1 MgCl 2 , 66 mmol/1 CH 3 COOK and 1.0 mmol/1 DTE (dithioerythritol). The pH optimum is at ca. pH 7.9. An enzyme which has the same recognition sequence and cleavage site as SgrAI is not known. The recognition sequence can be confirmed by the complete digestion of the DNA of the SV40 and adeno 2 viruses, of phage lambda and phage phiX174 and of the phage derivative M13mp8 and of the pBR322 and pBR328 plasmids. These DNA molecules are treated with SgrAI.
Table 1 shows a comparison of the cleavage site specificity observed with a cleavage site specificity determined by a computer for an enzyme which recognizes the following sequence: ##STR4##
TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________ Cleavage Fragment lengths positions Number ofFragment lengths determined determined by cleavage sites Number ofdetermined by computer computer determined cleavage sitesexperimentally analysis analysis (at by computer determinedDNA [bp] [bp] the base pairs) analysis experimentally__________________________________________________________________________SV 40 0 0 0 0 0M13mp8 0 0 0 0 0phiX174 0 0 0 0 0pBR3224400 4363 408 1 1pBR3284900 4907 409 1 1Lambda17000, 15000, 16679, 14850, 7064, 8680, 6 67000, 4200, 2800, 7063, 4198, 2775, 12878, 15653,1600, 1300 1616, 1321 16974, 31824Ad 17000, 9200, 16978, 9175, 184, 808, 6 66000, 2700, 630 5915, 2727, 17786, 23701,330, 180 625, 334, 184 26428, 26762__________________________________________________________________________ bp: base pair(s)
The cleavage position within the recognition sequence of the enzyme can be determined on a M13 derivative having this recognition sequence at an interval of ca. 30-200 bases from the binding site of the universal sequencing primer (Messing, J. et al., (1981) Nucl. Acids Res. 9, 309-321). At first sequencing reactions according to the dideoxy chain-termination method (Sanger, F. et al., (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 74, 560-564, Messing, J. et al., (1981) Nucl. Acids Res. 9, 309-321) are carried out on the single-stranded DNA of the M13 derivative with the universal sequencing primer.
Parallel with this, the sequencing primer is radioactively labelled at the 5' end with T4-polynucleotide kinase and [Υ- 32 P]ATP. After hybridization of this 5' end-labelled sequencing primer to the single-stranded M 13 DNA, a partially double-stranded DNA is prepared in a "filling in" reaction with DNA-polymerase I (Klenow enzyme) and a deoxynucleotide triphosphate mixture of dATP, dCTP, dGTP and dTTP. An aliquot of this DNA, of which the newly synthesized strand is radioactively labelled at the 5' end, is now cleaved with the restriction endonuclease SgrAI. Half of the cleavage preparation is additionally treated with T4-DNA polymerase in the presence of a mixture of all four deoxynucleotide triphosphates in order to obtain blunt DNA ends.
The analysis of the reaction products is carried out by electrophoresis on sequencing gels (8 mol/1 urea, 5 % polyacrylamide) and subsequent autoradiography. The results are interpreted according to Brown, N.L. and Smith, M. (Methods in Enzymology 65 (1980) 391-401). The position of the cleavage site is determined by a comparison of the distances of migration of the radioactively-labelled fragments with the sequencing ladder. The samples which were additionally treated with T4-DNA polymerase show a band which is four base pairs longer in comparison with the samples which were only cleaved with SgrAI. This therefore shows that SgrAI produces a 5' end which protrudes by four base pairs.
SgrAI has therefore the following cleavage specificity within the recognition sequence: ##STR5##
The number of cleavage sites determined experimentally is identical to the number of cleavage sites for the sequence ##STR6## obtained by computer analysis with the different DNA's (Table I). In addition these data were also compared with the tables in Gene 10 (1980) 357-370.
SgrAI is preferably isolated by culturing microorganisms of the genus Streptomyces, preferably microorganisms of the species Streotomyces griseus and isolating the enzyme from the cells. In particular Streptomyces griseus DSM 5621 is preferred. The microorganism Streptomyces griseus was deposited at the German Collection for Microorganisms, Gesellschaft fur biotechnologische Forschung mbH, Mascheroder Weg 1b, 3300 Braunschweig, BRD and has the deposit number DSM 5621.
The usual biochemical methods of purification can be used for the isolation in which the presence of the enzyme in the respective fractions obtained can be easily tested on the basis of the cleavage of its recognition sequence. Lambda DNA is, for example, suitable as the substrate. The DNA fragments obtained are separated electrophoretically in agarose gels in buffer systems usually used for the fragment separation in the presence of ethidium bromide.
The microorganisms used for the isolation of the enzyme grow aerobically in a M 111 medium (10 g/1 yeast extract; 10 g/1 malt extract).
The optimal conditions for growth are at 26° C., pH 6.5-7.5. The doubling time is about 2.5 hours.
The enzyme is isolated and purified by the usual chemical and mechanical methods such as, for example, by high pressure dispersion, ultrasound or enzymatic lysis. The cells are preferably lysed by means of a French press. The further purification of the supernatant is preferably carried out by means of affinity chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography. Heparin-Sepharose® CL-6B (Pharmacia) is for example suitable as the material for the affinity chromatography. Cellulose phosphate (Whatman) is for example suitable as the material for cation P11 exchange chromatography.
The product available under the name DEAE Sephacel® (Pharmacia) is suitable as the anion-exchanger. Other chromatographic materials which are known to the expert are also suitable.
The following Examples elucidate the invention further.
EXAMPLE 1
Streptomyces griseus DSM 5621 is cultured at 26° C. for 5 hours and is harvested in the logarithmic phase. The culture medium is M 111 medium. The cell paste (30 g wet weight) is resuspended in 2.4 volumes buffer A (40 mmol/1 Tris/HC1, pH 8.0, 0.1 mmol/1 EDTA, 7 mmol/1 2- mercaptoethanol), which contains protease inhibitors. Subsequently, the cells are lysed by passing then twice through a French press at 23,000 lb/inch 2 and the precipitate is separated off. To the supernatant NH 4 Cl is added (final concentration 0.3 mol/1) and by means of polymin nucleic acids are precipitated and separated off. Subsequently 55 % ammonium sulfate is added to the supernatant which is subsequently fractionated on a heparin-Sepharose column. A gradient of 0-1 mol/1 NaCl is used for the elution. SgrAI is found in the fractions between 0.4 and 0.6 mol/1 NaCl. The active fractions are dialysed against buffer B (40 mmol/1 Tris-HCl; pH 8.0; 0.1 mmol/1 EDTA; 7 mmol/1 2-mercaptoethanol; 10 % (w/v) glycerol). Subsequently, they are applied to a DEAE-Sephacel column which was equilibrated with buffer B. A gradient of 0-0.5 mol/1 NaCl in buffer B is used for the elution.
The active fractions are dialyzed against buffer B. Subsequently they are applied to a cellulose phosphate column equilibrated with buffer B. A gradient of 0-1 mol/1 NaCl in buffer B is used for the elution. SgrAI is found in the fractions between 0.3 and 0.5 mol/1 NaCl. The active fractions are pooled and dialyzed against storage buffer (20 mmol/1 Tris-Hc1, pH 8.0 , 10 mmol/1 2- mercaptoethanol and 100 mmol/1 NaCl, 0.1 mmol/1 EDTA and 50% (v/v) glycerol).
EXAMPLE 2
DETERMINATION OF THE ACTIVITY
Definition of the enzyme units: 1 U SgrAI cleaves 1 μg lambda DNA within 1 hour at 37° C. in 25 μl final volume.
17.9 μl water and 3.6 μl lambda DNA (optical density: 5,6 OD/ml) as well as 1 μl SgrAI solution (1 U/μl) are added to a mixture of 2.5 μl incubation buffer (100 mmol/1 Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 37° C., 100 mmol/1 magnesium chloride) and 10 mmol/1 DTE). The solution is incubated for 1 hour at 37° C., cooled on ice and 5 μl of a terminating reagent consisting of 7 mmol/1 urea, 20 % (w/v) sucrose, 60 mmol1 EDTA and 0.06 % (w/v) bromophenol blue is added. Subsequently separation is carried out by electrophoresis in 1 % agarose gels for 3-4 hours at 100 V. The bands obtained are identified by comparison with a DNA length standard.
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The type III restriction endonuclease SgrAI has the following recognition sequence: ##STR1## cleaves DNA at the cleavage site indicated by the arrows, and is preferably obtainable from microorganisms of the genus Streptomyces. It can be used to recognize and cleave the double-stranded DNA sequence ##STR2## and its complementary sequence.
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This present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/038,110 filed Feb. 19, 1997.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to male pin electrical connectors, and specifically to such connectors adapted for use in oil well tools.
Once an oil well is drilled, it is common to log certain sections of the well with electrical instruments. These instruments are sometimes referred to as "wireline" instruments, as they communicate with the logging unit at the surface of the well through an electrical wire or cable with which they are deployed. In vertical wells, often the instruments are simply lowered down the well on the logging cable. In horizontal or highly deviated wells, however, gravity is frequently insufficient to move the instruments to the depths to be logged. In these situations, it is sometimes necessary to push the instruments along the well with drill pipe.
Wireline logging with drill pipe can be difficult, however, because of the presence of the cable. It is cumbersome and dangerous to pre-string the electrical cable through all of the drill pipe before lowering the instruments into the well. Some deployment systems have therefore been developed, such as Schlumberger's Tough Logging Conditions System (TLCS), that make the electrical connection between the instruments and the cable down hole, after the instruments have been lowered to depth. In these systems, the electrical instruments are easily deployed with standard drill pipe, and the cable is then run down the inside of the drill pipe and connected. After logging, the cable can be easily detached from the logging tool and removed before the tool is retrieved. The TLCS has been very effective and has achieved strong commercial acceptance.
In the TLCS and other systems, the cable is remotely connected to the instrumentation with a down hole connector. One half portion of this connector is attached to the instrumentation and lowered into the well on drill pipe. The other half portion of the connector is attached to the end of the cable and pumped down the drill pipe with a flow of mud that circulates out of open holes at the bottom of the drill pipe and into the well bore. The connector is sometimes referred to as a "wet connector" because the connection is made in the flow of drilling mud under conditions that challenge electrical connection reliability.
Internal connectors used in such well tools, such as for connecting internal leads from the tool to the wet connector, also have to withstand difficult field conditions. The best of tool sealing techniques can, on occasion, fail to keep electrically conductive well fluids from infiltrating the internal connection area. In some applications, extreme pressure differentials (sometimes up to 15,000 psi, for instance) across connectors can tend to force fluids to migrate along interfaces between various connector components or even inside conductor insulation. Down hole temperatures can also reach extreme levels, excluding the use of common seal and connector materials of some commercial connectors. Internal connectors must therefore be tightly sealed and properly constructed to protect against both known and unforeseen down hole environments and circumstances.
Furthermore, down hole tools must be designed to fit down small diameter wells, sometimes as small as four inches in diameter or less. This size constraint is passed along to the internal connectors, which sometimes are forced to fit within bores of only one-inch diameter or less. Within this package size the internal connector must provide, depending upon the application, individually isolated connection for up to eight or more electrical conductors to provide power and signal connection from the tool to the surface of the well. Because typically such connectors are mounted within load-carrying members (which are therefore desirably made of steel or other metal), the possibility exists for shorting between closely-spaced connector pins and such nearby metal surfaces.
Such internal connectors must also be easy to assemble, sometimes in the field if troubleshooting or repair are required. Also, quick pin-out reconfiguration of multi-pin connectors is desirable for overcoming unforeseen field problems, such as an internal break in a conductor within the cable. To meet these requirements, it is necessary that the separate wires from the tool be individually connectable to the internal connector. This individual connection requirement precludes the use of a unitary female multi-pin connector. Instead, such down hole tools are generally constructed with individual female pin sockets on each tool wire for connection with a pin of the internal connector. Such construction, while enabling easy assembly and reconfiguration, provides additional challenges of sealing and shorting resistance that are more conveniently addressed in typical unitary female pin connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the invention a male connector, adapted to engage a female connector to form an electrical connection, has an electrically insulative body, an electrically conductive pin secured to the body and extending through a face of the body for electrical contact with the female connector, a cylindrical pin insulator formed in place about the pin and extending through the face of the body, a wire in electrical communication with the pin and extending from the connector (the wire having a wire jacket surrounding a wire conductor), and a wire seal formed in place about the wire jacket and arranged to seal between the wire and the body.
In some embodiments, the pin has two flanges and the pin insulator is disposed between the two flanges.
In some preferred arrangements, the male connector has at least three wires, three corresponding pins and three corresponding pin insulators. For some applications, the male connector has at least eight wires, eight corresponding pins and eight corresponding pin insulators.
The wire seal, in some instances, comprises a unitary element formed in place to seal about all the wires.
The pin insulator preferably extends at least 0.05 inches from the body face, most preferably at least 0.10 inches from the body face.
In some embodiments, the pin insulator comprises a resilient material. In some cases, the pin insulator comprises a fluorocarbon elastomer.
In some embodiments, the wire seal comprises a resilient material. In some instances, the wire seal comprises a fluorocarbon elastomer.
The body preferably includes a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylketone, polyethyletherketone and polyaryletherketone. Most preferably, the body comprises polyethylketone.
In some embodiments, the body defines a circumferential groove for retaining an o-ring seal. Preferably, the male connector is constructed to withstand a static differential pressure of at least 10,000 pounds per square inch (most preferably at least 15,000 pounds per square inch) across the o-ring seal without sustaining structural damage.
The male connector is preferably constructed to pass through a circular opening of 1.00 inch diameter.
The above-described features are combined, in various embodiments, as required to satisfy the needs of a given application.
In another aspect of the invention, a wireline logging tool for downhole use in a well at the end of an electrical cable, includes a sensor for measuring a downhole well characteristic, having a female connector, and the above-described male connector engaged with the female connector to connect the sensor to the cable.
The improved construction of the male connector of the invention can provide a reliably sealed and electrically insulated connection for one or more conductors, even under the severe conditions typical of down hole use in an oil well.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIGS. 1-5 sequentially illustrate the use of a remotely-engaged electrical connector with a well logging tool.
FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate the construction of the down hole half portion of the connector (the DWCH) of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6D--6D in FIG. 6B.
FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate the construction of the cable half portion of the connector (the PWCH) of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7D--7D in FIG. 7B.
FIG. 8 shows an alternative arrangement of the upper end of the PWCH.
FIG. 9 illustrates a function of the swab cup in a pipe.
FIG. 9A shows a swab cup arranged at the lower end of a tool.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged, exploded view of the swab cup and related components.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the female connector assembly of FIG. 7B.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a subassembly of the female connector assembly of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of area 13 in FIG. 11.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the multi-pin connector of FIG. 7B.
FIG. 15 is an end view of the connector, as viewed from direction 15 in FIG. 14.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIGS. 1 through 5, the downhole connection system is suitable for use with wireline logging tools 10 in either an open hole well or a cased well 12, and is especially useful in situations in which the well is deviated and/or the zone to be logged (e.g., zone 14) is at significant depth. In these figures, well 12 has a horizontal section 16 to be logged in zone 14, and is cased with a casing 18 that extends from the well surface down to a casing shoe 20.
As shown in FIG. 1, logging tools 10 are equipped with a dowh hole wet-connector head (DWCH) 22 that connects between an upper end of the logging tools and drill pipe 24. As will be more fully explained below, DWCH 22 provides a male part of a downhole electrical connection for electrical communication between logging tools 10 and a mobile logging unit 26. During the first step of the logging procedure, logging tools 10 and DWCH 22 are lowered into well 12 on connected lengths of standard drill pipe 24 until tools 10 reach the upper end of the section of well to be logged (e.g., the top of zone 14). Drill pipe 24 is lowered by standard techniques and, as the drill pipe is not open for fluid inflow from the well, at regular intervals (e.g., every 2000 to 3000 feet) the drill pipe is filled with drilling fluid (i.e., mud).
As shown in FIG. 2, when tools 10 have reached the top of zone 14, a pump-down wet-connector head (PWCH) 28 is lowered into the inner bore of the drill pipe on an electrical cable 30 that is reeled from logging unit 26. PWCH 28 has a female connector part to mate with the male connector part of the DWCH. A cable side-entry sub (CSES) 32, pre-threaded with cable 30 to provide a side exit of the cable from the made-up drill pipe, is attached to the upper end of drill pipe 24 and a mud cap 34 (e.g., of a rig top drive or Kelly mud circulation system) is attached above CSES 32 for pumping mud down the drill pipe bore. Standard mud pumping equipment (not shown) is used for this purpose. As will be discussed later, a specially constructed swab cup on the PWCH helps to develop a pressure force on PWCH 28, due to the flow of mud down the drill pipe, to push the PWCH down the well and to latch it onto DWCH 22 to form an electrical connection. A special valve (explained below) in DWCH 22 allows the mud flow to circulate from the drill pipe to the well bore.
As shown in FIG. 3, PWCH 28 is pumped down drill pipe 24 until it latches with DWCH 22 to form an electrical connection between logging tools 10 and logging unit 26. At this point, the mud flow can be stopped and mud cap 34 removed from the top of the drill pipe. Logging tools 10 can be powered up to check system function or to perform a preliminary log as the logging tools are lowered to the bottom of the well.
As shown in FIG. 4, logging tools 10, DWCH 22 and PWCH 28 are lowered or pushed down to the bottom of the well by standard drill pipe methods, adding additional sections of drill pipe 24 as required. During this process, CSES 32 remains attached to the drill pipe, providing a side exit for cable 30. Above CSES 32, cable 30 lies on the outside of drill pipe 24, avoiding the need to pre-string cable 30 through any sections of drill pipe other than CSES 32. The lowering process is coordinated between the logging unit operator and the drill pipe operator to lower the drill pipe and the cable simultaneously.
At the bottom of the well, the sensor fingers or pad devices 36 of the logging tool (if equipped) are deployed, and the logging tools are pulled back up the well to the top of zone 14 as the sensor readings are recorded in well logging unit 26. As during the lowering process, the raising of the logging tool is coordinated between the logging unit operator and the drill pipe operator such that the cable and the drill pipe are raised simultaneously.
Referring to FIG. 5, after the logging is complete, the downhole power is turned off and PWCH 28 is detached from DWCH 22 and brought back up the well. CSES 32 and PWCH 28 are removed from the drill pipe and the rest of the drill pipe, including the DWCH and the logging tools, are retrieved.
Referring to FIGS. 6A through 6C, DWCH 22 has two major subassemblies, the downhole wet-connector compensation cartridge (DWCC) 38 and the downhole wet-connector latch assembly (DWCL) 40. The lower end 41 of DWCC 38 connects to the logging tools 10 (see FIG. 1).
The DWCL 40 is the upper end of DWCH 22, and has an outer housing 42 which connects, at its lower end, to DWCC 38 at a threaded joint 44 (FIG. 6B) . Attached to the inside surface of DWCL housing 42 with sealed, threaded fasteners 46 is a latch assembly which has three cantilevered latch fingers 48 extending radially inwardly and toward the DWCC for securing PWCH 28. Two axially separated centralizers 50 are also secured about the inside of DWCL housing 42 for guiding the lower end of the PWCH to mate with the male connector assembly 52 of the DWCC.
The DWCC 38 contains the electrical and hydraulic components of the DWCH. It has an outer housing 54 attached via a threaded joint 55 to a lower bulkhead assembly 56 having internal threads 57 at its lower end for releasably attaching the DWCH to logging tools. At the upper end of housing 54 is a threaded joint 58 joining housing 54 to a coupling 60. Split threaded sleeves 62 at joints 44, 55 and 58 enable the DWCH housing components 54, 60, 42 and 56 to be coupled without rotating either end of the DWCH. Bulkhead assembly 56 contains a sealed bulkhead electrical connector 64 for electrically connecting the DWCH to the logging tools.
One function of DWCC 38 is to provide exposed electrical contacts (in the form of male connector assembly 52) that are electrically coupled to the logging tools through bulkhead connector 64. This electrical coupling is provided through a multi-wire cable 66 that extends upward through a sealed wire chamber 68 to the individual contacts 102 of connector assembly 52. Cable 66 extends upward through an oil tube 71 through the center of the DWCH. Chamber 68 is sealed by individual o-ring contact seals 70 of connector assembly 52, o-ring seals 72 on oil tube 71, o-ring seals 74 and 76 on piston 77, and o-rings 78 on bulkhead assembly 56, and is filled with an electrically insulating fluid, such as silicone oil. The pressure in chamber 68 is maintained at approximately the pressure inside the drill pipe 24 (FIG. 1) near the top of DWCH 22 by the pressure compensation system described more fully below.
A mud piston assembly 80 (FIG. 6B), consisting of a piston 82, a piston collar 84, a piston stop 86, seals 88 and sliding friction reducers 90, is biased in an upward direction against piston stop nut 92 by a mud piston spring 94. With the mud piston assembly in the position shown, with stop 86 against nut 92, piston 82 effectively blocks fluid from moving between the well annulus 96 (the area between the drill pipe and the well bore; see FIG. 1) and the inside of the drill pipe (i.e., interior area 98) through three side ports 100 spaced about the diameter of the DWCH. In operation, mud piston assembly 80 remains in this port-blocking position until there is sufficient pressure in interior area 98 in excess of the pressure in well annulus 96 (acting against the upper end of piston 82) to overcome the biasing preload force of spring 94 and move the mud piston assembly downward, compressing spring 94 and exposing ports 100. Once exposed, ports 100 allows normal forward circulation of mud down the drill pipe and out through ports 100 into the well. Once mud pumping pressure is stopped, mud piston spring 94 forces mud piston assembly 80 back up to its port-blocking position. By blocking ports 100 in the DWCL housing 42 in the absence of mud pumping pressure in the drill pipe, mud piston assembly 80 effectively prevents undesirable inflow from the well into the drill pipe. This is especially useful in avoiding a well blow out through the drill pipe, and in keeping mud-carried debris from the well from interfering with proper function of the latching and electrical portions of the system. It also helps to prevent "u-tubing", in which a sudden inrush of well fluids and the resultant upward flow of mud in the drill pipe can cause the DWCH and PWCH to separate prematurely.
Male connector assembly 52 is made up of a series of nine contact rings 102, each sealed by two o-ring seals 70 and separated by insulators 104. The interior of this assembly of contact rings and insulators is at the pressure of chamber 68, while the exterior of this assembly is exposed to drill pipe pressure (i.e., the pressure of interior area 98). In order to maintain the structural integrity of this connector assembly, as well as the reliability of seals 70, it is important that the pressure difference across the connector assembly (i.e., the difference between the pressure in chamber 68 and the pressure in area 98) be kept low. Too great of a pressure difference (e.g., over 100 psi) can cause seals 70 to fail or, in extreme cases, for the connector assembly to collapse. Even minor leakage of electrically conductive drilling mud through seals 70 into chamber 68, due in part to a large difference between drill pipe pressure and the pressure in chamber 68, can affect the reliability of the electrical systems.
The pressure compensation system maintains the pressure differential across the male connector assembly within a reasonable level, and biases the pressure difference such that the pressure in chamber 68 is slightly greater (up to 50 to 100 psi greater) than the pressure in area 98. This "over-compensation" of the pressure in chamber 68 causes any tendency toward leakage to result in non-conductive silicone oil from chamber 68 seeping out into area 98, rather than conductive drilling muds flowing into chamber 68. An annulus 106 about oil tube 71, formed in part between oil tube 71 and a mud shaft 108 concentrically surrounding oil tube 71, conveys drilling mud pressure from area 98, through holes 110, to act against the upper side of piston 77. The mud pressure is transferred through piston 77, sealed by o-ring seals 74 and 76, into oil chamber 68.
During assembly of the DWCC, oil chamber 68 is filled with an electrically insulative fluid, such as silicone oil, through a one-way oil fill check valve 112 (FIG. 6D), such as a Lee brand check valve CKFA1876015A. To properly fill the oil chamber, a vacuum is first applied to the chamber through a bleed port 114. With the vacuum applied, oil is back filled into chamber 68 through bleed port 114. This is repeated a few times until the chamber has been completely filled. Then the vacuum is removed, port 114 is sealed with a plug 116, and more oil is pumped into chamber 68 through check valve 112, extending a compensation spring 118, until a one-way pressure-limiting check valve 119 in piston 77 opens, indicating that the pressure in chamber 68 has reached a desired level above the pressure in chamber 98 (which, during this filling process, is generally at atmospheric pressure). When valve 119 indicates that the desired pressure is reached (preferably 50 to 100 psi, typically), the oil filling line is removed from one-way check valve 112, leaving chamber 68 pressurized.
Mud chamber fill ports 120 in coupling 60 allow mud annulus 106 and the internal volume above piston 77 to be pre-filled with a recommended lubricating fluid, such as motor oil, prior to field use. The lubricating fluid typically remains in the DWCH (specifically in annulus 106 and the volume above piston 77) during use in the well and is not readily displaced by the drilling mud, thereby simplifying tool maintenance. In addition to the lubricating fluid, generous application of a friction-reducing material, such as LUBRIPLATET™, is recommended for all sliding contact surfaces.
Referring to FIGS. 7A through 7C, PWCH 28 contains a female connector assembly 140 for mating with the male connector assembly 52 of DWCH 22 down hole. As the PWCH is run down the well, before engaging the DWCH, a shuttle 142 of an electrically insulating material is biased to the lower end of the PWCH. A quad-ring seal 144 seals against the outer diameter of shuttle 142 to keep well fluids out of the PWCH until the shuttle is displaced by the male connector assembly of the DWCH. A tapered bottom nose 146 helps to align the PWCH for docking with the PWCH.
When pushed into the DWCH by sufficient inertial or mud pressure loads, the lower end of the PWCH extends through latch fingers 48 of the DWCH (FIG. 6A) until the latch fingers snap behind a frangible latch ring 148 on the PWCH. Once latch ring 148 is engaged by the latch fingers of the DWCH, it resists disengagement of the DWCH and PWCH, e.g., due to drill pipe movement, vibration or u-tubing. Latch ring 148 is selectable from an assortment of rings of different maximum shear load resistances (e.g., 1600 to 4000 pounds, depending on anticipated field conditions) such that the PWCH may be released from the DWCH after data collection by pulling upward on the deployment cable until latch ring 148 shears and releases the PWCH.
The PWCH has an outer housing 150 and a rope socket housing weldment 152 connected by a coupling 154 and appropriate split threaded rings 156. Within outer housing 150 is a wire mandrel sub-assembly with an upper mandrel 158 and a lower mandrel 160. Slots 162 in the upper wire mandrel and holes 163 (FIG. 7D) through the outer housing form an open flow path from the interior of the drill pipe to a mud chamber 164 within the wire mandrel sub-assembly. The signal wires 165 from the female connector assembly 140 are routed between the outer housing 150 and the wire mandrel along axial grooves in the outer surface of lower mandrel 160, through holes 166 in upper mandrel 158, through wire cavity 168, and individually connected to lower pins of connector assembly 170.
Like the DWCH, the PWCH has a pressure compensation system for equalizing the pressure across shuttle 142 while keeping the electrical components surrounded by electrically insulative fluid, such as silicone oil, until the shuttle is displaced. An oil chamber 172 is defined within lower mandrel 160 and separated from mud chamber 164 by a compensation piston 174 with an o-ring seal 175. Piston 174 is free to move within lower mandrel 160, such that the pressure in the mud and oil chambers is substantially equal. Upper and lower springs 176 and 178 are disposed within mud and oil chambers 164 and 172, respectively, and bias shuttle 142 downward. Oil chamber 172 is in fluid communication with wire cavity 168 and the via the wire routing grooves in lower mandrel 160 and wire holes 166 in upper mandrel 158, sealed against drill pipe pressure by seals 180 about the upper mandrel. Therefore, with the shuttle positioned as shown, drill pipe fluid acts against the upper end of compensating piston 174, which transfers pressure to oil chamber 172 and the upper end of shuttle 174, balancing the fluid pressure forces on the shuttle. Fill ports 182 and 184, at upper and lower ends of the oil-filled portion of the PWCH, respectively, allow for filling of oil chamber 172 and wire cavity 168 after assembly. A pressure relief valve 186 in the compensating piston allows the oil chamber to be pressurized at assembly up to 100 psi over the pressure in mud chamber 164 (i.e., atmospheric pressure during assembly).
The upper end of the PWCH provides both a mechanical and an electrical connection to the wireline cable 30 (FIG. 2). Connector assembly 170 has nine electrically isolated pins, each with a corresponding insulated pigtail wire 188 for electrical connection to individual wires of cable 30. A connector retainer 189 is threaded to the exposed end of coupling 154 to hold the connector in place. The specific construction of connector assembly 170 is discussed in more detail below.
To assemble the upper end of the PWCH to the cable, rope socket housing 152 is first threaded over the end of the cable, along with split cable seal 190, seal nut 192, and upper and lower swab cup mandrels 194 and 196, respectively. A standard, self-tightening rope socket cable retainer 197 is placed about the cable end for securing the cable end to the rope socket housing against an internal shoulder 198. The wires of the cable are connected to pigtail wires 188 from the connector assembly, rope socket housing 152 is attached to coupling 154 with a threaded split ring 156, and the rope socket housing is pumped full of electrically insulative grease, such as silicone grease, through grease holes 200. Swab cup 202, discussed in more detail below, is installed between upper and lower swab cup mandrels 194 and 196 to restrict flow through the drill pipe around the PWCH and develop a pressure force for moving the PWCH along the drill pipe and latching the PWCH to the DWCH down hole. Upper swab cup mandrel 194 is threaded onto rope socket housing 152 to hold swab cup 202 in place, and seal nut 192 is tightened.
Referring to FIG. 8, an alternate arrangement for the upper end of the PWCH has two swab cups 202a and 202b, separated by a distance L, for further restricting flow around the PWCH. This arrangement is useful when light, low-viscosity muds are to be used for pumping, for instance. A rope socket housing extension 204 appropriately connects the mandrels of the two swab cups. More than two swab cups may also be used.
Referring to FIG. 9, swab cup 202 creates a flow restriction and a corresponding pressure drop at point A. Because the upstream pressure (e.g., the pressure at point B) is greater than the downstream pressure (e.g., the pressure at point C), a net force is developed on the swab cup to push the swab cup and its attached tool downstream. As shown in FIG. 9A, a swab cup (e.g., swab cup 202c) may alternatively be positioned near the bottom of a tool 206 to pull the tool down a pipe or well. This arrangement may be particularly useful, for example, for centering the tool to protect extended features near its downstream end or with large pipe/tool diameter ratios or small tool length/diameter ratios. The desired radial gap Δ r between the outer surface of the swab cup and the inner surface of the pipe is a function of several factors, including fluid viscosity. We have found that a radial gap of about 0.05 inch per side (i.e., a diametrical gap of 0.10 inch) works with most common well-drilling muds.
Referring to FIG. 10, swab cup 202 is injection molded of a resilient material such as VITON or other fluorocarbon elastomer, and has a slit 210 down one side to facilitate installation and removal without detaching the cable from the tool. Tapered sections 214 and 216 of the swab cup fit into corresponding bores in the upper and lower swab cup mandrels 194 and 196, respectively, and have outer surfaces that taper at about 7 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the swab cup. The length of the tapered sections helps to retain the swab cup within the bores of the housing. In addition, six pins 217 extend through holes 218 in the swab cup, between the upper and lower swab cup mandrels, to retain the swab cup during use. Circular trim guides 219 are molded into a surface of the swab cup to aid cutting of the cup to different outer diameters to fit various pipe sizes. Other resilient materials can also be used for the swab cup, although ideally the swab cup material should be able to withstand the severe abrasion that can occur along the pipe walls and the great range of chemicals that can be encountered in wells. Other, non-resilient materials that are also useful are soft metals, such as brass or aluminum, or hard plastics, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (TEFLON™) or acetal homopolymer resin (DELRIN™). Non-resilient swab cups can be formed in two overlapping pieces for installation over a pre-assembled tool.
Referring to FIG. 11, female connector assembly 140 of the PWCH has a series of female contacts 220 disposed about a common axis 222. The contacts have a linear spacing, d, that corresponds to the spacing of the male contacts of the male connector assembly of the DWCH (FIG. 6A), and a wiper seal 224. Contacts 220 and wiper seals 224 are each held within a corresponding insulator 226. The stack of contacts, wiper seals and insulators in contained within an outer sleeve 228 between an end retainer 230 and an upper mandrel 232.
Referring also to FIGS. 12 and 13, each contact 220 is machined from a single piece of electrically conductive material, such as beryllium copper, and has a sleeve portion 234 with eight (preferably six or more) extending fingers 236. Contact 220 is preferably gold-plated. Fingers 236 are each shaped to bow radially inward, in other words to have, from sleeve portion 234 to a distal end 237, a first portion 238 that extends radially inward and a second portion 240 that extends radially outward, forming a radially innermost portion 242 with a contact length d c of about 0.150 inch. By machining contact 220 from a single piece of stock, fingers 236, in their relaxed state as shown, have no residual bending stresses that tend to reduce their fatigue resistance.
The inner diameter d 1 of contact 220, as measured between contact surfaces 242 of opposite fingers, is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of male electrical contacts 102 of the DWCH (FIG. 6A), such that fingers 236 are pushed outward during engagement with the male connector and provide a contact pressure between contact surfaces 242 and male contacts 102. The circumferential width, w, of each finger tapers to a minimum at contact surface 242. We have found that machining the contact such that the length d c of contact surfaces 242 is about one-fourth of the overall length d f of the fingers, and the radial thickness, t, of the fingers is about 75 percent of the radial distance, r, between the inner surface of sleeve portion 234 and contact surfaces 242, results in a contact construction that withstands repeated engagements.
Wiper seals 224 are preferably molded from a resilient fluorocarbon elastomer, such as VITON™. The inner diameter d 2 of wiper seals 224 is also slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the male contacts, such that the wiper seals tend to wipe debris from the male contact surface during engagement. Preferably, the inner diameters d 1 and d 2 of the contacts and wiper seals are about equal. Wiper seals 224 are molded from an electrically insulative material to reduce the possibility of shorting between contacts in the presence of electrically conductive fluids.
Contact 220 has a solder lug 244 machined on one side of its sleeve portion 234 for electrically connecting a wire 246. As shown in FIG. 12, as wired contact 220 is inserted into insulator 226, wire 246 is routed through a hole 248 in the insulator. Alignment pins 250 in other holes 248 in the insulator fit into external grooves 252 of wiper seal 224 to align the wiper seal to the insulator. A notch 254 on the wiper seal fits around solder lug 244. Insulators 226 and wiper seals 224 are formed with sufficient holes 248 and grooves 252, respectively, to route all of the wires 246 from each of contacts 220 in the female connector to the upper end of the assembly for attachment to seal assembly 170 (FIG. 7B).
With contact 220 inserted into insulator 226, the distal ends 237 of the contact fingers lie within an axial groove 256 formed by an inner lip 258 of the insulator. Lip 258 protects the distal ends of the fingers from being caught on male connector assembly surfaces during disengagement of the PWCH from the DWCH.
Referring to FIG. 14, connector assembly 170 of the PWCH has a molded connector body 280 of an electrically insulative material, such as polyethylketone, polyethyletherketone or polyaryletherketone. Body 280 is designed to withstand a high static differential pressure of up to, for instance, 15,000 psi across an o-ring in o-ring groove 281, and has through holes 282 into which are pressed electrically conductive pins 284 attached to lead wires 286. (Lead wires 286 form pigtail wires 188 of FIG. 7B.) Gold-plated pins 284 of 17-4 stainless steel are pressed into place until their lower flanges 288 rest against the bottoms of counterbores 290 in the connector body. To seal the interface between the connector body and the lead wires, a wire seal 292 is molded in place about the wires and the connector body after the insulation on the individual lead wires has been etched for better adhesion to the seal material. Seal 292 must also withstand the high differential pressures of up to 15,000 psi experienced by the connector assembly. We have found that some high temperature fluorocarbon elastomers, such as VITON™ and KALREZ™, work well for wire seal 292.
To form an arc barrier between adjacent pins 284, and between the pins and coupling 154 (FIG. 7B), at face 294 of connector body 280, individual pin insulators 296 are molded in place about each of pins 284 between their lower and upper flanges 288 and 298, respectively. Insulators 296 extend out through the plane of face 294 of the connector body about 0.120 inch, and are preferably molded of a high temperature fluorocarbon elastomer such as VITON™ or KALREZ™. Insulators 296 guard against arcing that may occur along face 294 of the connector body if, for instance, moist air or liquid water infiltrates wire cavity 168 of the PWCH (FIG. 7B). Besides guarding against undesired electrical arcing, insulators 296 also help to seal out moisture from the connection between pins 284 and lead wires 286 inside the connector body during storage and transportation.
Referring also to FIG. 15, connector body 280 has an outer diameter d b of about 0.95 inches in order to fit within the small tool inner diameters (of down to 1.0 inch, for example) typical of down hole instrumentation. The assembled connector has a circular array of nine pins 284, each with corresponding insulators 296 and lead wires 286.
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A male connector, adapted to engage a female connector to form an electrical connection, has an electrically insulative body, an electrically conductive pin secured to the body and extending through a face of the body for electrical contact with the female connector, a cylindrical pin insulator formed in place about the pin and extending through the face of the body, and a wire seal formed in place about the wire jacket and arranged to seal between the wire and the body. In some embodiments, the pin insulator is disposed between two flanges of the pin. The described version has nine wires, pins and corresponding pin insulators. The body preferably defines a circumferential groove for retaining an o-ring seal, and is capable of withstanding a static differential pressure of 15,000 pounds per square inch across the o-ring seal without sustaining structural damage. The male connector is preferably constructed to pass through a circular opening of 1.00 inch diameter. Preferred materials are also disclosed.
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RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/174,483, filed Feb. 6, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/754,071 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,648,805), filed May 25, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/266,498 (now Abandoned), filed Nov. 3, 2005, and titled “Fingertip Mouse,” which claims priority from Provisional Application No. Ser. No. 60/625,254, filed Nov. 5, 2004, the entirety of each are incorporated here by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This instant specification relates to computer peripherals, and, more particularly, to peripherals used to track movement.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Some current computer mice are constructed in a size that approximates the size of a human had. A mouse can be moved across a pad using the palm of a hand and may have one or more buttons to use in making selections that affect an attached computer. Some mice have a trackball that engages the pad to move a cursor on a computer.
SUMMARY
[0004] In general, this document describes a computer peripheral for tracking movement.
[0005] In a first general aspect, a computer peripheral system is described. The system includes a tracking device to generate movement information for use in moving a user interface object on a graphical user interface. The tracking device is configured to receive at least a portion of a user's finger. The system also includes a base device configured to receive the tracking device. The base device is configured to translate movement of the base device relative to an adjacent surface for use in moving the user interface object.
[0006] In a second general aspect, an apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a base device to receive a tracking device configured for placement on a user's finger. The tracking device generates movement information for use in moving a user interface object on a user interface. The base device is configured to translate movement of the base device relative to an adjacent surface for use in moving the user interface object.
[0007] In a third general aspect, an apparatus is described that includes a housing having a finger holding portion configured to receive a portion of a finger of a user and a movement tracker to generate movement information based on movement of the housing relative to an adjacent surface. The movement information is configured to move a first user interface object on a display. The apparatus also includes a pressure sensitive switch coupled to the housing and configured to make a selection of a second user interface object on the display when the switch is pressed against the adjacent surface.
[0008] The systems and techniques described here may provide one or more of the following advantages. A tracking device can be provided that is small, portable, and initiative to use to control a cursor on a user interface. A base that receives the tracking device can be used to simulate conventional computer mice. The base can provide a convenient charging mechanism for the tracking device when the tracking device is inserted in the base. Cost of production can be decreased by configuring the base to use the tracking device's tracking sensors instead of including independent sensors in the base.
[0009] The details of one or more embodiments of the fingertip mouse and base feature are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the fingertip mouse and base feature will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 . is a schematic diagram depicting an exemplary system for controlling a cursor displayed on a user interface of a computer system.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting an exemplary system including a base device.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting one implementation of a tracking device.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram depicting one implementation of a finger retention mechanism feature of the tracking device used to receive a user's finger.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram depicting one implementation of a feature of the tracking device used to receive a user's finger.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram depicting one implementation of device components used for selection.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram depicting several implementations of scrolling features of the tracking device.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram depicting several additional implementations of a scrolling feature.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram depicting an implementation of a base where a tracking device is received at a frontal portion of the base.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram depicting a second implementation of the base where a tracking device is received at a middle portion of the base.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram depicting a third implementation of the base where a tracking device is received at a back portion of the base.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram depicting several implementations of a lid feature of a base.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram depicting one implementation of a base, which includes an opening that allows a tracking device access to an adjacent surface.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram depicting a connection component of a system used to relay information from a tracking device to a computer system.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a schematic of one implementation of a base storage feature.
[0025] FIG. 16 . is a schematic diagram depicting alternative implementations of the tracking device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Implementations are described of a system for controlling a cursor displayed on a user interface. In certain implementations, the system can include a tracking device that translates movement information for use by a computer system in controlling the cursor. Optionally, the tracking device can be housed and work in conjunction with a base device, which is described below. In certain implementations, the tracking device is configured to be worn on a computer user's finger (where the term finger includes a thumb), and may communicate wirelessly with the computer system. The base can be configured to have the shape and functionality of a conventional computer input peripheral, such as a computer mouse. The tracking device can be inserted in the base. In certain implementations, the base uses the tracking device hardware to track movements for transmission to the computer system. For example, the integrated base and tracking device may be used in lieu of using the tracking device alone if a user prefers a conventional input device to the tracking device that is configured to be placed on the user's finger.
[0027] FIG. 1 . is a schematic diagram depicting an exemplary system 100 for controlling a cursor displayed on a user interface of a computer system 102 . The system 100 includes a tracking device 104 that detects and transmits movement information, and a base 106 , which may among other things, receive the tracking device 104 . Additionally, the system 100 can include components or peripherals such as a keyboard 108 for entering information, a monitor 110 to display information such as the cursor, or various other types of peripherals.
[0028] In certain implementations, the tracking device 104 can communicate wirelessly with the computer system 102 . For example, the tracking device 104 can fit on a user's finger 112 and can communicate with the computer system 102 using a wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth. Using this method of communication may permit a user to freely position the tracking device 104 .
[0029] In certain implementations, the base 106 can communicate with the computer system 102 independent of the tracking device 104 . For example, the base 106 can contain its own tracking mechanism to allow the base 106 to function as a conventional computer mouse without the tracking device 104 . Alternatively, in other implementations, the base 106 can communicate with the computer system 102 in conjunction with the tracking device 104 . For example, in certain implementations, if the tracking device 104 is inserted into the base 106 , the base 106 may disable its own tracking mechanism and make use of the tracking mechanism included with the tracking device 104 .
[0030] In certain other implementations, the base 106 may not include its own tracking mechanism, but uses the tracking device's tracking mechanism when the tracking device is inserted in the base.
[0031] In certain implementations, the base 106 can dock with the tracking device 104 , as shown in FIG. 2 . In one implementation, if the tracking device 104 is inserted into the base 106 , the components can function together as a single tracking device 104 , for example, as a computer mouse. By operating as a single component, the tracking device 104 and the base 106 may provide a data input experience substantially similar to that of a conventional computer mouse, which may be more familiar to certain users. Additionally, in certain implementations, by docking together with the base 106 , the tracking device 104 can, for example, recharge its power supply or share tracking system components.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting an exemplary system 200 including a base device 202 . In certain implementations, the base 202 can be connected to a computer via a wired connection, such as through a USB (Universal Serial Bus), RS-232, or PS-2 connection. As depicted in FIG. 2 , the base 202 can receive the tracking device 204 . In certain implementations, while the tracking device 204 is connected to the base 202 , power can be delivered through the USB connection to charge rechargeable batteries within the tracking device 204 .
[0033] In some implementations, the tracking device 204 can include a tracking mechanism, which can be used by the base 202 . For example, the tracking device 204 may include an optic sensor that monitors movement and transmits movement to the base 202 . In an alternate embodiment, the base 202 can have its own tracking mechanism. In some implementations, if the tracking device 204 is inserted into the base 202 , the tracking mechanism for the base 202 can be disabled, allowing the base 202 to use the tracking mechanism of the tracking device 204 .
[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting one implementation of a tracking device 302 . The tracking device 302 may include one or more components, such as a battery 304 , power supply components 306 , an antenna 308 , an optical sensor 310 , a lens 312 , a select switch 314 , charging contacts 316 , and a scroll wheel 318 . The tracking device 302 can be configured for placement on a user's finger 317 . In certain implementations, the tracking device 302 may include a housing into which a user inserts his or her finger 317 . The housing may include one or more retention mechanisms to hold the user's finger 317 in place. Example retention mechanisms are described in more detail in association with FIG. 4 .
[0035] In certain implementations, a select switch 314 can be added to the tip of the tracking device 302 . The select switch 314 , in some implementations, permits a user to select items on a user interface. For example, a user can position a cursor over a hyperlink displayed in a web browser and select the hyperlink by activating the select switch 314 . The select switch 314 can be activated if the user applies pressure to a tip of the tracking device 302 in a downward movement against an adjacent surface. In certain other implementations, the select switch 314 can be located inside the tracking device 302 near the optical sensor 310 , and can be in direct contact with the user's finger 317 . In certain other implementations, the select switch 314 can be located on the outside of the tracking device 302 . For example, the select switch 314 can be integrated with the scroll wheel 318 .
[0036] In other implementations, the select switch 314 can include a rocker switch, where scrolling can be accomplished by pressing the switch forward and backward or upwards and downwards.
[0037] In yet other implementations, the select switch can be implemented using an accelerometer. For example, when a user taps a surface once, the accelerometer can sense the movement and register a selection analogous to a single-click by a conventional mouse button. The accelerometer can also detect multiple movements within a defined period. The multiple movements, such as a user tapping a surface twice in rapid succession, may indicate a particular type of selection, such as a double-click selection.
[0038] In certain implementations, the tracking device 302 can include a power source, such as the battery 304 , which can be recharged by the base 202 . For example, the tracking device 302 may recharge the battery 304 when the charging contacts 316 make contact with the base 202 as the tracking device 302 is inserted into the base 202 . Additionally, power supply components 306 can regulate the battery 304 recharging process. In some implementations, the battery 304 is placed in a portion of the tracking device that is positioned below a user's inserted finger. This positioning may improve ergonomics of the tracking device because locating the battery under the finger balances the weight of the battery without having the battery's weight resting on top of the user's finger.
[0039] As mentioned previously, in certain implementations, the tracking device 302 may include the antenna 308 for communicating with the computer system 102 . For example, in certain implementations, the antenna 308 may be configured for placement inside the exterior body of the tracking device 302 . In certain other implementations, the antenna 308 may be configured for placement outside the body of the tracking device 302 . The antenna 308 may transmit data to a receiver of the computer system 102 . For example, the antenna 308 may transmit movement data, battery status data, input data, output data, scroll selection data, or other types of data to a receive of the computer system 102 . In certain implementations, the antenna 308 can transmit the data wirelessly using Radio Frequency (RF) protocol to a RF receiver connected to a USB port of the computer system 102 . In yet other implementations, the tracking device 302 can transmit data to the base, which transmits the data to the computer system 102 using a wireless or wired connection.
[0040] In certain implementations, the tracking device 302 can include a lens 312 for optically tracking the movement of the tracking device 302 . The lens 312 may, for example, direct infrared light towards an adjacent surface in a similar fashion to the lens included in a traditional computer mouse. In some implementations, the lens 312 may be constructed from glass or plastic materials. The lens 312 may also, for example, protect an optical sensor 310 from debris or unwanted contact.
[0041] In certain implementations, the tracking device 302 can include the optical sensor 310 which uses movement captured by the lens to generate movement information. The optical sensor 310 can, for example, also transmit the movement information for use by the computer system. The computer system 102 can use the transmitted information to drive a cursor. For example, the optical sensor 310 may use infrared technology to track movement by monitoring changes in the reflection of light off of an adjacent surface.
[0042] In some implementations, the tracking mechanism, such as the optical sensor 310 , is sized so that a user can easily manipulate objects on a user interface. For example, movement of the sensor across one inch of an adjacent surface can correspond to movement across the entire displayed user interface. The tracking mechanism in the tracking device can be sufficiently small so that it can be easily and precisely moved one inch.
[0043] In other implementations, the sensor 310 can include a trackball, rollerball, scroll wheel, laser based sensor, or accelerometer to track movement. The movement translation components may be used separately or in combination with these, or other exemplary components.
[0044] In other example implementations, the tracking device 302 may include buttons not shown in FIG. 3 , which may provide additional methods for selection, input, or other types of functions. For example, in one implementation, buttons can be located on the outside of the tracking device 302 near the user's thumb. In certain implementations, a first button may provide selection functions. Additionally, in certain implementations, a second button may prompt the display of user interface menus. For example, selecting the second button while viewing an image on a web page can prompt a web browser to display a menu that includes options, such as “save image as . . . ,” “set as desktop background . . . ,” “properties,” etc.
[0045] The tracking device 302 can be constructed using various materials such as lightweight plastic, fiberglass, or other types of materials, and the device 302 may be implemented using various form factors. For example, the tracking device can enclose the user's finger 317 , or have open areas in the front, sides, or back, which may allow the escape of moisture and provide comfort to the user.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram depicting one implementation of a finger retention mechanism feature of the tracking device 104 used to receive a user's finger. In some implementations, the tracking device 104 can be configured to receive a user's finger using mechanical means. For example, the tracking device 104 can include a flexible tab 402 that assists in holding the user's finger in place within the tracking device 104 . In other implementations, the tracking device 104 can include an interior sleeve 404 , which can assist in holding the tracking device 104 in place on a user's finger. In certain implementations the sleeve 404 may be offered in sizes ranging from small to large to suit a variety of users. The sleeve can be removed and a different size sleeve inserted to customize the fit for a particular user.
[0047] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram depicting one implementation of a feature of the tracking device 104 used to receive a user's finger. In certain implementations, the tracking device 104 can be configured to include a finger retaining hinge component 502 . The retaining component may be produced, for example, from materials such as neoprene, saneprene, or foam. In certain implementations, the hinge component can be configured in several positions or locations. The user can insert their finger into the tracking device 104 , which may include the retaining hinge component 502 . Once inserted, the retaining hinge component 502 may hold the tracking device 104 to the user's finger by applying pressure. In certain implementations, the hinge component 502 can be produced from rubber, and may include springs, which press the hinge component 502 around the circumference of the finger.
[0048] In other implementations, the tracking device 104 may include a finger retaining interior ring component. In an exemplary implementation, the ring is made of a material similar to a gel. The ring can secure the tracking device 104 to the user's inserted finger by applying pressure around the circumference of the finger. If the ring is malleable (e.g., made of a gel) it can conform to the outer surface of the user's finger, which may result in a more comfortable fit.
[0049] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram depicting one implementation of device components used for selection. FIG. 6 depicts a front and side view of the tracking device 104 . In certain implementations, the tracking device 104 can include a scroll wheel 602 that may be used for navigation on a computer system. In other implementations, the tracking device 104 may include one or more selection buttons 604 to select information displayed by a computer system.
[0050] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram depicting several implementations of scrolling features of the tracking device. As stated earlier, the tracking device 104 can be configured with various components or features for controlling movement of a cursor on a computer system. In certain implementations the tracking device 104 includes a scrolling mechanism and selection buttons oriented in a generally horizontal plane relative to a position in which the tracking device is upright. In other implementations, the tracking device 104 can include a scrolling mechanism and selection buttons oriented in a generally vertical plane. In other implementations, the tracking device 104 may include a scrolling mechanism oriented in a horizontal plane, and may include selection buttons located vertically relative to the scrolling mechanism.
[0051] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram depicting several additional implementations of a scrolling feature. In certain implementations, the tracking device 104 can include a track ball component 802 that can scroll in a limited number of directions. For example, the track ball component 802 may scroll in a single direction or in the reverse of that direction.
[0052] In other implementations, the tracking device 104 can include a trackball component 804 that has multiple functions. For example, the track ball component may scroll in multiple directions, and a user may press the trackball component 804 to make selections of objects displayed in a user interface.
[0053] In other implementations, the tracking device 104 can include a scrolling mechanism 806 that can scroll and be oriented in multiple directions. The position of the scrolling mechanism 806 can be maintained after adjustment by applying resistance supplied by a movement limiting mechanism, such as a set of splines surrounding the scrolling mechanism 804 . For example, the user can adjust the scrolling mechanism 806 to a position that is a comfortable scrolling position for the user. The resistance of the splines prevents the scrolling mechanism 806 from slipping from that position.
[0054] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an implementation of a base 902 where a tracking device is received at a frontal portion of the base 902 . In an exemplary implementation, the tracking device 904 can be configured to protrude partially outside the front of the base 902 to allow the user's finger quick access for removal from the base 902 . In another implementation, the base 902 may include other components that require the components be located in the middle, or back locations of the base 902 . For example, the base 902 may include tracking mechanism components that occupy the space in the middle and back locations of the base 902 .
[0055] In some implementations, if the user wants to remove the tracking device 904 and place it in the base 902 , the user can place the tracking device 904 into a cavity of the base 902 , and the user can move his finger backwards to secure the tracking device 904 to the base 902 . In some implementations, the based has securing components, such as protrusions, that are used to snap the tracking device into place. After the user secures the tracking device 904 to the base 902 , the user can remove his finger from the tracking device 904 . If the user wants to remove the tracking device 904 from the base 902 , the user can place his finger inside the tracking device 904 and move their finger forward to release the tracking device from the securing components.
[0056] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram depicting a second implementation of the base where a tracking device is received at a middle portion of the base. The base 902 can be implemented so that it receives the tracking device 904 at a middle section of the base 902 , which may facilitate the placement of other components at the front or back locations of the base 902 . For example, buttons similar to those included with a traditional computer mouse may be configured at the front of the base 902 . In another example, a USB Key 906 can be stored in the base 902 . The USB Key 906 may, for example, be used by the computer system to communicate wirelessly with the tracking device 904 , when the tracking device 904 is inserted into the base 902 . The base 902 may communicate with the computer system using other methods (e.g., wired). In this situation, the storage of the USB Key 906 in the front or rear portion of the base may prevent the base from receiving the tracking device 904 at either of these locations, so the base can include a cavity in the middle portion to receive the tracking device.
[0057] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram depicting a third implementation of the base 902 where a tracking device 904 is received at a back portion of the base 902 . In this implementation, a cavity may be formed at the back of the base 902 so that the tracking device can fit entirely into the base 902 , for example, when the base has a smaller form factor near the front of the base than near the rear of the base.
[0058] As depicted by FIG. 9 , FIG. 10 , and FIG. 11 , the base 902 can receive the tracking device 904 at many locations. In another example implementation of the base 902 (not shown in the figures) the tracking device and be received at a side location. For example, the tracking device can attach the other base's side using a clipping or snap mechanism. In certain implementations, the side location may provide increased internal space within the base 902 for additional components. In other implementations, the side location may permit the base 902 to have a smaller form factor.
[0059] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram depicting several implementations of a lid covering feature of the base 902 used to receive a tracking device 904 . The lid 906 may be opened to insert the tracking device 904 within the base 902 . In certain implementations, the lid 906 may include a spring mechanism to open the lid that can be activated when pressed by a user. Additionally, the lid 906 may be closed to protect the tracking device 904 from debris, or to provide a more comfortable grip for the user's hand. In certain implementations, the lid 906 may be held closed by an included latching mechanism. Additionally the lid 906 may slide within a portion of the base 902 to allow access to a cavity of the base in which the tracking device 904 is inserted. In other implementations, the lid 906 may be removed and stored, for example, in the bottom of the base 902 .
[0060] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram depicting one implementation of a base 1302 , which includes an opening 1304 that allows a tracking device 904 access to an adjacent surface. In certain implementations, the base 1302 can use the tracking mechanism of the tracking device 904 by allowing the optics, track ball, or laser access to the adjacent surface through the opening 1304 in the bottom of the base 1302 .
[0061] In certain implementations, the base 1302 can use the tracking mechanism of the tracking device 904 . For example, the base 1302 can disable its own tracking mechanism, and use the tracking mechanism of the tracking device 904 instead. The base 1302 may include circuitry that connects the tracking device's tracking mechanism to the base 1302 . For example, the base may include prongs that contact plates on the tracking device 904 when the tracking device 904 is inserted in the base 1302 . The tracking device 904 can transmit movement information through this connection to the base 1302 . In some implementations, this connection to the base can also be used to charge the tracking device using power delivered or originating from the base.
[0062] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram depicting a connection component 1402 of a system used to relay information from a tracking device 1302 to a computer system 102 . In some implementations, the connection component 1402 is a USB key. For example, the base 1502 can include a cord that connects to the USB Key 1402 . An interface between the USB key 1402 and the base 1502 can be proprietary so that a user cannot easily plug the base 1502 into unintended receptacles, such as PS-2 ports on a computing device. In certain implementations, the cord can recoil inside the base 1502 or be wrapped up and stored in a cavity located underneath the base 1502 .
[0063] In certain implementations, the cord can be detached from the base 1502 . Unplugging the cord from the base 1502 can, for example, permit the base 1502 to be more conveniently stored. In other implementations, the base 1502 may not have a cord, but communicates wirelessly with the computer system 102 .
[0064] In some implementations, the tracking device 1302 may have batteries that are charged when the tracking device 1304 is inserted in the base 1502 . For example, the base can receive power through a corded connection to the computer system 102 . The power can be transferred from the base to the tracking device for charging the batteries. In other implementations, the base is not corded, but instead receives power from disposable or rechargeable batteries.
[0065] In some other implementations, the connection component 1402 can send and receive information to and from the computer system 102 . For example, the connection component 1402 can be a wireless transceiver that transmits and receives information from the base device (or the tracking device) and sends the information to the computer system 102 . In some implementations, the tracking device can transmit information wirelessly, while the base device transmits information to the computer system 102 via a wired connection.
[0066] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of one implementation of a base storage feature. In certain implementations, the USB key 1402 can be stored with, or connected to the base 1502 . For example, the USB key 1402 can be stored in the bottom of the base 1502 , where the base 1502 may include a holding mechanism such as tabs or clamps. In addition to the functionality described above, in certain implementations, the USB key can store information including, for example, software drivers for the tracking device 104 or other data files that can be accessed by the computer system 102 .
[0067] FIG. 16 . is a schematic diagram depicting alternative implementations of the tracking device 104 . FIG. 16 shows an implementation where the tracking device is configured without a tracking mechanism at the tip of the tracking device 104 . This may permit a user's finger 1604 to extend through the tracking device 104 held on the user's finger 1604 , for example, using a flexible clamping mechanism 1606 . Allowing the user's finger 1604 to extend through the tracking device 104 may allow normal use of the finger for tasks, such as typing on a computer keyboard.
[0068] The tracking device of FIG. 16 also includes a trackball component 1602 , which can have multiple functions. For example, the track ball component 1602 may navigate a cursor on a user interface or perform scrolling functions. Additionally, a user may press the trackball component 1602 (e.g., using an adjacent finger or thumb) to make selections of objects displayed in a user interface.
[0069] Although a few implementations have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, in certain implementations, the tracking device 104 can include a LCD (liquid crystal display) component for inputting information into, or outputting information from the computer system or the tracking device. For example, the LCD screen may display “status information” for the tracking device, such as charge status. In some implementations, the LCD screen may be located on the tracking device 104 in locations as the side facing the user's thumb or other locations at which a user could view the display.
[0070] In other implementations, the inner portion of the tracking device that receives a user's finger can include surface relief structures, such as venting ribbing, channels, dimpling, etc. This may provide sensor feedback to a user to limit fatigue, control sweating, and release heat. Additionally, the inner portion may include a conical shape that narrows towards the tip of the tracking device. This may ensure finger retention by the use of pressure points and finger friction against the narrowing inner portion of the tracking device.
[0071] In yet other implementations, the tracking mechanisms (e.g., optical sensors) for the tracking device can be located so that the tilt of the mechanism is ergonomic. For example, when a user inserts her finger in the tracking device, optical sensors are placed on the device so that in a natural position of the finger (e.g., resting position), the sensors are neither tilted to the right or the left, but are substantially parallel to the adjacent surface.
[0072] In other implementations, the tracking mechanism for the device is located on a swivel so that it can move into a position substantially parallel to the adjacent surface even if the user's positioning of the tracking device would not place the tracking mechanism in a substantially parallel position without the swivel.
[0073] In some implementations, the base can charge the tracking device using a household current instead of through a connection to a computing device. For example, a cord for the base can be inserted into a household electrical outlet, which provides power to the tracking device when inserted into the base. In other implementations, the base can be configured to include a battery (e.g., a rechargeable battery) for charging the tracking device. For example, the battery can receive a charge by plugging the base into a USB or standard electrical outlet. A battery of the tracking device can then be charged by the base's battery when the tracking device is inserted into the base. In other implementations, the tracking device may be inserted or coupled to a charger that is separate from the base. This charger may receive it power from a variety of sources including a household electrical outlet, batteries, or a computer's power supply unit (e.g., through a USB connection).
[0074] In some implementations, the base can be secured to a side of a laptop computer or keyboard using a clamping mechanism. One end of the clamping mechanism can be configured to attach to the keyboard or laptop computer and the other end of the clamping mechanism can secure the base. For example, the clamping mechanism can clamp to the side of a keyboard using a vice-like mechanism.
[0075] In some implementations, the clamping mechanism can connect to the base using a male-to-female connection. For example, prongs may extend out from the clamping mechanism and mate with ports in the base. In some implementations, the prongs can be flexible plastic, or some type of hooks.
[0076] In some implementations, the base can be large enough to house additional components besides the tracking device, such as the lid and the USB Key. For example, the lid and the USB Key can be stored in the bottom of the base.
[0077] In some implementations, the base can include light emitting diodes (LEDs) to indicate the charging status of the tracking device. If the option of a rechargeable battery in the base is included, an LED can be included, for example, to indicate its charge status as well.
[0078] In other implementations, the USB Key can be inserted into a computer USB slot and communicate wirelessly to the tracking device while connected via cord to the base. Also, the tracking device and the base can be configured to communicate wirelessly with the computer without using the cord.
[0079] In some implementations, a holder component can be used to hold the tracking device. The holder component can be used independent from the base. The holder can be attached to a keyboard, computer display, or computing device component using a clamp, clip, or various other securing mechanisms. In some implementations, the holder can include charging tabs and a cord that connects to a USB Port or the USB Key port for charging. In another implementation, the base's cord may connect to a household outlet for receiving power.
[0080] In yet other implementations, a second tracking device can be used in conjunction with a first tracking device to control one or more user interface elements. For example, a tracking device can be worn on one finger of each hand of a user. In this example, the user can use the tracking devices to manipulate interface objects, such as three-dimensional objects, by spinning rotating both fingers that are secured to the tracking devices. In other examples, the tracking devices can be used to manipulate objects in a video games, for example moving one finger with a first tracking device causes a first character action, moving the second finger with another tracking device causes a second character action, and moving both the first and second fingers simultaneously causes a third character action.
[0081] In yet other examples, a user having a tracking device on a finger of each hand can use selection buttons on each of the tracking devices to manipulate displayed objects, such as video game characters.
[0082] In certain implementations, a cord for the base device connects to the USB key using a non-standard USB connection. This may prevent a user from inadvertently plugging the based device directly into a USB port on the computer.
[0083] Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
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The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a system that includes a tracking device to generate movement information for use in moving a user interface object on a graphical user interface. The tracking device is configured to receive at least a portion of a user's finger. The system also includes a base device configured to receive the tracking device. The base device is configured to translate movement of the base device relative to an adjacent surface for use in moving the user interface object.
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RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/513,109 filed Jul. 29, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hydroprocessing systems and methods, in particular for efficient reduction of catalyst-fouling aromatic nitrogen components in a hydrocarbon mixture.
2. Description of Related Art
Hydrocracking operations are used commercially in a large number of petroleum refineries. They are used to process a variety of feeds boiling in the range of 370° C. to 520° C. in conventional hydrocracking units and boiling at 520° C. and above in the residue hydrocracking units. In general, hydrocracking processes split the molecules of the feed into smaller, i.e., lighter, molecules having higher average volatility and economic value. Additionally, hydrocracking typically improves the quality of the hydrocarbon feedstock by increasing the hydrogen to carbon ratio and by removing organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds. The significant economic benefit derived from hydrocracking operations has resulted in substantial development of process improvements and more active catalysts.
Mild hydrocracking or single stage once-through hydrocracking operations, typically the simplest of the known hydrocracking configurations, occur at conditions that are more severe than typical hydrotreating and less severe than typical full pressure hydrocracking. Single or multiple catalysts systems can be used depending upon the feedstock and product specifications. Multiple catalyst systems can be deployed as a stacked-bed configuration or in multiple reactors. Mild hydrocracking operations are generally more cost effective, but typically result in both a lower yield and reduced quality of mid-distillate product as compared to full pressure hydrocracking operations.
In a series-flow configuration the entire hydrocracked product stream from the first reaction zone, including light gases (e.g., C 1 -C 4 , H 2 S, NH 3 ) and all remaining hydrocarbons, are sent to the second reaction zone. In two-stage configurations the feedstock is refined by passing it over a hydrotreating catalyst bed in the first reaction zone. The effluents are passed to a fractionating zone column to separate the light gases, naphtha and diesel products boiling in the temperature range of 36° C. to 370° C. The hydrocarbons boiling above 370° C. are then passed to the second reaction zone for additional cracking.
Conventionally most hydrocracking processes that are implemented for production of middle distillates and other valuable fractions retain aromatics, e.g., boiling in the range of about 180° C. to 370° C. Aromatics boiling higher than the middle distillate range are also included and produced in the heavier fractions.
In all of the above-described hydrocracking process configurations, cracked products, along with partially cracked and unconverted hydrocarbons, are passed to a distillation column for separating into products including naphtha, jet fuel/kerosene and diesel boiling in the nominal ranges of 36° C.-180° C., 180° C.-240° C. and 240° C.-370° C., respectively, and unconverted products boiling in the nominal range of above 370° C. Typical jet fuel/kerosene fractions (i.e., smoke point >25 mm) and diesel fractions (i.e., cetane number >52) are of high quality and well above the worldwide transportation fuel specifications. Although the hydrocracking unit products have relatively low aromaticity, aromatics that do remain lower the key indicative properties (smoke point and cetane number) for these products.
A need remains in the industry for improvements in hydrocracking operations for heavy hydrocarbon feeds to produce clean transportation fuels in an economical and efficacious manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one or more embodiments, the invention relates to systems and methods of hydrocracking heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks to produce clean transportation fuels. An integrated hydrocracking process includes hydroprocessing an aromatic-rich fraction of the initial feed separately from an aromatic-lean fraction.
In a single-stage once through hydrocracker configuration provided herein, an aromatic separation unit is integrated in which:
the feedstock is separated into an aromatic-rich fraction and an aromatic-lean fraction;
the aromatic-rich fraction is passed to a first hydroprocessing reaction zone operating under conditions effective to hydrotreat and/or hydrocrack at least a portion of aromatic compounds contained in the aromatic-rich fraction to produce a first hydroprocessing reaction zone effluent;
the aromatic-lean fraction is passed to a second hydroprocessing reaction zone operating under conditions effective to hydrotreat and/or hydrocrack at least a portion of paraffin and naphthene compounds contained in the aromatic-lean fraction to produce a second hydroprocessing reaction zone effluent; and
the first hydroprocessing reaction zone effluent and the second hydroprocessing reaction zone effluent are fractionated to produce one or more product streams and one or more bottoms streams.
Unlike typical known methods, the present process separates the hydrocracking feed into fractions containing different classes of compounds with different reactivities relative to the conditions of hydrocracking. Conventionally, most approaches subject the entire feedstock to the same hydroprocessing reaction zones, necessitating operating conditions that must accommodate feed constituents that require increased severity for conversion, or alternatively sacrifice overall yield to attain desirable process economics.
Since aromatic extraction operations typically do not provide sharp cut-offs between the aromatics and non-aromatics, the aromatic-lean fraction contains a major proportion of the non-aromatic content of the initial feed and a minor proportion of the aromatic content of the initial feed, and the aromatic-rich fraction contains a major proportion of the aromatic content of the initial feed and a minor proportion of the non-aromatic content of the initial feed. The amount of non-aromatics in the aromatic-rich fraction and the amount of aromatics in the aromatic-lean fraction depend on various factors as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, including the type of extraction, the number of theoretical plates in the extractor (if applicable to the type of extraction), the type of solvent and the solvent ratio.
The feed portion that is extracted into the aromatic-rich fraction includes aromatic compounds that contain heteroatoms and those that are free of heteroatoms. Aromatic compounds that contain heteroatoms that are extracted into the aromatic-rich fraction generally include aromatic nitrogen compounds such as pyrrole, quinoline, acridine, carbazoles and their derivatives, and aromatic sulfur compounds such as thiophene, benzothiophenes and their derivatives, and dibenzothiophenes and their derivatives. These nitrogen- and sulfur-containing aromatic compounds are targeted in the aromatic separation step(s) generally by their solubility in the extraction solvent. In certain embodiments, selectivity of the nitrogen- and sulfur-containing aromatic compounds is enhanced by use of additional stages and/or selective sorbents. Various non-aromatic sulfur-containing compounds that may have been present in the initial feed, i.e., prior to hydrotreating, include mercaptans, sulfides and disulfides. Depending on the aromatic extraction operation type and/or condition, a preferably very minor portion of non-aromatic nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds can pass to the aromatic-rich fraction.
As used herein, the term “major proportion of the non-aromatic compounds” means at least greater than 50 weight % (W %) of the non-aromatic content of the feed to the extraction zone, in certain embodiments at least greater than about 85 W %, and in further embodiments greater than at least about 95 W %. Also as used herein, the term “minor proportion of the non-aromatic compounds” means no more than 50 W % of the non-aromatic content of the feed to the extraction zone, in certain embodiments no more than about 15 W %, and in further embodiments no more than about 5 W %.
Also as used herein, the term “major proportion of the aromatic compounds” means at least greater than 50 W % of the aromatic content of the feed to the extraction zone, in certain embodiments at least greater than about 85 W %, and in further embodiments greater than at least about 95 W %. Also as used herein, the term “minor proportion of the aromatic compounds” means no more than 50 W % of the aromatic content of the feed to the extraction zone, in certain embodiments no more than about 15 W %, and in further embodiments no more than about 5 W %.
Still other aspects, embodiments, and advantages of these exemplary aspects and embodiments, are discussed in detail below. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing information and the following detailed description are merely illustrative examples of various aspects and embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects and embodiments. The accompanying drawings are included to provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and embodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings, together with the remainder of the specification, serve to explain principles and operations of the described and claimed aspects and embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description will be best understood when read in conjunction with the attached drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and apparatus shown. In the drawings the same or similar reference numerals are used to identify to the same or similar elements, in which:
FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram of a hydroprocessing system operating in a single-stage configuration;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an aromatic separation apparatus; and
FIGS. 3-8 show various examples of apparatus suitable for the aromatic extraction zone.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An integrated system is provided for efficient hydroprocessing of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks to produce clean transportation fuels. In general, the process and apparatus described herein for producing cracked hydrocarbons are applied to single-stage hydrocracking configurations.
An aromatic separation unit is integrated in a single-stage hydrocracker configuration as follows:
a feedstock is separated into an aromatic-rich fraction and an aromatic-lean fraction;
the aromatic-rich fraction is passed to a first hydroprocessing reaction zone operating under conditions effective to hydrotreat and/or hydrocrack at least a portion of aromatic compounds contained in the aromatic-rich fraction to produce a first hydroprocessing reaction zone effluent;
the aromatic-lean fraction is passed to a second hydroprocessing reaction zone operating under conditions effective to hydrotreat and/or hydrocrack at least a portion of paraffin and naphthene compounds contained in the aromatic-lean fraction to produce a second hydroprocessing reaction zone effluent; and
the first hydroprocessing reaction zone effluent and the second hydroprocessing reaction zone effluent are fractionated to produce one or more product streams and one or more bottoms streams that can be separately recovered.
FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram of an integrated hydrocracking apparatus 100 in the configuration of a single-stage hydrocracking unit apparatus. Apparatus 100 generally includes an aromatic extraction zone 140 , a first hydroprocessing reaction zone 150 containing a first hydroprocessing catalyst, a second hydroprocessing reaction zone 160 containing a second hydroprocessing catalyst and a fractionating zone 170 .
Aromatic extraction zone 140 typically includes a feed inlet 102 , an aromatic-rich stream outlet 104 and an aromatic-lean stream outlet 106 . In certain embodiments, feed inlet 102 is in fluid communication with fractionating zone 170 via an optional recycle conduit 120 to receive all or a portion of the bottoms 174 . Various embodiments of and/or unit-operations contained within aromatic separation zone 140 are described in conjunction with FIGS. 2-8 .
First hydroprocessing reaction zone 150 generally includes an inlet 151 in fluid communication with aromatic-rich stream outlet 104 and a source of hydrogen gas via a conduit 152 . First hydroprocessing reaction zone 150 also includes a first hydroprocessing reaction zone effluent outlet 154 . In certain embodiments, inlet 151 is in fluid communication with fractionating zone 170 via an optional recycle conduit 156 to receive all or a portion of the bottoms 174 .
First hydroprocessing reaction zone 150 is operated under relatively severe conditions. As used herein, the term “severe conditions” is relative and the ranges of operating conditions depend on the feedstock being processed. For instance, these conditions can include a reaction temperature in the range of from about 300° C. to 500° C., in certain embodiments from about 380° C. to 450° C.; a reaction pressure in the range of from about 100 bars to 200 bars, in certain embodiments from about 130 bars to 180 bars; a hydrogen feed rate up to about 2500 standard liters per liter of hydrocarbon feed (SLt/Lt), in certain embodiments from about 500 to 2500 SLt/Lt, and in further embodiments from about 1000 to 1500 SLt/Lt; and a feed rate in the range of from about 0.25 h −1 to 3.0 h −1 , in certain embodiments from about 0.5 h −1 to 1.0 h −1 .
The catalyst used in first hydroprocessing reaction zone 150 has one or more active metal components selected from the Periodic Table of the Elements Group VI, VII or VIIIB In certain embodiments the active metal component is one or more of cobalt, nickel, tungsten and molybdenum, typically deposited or otherwise incorporated on a support, e.g., alumina, silica alumina, silica, or zeolites.
Second hydroprocessing reaction zone 160 includes an inlet 161 in fluid communication with aromatic-lean stream outlet 106 and a source of hydrogen gas via a conduit 162 . Second hydroprocessing reaction zone 160 also includes a second hydroprocessing reaction zone effluent outlet 164 . In certain embodiments, inlet 161 is in fluid communication with fractionating zone 170 via an optional recycle conduit 166 to receive all or a portion of the bottoms 174 .
In general, second hydroprocessing reaction zone 160 is operated under relatively mild conditions. As used herein, the term “mild conditions” is relative and the ranges of operating conditions depend on the feedstock being processed. For instance, these conditions can include a reaction temperature in the range of from about 300° C. to 500° C., in certain embodiments from about 330° C. to 420° C.; a reaction pressure in the range of from about 30 bars to 130 bars, in certain embodiments from about 60 bars to 100 bars; a hydrogen feed rate below about 2500 SLt/Lt, in certain embodiments from about 500 to 2500 SLt/Lt, and in further embodiments from about 1000 to 1500 SLt/Lt; a feed rate in the range of from about 1.0 h −1 to 5.0 h −1 , in certain embodiments from about 2.0 h −1 to 3.0 h −1 .
The catalyst used in second hydroprocessing reaction zone 160 has one or more active metal components selected from the Periodic Table of the Elements Group VI, VII or VIIIB In certain embodiments the active metal component is one or more of cobalt, nickel, tungsten and molybdenum, typically deposited or otherwise incorporated on a support, e.g., alumina, silica alumina, silica, or zeolites.
Fractionating zone 170 includes an inlet 171 in fluid communication with first hydroprocessing reaction zone effluent outlet 154 and second hydroprocessing reaction zone effluent outlet 164 . Fractionating zone 170 also includes a product stream outlet 172 and a bottoms stream outlet 174 . Note that while one product outlet is shown, multiple product fractions can also be recovered from fractionating zone 170 . In addition, while one fractionating zone 170 is shown in fluid communication with both effluents 154 and 164 from the first and second hydroprocessing reaction zones, respectively, in certain embodiments separate fractionating zones (not shown) are appropriate.
A feedstock is introduced via inlet 102 of the aromatic extraction zone 140 for extraction of an aromatic-rich fraction and an aromatic-lean fraction. Optionally, the feedstock can be combined with all or a portion of the bottoms 174 from fractionating zone 170 via recycle conduit 120 .
The aromatic-rich fraction generally includes a major proportion of the aromatic nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds that were in the initial feedstock and a minor proportion of non-aromatic compounds that were in the initial feedstock. Aromatic nitrogen-containing compounds that are extracted into the aromatic-rich fraction include pyrrole, quinoline, acridine, carbazole and their derivatives. Aromatic sulfur-containing compounds that are extracted into the aromatic-rich fraction include thiophene, benzothiophene and its long chain alkylated derivatives, and dibenzothiophene and its alkyl derivatives such as 4,6-dimethyl-dibenzothiophene. The aromatic-lean fraction generally includes a major proportion of the non-aromatic compounds that were in the initial feedstock and a minor proportion of the aromatic nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds that were in the initial feedstock. The aromatic-lean fraction is almost free of refractory nitrogen-containing compounds, and the aromatic-rich fraction contains nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds.
The aromatic-rich fraction discharged via outlet 104 is passed to inlet 151 of first hydroprocessing reaction zone 150 and mixed with hydrogen gas introduced via conduit 152 . Optionally, the aromatic-rich fraction is combined with all or a portion of the bottoms 174 from fractionating zone 170 via recycle conduit 156 . Compounds contained in the aromatic-rich fraction including aromatics compounds are hydrotreated and/or hydrocracked. The first hydroprocessing reaction zone 150 is operated under relatively severe conditions. In certain embodiments, these relatively severe conditions of the first hydroprocessing reaction zone 150 are more severe than conventionally known severe hydroprocessing conditions due to the comparatively higher concentration of aromatic nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds. However, the capital and operational costs of these more severe conditions are offset by the reduced volume of aromatic-rich feed processed in the first hydroprocessing reaction zone 150 as compared to a full range feed that would be processed in a conventionally known severe hydroprocessing unit operation.
The aromatic-lean fraction discharged via outlet 106 is passed to inlet 161 of the second hydroprocessing reaction zone 160 and mixed with hydrogen gas via conduit 162 . Optionally, the aromatic-lean fraction is combined with all or a portion of the bottoms 174 from fractionating zone 170 via recycle conduit 166 . Compounds contained in the aromatic-lean fraction including paraffins and naphthenes are hydrotreated and/or hydrocracked. The second hydroprocessing reaction zone 160 is operated under relatively mild conditions, which can be milder than conventional mild hydroprocessing conditions due to the comparatively lower concentration of aromatic nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds thereby reducing capital and operational costs.
The first and second hydroprocessing reaction zone effluents are sent to one or more intermediate separator vessels (not shown) to remove gases including excess H 2 , H 2 S, NH 3 , methane, ethane, propane and butanes. The liquid effluents are passed to inlet 171 of the fractionating zone 170 for recovery of liquid products via outlet 172 , including, for instance, naphtha boiling in the nominal range of from about 36° C. to 180° C. and diesel boiling in the nominal range of from about 180° C. to 370° C. The bottoms stream discharged via outlet 174 includes unconverted hydrocarbons and/or partially cracked hydrocarbons, for instance, having a boiling temperature above about 370° C. It is to be understood that the product cut points between fractions are representative only and in practice cut points are selected based on design characteristics and considerations for a particular feedstock. For instance, the values of the cut points can vary by up to about 30° C. in the embodiments described herein. In addition, it is to be understood that while the integrated system is shown and described with one fractionating zone 170 , in certain embodiments separate fractionating zones can be effective.
All or a portion of the bottoms can be purged via conduit 175 , e.g., for processing in other unit operations or refineries. In certain embodiments to maximize yields and conversions a portion of bottoms 174 is recycled within the process to the aromatic separation unit 140 , the first hydroprocessing reaction zone 150 and/or the second hydroprocessing reaction zone 160 (represented by dashed-lines 120 , 156 and 166 , respectively).
In addition, either or both of the aromatic-lean fraction and the aromatic-rich fraction also can include extraction solvent that remains from the aromatic extraction zone 140 . In certain embodiments, extraction solvent can be recovered and recycled, e.g., as described with respect to FIG. 2 .
Further, in certain embodiments aromatic compounds without heteroatoms (e.g., benzene, toluene and their derivatives) are passed to the aromatic-rich fraction and are hydrogenated and hydrocracked in the first, relatively more severe, hydrocracking zone to produce light distillates. The yield of these light distillates that meet the product specification derived from the aromatic compounds without heteroatoms is greater than the yield in conventional hydrocracking operations due to the focused and targeted hydrocracking zones.
In the above-described embodiment, the feedstock generally includes any liquid hydrocarbon feed conventionally suitable for hydrocracking operations, as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For instance, a typical hydrocracking feedstock is vacuum gas oil (VGO) boiling in the nominal range of from about 300° C. to 900° C. and in certain embodiments in the range of from about 370° C. to 520° C. De-metalized oil (DMO) or de-asphalted oil (DAO) can be blended with VGO or used as is. The hydrocarbon feedstocks can be derived from naturally occurring fossil fuels such as crude oil, shale oils, or coal liquids; or from intermediate refinery products or their distillation fractions such as naphtha, gas oil, coker liquids, fluid catalytic cracking cycle oils, residuals or combinations of any of the aforementioned sources. In general, aromatics content in VGO feedstock is in the range of from about 15 to 60 volume % (V %). The recycle stream can include 0 W % to about 80 W % of stream 174 , in certain embodiments about 10 W % to 70 W % of stream 174 and in further embodiments about 20 W % to 60 W % of stream 174 , for instance, based on conversions in each zone of between about 10 W % and 80 W %.
The aromatic separation apparatus is generally based on selective aromatic extraction. For instance, the aromatic separation apparatus can be a suitable solvent extraction aromatic separation apparatus capable of partitioning the feed into a generally aromatic-lean stream and a generally aromatic-rich stream. Systems including various established aromatic extraction processes and unit operations used in other stages of various refinery and other petroleum-related operations can be employed as the aromatic separation apparatus described herein. In certain existing processes, it is desirable to remove aromatics from the end product, e.g., lube oils and certain fuels, e.g., diesel fuel. In other processes, aromatics are extracted to produce aromatic-rich products, for instance, for use in various chemical processes and as an octane booster for gasoline.
As shown in FIG. 2 , an aromatic separation apparatus 240 can include suitable unit operations to perform a solvent extraction of aromatics, and recover solvents for reuse in the process. A feed 202 is conveyed to an aromatic extraction vessel 208 in which in which a first, aromatic-lean, fraction is separated as a raffinate stream 210 from a second, generally aromatic-rich, fraction as an extract stream 212 . A solvent feed 215 is introduced into the aromatic extraction vessel 208 .
A portion of the extraction solvent can also exist in stream 210 , e.g., in the range of from about 0 to 15 W % (based on the total amount of stream 210 ), in certain embodiments less than about 8 W %. In operations in which the solvent existing in stream 210 exceeds a desired or predetermined amount, solvent can be removed from the hydrocarbon product, for example, using a flashing or stripping unit 213 , or other suitable apparatus. Solvent 214 from the flashing unit 213 can be recycled to the aromatic extraction vessel 208 , e.g., via a surge drum 216 . Initial solvent feed or make-up solvent can be introduced via stream 222 . An aromatic-lean stream 206 is discharged from the flashing unit 213 .
In addition, a portion of the extraction solvent can also exist in stream 212 , e.g., in the range of from about 70 to 98 W % (based on the total amount of stream 215 ), in certain embodiments less than about 85 W %. In embodiments in which solvent existing in stream 212 exceeds a desired or predetermined amount, solvent can be removed from the hydrocarbon product, for example, using a flashing or stripping unit 218 or other suitable apparatus. Solvent 221 from the flashing unit 218 can be recycled to the aromatic extraction vessel 208 , e.g., via the surge drum 216 . An aromatic-rich stream 204 is discharged from the flashing unit 218 .
Selection of solvent, operating conditions, and the mechanism of contacting the solvent and feed permit control over the level of aromatic extraction. For instance, suitable solvents include furfural, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, phenol, nitrobenzene, sulfolanes, acetonitrile, furfural, or glycols and can be provided in a solvent to oil ratio of about 20:1, in certain embodiments about 4:1, and in further embodiments about 1:1. Suitable glycols include diethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol and dipropylene glycol. The extraction solvent can be a pure glycol or a glycol diluted with from about 2 to 10 W % water. Suitable sulfolanes include hydrocarbon-substituted sulfolanes (e.g., 3-methyl sulfolane), hydroxy sulfolanes (e.g., 3-sulfolanol and 3-methyl-4-sulfolanol), sulfolanyl ethers (e.g., methyl-3-sulfolanyl ether), and sulfolanyl esters (e.g., 3-sulfolanyl acetate).
The aromatic separation apparatus can operate at a temperature in the range of from about 20° C. to 200° C., and in certain embodiments from about 40° C. to 80° C. The operating pressure of the aromatic separation apparatus can be in the range of from about 1 bar to 10 bars, and in certain embodiments from about 1 bar to 3 bars. Types of apparatus useful as the aromatic separation apparatus in certain embodiments of the system and process described herein include stage-type extractors or differential extractors.
An example of a stage-type extractor is a mixer-settler apparatus 340 schematically illustrated in FIG. 3 . Mixer-settler apparatus 340 includes a vertical tank 381 incorporating a turbine or a propeller agitator 382 and one or more baffles 384 . Charging inlets 386 , 388 are located at the top of tank 381 and outlet 391 is located at the bottom of tank 381 . The feedstock to be extracted is charged into vessel 381 via inlet 386 and a suitable quantity of solvent is added via inlet 388 . The agitator 382 is activated for a period of time sufficient to cause intimate mixing of the solvent and charge stock, and at the conclusion of a mixing cycle, agitation is halted and, by control of a valve 392 , at least a portion of the contents are discharged and passed to a settler 394 . The phases separate in the settler 394 and a raffinate phase containing an aromatic-lean hydrocarbon mixture and an extract phase containing an aromatic-rich mixture are withdrawn via outlets 396 and 398 , respectively. In general, a mixer-settler apparatus can be used in batch mode, or a plurality of mixer-settler apparatus can be staged to operate in a continuous mode.
Another stage-type extractor is a centrifugal contactor. Centrifugal contactors are high-speed, rotary machines characterized by relatively low residence time. The number of stages in a centrifugal device is usually one, however, centrifugal contactors with multiple stages can also be used. Centrifugal contactors utilize mechanical devices to agitate the mixture to increase the interfacial area and decrease the mass transfer resistance.
Various types of differential extractors (also known as “continuous contact extractors,”) that are also suitable for use as an aromatic extraction apparatus include, but are not limited to, centrifugal contactors and contacting columns such as tray columns, spray columns, packed towers, rotating disc contactors and pulse columns.
Contacting columns are suitable for various liquid-liquid extraction operations. Packing, trays, spray or other droplet-formation mechanisms or other apparatus are used to increase the surface area in which the two liquid phases (i.e., a solvent phase and a hydrocarbon phase) contact, which also increases the effective length of the flow path. In column extractors, the phase with the lower viscosity is typically selected as the continuous phase, which, in the case of an aromatic extraction apparatus, is the solvent phase. In certain embodiments, the phase with the higher flow rate can be dispersed to create more interfacial area and turbulence. This is accomplished by selecting an appropriate material of construction with the desired wetting characteristics. In general, aqueous phases wet metal surfaces and organic phases wet non-metallic surfaces. Changes in flows and physical properties along the length of an extractor can also be considered in selecting the type of extractor and/or the specific configuration, materials or construction, and packing material type and characteristics (i.e., average particle size, shape, density, surface area, and the like).
A tray column 440 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4 . A light liquid inlet 488 at the bottom of column 440 receives liquid hydrocarbon, and a heavy liquid inlet 491 at the top of column 440 receives liquid solvent. Column 440 includes a plurality of trays 481 and associated downcomers 482 . A top level baffle 484 physically separates incoming solvent from the liquid hydrocarbon that has been subjected to prior extraction stages in the column 440 . Tray column 440 is a multi-stage counter-current contactor. Axial mixing of the continuous solvent phase occurs at region 486 between trays 481 , and dispersion occurs at each tray 481 resulting in effective mass transfer of solute into the solvent phase. Trays 481 can be sieve plates having perforations ranging from about 1.5 to 4.5 mm in diameter and can be spaced apart by about 150-600 mm.
Light hydrocarbon liquid passes through the perforation in each tray 481 and emerges in the form of fine droplets. The fine hydrocarbon droplets rise through the continuous solvent phase and coalesce into an interface layer 496 and are again dispersed through the tray 481 above. Solvent passes across each plate and flows downward from tray 481 above to the tray 481 below via downcomer 482 . The principal interface 498 is maintained at the top of column 440 . Aromatic-lean hydrocarbon liquid is removed from outlet 492 at the top of column 440 and aromatic-rich solvent liquid is discharged through outlet 494 at the bottom of column 440 . Tray columns are efficient solvent transfer apparatus and have desirable liquid handling capacity and extraction efficiency, particularly for systems of low-interfacial tension.
An additional type of unit operation suitable for extracting aromatics from the hydrocarbon feed is a packed bed column. FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a packed bed column 540 having a hydrocarbon inlet 591 and a solvent inlet 592 . A packing region 588 is provided upon a support plate 586 . Packing region 588 comprises suitable packing material including, but not limited to, Pall rings, Raschig rings, Kascade rings, Intalox saddles, Berl saddles, super Intalox saddles, super Berl saddles, Demister pads, mist eliminators, telerrettes, carbon graphite random packing, other types of saddles, and the like, including combinations of one or more of these packing materials. The packing material is selected so that it is fully wetted by the continuous solvent phase. The solvent introduced via inlet 592 at a level above the top of the packing region 588 flows downward and wets the packing material and fills a large portion of void space in the packing region 588 . Remaining void space is filled with droplets of the hydrocarbon liquid which rise through the continuous solvent phase and coalesce to form the liquid-liquid interface 598 at the top of the packed bed column 540 . Aromatic-lean hydrocarbon liquid is removed from outlet 594 at the top of column 540 and aromatic-rich solvent liquid is discharged through outlet 596 at the bottom of column 540 . Packing material provides large interfacial areas for phase contacting, causing the droplets to coalesce and reform. The mass transfer rate in packed towers can be relatively high because the packing material lowers the recirculation of the continuous phase.
Further types of apparatus suitable for aromatic extraction in the system and method herein include rotating disc contactors. FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a rotating disc contactor 640 known as a Scheiebel® column commercially available from Koch Modular Process Systems, LLC of Paramus, N.J., USA. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that other types of rotating disc contactors can be implemented as an aromatic extraction unit included in the system and method herein, including but not limited to Oldshue-Rushton columns, and Kuhni extractors. The rotating disc contactor is a mechanically agitated, counter-current extractor. Agitation is provided by a rotating disc mechanism, which typically runs at much higher speeds than a turbine type impeller as described with respect to FIG. 3 .
Rotating disc contactor 640 includes a hydrocarbon inlet 691 toward the bottom of the column and a solvent inlet 692 proximate the top of the column, and is divided into number of compartments formed by a series of inner stator rings 682 and outer stator rings 684 . Each compartment contains a centrally located, horizontal rotor disc 686 connected to a rotating shaft 688 that creates a high degree of turbulence inside the column. The diameter of the rotor disc 686 is slightly less than the opening in the inner stator rings 682 . Typically, the disc diameter is 33-66% of the column diameter. The disc disperses the liquid and forces it outward toward the vessel wall 698 where the outer stator rings 684 create quiet zones where the two phases can separate. Aromatic-lean hydrocarbon liquid is removed from outlet 694 at the top of column 640 and aromatic-rich solvent liquid is discharged through outlet 696 at the bottom of column 640 . Rotating disc contactors advantageously provide relatively high efficiency and capacity and have relatively low operating costs.
An additional type of apparatus suitable for aromatic extraction in the system and method herein is a pulse column. FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a pulse column system 740 , which includes a column with a plurality of packing or sieve plates 788 , a light phase, i.e., solvent, inlet 791 , a heavy phase, i.e., hydrocarbon feed, inlet 792 , a light phase outlet 794 and a heavy phase outlet 796 .
In general, pulse column system 740 is a vertical column with a large number of sieve plates 788 lacking down comers. The perforations in the sieve plates 788 typically are smaller than those of non-pulsating columns, e.g., about 1.5 mm to 3.0 mm in diameter.
A pulse-producing device 798 , such as a reciprocating pump, pulses the contents of the column at frequent intervals. The rapid reciprocating motion, of relatively small amplitude, is superimposed on the usual flow of the liquid phases. Bellows or diaphragms formed of coated steel (e.g., coated with polytetrafluoroethylene), or any other reciprocating, pulsating mechanism can be used. A pulse amplitude of 5-25 mm is generally recommended with a frequency of 100-260 cycles per minute. The pulsation causes the light liquid (solvent) to be dispersed into the heavy phase (oil) on the upward stroke and heavy liquid phase to jet into the light phase on the downward stroke. The column has no moving parts, low axial mixing, and high extraction efficiency.
A pulse column typically requires less than a third the number of theoretical stages as compared to a non-pulsating column. A specific type of reciprocating mechanism is used in a Karr Column which is shown in FIG. 8 .
Distinct advantages are offered by the selective hydrocracking apparatus and processes described herein when compared to conventional processes for hydrocracking selected fractions. Aromatics across a full range of boiling points contained in heavy hydrocarbons are extracted and separately processed in hydroprocessing reaction zone operating under conditions optimized for hydrotreating and/or hydrocracking aromatics, including aromatic nitrogen compounds that are prone to deactivate the hydrotreating catalyst.
According to the present processes and apparatus, the overall middle distillate yield is improved as the initial feedstock is separated into aromatic-rich and aromatic-lean fractions and hydrotreated and/or hydrocracked in different hydroprocessing reaction zones operating under conditions optimized for each fraction.
EXAMPLE
A sample of vacuum gas oil (VGO) derived from Arab light crude oil was extracted in an extractor. Furfural was used as the extractive solvent. The extractor was operated at 60° C., atmospheric pressure, and at a solvent to diesel ratio of 1.1:1.0. Two fractions were obtained: an aromatic-rich fraction and an aromatic-lean fraction. The aromatic-lean fraction yield was 52.7 W % and contained 0.43 W % of sulfur and 5 W % of aromatics. The aromatic-rich fraction yield was 47.3 W % and contained 95 W % of aromatics and 2.3 W % of sulfur. The properties of the VGO, aromatic-rich fraction and aromatic-lean fraction are given in Table 1.
TABLE 1
Properties of VGO and its Fractions
VGO-
VGO-
Property
VGO
Aromatic-Rich
Aromatic-Lean
Density at 15° C.
Kg/L
0.922
1.020
0.835
Carbon
W %
85.27
Hydrogen
W %
12.05
Sulfur
W %
2.7
2.30
0.43
Nitrogen
ppmw
615
584
31
MCR
W %
0.13
Aromatics
W %
47.3
44.9
2.4
N + P
W %
52.7
2.6
50.1
The aromatic-rich fraction was hydrotreated in a fixed-bed hydrotreating unit containing Ni—Mo on silica alumina as hydrotreating catalyst at 150 Kg/cm 2 hydrogen partial pressure, 400° C., liquid hourly space velocity of 1.0 h −1 and at hydrogen feed rate of 1,000 SLt/Lt. The Ni—Mo on alumina catalyst was used to denitrogenize the aromatic-rich fraction, which includes a significant amount of the nitrogen content originally contained in the feedstock.
The aromatic-lean fraction was hydrotreated in a fixed-bed hydrotreating unit containing Ni—Mo on alumina and Co—Mo on alumina as hydrotreating catalysts at 70 Kg/cm 2 hydrogen partial pressure, 380° C., liquid hourly space velocity of 1.0 h −1 and at hydrogen feed rate of 500 SLt/Lt. Two catalyst layers (25:75 weight ratio) were used in the process, in which Ni—Mo on alumina catalyst was used at the top of the reactor to denitrogenize the nitrogen molecules that carried-over from the aromatic extraction step, and Co—Mo on alumina catalyst was used at the bottom of the reactor to desulfurize the aromatic-lean oil.
The product yields resulting from each hydroprocesser and the integrated process are given below.
TABLE 2
Product Yields
VGO-
VGO-
Property
Aromatic-Rich
Aromatic-Lean
Overall
Stream
154
164
171
Hydrogen
2.34
0.04
1.13
H 2 S
2.44
0.46
1.40
NH 3
0.00
0.00
0.00
C 1 -C 4
2.64
0.73
1.63
Naphtha
18.2
2.05
9.69
Mid Distillates
31.60
9.58
20.00
Unconverted Bottoms
45.20
87.18
67.28
Total
102.34
100.04
101.13
The method and system herein have been described above and in the attached drawings; however, modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and the scope of protection for the invention is to be defined by the claims that follow.
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Aromatic extraction and hydrocracking processes are integrated to optimize the hydrocracking units design and/or performance. By processing aromatic-rich and aromatic-lean fractions separately, the hydrocracking operating severity and/or catalyst reactor volume requirement decreases.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/779,732, filed Mar. 13, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a process for making an insulation product, and particularly to a molding process. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a molding process for making an insulation product where binder included in the insulation product is cured during the molding process.
SUMMARY
[0003] A molding process for molding a cured product may include several operations. One of the operations may be providing an uncured blank including fibers and uncured binder. The molding process may include inserting the uncured blank in a mold cavity and closing the mold. The molding process may further include applying heat and pressure to the uncured blank to cause the uncured blank to adopt and retain a shape of the mold cavity.
[0004] In some embodiments, the operation of applying heat and pressure to the uncured blank may be only sufficient to cure a portion of the binder included in the uncured part. As a result, the uncured blank may retain a molded shape after the removal from the mold and a shaped product may be established. The molding process may further include the operations of opening the mold to release the shaped product.
[0005] In some embodiments, the molding process may further include the operation of inserting the shaped product in a heater. The molding process may further include the operation of transferring a curing heat to the shaped product to cause the remainder of the uncured binder to cure. As a result, the cured product may be established.
[0006] In some embodiments, the uncured binder may be a phenol-formaldehyde binder. In some embodiments, the uncured binder may be a substantially formaldehyde free binder.
[0007] In some embodiments, during the transferring the shaping heat operation, the shaping heat may be applied by the mold. During the transferring the curing heat operation, the curing heat may be applied by a heating unit in spaced-apart relation to the mold.
[0008] In some embodiments, the uncured part may be exposed to a temperature of about 200 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The transferring the shaping heat operation may occur during a first cycle time. The transferring the curing heat operation may occur during a second cycle time. The second cycle time may be larger than the first cycle time.
[0009] A molding process may comprise several operations. The molding process may include the operation of providing an uncured blank including fibers and uncured binder.
[0010] In some embodiments, the molding process may further include the operation of molding the uncured blank to establish a shaped product having a molded shape that does not change after removal from a mold cavity. The shaped product may include the fibers, a first portion of cured binder, and a remainder of the uncured binder.
[0011] In some embodiments, the uncured binder may be a phenol-formaldehyde binder. The uncured binder may be a substantially formaldehyde free binder.
[0012] Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic and perspective view of a first embodiment of a molding process in accordance with the present disclosure showing that the molding process includes the operations of inserting an uncured blank into a mold cavity, shaping and applying heat to the uncured blank, removing a shaped product from the mold cavity, applying heat to the shaped product to establish a cured product, cutting the cured product from a carrier sheet, and storing the cured product;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the molding process of FIG. 1 showing that the molding process includes the operations of inserting the uncured blank, closing the mold, applying a shaping heat, establishing the shaped product, opening the mold, removing the shaped product, inserting the shaped product into a heating unit, applying a curing heat from the heating unit, establishing the cured product, removing the cured product, optionally cutting the carrier sheet, and storing the cured product;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic and perspective view of another embodiment of a molding process in accordance with the present disclosure showing that the molding process includes the operations of inserting an uncured blank into a mold cavity, shaping and applying heat to the uncured blank, removing a shaped product from the mold cavity, optionally cutting the carrier sheet to free the shaped product, accumulating the shaped products to establish a shaped-products batch, applying heat to the shaped product to establish a cured-products batch, and storing the cured-products batch; and
[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the molding process of FIG. 3 showing that the molding process includes the operations of inserting the uncured blank, closing the mold, applying a shaping heat, establishing the shaped product, opening the mold, removing the shaped product, optionally cutting the carrier sheet, accumulating the shaped products, inserting the shaped-products batch, applying a curing heat, establishing the cured-products batch, removing the cured-products batch, and storing the cured-products batch.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] A first embodiment of a molding process 10 is shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The molding processes 10 and 110 are used to establish a cured product 12 while minimizing a cycle time of a molding machine 14 . The cycle time is minimized by first establishing a shaped product 16 and second curing the shaped product 16 to establish the cured product 12 . The shaped product 16 includes fibers, a cured-binder portion 16 C along an outer surface 16 S of the shaped product 16 , and an uncured-binder portion 16 U in an interior region 161 defined by the outer surface 16 S of the shaped product 16 . The cured product 12 is established when the uncured-binder portion 16 U of the shaped product is transformed into cured binder so that only cured binder exists in the cured product 12 . The molding process 10 , as shown in FIG. 1 , is an illustrative example of a continuous process. The molding process 110 , as shown in FIG. 3 , is an illustrative example of a batch process.
[0019] The molding process 10 includes a series of operations as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The molding process 10 includes an operation 20 in which an uncured blank 22 is inserted into the molding machine 14 as shown in FIG. 1 . The uncured blank 22 is carried by a carrier sheet 24 into the molding machine 14 as part of a continuous process. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the uncured blank 22 includes an outer trim layer 22 A, a first blanket 22 B, and a second blanket 22 C. Each blanket 22 B, 22 C is made of a substrate and an uncured binder. In one example, the substrate is a fiber. For example, the fiber is glass, cellulose, or mineral wool. In still yet another example, the substrate may be a laminate or a veneer. For example, the laminate or veneer is a wood chip or wood particle. In addition, the uncured blank may have any number of blankets and trim layers. In addition, the uncured blank may include a thermoplastic layer, also called an interleaf, located between each neighboring pair of blankets to interconnect the neighboring pairs of blankets. The interleaf may be located between the trim layer and the blanket.
[0020] The molding process 10 then proceeds to an operation 26 in which a mold system 28 included in the molding machine 14 is moved from an opened position shown in FIG. 1 to a closed position. The mold system 28 includes, for example, a first mold tool 28 A and a second mold tool 28 B. In the illustrative example, the first mold tool 28 A is a female mold tool and the second mold tool 28 B is a male mold tool. The uncured blank 22 is trapped in a mold cavity formed in the mold system 28 when the mold system 28 is in the closed position.
[0021] However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for the mold system to include a first platen and a second platen for forming relatively flat panels from the uncured blank 22 . It is further within the scope of the present disclosure for the mold system to include a first mold tool, a first platen, a second mold tool, and a second platen.
[0022] The molding process 10 then proceeds to an operation 30 in which heat and pressure are applied to the uncured blank 22 as shown in FIG. 2 . While the mold system 28 is in the closed position, heat and pressure are applied to the uncured blank 22 to cause a shape of the mold cavity to be taken on by the uncured blank 22 . In addition, the heat applied by the mold system 28 causes a first portion of the binder included in the uncured blank 22 to be cured. In another example, hot gas may be directed through the mold cavity while the uncured product is located in the mold cavity. As a result, cycle time of the molding machine may be further minimized due to increased convective heat transfer from the hot gas to the uncured product.
[0023] This type of molding operation may be called shape molding. Shape molding is a process by which the uncured blank is intentionally only partly cured. The degree of cure is generally chosen to ensure that the uncured blank retains its shape from the molding system 10 and satisfies all dimensional requirements when the shaped product is removed from a mold cavity formed in the molding machine 14 . Some portions of a shaped product, typically portions in the core, are not fully cured. The shape-molded product is subjected to a subsequent secondary curing process to ensure full cure as described below in an operation 44 .
[0024] Once the first portion of binder is cured, the molding process 10 proceeds to an operation 32 in which a molded shape is retained and the shaped product 16 is established. The shaped product 16 includes fibers, the first cured portion of binder, and a second uncured portion located in an interior region of the shaped product 16 . The molding machine 14 has a cycle time which is measured from the closure of the mold system 28 to the opening of the mold system 28 . In one example, the cycle time is between about 30 seconds and about 10 minutes. However, cycle time is dependent on part thickness, binder type used, and density of the uncured blank 22 .
[0025] As an example, the first portion of cured binder is located along a surface of the shaped product 16 that interfaces and engages an inner surface of the mold system 28 . The first portion of cured binder is sufficient to retain the molded shape of the shaped product 16 once the shaped product 16 is removed from the mold system 28 .
[0026] The molding process 10 then proceeds to an operation 34 in which the mold system 28 is moved from the closed position to the opened position. As a result, the shaped product 16 is freed for removal as suggested in FIG. 2 .
[0027] The molding process 10 then proceeds to an operation 36 in which the shaped product 16 is removed from the mold system 28 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . As shown, for example, in FIG. 1 , the shaped product 16 is still coupled to the carrier sheet 24 . However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for the molding machine 14 to also separate the shaped product 16 from the carrier sheet 24 as part of the operation 30 .
[0028] The molding process 10 then proceeds to an operation 38 in which the shaped product 16 is inserted into a heating unit 40 as shown in FIG. 1 . The heating unit 40 is, for example, a heat tunnel using infrared lamps to provide a curing heat 42 that is applied to the shaped product 16 . The curing heat 42 , for example, causes an air temperature in the heat tunnel to be about 200 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures may be similar to or equal to temperatures achieved during the operation 30 .
[0029] Once the shaped product 16 is in the heating unit 40 , curing heat 42 is applied to the shaped product 16 in an operation 44 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . Curing heat 42 is applied to the shaped product 16 to cause the second portion of uncured binder to cure. As a result, substantially all binder in the shaped product 16 is now cured. The heating unit 40 also includes a cycle time measured from when one part enters the heating unit 40 to when a different part exits the heating unit 40 . As a result, the cycle time of the heating unit is substantially the same as the molding machine 14 . However, the amount of time any given shaped product 16 remains in the heating unit 40 may vary and be a multiple of the cycle time of the molding machine 14 .
[0030] The molding process 10 proceeds to an operation 46 in which all the second portion of binder has cured in the shaped product 16 so that all the binder has been cured. As a result, the cured product 12 is established in the operation 46 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
[0031] The molding process 10 then proceeds to an operation 48 in which the cured product 12 is removed from the heating unit 40 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The cured product 12 is, for example, still carried by the carrier sheet 24 . However, substantially all the binder has now been cured.
[0032] The molding process 10 then proceeds to an optional operation 50 in which the cured product 12 is separated from the carrier sheet 24 . As discussed previously, the shaped product 16 may have been separated from the carrier sheet in the operation 30 . However, the shaped product 16 may have remained coupled to the carrier sheet 24 to simplify transportation of the carrier sheet 24 and shaped product 16 through subsequent operations. As a result, the molding process 10 may separate the cured product 12 from the carrier sheet 24 in the operation 50 . As an example, the operation 50 uses a cutter 52 , which in the illustrative example is a water cutter, cuts the carrier sheet 24 to free the cured product 12 as shown in FIG. 1 . However, the cutter 52 may be another suitable alternative.
[0033] The molding process 10 then proceeds to an operation 54 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The operation 54 causes the cured product 12 to be stored for transportation or storage.
[0034] The molding process 110 includes a series of operations as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . The molding process 110 includes an operation 120 in which an uncured blank 122 is removed from an uncured-blank stack 166 and inserted into the molding machine 114 as shown in FIG. 3 . The uncured blank 122 is carried by a carrier sheet 124 into the molding machine 114 as part of a batch process. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the uncured blank 122 includes a series of layers that include, for example, an outer trim layer 122 A and a blanket 122 B. However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for uncured blank 122 to have any number of blankets, trim layers, or polymeric binding layers. The blanket 122 B is made of fibers and uncured binder.
[0035] The molding process 110 then proceeds to an operation 126 in which a mold system 128 included in the molding machine 114 is moved from and opened position shown in FIG. 3 to a closed position. The mold system 128 includes, for example, a first mold tool 128 A and a second mold tool 128 B. The uncured blank 122 is trapped in a mold cavity formed in the mold system 128 when the mold system 128 is in the closed position.
[0036] The molding process 110 then proceeds to an operation 130 in which heat and pressure are applied to the uncured blank 122 as shown in FIG. 4 . While the mold system 128 is in the closed position, heat and pressure are applied to the uncured blank 122 to cause a shape of the mold cavity to be taken on by the uncured blank 122 . In addition, the heat applied by the mold system 128 causes a first portion of the binder included in the uncured blank 122 to be cured.
[0037] Once the first portion of binder is cured, the molding process 110 proceeds to an operation 132 in which a molded shape is retained and the shaped product 16 is established. The shaped product 116 includes fibers, the first cured portion of binder, and a second uncured portion located an interior region of the shaped product 116 . The molding machine 114 has a cycle time that is measured from the closure of the mold system 128 to the opening of the mold system 128 . In one example, the cycle time is between about 30 seconds and about 10 minutes. However, cycle time is dependent on part thickness, binder type used, and density of the uncured blank 122 .
[0038] As an example, the first portion of cured binder is located along a surface of the shaped product 116 that interfaces and engages an inner surface of the mold system 128 . The first portion of cured binder is sufficient to retain the molded shape of the shaped product 16 once the shaped product 16 is removed from the mold system 128 .
[0039] The molding process 110 then proceeds to an operation 134 in which the mold system 128 is moved from the closed position to the opened position. As a result, the shaped product 116 is freed for removal as suggested in FIG. 4 .
[0040] The molding process 110 then proceeds to an operation 136 in which the shaped product 116 is removed from the mold system 28 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . As shown, for example, in FIG. 3 , the shaped product 116 is still coupled to the carrier sheet 124 . However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for the molding machine 114 to also separate the shaped product 116 from the carrier sheet 124 as part of the operation 130 .
[0041] The molding process 10 then proceeds to an optional operation 150 in which the shaped product 116 is separated from the carrier sheet 124 . As discussed previously, the shaped product 116 may have been separated from the carrier sheet in the operation 130 . However, the shaped product 116 may have remained coupled to the carrier sheet 124 to simplify transportation of the carrier sheet 124 and shaped product 116 through subsequent operations. As a result, the molding process 110 may separate the shaped product 116 from the carrier sheet 124 in the operation 150 . As an example, the operation 150 uses a cutter 152 , which in the illustrative example is a water cutter, cuts the carrier sheet 124 to free the shaped product 116 as shown in FIG. 3 . However, the cutter 52 may be another suitable alternative.
[0042] The molding process 110 then proceeds to an operation 156 in which the shaped products 116 are accumulated to establish a shaped-products batch 158 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . The shaped-products batch 156 may be several shaped products 116 stacked on one another and located in a bin. However, the shaped-products batch 156 may be several shaped products 116 located on trays in a rack spaced apart from one another to facilitate movement of air and relatively faster curing.
[0043] Once the shaped-products batch 156 is established, the molding process 110 proceeds to an operation 160 in which the shaped-products batch 156 is inserted into an oven 162 for batch curing of the shaped products 116 as shown in FIG. 3 . As an example, the oven 162 is configured to apply the curing heat to the shaped products 116 to cause the second portion of uncured binder to cure. The oven 162 may apply the curing heat using infrared heaters, an open flame to heat the air in the oven, or any other suitable alternative. The curing heat 42 , for example, causes an air temperature in the heat tunnel to be about 200 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures may be similar to or equal to temperatures achieved during the operation 130 .
[0044] Once the shaped-products batch 158 is in the oven 162 , curing heat is applied to the shaped-products batch 158 in an operation 144 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . Curing heat is applied to the shaped-products 158 to cause the second portion of uncured binder to cure. As a result, substantially all binder in each shaped product 116 is now cured. The oven also includes a cycle time measured from when the shaped-products batch 158 enters the oven 162 to when the shaped-products batch 158 exits the oven 162 . As a result, the cycle time of the heating unit may be substantially different due to the number of shaped products 116 included in the shaped-products batch 158 .
[0045] The molding process 110 proceeds to an operation 146 in which all the second portion of the binder has been cured to cause all the binder to be cured. As a result, a cured-products batch 164 is established in the operation 146 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
[0046] The molding process 110 then proceeds to an operation 148 in which the cured-products batch 164 of cured products 112 are removed from the oven 162 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
[0047] The molding process 110 then proceeds to an operation 154 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . The operation 154 causes the cured products 112 to be stored for transportation or storage.
[0048] The molding processes 10 , 110 fully cure the thermosetting binder of partly mold-pressed parts (shaped products). In the first operation of the process, a part, also called a blanket, (i.e. a collection of fiberglass) impregnated with a thermosetting binder is shape-molded using a heated mold press. The shaped product includes portions of the thermosetting binder that are cured and uncured while the molded shape is retained. This is referred as shape molding and is a molding process that provides a molded part having sufficient integrity to keep its intended shape.
[0049] As an example, the thermosetting binder, after shape-molding, is not fully cured. In particular, the binder in a core of the shaped product is not fully cured. The shape-molded part is subsequently subjected to a secondary curing operation to fully cure the part. This secondary curing can be arranged to be in-line with the mold press in such a fashion that the shape-molded part directly is subjected to the secondary curing operation without any or significant heat loss.
[0050] The heat for the secondary curing may be provided by radiant heaters (i.e. IR heaters) arranged on top and or below the part when exiting the mold press or oven zones adjacent or attached to the mold press. The shape molded parts pass through the heating zones, supported by a conveying system, and are fully cured when exiting the secondary heating zones. The fully cured parts are then finished (i.e. die-cut, water jet cut, etc.) and packaged.
[0051] In another example, the shape molded parts can be fully cured in a batch process. In a batch process, the shape molded parts are collected after molding. A collection of shape molded parts are then placed into an oven for a predetermined time sufficient to fully cure the parts. The fully cured parts are then taken out of the oven. The batch process is flexible and allows the confection of the finished parts (i.e. cutting out of the desired shape) before or after the secondary curing operation. Other sources of heat for the secondary curing operation may be radiant heating, convection heating, microwave heating, a combination of sources, or any other suitable alternative heat or energy sources.
[0052] The molding processes 10 , 110 provide several surprising findings. Some parts with various thicknesses ranging from highly compressed, thin areas to low density, thick, high loft areas (i.e. automotive hood liners) are difficult to cure while in the molding machine 14 . This is applicable to parts impregnated with thermosetting binders that require elevated cure temperatures and high cure energies. These parts sometimes use double or triple typical cycle times to cure the part when compared to a phenol-formaldehyde (PF) binder. It was found surprisingly that shape molding followed by secondary curing operation is possible, and that those parts will keep their designed shape despite the core in high loft areas not being fully cured.
[0053] The molding processes 10 , 110 also provide a process that improves the cycle time of the molding machine regardless of the nature of the binder chemistry and temperature sensitivity of components molded in the molding machine. Cycle times of molding machines are typically adjusted through increasing or decreasing temperatures during molding. However, minimizing cycle time through increasing temperatures is limited by the nature of the binder and components of the molded parts so that decomposition or damage to the molded parts is minimized.
[0054] In addition, the molding processes 10 , 110 may be used with existing molding equipment. As a result, molding machine cycle times may be improved without obtaining new molding equipment thus minimizing capital costs.
[0055] Shape molding followed by secondary curing increases robustness. In particular, the molding processes 10 , 110 can achieve fully cured products with high reliability despite product quality variations (density, moisture distribution and content, wet spots of the uncured blanks.)
[0056] The molding processes 10 , 110 provide consistently fully cured parts regardless of product quality variations in the uncured blank. The uncured blank may be sold by a supplier to the manufacturer operating the molding processes 10 , 110 as Shipout Uncured (SOUC). Variations in quality include density, density distribution, moisture, moisture distribution, binder concentration, and binder concentration distribution. These variations impact cure cycle time in a molding process that does not include a post-cure operation. In this example, cure cycle time is the minimum time needed to fully cure the binder within the entire molded part.
[0057] The molding processes 10 , 110 may be used with various binder types. In one example, the binder is a Phenol-Formaldehyde (PF) thermosetting binder. PF binder cures relatively quickly at relatively low temperatures and requires relatively less heat energy to cure. However, PF binder is associated with various emission and toxicity concerns. In another example, the binder may be a formaldehyde-free binder. Formaldehyde-free binders may require relatively greater heat energy to cure the binder. As a result, molding-machine cycle times may be relatively large to completely cure an uncured blank using a formaldehyde-free binder.
[0058] Examples of formaldehyde-free binders are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,854,980 B2, 5,977,232, 7,803,879, 6,699,945, 5,318,990, 6,194,512, PCT publication PCT/US2006/028929, U.S. application Ser. Nos. 11/675413, 12/599858, WO2011/138459 A1, WO2011/138458 A1, WO2011/123593 A1, WO2012/152731 A1 and WO2011/022668, EP1732968, Patent Applications EP2386394 and EP2199332A1, Patent Applications US2009/0275699, and 2007/0292619 (each of which is incorporated by reference herein).
[0059] The uncured binder may comprises a carbohydrate reactant and/or a nitrogen-containing reactant. The nitrogen-containing reactant and the carbohydrate reactant may be Maillard reactants that react during curing to form Maillard reaction products, notably a melanoidin product. Curing of the binder may comprise or consists essentially of a Maillard reaction. The cured binder may comprises a melanoidin-containing and/or nitrogenous-containing polymer binder; this may be substantially water insoluble and/or substantially formaldehyde free.
[0060] The carbohydrate reactant may comprise: a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, a polysaccharide, a reducing sugar, molasses, starch, starch hydrolysate, cellulose hydrolysates, reaction product(s) thereof or mixtures thereof. While non-reducing sugars, for instance sucrose, may not be preferable, they may none-the-less be useful by in - situ conversion to a reducing sugar. The carbohydrate reactant may comprise a monosaccharide in its aldose or ketose form; it may comprise a triose, a tetrose, a pentose, xylose, a hexose, dextrose, fructose, a heptose, a polysaccharide, or combinations thereof. The carbohydrate reactant may comprise high fructose corn syrup or invert sugar. The carbohydrate reactant may have a dextrose equivalent of at least about 50, at least about 60, at least about 70, at least about 80 or at least about 90.
[0061] The nitrogen-containing reactant may comprise NH3, inorganic amine(s), organic amine(s) comprising at least one primary amine group, salts thereof and combinations thereof. For example, the nitrogen-containing reactant may comprise NH3 (e.g. in the form of an aqueous solution), any type of inorganic and organic ammonium salts, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate and combinations thereof. The nitrogen-containing reactant may comprise a polyamine; it may comprise a primary polyamine. Herein, the term “polyamine” includes any organic compound having two or more amine groups, which may independently be substituted. As used herein, a “primary polyamine” is an organic compound having two or more primary amine groups (—NH2). Within the scope of the term primary polyamine are those compounds which can be modified in situ or isomerize to generate a compound having two or more primary amine groups (—NH2). The primary polyamine may be a diamine, for example a di-primary diamine, triamine, tetraamine, or pentamine. The polyamine may comprise a diamine selected from 1,2-diaminoethane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane, 1,6-diaminohexane (hexamethylenediamine, HMDA), 1,12-diaminododecane, 1,4-diaminocyclohexane, 1,4-diaminobenzene, 1,5-diamino-2-methylpentane (2-methyl-pentamethylenediamine), 1,3-pentanediamine, and 1,8-diaminooctane. The nitrogen-containing reactant may comprise a primary polyamine polyether-polyamine; said polyether-polyamine may be a diamine or a triamine In one embodiment, the polyether-polyamine is a trifunctional primary amine having an average molecular weight of 440 known as Jeffamine T-403 Polyetheramine (Huntsman Corporation). EDR-104 and EDR-148 (Huntsman) may also be used. The nitrogen-containing reactant may comprise a polymeric polyamine, for example chitosan, polylysine, polyethylenimine, poly(N-vinyl-N-methyl amine), polyaminostyrene, polyvinylamines, a polyvinyl amine (which may be a homopolymer or a copolymer).
[0062] The binder may comprising a silicon-containing compound, notably selected from the group consisting of gamma-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane, gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, aminoethylaminopropyl-trimethoxysilane, an aminofunctional oligomeric silane, and mixtures thereof.
[0063] The binder may comprising a non-aqueous moisturizer, for example a polyoxyalkylene glycol or a polypropylene glycol.
[0064] The binders may include ester and/or polyester compounds, for example in combination with a vegetable oil, such as soybean oil.
[0065] The carbohydrate reactant, may make up: at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, even more preferably at least 80% by dry weight of the uncured binder; and/or less than 99%, preferably less than 97%, more preferably less than 95% by dry weight of the uncured binder.
[0066] The nitrogen-containing component, may make up less than 70%, preferably less than 50%, more preferably less than 30%, even more preferably less than 20% by dry weight of the uncured binder; and/or at least 2.5%, preferably at least 5%, more preferably at least 10% by dry weight of the uncured binder.
[0067] The molding processes 10 , 110 also minimize the presence of acidic byproducts of uncured or partly cured products. SOUC parts based on polyester and polyamide chemistries (i.e. polyacrylic acid or styrene-maleic-anhydride based binders) may have an acidic to neutral pH which will become neutral to alkaline upon full cure. The corrosivity of the uncured or partly cured binder decreases with fully curing the binder. As a result, the pH of the binder increases. As a result, the molding processes 10 , 110 minimize the corrosiveness of parts including binders based on polyester and polyamide chemistries.
[0068] A cured product in accordance with the present disclosure may be used for sound absorption or a thermal shield. Sound absorption may be desired in flat architectural applications (i.e. wall system for office spaces and theaters) and contoured parts in automotive applications (i.e. hood liners). Some molded parts are used in Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) equipment for sound absorption (HVAC equipment, clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers, etc.).
[0069] A cured product may have a width of about one inch to about six feet. A cured product may have a length of about of about two inches to about twelve feet. The cured product may have a thickness of about ⅛ of an inch to about two inches in one example. In another example, the cured product may have a thickness less than ⅛ of an inch and greater than two inches. The cured product may have a density of about one pound per cubic foot to about 50 pounds per cubic foot. In addition, the density and dimensions of the cured product may vary throughout the cured product.
[0000]
TABLE 1
Comparison of cycle times to full cure of an uncured product
for two different binders types with and without convection heating in the mold cavity
Cycle time (min)
Shape
Shape
Molding
Full Cure
Full Cure
Molding No
with
No
with
Convection
Convection
Convection
Convection
Sample
Heating
Heating
Heating
Heating
1
Formaldehyde-Free
5.50
1.00
7.10
2.00
Binder, 4 lb/cubic foot
density, 15% LOI, 1 inch
Loft, 380 degrees
Fahrenheit
2
PF Binder, 4 lb/cubic foot
3.00
1.00
>3.00
1.50
density, 15% LOI, 1 inch
Loft, 380 degrees
Fahrenheit
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A molding process includes the operation of placing insulation material comprising fibers and binder on the fibers in a mold cavity. The molding process further includes the operation of transferring heat to the insulation material to cause the binder to cure.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power driven screwdriver, and more particularly to an improvement in a clutch mechanism of a power driven screwdriver.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A clutch mechanism in a conventional power driven screwdriver utilizes a pair of claw clutch members for engagement with each other. Such a clutch mechanism may produce unavoidable mechanical sounds when the clutch members are brought into engagement or when they are moved to be separated from each other, and it involves various problems other than the production of mechanical sounds. To solve these problems, it has been proposed to incorporate, into a claw clutch mechanism, a mechanism for forcibly disengage clutch members from each other.
However, such a conventional countermeasure has not provided a satisfactory result due to the nature of the claw clutch mechanism in which the production of mechanical sounds as well as wear of the clutch members are unavoidable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a power driven screwdriver including a clutch mechanism which can minimize mechanical sounds and which can be smoothly operated to transmit power or to interrupt transmission.
According to the present invention, there is provided a power driven screwdriver comprising:
a spindle rotatably supported by a housing and movable relative to the housing in an axial direction between a first position and a second position;
the spindle having a first central axis and including a forward end for mounting a driver bit thereon, and the spindle being normally kept at the first portion and being movable to the second position when an axial force is applied to the spindle through the driver bit;
a drive member disposed rearwardly of the spindle on the same axis as the first central axis of the spindle and rotatably driven by a drive source; and
a clutch mechanism provided between the spindle and the drive member and including a protrusion formed on one of the spindle and the drive member and a recess formed on the other of the spindle and the drive member for engagement with the protrusion;
the protrusion including a conical outer surface having a diameter decreasing toward the protrusion, and the recess including a conical inner surface corresponding substantially to the conical outer surface and having a diameter increasing toward the recess;
the conical outer surface having a second central axis displaced from the first central axis of the spindle or the drive member by a first distance, and the conical inner surface having a third central axis displaced from the first central axis by a second distance; and
the protrusion and the recess being kept in disengagement from each other so as to interrupt transmission of rotation from the drive member to the spindle when the spindle is positioned at the first position, the protrusion and the recess being brought in engagement with each other through contact between the conical outer surface and the conical inner surface when the spindle is positioned at the second position.
The invention will become more apparent from the appended claims and the description as it proceeds in connection with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view, with a part omitted, of a power driven screwdriver according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II--II in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view showing a main part of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing a different operation;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V--V in FIG. 4; and
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI--VI in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to FIG. 1, a part of a power driven screwdriver is shown in vertical sectional view. The power driven screwdriver includes a housing 1 within which a motor (not shown) having a motor shaft 2 is accommodated. The motor shaft 2 extends into a gear housing la formed integrally with the housing 1. A gear 3 is formed integrally with the forward end of the motor shaft 2.
A support shaft 4 is disposed within the gear housing 1a. One end of the support shaft 4 is rotatably supported by the gear housing 1a through a metal bearing 5 and a thrust bearing 6. The other end of the support shaft 4 is rotatably received within an axial bore 10a of a spindle 10 as will be explained later.
A main gear 7 is slidably fitted on the support shaft 4 and is in engagement with the gear 3 of the motor shaft 2. The rear surface of the main gear 7 is in abutment on the thrust bearing 6. The main gear 7 includes an annular recess 8 on the front surface thereof. The recess 8 includes a conical circumferential inner wall 8a having a diameter which increases in the forward direction. The central axis of the conical inner wall 8a is displaced from the central axis of the main gear 7 or the central axis of the support shaft 4 by a short distance e1 as shown in FIG. 2.
The spindle 10 is disposed within the gear housing 1a at a position forwardly of the main gear 7 and extends on the same axis as the support shaft 4. A driver bit 9 is detachably mounted on the forward portion of the spindle 10. The spindle 10 is supported by the gear housing 1a through a metal bearing 11 in such a manner that the spindle 10 is rotatable relative to the gear housing 1a and is slidably movable by a predetermined distance in the axial direction. An enlarged annular protrusion 12 is integrally formed with the rear end of the spindle 10 for engagement with the annular recess 8 of the main gear 7. The annular protrusion 12 includes a conical outer surface 12a which has the same inclination angle as that of the conical inner wall 8a of the annular recess 8 of the main gear 7. The central axis of the conical outer surface 12a is displaced from the central axis of the spindle 10 by a short distance e2 as shown in FIG. 2, so that the outer surface 12a slidably contacts the inner wall 8a when the annular protrusion 12 is in engagement with the annular recess 8 as shown in FIG. 4.
In this embodiment, the diameter of the conical outer surface 12a is determined to be smaller than that of the conical inner wall 8a within the region where the outer surface 12a is within the outer wall 8a when the annular protrusion 12 is fully engaged with the annular recess 8 as shown in FIG. 4. Further, the displaced distance e2 of the outer surface 12a is determined to be smaller than the displaced distance e1 of the inner wall 8a.
A compression spring 14 is interposed between the annular protrusion 12 of the spindle 10 and the main gear 7 so as to normally keep the annular protrusion 12 not to engage the annular recess 8 of the main gear 7. One end of the spring 14 is received within a recess 13 formed inside of the annular protrusion 12, and the other end of the compression spring 14 is received within the annular recess 8 of the main gear 7.
The annular protrusion 12 includes an end surface 12b which is opposed to the rear end of the metal bearing 11 in the axial direction. The end surface 12b is kept to slidably contact the rear end of the metal bearing 11 by the biasing force of the spring 14 when no axial load is applied to the spindle 10. The end surface 12b is separated from the rear end of the metal bearing 11 when the spindle 10 is axially moved against the force of the spring 14 and when the annular protrusion 12 is brought into engagement with the annular recess 8 of the main gear 7 for transmission of rotation.
The annular protrusion 12 of the spindle 10 further includes a conical engaging surface 15 which is formed between the outer surface 12a and the end surface 12b. The diameter of the engaging surface 15 decreases in the forward direction, and the central axis of the engaging surface 15 is displaced from the central axis of the spindle 10 by a short distance. A ring 16 made of rubber is mounted within the gear housing 1a and is fixedly received within a space formed between the rear end of the metal bearing 11 and the inner surface of the gear housing 1a. The ring 16 includes a conical inner surface 16a. The central axis of the inner surface 16a is displaced from the central axis of the spindle 10 by the same distance as the central axis of the engaging surface 15. Further, the inner surface 16a has the same inclination angle as that of the engaging surface 15. The engaging surface 15 is brought into engagement with the inner surface 16a of the ring 16 through its entire surface so as to prevent the spindle 10 from rotation when the spindle 10 is moved to disengage the annular protrusion 12 from the annular recess 8 and when the central axis of the engaging surface 15 coincides with the that of the inner surface 16a.
A lock ring 17 is threadably engaged with the forward portion of the gear housing 1a, so that the position of the lock ring 17 is adjustable relative to the gear housing 1a in the axial direction. A tubular stopper sleeve 18 is fitted on the forward end of the lock ring 17 and the driver bit 9 extends through the stopper sleeve 18. A tubular dust-prevention member 19 is fitted within the forward portion of the lock ring 17 and extends over both the forward portion of the spindle 10 and the rear portion of the driver bit 9 so as to prevent entrance of dust into the gear housing 1a.
As shown in FIG. 6, an elongated stop member 20 made of synthetic resin such as nylon or a rubber is interposed between the forward portion of the gear housing 1a and the lock ring 17. The stop member 20 is partly received within a recess 21 formed on the forward portion of the gear housing 1a and frictionally contacts the inner surface of the lock ring 17 so as to keep the adjusted position of the lock ring 17.
The operation of the above embodiment will now be explained.
Firstly, an operator rotates the lock ring 17 relative to the gear housing 1a so as to adjust the axial position of the stopper sleeve 18 in correspondence to the desired driving depth of a screw to be driven. The screw is thereafter fitted on the forward end of the driver bit 9 and the operator brings the screwdriver so as to abut the screw on a work.
At this stage, the annular protrusion 12 is kept in disengagement from the annular recess 8 of the main gear 7 by the biasing force of the spring 14. Therefore, when the motor is started, the rotation of the motor shaft 2 is not transmitted to the spindle 10 or the driver bit 9 although it is transmitted to the main gear 7.
When the operator moves the screwdriver to press the screw fitted on the driver bit 9 toward the work, the spindle 10 is moved together with the driver bit 9 in the axial direction toward the main gear 7 against the biasing force of the spring 14. The annular protrusion 12 of the spindle 10 is therefore moved to be engaged with the annular recess 8 in such a manner that, during rotation of the main gear 7 at the beginning of movement, the conical outer surface 12a intermittently contacts the conical inner wall 8a of the annular recess 8 by a part which is positioned most remotely from the central axis, and thereafter the conical outer surface 12a continuously contacts the inner wall 8a during rotation of the main gear 7 as the central axes of the inner wall 8a and the outer surface 12a are positioned in alignment with each other with respect to the central axis of the spindle 10.
Thus, the rotation of the main gear 7 is transmitted to the spindle 10, so that the driver bit 9 is rotated to drive the screw into the work.
The screwdriver is moved toward the work as the screw is driven into the work and is stopped when the forward end of the stopper sleeve 18 abuts on the work. At this stage, a smaller axial force or load is applied from the spindle 10 to the main gear 7 through the driver bit 9, so that the difference is produced between the rotational torque of the spindle 10 and that of the main gear 7. Consequently, the spindle 10 is moved forwardly by the biasing force of the spring 14 and the reaction force which may be produced between the outer surface 12a of the annular protrusion 12 of the spindle 10 and the inner wall 8a of the annular recess 8. Thus, the annular protrusion 12 is automatically disengaged from the annular recess 8, and the rotation of the main gear 7 is not transmitted to the spindle 10.
As the spindle 10 is further moved forwardly, the engaging surface 15 of the annular protrusion 12 is brought into contact with the inner surface 16a of the ring 16, so that the rotation of the spindle 10 is stopped through frictional force which may be produced between the engaging surface 15 and the inner surface 16a of the ring 16. Because of displacement of the central axes of the engaging surface 15 and the inner surface 16a from the central axis of the spindle 10, the rotation of the spindle 10 may be gradually reliably stopped.
Meanwhile, in this embodiment, if the operator further press the screw toward the work after compression of the driving operation, the annular protrusion 12 of the spindle 10 is kept in engagement with the annular recess 8 of the main gear 7 in such a manner that the outer surface 12a of the annular protrusion 12 and the inner wall 8a of the recess 8 continuously contact each other during rotation of the main gear 7. Thus, the screw is further tightened.
Although, in the above embodiment, the distance e2 of displacement of the outer surface 12a of the of the annular protrusion 12 is determined to be smaller than the distance e1 of displacement of the inner wall 8a of the main gear 7, the distance e2 and e1 may be equal to each other. Further, although the diameter of the conical outer surface 12a is determined to have a smaller diameter than that of the conical inner wall 8a within the region where the outer surface 12a is within the outer wall 8a when the annular portion 12 is fully engaged with the annular recess 8, they may be equal to each other. In such a case, the outer surface 12a and the inner wall 8a may contact each other throughout their entire surfaces.
Additionally, although, in the above embodiment, the recess 8 is formed on the main gear 7, and the annular protrusion 12, on the spindle 10, the recess 8 may be formed on the spindle 10, and the annular protrusion 12, on the main gear 7.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that modifications or variation may be easily made without departing from the spirit of this invention which is defined by the appended claims.
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A power driven screwdriver includes a clutch mechanism provided between a spindle for mounting a driver bit thereon and a drive member rotatably driven by a motor. The clutch mechanism includes a protrusion formed on one of the spindle and the drive member and a recess formed on the other for engagement with the protrusion. The protrusion includes a conical outer surface having a diameter decreasing toward the protrusion. The recess includes a conical inner surface which corresponds substantially to the conical outer surface of the protrusion and has a diameter increasing toward the recess. The conical outer surface has a second central axis displaced from the first central axis of the spindle or the drive member by a first distance. The conical inner surface has a third central axis displaced from the first central axis by a second distance.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a field of syngas production technology. Specifically, a method to reduce the quantity of waste water generated in the coal gasification and syngas pretreatment process, by optimization of water utilization within a production system to reach a nearly zero waste water effluent discharge over syngas production.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modern large-scale coal gasification technology is applied in chemical synthesis raw gas production, synthetic natural gas production and integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power generation. However people are forced to ignore potential or existing environmental pollution caused by this process as reducing power output would be in conflict with the pursuit of economic development. Nearly all effluent discharged by coal gasification processes is harmful to the environment to different degrees. If proper water treatment on the effluent is not carried out, the impact on the environment is immediate and also long term. The purpose of economic development is to improve living conditions, yet damage to the environment will directly or indirectly destroy our living, but the sufferer of environmental destruction is not always the beneficiary of economic development. Due to the abundance of water, normally the beneficiary of economic development is not the sufferer of the waste effluent. This might be the one of important reasons that why economic development cannot harmonious coexistence with environment. Based on the harmonious requirements of national, local economic development and improvement of people's livelihood, the current ineffective coal gasification waste effluent control needs to be improved. The severe environmental pollution problems caused by coal gasification effluent needs to be solved.
Currently, treatment on effluent discharged by coal gasification is basically passive, for example the water treatment will be only carried out after the waste water been generated and discharged from the main production process. As the waste effluent has already been formed and discharged, any after treatment process is ineffective to remove pollutants. At the same time, there will be a certain parts of the waste effluent that could be recyclable resourced, therefore direct discharge of the waste water is a waste of resources.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method for waste water purification in the coal gasification process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a method to reduce formation of effluent water during the coal gasification process. Based on the features of coal gasification and syngas pre-purification, to efficiently reduce the production of waste water by integrating each related water and steam aspect, and recycling the condensate water generated in production process.
The method to reduce the amount of effluent water discharged in the coal gasification production process comprises the steps described below:
transferring the syngas from the gasifier to a cooler for cooling, then transferring the cooled syngas to a filter for dedusting. transferring the cooled and dedusted syngas to the concentrator. transferring the syngas from the concentrator to a scrubber to remove the impurities in syngas. The impurities including inorganic salts and residual dust, which is transferred to washing water to form salt-contained water. transfer the salt-contained water from the scrubber to the concentrator. The salt-contained water contacts with the syngas from gasifier, and some of the salt-contained water is evaporated by heat carried by the syngas, and so strongly increases the salt concentration or molarity of the water. transfer the residual higher molarity salt water out of the concentrator, and mix the vapor generated during its evaporation with syngas. superheating the syngas out from the scrubber and then the superheated syngas is transferred to the catalytic shift reactor for water-gas shift reaction.
Syngas from the catalytic shift reactor needs to be cooled in stages. Over 2 cooling stages, syngas will be cooled in a first cooling stage, and then transferred to the second cooling state wherein the cooling temperature is lower than the first stage. The water condensed in the first cooling stage will be send to the scrubber as circulation washing water, and the condensed water generated in the second cooling stage will be send back to the second cooling stage as cooling water.
The cooled syngas will be transferred to an ammonia washing tower. Fresh demineralized water is used for ammonia washing, washing water from the ammonia washing tower will be send back to the scrubber downstream of concentrator. Syngas from the ammonia washing tower will be transferred to the purification system for purifying treatment.
The said concentrator comprises a gas-liquid contact evaporation tube, a gas-liquid separator and liquid collection barrel. The gas-liquid contact evaporation tube is set at the inlet of the gas-liquid separator, and the gas-liquid separator is installed in the liquid collection barrel. Both the syngas and salt-contained water are fed in through the gas-liquid evaporation tube, and then move into the gas-liquid separator for separation. The separated gas will be discharge to the scrubber, and the separated liquid will be collected in the liquid collection barrel.
Part of the warm syngas from the deduster will be send to the bottom of the concentrator liquid collection barrel. The syngas evaporates liquid at the bottom of the collection barrel to further increase the concentration of the residual liquid. The liquid will then be discharged from bottom of the collection barrel.
The said staged cooling is a three-level cooling, including first stage, second stage and the third stage. The outlet temperature of the first stage cooling is about 95° C.˜110° C., and the condensed water will be sent to the scrubber as washing water. The outlet temperature of the second stage cooling is about 60° C.˜80° C. and the outlet temperature of the third stage cooling is about 25° C.˜50° C. Syngas will be successively sent to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cooling stage. Syngas out of the 3rd cooling stage will be sending to the ammonia washing tower.
In the third cooling stage, ammonia in syngas will shift into the condensates, and will then react with carbon dioxide and water in syngas to generate ammonium bicarbonate. Condensates generated in the third cooling stage will be discharged for further deep cooling to precipitate out the ammonium bicarbonate. The precipitated solid ammonium bicarbonate will be recovered as byproduct, and the residual lean condensates will be send back to the first and third cooling stage as recycle cooling water.
The cooling stages further comprises a step whereby diesel can be fed to the second cooling stage. Diesel will mix with the syngas in the second cooling stage. Diesel extracts the macromolecular organic compounds in syngas. Mixtures of diesel and condensations out from second cooling stage are separated and parts of the diesel are returned to the second cooling stage for cyclic utilization, and the other parts of the diesel are transferred to the organic recovery unit for organic recovery. Parts of the condensation will be discharged out for phenol recovery, transferring part of condensate to third stage cooler inlet, and the other part are transferred back to the scrubber and gasifier.
More detail aspects of the cooling stages:
After syngas has been cooled down in the cooler, and before dedusting, the cooling syngas can be transferred to the syngas-condensate-steam superheater for superheating, then to the syngas-condensate-evaporator. Syngas out from condensate evaporator can then be transferred to the deduster for dedusting.
Parts of the condensate generated in the first and second cooling stage can be transferred to the syngas-condensate-evaporator.
Parts of the steam generated in the condensate evaporator are transferred to the gasifier for gasification reaction, and the other parts will be superheated in the syngas-condensate-steam superheater and then transferred to the syngas stream at the inlet of catalytic shift reactor.
Further detail of the cooling stages:
Slag water discharged by the gasifier will be drawn into the slag water collecting tank. Parts of the condensate from the syngas cooling stage can be transferred to this slag water collecting tank as slag water make-up water. Portion of the slag water can be transferred for filtering treatment and then transferred to the gas-liquid contact evaporating tube of concentrator to mix with the syngas therein. The slag water will be concentrated in solids and salt content.
The amount of discharged salt-contained water can be greatly reduced by using the sensible heat of syngas to concentrate the syngas scrubbing salt-contained water and gasifier slag water. Diesel is circulated to absorb those low concentration large molecular organics in syngas to avoid the operation problems caused by organic crystallization, and recover the organic byproducts at the same time. Increasing the ammonia concentration by recycling low temperature syngas condensate, can be achieved by promoting the formation of ammonium bicarbonate, and recovering the ammonium bicarbonate byproducts by deep cooling crystallization. An ammonia washing tower employs demineralized water for syngas ammonia washing. The used washing water will be collected and can be transferred to the syngas scrubber as the last stage of make-up water for scrubbing. Syngas condensate will be recycled in the process, and parts of the syngas condensate will be heated and evaporated to generate high pressure superheated steam which can be used as steam by the normal gasifier process and water-gas shift reaction, this very efficiently reduces the generation of waste water from the main syngas production and pretreatment process.
While maintaining all process function of each unit (Dedusting, Demineralization, Macromolecule Organics Absorbing and Ammonia Recovery) the invention achieves integrates water loop configuration and optimizes the water balance in the process system and so significantly reduces the generation and collection of waste water in the whole coal gasification process, and finally reach a target of nearly zero generation and discharge of liquid effluent. The invention is applicable to a variety of pressurized fluidized bed (transport bed) gasification, entrained flow gasification and some of fixed bed gasification system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawing(s), which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects described below.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the invention pipe connection.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of this invention will be limited only by the appended claims.
The detailed description of the invention is divided into various sections only for the reader's convenience and disclosure found in any section may be combined with that in another section. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a compound” includes a plurality of compounds.
I. DEFINITIONS
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. As used herein the following terms have the following meanings.
The term “about” when used before a numerical designation, e.g., temperature, time, amount, concentration, and such other, including a range, indicates approximations which may vary by (+) or (−) 10%, 5% or 1%, or any subrange or subvalue there between.
“Comprising” or “comprises” is intended to mean that the compositions and methods include the recited elements, but not excluding others. “Consisting essentially of” when used to define compositions and methods, shall mean excluding other elements of any essentially significance to the combination for the stated purpose. Thus, a device or method consisting essentially of the elements as defined herein would not exclude other materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. “Consisting of” shall mean excluding more than trace elements of other ingredients and substantial method steps. Embodiments defined by each of these transition terms are within the scope of this
To facilitate the understanding of the skilled person in this area, we provide a description to be used combined with FIG. 1 .
The invention discloses a method to reduce the formation of effluent discharge in the coal gasification syngas production process. By recycling and recovery treatments, this invention achieved demineralization, macromolecular organics absorption and ammonia recovery, and reduced the waste water discharge as well.
Therefore, the invention is implemented by the method below:
A method to reduce formation of effluent water discharge in coal gasification production process, comprising the steps below:
S1, Send the syngas out from gasifier to the initial cooler for cooling, and then send to the deduster for dedusting (normally high temperature dry dust removal). As syngas cooling and dedusting is very common in this field, no further details will be stated here. Feed coal and the related gasification agent (normally air or oxygen) into the gasifier together. The moisture contained in the coal will be evaporated to water vapor due to the high temperature in the gasifier, and a small portion of the hydrogen and oxygen in the coal will chemically react to generate water vapor. Normally a certain amount of steam will be fed into the gasifier accompanied with the gasification agent (air or oxygen), the steam is working as gasification reactant, and as well as gasifier temperature conditioning agent. Parts of the steam will be consumed by the gasification reaction in the gasifier, residual steam mixes with the raw syngas and exits the gasifier. Generally superheated steam will be required for the gasifier, and the degree of superheating is basically need to ensure that no condensation occurs when steam mixes with oxygen. In addition, the purity of the steam fed into the gasifier is not the main problem. A certain amount of organic matter in the steam can be acceptable, because all reaction gases including oxygen and steam will all experience the high temperature of the gasifier, and the organic materials will be converted during the high temperature reaction. Different from the regular coal gasfication process, the steam generated from evaporating syngas condensate can meet above requirements, which provides the opportunity for the utilization of the syngas condensate.
S2, Send the cooled and dedusted syngas to concentrator. The concentrator includes a gas-liquid contact evaporation tube 42 , gas-liquid separator 43 and liquid collection barrel 41 . The gas-liquid contact evaporation tube is set at the inlet of the gas-liquid separator, and the gas-liquid separator is installed in the liquid collection barrel. Both the syngas and salt-contained water are fed in through the gas-liquid evaporation tube, and then pass into the gas-liquid separator for separation. Separated gas is discharged to the scrubber, and the separated liquid will be collected in the liquid collection barrel.
S3, Syngas from the concentrator is transferred to the scrubber for scrubbing. The washing water supply from the ammonia washer to the scrubber has essentially no salinity. The washing water will remove the impurities contained in syngas, including inorganic substance saline materials, halogenated compounds & residual dust, and also organics generated under the scrubber operating temperature. These impurities are transferred into the washing water and form salt-contained water. At the same time, most of the washing water in contact with the high temperature syngas in the scrubber will be evaporated into steam by the heat of the syngas. The steam mixed with syngas thus increased the steam content in the syngas, which is required in the downstream catalytic shift reactor. Therefore the scrubbing water been effectively used. Normally syngas exiting out from the scrubber is in steam saturation condition. Salt-contained water with a certain concentration will be discharged at bottom of the scrubber, and it includes nearly all soluble inorganic impurities in the syngas.
S4, The salt-containing water from bottom of the scrubber is transferred to the concentrator. The salt-containing water contact with the warm syngas from gasifier, and most of the salt-contained water been evaporated by sensible heat carried by syngas, the residual salinity stays in the unevaporated part and so strongly increases the brinishness of the said water In addition, some of the syngas from the deduster can is transferred to the bottom of the liquid collection barrel. The syngas will evaporates the liquid at the bottom of the collection barrel to further increase the brinishness of the residual liquid. The said liquid with increased brinishness is discharged from bottom of the collection barrel. As the salinity concentration of the discharged salt-contained water is very high the discharged quantity is very low. The discharged high concentration salt-contained water is transferred to the related unit to reduce the concentration further, following this the low concentration salt-contained water is transferred back to the concentrator for recycle utilization. The concentrated salt-contained water may be transferred to a specially designed high temperature zone of the gasifier, the saline matter is agglomerated under the high temperature and then discharged as slag which will also minimize or avoid the discharge of salt-containing water. Most of the water that enters the concentrator will be evaporated to steam by contact with high temperature syngas. The steam will mixed with syngas and the steam content in the syngas will increase, and when this mixture enters the scrubber, the steam remains mixed with the syngas.
S5, the impurity content of the scrubbed syngas in the scrubber is extremely low. The syngas is superheated out from scrubber to ensure the steam contained in syngas is also superheated, the superheated syngas is transferred to a catalytic shift reactor for shift reaction. As the steam in the syngas is superheated, there is no potential impact of condensation on the catalyst.
In the catalytic shift reactor, carbon monoxide reacts with water to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The main purpose of this shift reaction is to regulate the molar concentration ratio of carbon monoxide/hydrogen in the syngas out of the reactor to meet downstream system requirements on syngas compositions concentration ratio. Normally, we regulate the ratio of water and carbon monoxide by controlling the steam flow at the inlet of the catalytic shift reactor, and at the same time, we control the reactor temperature by removing the reacting bed heat (catalytic reaction is an exothermic reaction), and finally we control the carbon monoxide conversion rate and the ratio of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Besides temperature control, steam content of the syngas at the inlet of catalytic shift reactor is also an important control parameter. Normally the molar ratio of water and carbon monoxide is in a range of 1.5˜3. In syngas, conversion of a portion of carbon monoxide will consume the equal portion of water. When syngas reaches the outlet of the reactor, steam of an equivalent molar amount to the carbon monoxide converted will be consumed, and the residual steam will go to the downstream cooling system together with the shifted syngas. When the syngas-steam mixture goes through the catalytic shift reactor, parts of the steam in syngas will be consumed, and the other parts will continue to mix in the syngas.
Furthermore, the source of the steam in the syngas (at the inlet of catalytic shift reactor) includes the self-contained steam in syngas from the scrubber and the additional supplied superheated steam. The amount of additional supplied steam can be adjusted according to the steam content from scrubber. If the steam contained in the syngas from scrubber is enough, no extra steam needs to be added. In a conventional process the shift reaction itself has a relatively high requirement on the purity of steam, but basically needs to ensure no inorganic impurities which may cause catalyst poisoning and deactivation, and macromolecular organic impurities which may block catalyst pores. Different from the regular coal gasification processes, the steam generated from the syngas-condensate-evaporator and superheater with preliminary treatment satisfies the above requirements, which offers opportunity for use of the recycled syngas condensate downstream.
S6, Syngas out of the catalytic shift reactor needs to be cooled in stages. Preferably at least 2 cooling stages. Syngas is cooled in the first cooling stage, and then transferred to the second cooling stage wherein the cooling temperature is lower than the first stage. The condensate water generated in the first cooling stage will be transferred to the scrubber as washing water, and the condensate water generated in the last cooling stage is transferred back to the related cooling stage as cooling water. In cooling process, the temperature of syngas will be reduced successively in each stage. In further detail, if the syngas temperature at the outlet of first cooling stage is K, and the temperature at the outlet of the second stage is J, J is lower than K; if the temperature at the outlet of cooling stage is L, in that way, L is lower than J, the rest can be done in the same manner.
The cooling process can be set as a 3, 4 stages or other numbers of cooling stages. This can be flexibly chosen based on the actual situation. Condensate from the cooling stage has nearly no salinity, so is suitable for syngas scrubbing.
In this example, a three-level cooling is employed. As stated above, condensations at different temperature will occur in different stages. The temperature of the condensation in the first stage is the highest; temperature of the condensation in the second stage is lower the first stage, and temperature of the condensation in the third stage is lower than the second stage. The syngas temperature will go lower and lower. Many publicly known heat exchangers and coolers can achieve this stage cooling, so no more details will be stated here.
In this example; we have set three-level cooling which including first cooling stage, second cooling stage and the third cooling stage. The outlet temperature of the first cooling stage is 95° C.˜110° C., and the condensation water will be send to the scrubber as washing water; The outlet temperature of the second cooling stage is about 60° C.˜80° C., and the outlet temperature of the third cooling stage is about 25° C.˜50° C. Syngas will be successively send to the 1st, 2ed, and 3rd cooling stage.
In syngas staged cooling, different impurities in syngas can be preliminarily concentrated and separated in different stages. The temperature of the syngas cooled down from the first cooling stage is about 95° C.˜110° C., most of the steam in syngas has been condensed. At this time, as the heat exchanger is still at a relatively high temperature, the condensate formed in first stage contains very little condensable organic, and ammonia has a very low solubility in water, therefore the condensate formed in first cooling stage can be directly recycled to scrubber as washing water. After the second stage cooling, the temperature of syngas has been reduced to about 60° C.˜80° C. At this temperature range, most of the organic impurities in syngas will be condensed or solidified. Some of those impurities dissolve in water, some of them will not. For example, naphthalene will seed out. Some of the phenol organics are water soluble at a relatively high temperature, so in this cooling stage, phenol will condense and mostly dissolve in the condensate water. Under this situation, we can recover those seed out byproducts like phenol, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthracene etc. When syngas is at a lower temperature, after the third stage cooling, the syngas temperature has reduced to about 25° C.˜50° C., ammonia in syngas be more soluble in water, at this time, the condensate is enriched with ammonia from syngas, which facilitated the recovery of ammonia.
Based on the temperature staged cooling, impurities in syngas will enrich in the condensation in different stages, this will facilitate further water treatment, and has also reduced the amount of water containing various impurities in each stage.
S7, syngas from the staged cooler is transferred to an ammonia washing tower to remove all the residual ammonia. Used washing water from the ammonia washing tower will be send to the scrubber.
S8, syngas from the ammonia washing tower is transferred to a related purification system for purification.
Furthermore, more detail steps in the cooling stages:
S9, syngas will be continue to be cooled down and form condensate in the third cooling stage. Ammonia in syngas will transfer into the condensate. In the low temperature, ammonia in the condensate will react with carbon dioxide in syngas and water, to form ammonium bicarbonate. The condensate is discharged as ammonium carbonate solution formed in the third cooling stage which is further cooled down to crystalize out solid ammonia bicarbonate, the solid is separated and recovered. The residual solution with low ammonia concentration can be send back to the first and third cooling stage. Part of the low concentration solution is transferred back to the inlet of first stage for further recovery of the remaining ammonium bicarbonate. The other part of dilute ammonia bicarbonate solution is transferred to the syngas stream at the inlet or outlet of the first stage cooler. At relatively higher temperature, ammonia will be released out again and mixed with syngas towards the second stage cooling, while water will be discharged out together with this stage condensate.
During the process of syngas cooling and condensation formation, the gaseous ammonia in syngas also gradually dissolves in the condensate. The lower the temperature is, the more ammonia dissolves in condensation, and less ammonia is left in the syngas. When syngas and the condensation are in a relatively low temperature conditions, ammonia in the condensation will react with carbon dioxide and water to form ammonium bicarbonate. The solubility of ammonium bicarbonate in water increases at higher temperature, likewise solubility becomes lower at lower temperature. After the third stage cooling, the temperature of syngas and the condensation is lower, normally about 40° C. This temperature is in favor of the formation of ammonium bicarbonate. Parts of the condensate are transferred as solution which contains ammonium bicarbonate to be further cooled down. It can be send to a cryogenic crystallizer to cool and seed out the ammonium bicarbonate. The solid ammonium bicarbonate is precipitated and separated from the liquid. This achieves the recovery of ammonia from coal gasification.
Further details of the cooling stages:
S10, feed diesel to the second cooling stage. Diesel will mix with the syngas in the second cooling stage. Diesel removes macromolecular organics in syngas by absorption. The diesel and condensation mixture from the second cooling stage is separated, part of the diesel is sent back to the second cooling stage for cyclic utilization, other parts of the diesel are sent to the organic recovery unit for organic recovery. Parts of the condensation will be discharged out for phenol recovery, and the other part are sent back to the scrubber and gasifier. A collection tank is provided to collect the diesel and condensation discharged from the second cooling stage. Diesel is suspended at the top and the condensation sinks to the lower part due to difference in density. Most of the diesel is recycled back to the second cooling stage, and a small portion of the diesel is sent to the organic recycling unit for organic recovery. The organics normally comprise naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene etc. Part of the separated condensation is sent to the scrubber as washing water, a small portion of the condensation is sent to a separate specially designed high temperature zone of gasifier. This can reduce the content of organic impurities in the recycling condensation and phenol in parts of the separated condensations is recovered by cooling or extraction.
Diesel or other solvent is added to dissolve those macromolecular organics condensed from syngas but does not dissolve in water, this prevents crystallization on cooling surface and to ensure a long term stable operation. Part of the diesel use for organic recovery, and most of the diesel will be recycled. For phenol dissolved in water, part of the condensations can be removed, and the phenol can be recovered by cooling to achieve crystalization or by extraction. After separating with diesel and extracting out the phenol, the condensation has nearly no salinity, and only contained some organic matter. It can be send back to the scrubber for syngas washing to achieve the recycling the condensation. As some ammonia starts dissolving into condensate, part of condensate is sent to third stage cooler inlet. A small part of the condensation is sent back to the high temperature zone of the gasifier, which is in favor of reducing the content of impurities in the circulation liquid.
In accordance with the specific circumstance of organics contained in the syngas, it is possible to send the circulation diesel to the inlets of the scrubber, first cooler or third cooler. A diesel-water separator is provided in each cooling outlet, the diesel is separated and collected diesel by continuous circulation, and the condensations is separated from each stage can also continue each individual circulation.
Additionally, this method may also include stage 11:
After syngas has been cooled down from the cooler, and before the dedusting, the cooling syngas can be sent through the syngas-condensate-steam superheater, and the syngas-condensate-evaporator. Syngas from the syngas-condensate-evaporator can then be sent to the deduster for dedusting. Parts of the condensate generated in the first and second cooling stage are sent to the syngas-condensate-evaporator. Parts of the syngas-condensate-steam generated in the syngas-condensate-evaporator can be sent to gasifier for gasification reaction, and the other parts can be superheated in the syngas-condensate-steam superheater and then sent to the syngas stream at the inlet of catalytic shift reactor.
Compared to other normal heat exchanging boilers which need demineralized and deaerated water to generate steam, the syngas-condensate-evaporator will handle syngas condensate which basically has no salinity but contains a certain amount of organics, ammonia, and some sulfur components. These organics and ammonia impurities have no obvious impact on the evaporation of water, and also nearly have no impact on the safe operation of the evaporator. But for conservative reasons, the structure design and material selection of the syngas-condensate-evaporator should be carefully considered. One of the main features is that operation pressure of the syngas-condensate-evaporator is only slightly higher than the gasifier, because the steam is used is the gasifier or the shift reactor. There is no requirement to operate at very high pressure.
Moreover, for a gasifier which forms slag; the slag water needs to be discharged. In step 13. Slag water discharged from gasifier can be drawn into the slag water collecting tank. Parts of the condensate from the cooling stages can be sent to this slag water collecting tank as slag water make-up water. Parts of the slag water are filtered and then sent to the gas-liquid contact evaporating tube of the concentrator to mix with warm syngas there. The slag water will be concentrated as solid or as salts. Most of the slag water in this slag water tank can be recycled for slag treatment, thus reducing the slag water discharge.
It is understood that the cooler, deduster, heat exchanger, gasifier, ammonia washer tower, ammonia stripper, superheater, evaporator, catalytic shift reactor stated above are all mature modern technology, so no more details are stated here.
The invention includes the recovery of ammonia in the condensate generated in coal gasification processes, removing and recovery of big molecule organics in syngas, enrich condensation salinity content concentration, and minimize discharging of salt-contained water. Furthermore, it provides a process to evaporate the condensation to generate steam to satisfy the process requirement on steam for the gasifier and catalytic reactor, and utilized the features of steam consumption in coal gasification process and water-gas shift reaction to achieve a purpose of effluent water formation and reduction in discharging during the whole gasification and syngas pretreatment process.
FIG. 1 Schematic Diagram of the Invention Pipe Connection of the Present Invention.
This unit includes the initial cooler 2 connected with the gasifier, and the following equipment connected successively by pipelines: syngas-condensate-steam superheater 1 , syngas-condensate-evaporator 9 , dry duster 3 , concentrator 4 , scrubber 5 , superheater, catalytic shift reactor, staged cooling system 6 and ammonia washing tower 7 (ammonia washing tower 7 connect with scrubber 5 by pipeline). In this case, staged cooling system contains the successively connected first stage cooler 61 , second stage cooler 62 and the third stage cooler 63 . The first stage cooler 61 is connected to the catalytic shift reactor by pipelines.
Syngas exits the gasifier, is cooled down by anninitial cooler, transits through the deduster, transits through the concentrator, and is transferred into the scrubber to remove impurities (dusts and organic salts including halogen). Syngas from the scrubber will be superheated, and then transferred to the catalytic shift reactor. In the reactor, a shift reaction is performed to adjust the mole concentration ratio of carbon monoxide and hydrogen to meet the downstream requirements of the process. The syngas is then transferred out from the reactor to the staged cooling system, and then the cooled syngas is transferred to the ammonia washer tower to remove the remaining ammonia. finally the syngas is transferred to the purification system.
A diesel-liquid separation tank 11 is provided at the outlet of the second stage cooler 62 . Diesel and liquid mixtures exit from the second stage cooler 62 into the separation tank. In the diesel-liquid separation tank, diesel is suspended at the top, and the condensate water sinks to the bottom. Most of the diesel suspend in the top can be recycled to the second stage cooler, and organic molecules (e.g. naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene etc.) are recovered from a small part of the diesel. Condensation in the bottom of the tank is also recycled. The bottom of the separation tank will connect to a gasifier, slag water unit, condensate evaporator and scrubber by pipelines.
Condensate discharged from the third stage cooler is sent to the deep cooling crystallizer 12 for further cooling. This crystallizer is connected to the inlet of the first and third stage cooler by pipelines.
In addition, a slag water unit 10 is provided at the bottom of gasifier to collect the discharged slag water. After exiting the filtering treatment, the slag water will be sent to the concentrator to contact with warm syngas. Most of the slag water at the concentrator will be evaporated, and the concentration of dust and salt is enriched in the residual slag water. Then the amount of slag water needs to be discharged significantly.
Part of the condensate from heat exchanger can be drawn out for phenol recovery. Parts of the condensation from the coolers can also be drawn out and undergo further cooling to seed out ammonium bicarbonate. Ammonia recovery can be achieved by precipitating ammonium bicarbonate and separating the solids to form liquid.
The concentrator 4 includes a gas-liquid contact evaporation tube 42 , gas-liquid separator 43 and liquid collection barrel 41 . The gas-liquid contact evaporation tube is connected with the gas-liquid separator, and the gas-liquid separator is installed in the liquid collection barrel. Syngas enters the gas-liquid contact evaporation tube contacts with the slag water and syngas condensate. Most of water in the liquid will be evaporated by the heat of the warm syngas, and the salinity contained in the evaporated liquid will transfer to the residual liquid, this achieves the purpose of enriching salt concentration. The amount of salt-contained water discharge is reduced due to achieving a high concentration. The discharged high concentration salt-contained water can also be recycle post treatment. It can be returned to the gasifier for high temperature melting/agglomerating for stabilization. Fresh demineralized water can be supplied as makeup water to the ammonia washing tower, the used ammonia washing water is transferred to the scrubber for syngas scrubbing.
It should be noted that the invention is including but not limited to the description above. Any obvious replacements are within the scope of the protection of the invention under the premise that not breaks away from the current invention creation conception.
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A method to reduce formation of waste water in coal gasification and syngas pretreatment process by increasing the salinity of the waste water thereby reducing the overall volume of waste water formed.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/339,799, “Toy Car Wash Play Set”, filed Oct. 31, 2001, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to toy play sets for use with conventional, unpowered, {fraction (1/64)} scale toy vehicles (e.g., Hot Wheels® and Matchbox® toy vehicles) to enhance the play value of such vehicles.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, a toy car wash play set comprising a toy vehicle car wash station, including a conveyer belt for transporting a toy vehicle from a first position to a second position, scrubbing rollers for simulating scrubbing rollers used in car washes for full-scale vehicles, and a bubble producing apparatus for simulating soap suds generated by car washes for full-scale vehicles is disclosed. The conveyer belt and the bubble producing apparatus are motorized. The toy car wash play set further comprises a base section, the car wash station being elevated with respect to the base section by structural members connecting the base section to the car wash station. A manually operated elevator for raising a toy vehicle from the base section to the car wash station is provided, along with a rinse station which may be rotated under the action of a manual actuator. The toy car wash may further comprise a drying station which includes a fan which may be rotated under the action of a manual actuator and a rotating table in the base section rotatable under the action of a manual actuator. The motorized bubble producing apparatus further comprises a rotating wheel driven by an electric motor, wherein the rotating wheel has at least one aperture through the rotating wheel, and wherein the rotating wheel is partially immersed in a reservoir of bubble-producing solution, so that the aperture is covered by the bubble-producing solution as the rotating wheel rotates through the bubble-producing solution in the reservoir. The bubble producing apparatus further comprising a fan driven by the electric motor, wherein the fan blows air through the bubble-producing solution covered aperture, thus producing bubbles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0005] In the drawings:
[0006] [0006]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a toy car wash play set in accordance with the present invention;
[0007] [0007]FIG. 2 is a left rear perspective view of the play set of FIG. 1;
[0008] [0008]FIG. 3 is a right rear perspective view of the play set of FIG. 1;
[0009] [0009]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a toy car wash play set in accordance with the present invention, the second embodiment being a second generation play set derived from the play set of FIG. 1;
[0010] [0010]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the major assemblies and connective components of the play set of FIG. 4;
[0011] [0011]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the components of a twin spiral elevator unit of FIG. 4;
[0012] [0012]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the components of a wash conveyer/bubble unit of FIG. 4;
[0013] [0013]FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view of the motor drive of FIG. 7;
[0014] [0014]FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the components of a conveyer/vehicle washer of FIG. 7;
[0015] [0015]FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the components of a rinse unit of FIG. 4;
[0016] [0016]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the components of a fan dry unit of FIG. 4; and
[0017] [0017]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the components of a turntable unit of FIG. 4.
[0018] [0018]FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the conveyer/bubble maker subassembly of FIG. 4 with washer rollers removed;
[0019] [0019]FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the conveyer of FIG. 11 with the bottom cover removed; and
[0020] [0020]FIG. 13 is a rear side perspective view of the conveyer of FIG. 12 showing a portion of the gear drive.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 is a first embodiment, assembled, toy car wash play set in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention indicated generally at 10 . The major components of the play set include an elevator 12 with entrance ramp 21 leading to an elevated car wash/conveyer/bubble maker indicated generally at 14 leading to a car rinse station indicated generally at 16 . Ramp section 22 connects the exit of the elevator 12 with the entrance of the car wash conveyer/bubble maker 14 . Ramp section 23 connects the exit of the conveyer with the car rinse station 16 . The car rinse station 16 is connected by yet another ramp section 25 to yet another ramp section 26 , which extends through an elevated base 59 supporting the car wash conveyer/bubble maker 14 and to a “dryer” station indicated generally at 18 . The ramp section 25 is supported by a pier 24 . The discharge end of ramp section 26 connects to a central ramp 27 of a discharge station indicated generally at 20 which has a ramp 28 leading to the elevator 12 and an opposing exit ramp 29 .
[0022] [0022]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a second generation play set indicated generally at 10 ′ derived from the play set 10 of FIGS. 1 through 3 with many components identical. Play set 10 ′ components include an elevator base assembly indicated generally at 30 supporting and operatively coupled to an elevator assembly indicated generally at 40 , which together form the elevator 12 . A conveyer/bubble maker assembly indicated generally at 50 with base indicated generally at 59 form the elevated car wash/conveyer bubble maker 14 . A slightly modified rinse station 16 ′ includes a modified rinse unit base indicated generally at 60 ′ with rinse tub 65 with ladle 66 . A modified dryer station 18 ′ is formed by a modified base indicated generally at 70 ′ with a modified fan assembly 75 ′. A modified discharge station is indicated generally at 20 ′. Also shown are the same ramp sections and supports 21 - 29 .
[0023] Turning now to FIG. 6, the elevator base assembly 30 and elevator assembly 40 are each shown in exploded view. Elevator base assembly 30 includes an entrance ramp 21 coupled to the base member 149 by suitable means such as plug in connectors 168 . Base member 149 includes a first recess 149 a receiving a crank 159 . The crank 159 is rotatably coupled to a gear 169 which engages with two other spur gears 179 beneath the base unit 149 by a bottom cover 199 .
[0024] The elevator 40 includes a spiral base plate 117 received in a recess 149 b of the main base member 149 , a support 127 , the bottom of which is also received in recess 149 b , and a roof 137 mounted to the top of the support 127 . Supported for rotation between the base plate 117 and the bottom of support 127 are drive gears 147 and idler gears 157 . The support 127 includes a pair of top and bottom journals 128 , 129 , respectively, which are configured to receive each of a pair of complementary spirals or screws 138 a , 138 b , one left-hand wound and the other right hand wound. Spiral 138 a is formed by half shells 148 , 158 keyed with a pair of identical spiral mount members 188 at the top and bottom. The second spiral 138 b is formed by half spirals 168 , 178 keyed with a pair of the mounts 188 at the top and bottom. The bottom mounts 188 are keyed to engage gears 147 and the spirals 138 a , 138 b so that the spirals 138 a , 138 b rotate in opposite directions. The right spiral 138 b is rotatably coupled through upper mount 188 to a cover plate 108 , which supports a simulated spotlight 128 for rotation on the roof 137 . Spiral 138 a is similarly coupled through cover plate 118 to a simulated radar antenna 138 for rotation on the roof 137 . Spotlight 128 and radar antenna 138 rotate with the spirals 138 a , 138 b , which are driven to rotate in opposite directions by crank 159 and one of the idler spur gears 179 engaging the left drive gear 147 in base 149 . Right gear 147 is coupled to left gear 147 through idler gears 157 .
[0025] [0025]FIG. 7 indicates the components of the conveyer/bubble maker 14 with base 59 . Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in addition to the base 59 , the conveyer/bubble maker 14 includes a driven assembly 50 that includes a conveyer/vehicle washer indicated generally at 51 , a bubble maker indicated at 53 , a light bar indicated generally 54 and a sign 55 . Referring to FIG. 7B, the conveyer/vehicle washer 51 includes a base member 511 and frame member 512 capturing between them a plurality of conveyer rollers 513 as well as drive roller components 514 a and 514 b , which receive at their respective ends drive gears 516 which are coupled together with shaft 517 . The rollers 513 and drum components 514 a and 514 b are rotatably captured between the frame member 512 and base member 511 and rotatably support a continuous conveyer belt 520 . A horizontal roller support 521 and horizontal roller pivot 522 supports horizontal wash roller 523 . Vertical wash rollers 524 are supported on vertical rollers shafts 525 which are keyed into vertical roller mounts 526 , which are crown gears mounted between base and frame members 511 , 512 to engage roller gears 516 . Roller gears 516 are driven by spur gears 528 and 529 . Spur gear 529 has a shaft end 529 a which is keyed to engage a drive socket 585 seen on the right side of FIG. 7 and in FIG. 7A.
[0026] The bubble maker 53 includes a main housing formed by a front housing shell 530 and a rear housing shell 531 . A bubble maker disk 532 is mounted for rotation on the front of the front housing 530 and supported for partial immersion in a bubble tub 533 . The housing 530 / 531 contains and receives a motor drive indicated generally at 56 . The rear housing 531 also contains the battery supply which is retained by means of a door 534 . Various connectors indicated generally 535 are provided in the rear housing 531 to couple the individual batteries of the battery power supply to the motor drive 56 and LED's 543 . A switch housing cover 536 is also removably attached to one side of the rear housing 531 and pivotally supports a switch handle 537 and operating an on/off switch 538 . The sign 55 is captured between the front and rear housings 530 , 531 as is the light bar 54 (FIG. 5) formed by elongated shell halves 541 , 542 . The shell halves 541 , 542 support at their distal ends LED's 543 and LED covers 544 . The motor drive 56 includes a battery operated electric motor 561 and a motor drive housing 562 receiving the motor 561 .
[0027] [0027]FIG. 7A depicts the components of the motor drive 56 . The front housing half 562 b has on the left side a protruding wall 563 defining a fan chamber 564 . A fan 565 is received in the chamber 564 and captured by fan cover 566 . The fan cover 566 has an outlet 567 which is aligned with the openings 532 a through the bubble disk 532 as the disk is rotated (FIG. 7). Attached to the rear housing 562 a are a cam 568 , a movable switch contact 569 and a stationary switch contact 570 . Captured between the housing halves 562 a and 562 b are a series of gears and clutches, which include a motor pinion 571 fixed to the drive shaft 561 a of the motor 561 . Engaged with the motor pinion 571 are three compound gears 572 a , 572 b and 572 c which are mounted for free rotation on jack shafts 573 a , 573 b and 573 c and provide speed reduction. Two clutched output drives are provided, one to drive the bubble disk 532 to rotate and the other to drive the conveyer/vehicle washer 51 to rotate the conveyor belt 520 and the vertical and horizontal rollers 523 , 524 . The drive to the conveyer/vehicle washer 51 is provided by a compound gear 578 mounted for rotation on shaft 579 . The smaller gear of compound gear 578 is engaged by the larger gear portion of third gear 572 c in the direct drive train. The larger gear portion of compound gear 578 engages a geared clutch member 580 , which is biased by spring 581 against a second clutch member 582 , keyed to shaft 583 . Also keyed to shaft 583 is a socket connection 585 , which is exposed on the front housing shell 562 b for engagement with the conveyer drive. Engaged with the larger gear portion of the second compound gear 572 b is a geared clutch member 588 of a bubble wheeled clutch. Member 588 is biased against a second clutch member 589 by spring 590 . Clutch member 589 is keyed to a shaft 591 extending through an opening 564 c on the front housing shell 562 b which drives bubble wheel 532 (FIG. 7).
[0028] FIGS. 8 - 13 depict components of the car wash play set 10 ′ in various states of disassembly. FIG. 11 shows the conveyor/bubble maker assembly 50 with the conveyer/vehicle washer 51 and bubble tank 533 removed. The bubble wheel 532 has been reinstalled on its drive shaft 591 . The blower outlet opening 567 is shown in its alignment with one of the bubble making holes 532 a of the wheel 532 . Also shown in the lower right hand corner is the socket drive 585 which provides power to the conveyer/vehicle washer 51 .
[0029] [0029]FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the conveyer/vehicle washer 51 , with the base member 511 removed to show the various gear members 516 , 526 , 528 and 529 . The outer end 529 a of gear 529 protrudes from the rear side of the frame 512 and is shaped to key into socket 585 on the front housing 530 (FIG. 11). FIG. 13 is a rear side perspective view showing the three gears 516 , 528 and 529 engaged.
[0030] [0030]FIG. 8 depicts the rinse tub 65 , ladle 66 and the base 61 of the rinse unit 16 ′ together with various drive components of the rinse unit 16 ′. The rinse unit 16 ′ components include a lower cover 62 which is attached to the bottom side of base 61 and retains a floater gear 612 mounted to rotate on an axle 614 , a bell crank 616 having a toothed face 618 meshing with the teeth of gear 612 , a torsional spring 620 and a handle 622 secured to the outer end of bell crank 616 so as to protrude outwardly from the base 61 through a slot 61 c . The bell crank 616 is mounted between the base 61 and lower cover 62 to be pivoted back and forth using the handle 622 to rotate the floater gear 612 . The floater gear 612 is positioned for engagement with a rinse tub gear 630 , which is located within the base 61 but coupled to a rinse tub mount 632 which is located in a central well 61 a at the center of a larger well 61 b on the upper surface of the base 61 . The rinse tub mount 632 has its own multisided central recess 632 a which is configured to receive and key with the same multiple sides on a rinse tub collar 639 , which is nonrotatably attached to the bottom of rinse tub 65 . Collar 639 keys the tub 65 to the tub mount 632 in recess 61 a . The tub 65 is removably mounted to the base 61 in recess 61 b and rotated clockwise by cyclic movement of handle 622 . The ladle 66 is received in the bottom of tub 65 . The ladle 66 cushions the impact of toy vehicles dropping into the tub 65 from ramp section 23 and can be used to lift vehicles from the tub 65 and deposit the lifted vehicles on ramp section 25 leading to the dryer station 18 ′. The modified rinse station 16 ′ differs from the original in the location and movement of the rinse tub actuator.
[0031] [0031]FIG. 9 depicts the major components of the “dryer” station 18 ′ including base unit 70 ′ and fan assembly 75 ′. Base unit 70 ′ includes a base housing 71 and a fan actuator including a drive housing 72 (FIG. 5) formed by front and rear housing halves 720 , 722 that contains a rack handle 73 supporting a rack 732 for up and down movement within the housing 72 . Rack 732 is engaged with and drives a compound acceleration gear 734 which in turn drives a floater gear 735 rotating on axle 736 . The handle 73 is biased upwardly by torsion spring 738 . An upper portion of the floater gear 735 is exposed in the upper corner of the housing 72 (FIG. 5). The fan assembly 75 ′ includes a front stationary drum 752 , a rear drum cover 754 and a “fan” member 756 mounted on a plurality of bearings 758 to rotate on the drum 752 . The exposed upper edge of floater gear 735 is engaged with a gear integrally molded with the rear of the fan 756 for clockwise rotation of the fan 756 (when viewed from the front) as the handle 73 is pushed down and released. The dryer station 18 ′ differs from the original dryer station 18 of FIGS. 1 - 3 in the configuration of “fan” 75 and the location and construction of the fan actuator.
[0032] [0032]FIG. 10 depicts the components of modified discharge station 20 ′ including a base 80 with a central recessed opening 80 a receiving a circular turntable member 82 . The circumferential outer edge of the turntable 82 bears a plurality of gear teeth 82 a which are engaged with a gear 83 supported for rotation inside the base 80 and coupled to a handle 84 in the form of a fire hydrant received in an opening 80 b in the front right area of the top of the base 80 . Rotation of the handle/fire hydrant 84 causes rotation of the gear 83 and turntable 82 . An opening 80 c in the upper left corner of the base 80 as seen in FIG. 10 receives a sub-base 86 of a gate/gate house actuator 85 . Sub base 86 has a central post 862 supporting a compression coil spring 87 which in turn supports a gate/house base 88 for sliding movement up and down post 862 . Base 88 in turn, supports a gate house 89 . The gate portion 882 of base 88 is depressed into a slot 80 d in the base 80 by pressing down on the house 89 . The modified discharge station 20 ′ differs from the original 20 in FIGS. 1 - 3 in that the handle of the original discharge station 20 turntable was located originally behind rather than in the front of exit ramp 29 .
[0033] Operation of either version of the play set 10 , 10 ′ is substantially the same. The child can drive a toy vehicle up the ramp 21 onto the elevator base member 149 and manually place the toy vehicle between spirals 138 a , 138 b of the elevator assembly 40 . The spirals are rotated by rotation of the crank 159 . Rotation of the crank 159 clockwise rotates the left spiral 138 a counterclockwise and the right spiral 138 b clockwise when viewed from above. The spirals 138 a , 138 b drag the toy vehicle loaded into the bottom of the elevator 40 to the rear of the elevator 40 where the vehicle impacts the back 127 a of the support 127 (FIG. 3). The spirals 138 a , 138 b continue to drag the vehicle into the elevator 40 pressing it against the back of the support 127 as the spirals 138 a , 138 b rotate beneath the vehicle and elevate the vehicle as they turn. Eventually, the vehicle passes through opening 127 b in the top center rear of the spiral support 127 . The vehicle is pushed by the spirals 138 a , 138 b onto the ramp section 22 which deposits the vehicle in the left end of the conveyer/vehicle washer 51 of the car wash/conveyor/bubble maker station 14 (FIG. 3).
[0034] The conveyer/vehicle washer 51 and bubble maker 53 are the only electrically powered components of either play set. The conveyer/vehicle washer 51 and bubble maker 53 , are driven by the motor drive 56 , the operation of which is controlled by on/off switch 537 . The motor drive 56 provides a rotational output in the form of shaft 591 which rotates bubble maker disk 532 through a soapy water or other bubble forming solution in bubble tub 533 and past blower outlet 567 in front housing cover 566 . The motor drive 56 further directly drives centrifugal fan 565 through front gear housing 562 b causing the fan 565 to blow air through the outlet 567 aligned with the openings 532 a and past which openings 532 a in the bubble disk 532 must pass. The conveyer 520 is driven by the power takeoff through socket 585 . LED 543 in the light bar 54 are caused to flash on and off by rotation of LED cam 568 on shaft 583 . The conveyer 520 carries the toy vehicle beneath the overhead roller 523 and through the vertical rollers 524 to ramp section 23 , which directs the toy vehicle by gravity into the rinse tub 65 (FIGS. 1 - 3 ).
[0035] The rinse tub 65 is also rotated clockwise (viewed from above) by movement and release of the bell crank handle 622 . The floater gear 612 only engages the tub gear 630 while the handle 622 is being moved against spring 620 . The rinse tub 65 may have a solid wall but could have a hollow wall construction which permits the addition of a liquid such as water within the wall, which can be made transparent, to give the impression that the vehicle within the tub is actually immersed in a rinse liquid. The vehicle is manually lifted from the tub 65 using the ladle 66 and is deposited on the ramp section 25 , which leads to ramp section 26 passing through elevated base 59 and through the fan assembly of dryer station 18 or 18 ′. The “fan” of original fan unit 18 is caused to rotate by depressing and releasing a cylinder at the right front corner of the dryer station 18 in FIG. 1 while the fan member 756 in FIG. 9 is caused to rotate by depressing and releasing rack handle 73 at the right rear of dryer station 18 ′. Again, floater gear 735 only engages fan 756 while handle 73 is being depressed. The vehicle on ramp 26 is stopped at the forward end of the ramp by gate portion 882 , which can be depressed by depressing the gate/house 89 . The vehicle drops from the ramp section 26 across the central ramp 27 to the turntable 82 . Turntable 82 can be rotated by handle 84 to direct the vehicle to ramp 28 leading to the elevator 12 or to the exit ramp 29 .
[0036] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
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A toy car wash play set including a toy vehicle car wash station, including a conveyer belt for transporting a toy vehicle from a first position to a second position, scrubbing rollers for simulating scrubbing rollers used in car washes for full-scale vehicles, and a bubble producing apparatus for simulating soap suds generated by car washes for full-scale vehicles. The conveyer belt and the bubble producing apparatus are motorized. The toy car wash play set further comprises a base section, the car wash station being elevated with respect to the base section. A manually operated elevator for raising a toy vehicle from the base section to the car wash station is provided, along with a rinse station which may be rotated under the action of a manual actuator. The toy car wash may further comprise a drying station which includes a fan which may be rotated under the action of a manual actuator and a rotating table in the base section rotatable under the action of a manual actuator.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a magnetic recording and playback method that forms a track pattern for performing accurate editing in a helical-scan-type magnetic recording and playback system for recording and playback of digital data signals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As shown in FIG. 1, a prior editing system comprises: a VTR-A (1) for performing playback; a VTR-B (2), for recording a video signal 1a from VTR-A (1); a synchronization signal generator means 3 for synchronizing the signal processing systems of VTR-A (1) and VTR-B (2); a control means 4 for synchronously driving and controlling the record/playback operation of VTR-A (1) and VTR-B (2), respectively, based on editing time code TA played back by VTR-A (1) and editing time code TB played back by VTR-B (2); and a display means 5 for monitoring editing results.
The operation of the system will be described for the case in which, as shown in FIG. 2, the nth through (n+m)th frames of a video signal 1a being played back by VTR-A (1) from a magnetic tape on which it was previously recorded, is insertion-recorded (insertion-edited) onto a previously recorded magnetic tape loaded in VTR-B (2). In this particular system, the magnetic tapes are housed in cassettes which are loaded in the VTRs.
VTR-A (1) and VTR-B (2) are driven in frame synchronization with the video signal 1a, based on synchronization signals 3a and 3b generated by the synchronization signal generator means 3. That is, the tape transport and signal transfer systems are synchronized between VTR-A (1) and VTR-B (2). The video signal 2a monitored by display means 5 can be the playback or the record video signal from either VTR-A (1) or VTR-B (2), respectively. As an alternative, two display means 5 may be provided (one for each VTR).
In order to perform professional editing with VTRs, the time, that is, positional relationship between the record and the playback video signals on the magnetic tape must be precisely controlled. To accomplish this, time codes are recorded on the magnetic tapes on which the video signals are recorded. One way of doing this is to record the time code in a prescribed track running length on the tape or to insert the time code in the vertical blanking period of the video signal. The location at which recording is to start, and the location at which playback is to start, and so forth, can then be specified based on this time code.
Referring now to FIG. 2, assume that the video between the nth and (n+m)th frames of the signal being played back by VTR-A (2) is to be inserted in the segment between the Nth and (N+M)th frames of the video previously recorded on the tape loaded in VTR-B (2). When the nth frame of video is output by VTR-A (1), the control means 4 causes VTR-B (2) to start recording the video portion to be inserted, and when the (n+m)th frame of video is output by VTR-A (1), the control means 4 causes VTR-B (2) to stop recording. Assume that an input means (not illustrated) sends the control means 4 its instructions on where to start and stop recording.
It takes time for the playback signal picked up by the playback magnetic head of VTR-A (1) to pass through the playback signal processing system VTR-A (1) and be input to VTR-3 (2) as video signal 1a. It also takes time for this video signal 1a to pass through the record signal processing system of VTR-B (2) and be applied to its record magnetic head. If we assume that this processing time is small enough to be negligible for all practical purposes, the above insertion editing process can be performed with no problem.
In analog VTRs, it takes on the order of a few microseconds to perform the signal processing required to process an input video signal for recording by the magnetic head. It similarly takes only a few microseconds to process a recorded playback signal picked up by the magnetic head for output as a reproduced video signal. In practice, then, with analog VTRs, the above insertion editing can be performed without problems.
In a digital VTR, however, the video signal is converted to a digital data signal, which then undergoes data compression prior to recording. The digital video signal must therefore be decompressed when it is played back. When insertion editing is performed using digital VTRs, the signal processing required to record the signal (data compression, error-correction coding, shuffling, etc.) takes more than 1/30th of a second (the length of a video frame). The complementary processes on the playback end take just as long.
To perform insertion editing with digital VTRs as described above, for example, it would take two frame times for VTR-A (1) to output, process, and playback a signal 1a and two additional frame times for VTR-B (2) to input, process, and record it, for a total of four frame times.
FIG. 3 shows the recorded states of the V-B tape before and after editing. If editing were performed as described above, with the nth frame of the VTR-A (1) playback video used to time the start of the edit, frames (n-2) through (n+m-1) of the VTR-A (1) video would actually end up being recorded over frames (N+2) through (N+m+2) of the pre-edit VTR-B (2) video, as shown in FIG. 3. In other words, the inserted video will start on the edited tape two frames late, and its content will be delayed by four frames.
The following three methods might be considered as ways of correcting this editing offset.
(1) Set the timing of the VTR-A (1) output two frames ahead, and advance VTR-B (2) playback output timing ahead of the VTR-A (1) time code by two frames.
(2) Advance the VTR-A (1) time code output four frames ahead of the video output, and delay playback/record operations during editing (via the instructions provided to the control means by the user, for example) by two frames relative to the actual playback/record operation.
(3) In the VTRs, use separate record and playback heads mounted on the rotating drum so that the tape reaches the playback head four frames before it reaches the record head, and delay playback/record operations during editing by two frames relative to the actual playback/record operation.
With the above methods (1) and (2), however, there is a problem in that if digital VTRs with no recording or playback delays and digital VTRs with different delay times are mixed in the system, the time code timing and record/playback timing would both have to be adjusted to within precise tolerances, complicating the operation of the system.
With method (3), if, as shown in FIG. 4, the playback head were positioned ahead of the record head by from one track to a few tracks, for example, since there is not much distance between the points at which the record and playback heads first come in contact with the edge of the magnetic tape (the distance between Y1 and Y2 in FIG. 4), the playback head would be able to reproduce video from the leading track. Point 41, where the playback head first comes in contact with the edge of the magnetic tape, is actually inside the track, as shown in FIG. 4. The shaded part is hereafter identified as a preamble portion 42. This preamble portion 42 is recorded ahead of the digital signal area and is used to generate a clock signal required to reproduce the digital signal. Accordingly, there will be no problem as long as the playback head can start picking up data from the preamble portion 42. If, however, the playback head is positioned more than a few tracks ahead of the record head, as shown in FIG. 4, then point 43, at which the playback head now first comes in contact with the magnetic tap, would already be in the portion of the tape in which the digital signal is recorded. There would then be a problem in that it would not be possible to reproduce the entire digital signal. Also, since the preamble portion 42 could not be recovered, it would not be possible to generate the clock signal properly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an objective of this invention to provide a digital data signal recording and playback method wherein insertion editing can be performed using record and playback heads which are angularly displaced from one another, as well as being offset on different planes lying normal to the longitudinal axis of the rotating drum on which the record and playback heads are installed.
It is a further objective of this invention to provide a magnetic recording and playback method for forming diagonal tracks on magnetic tape while recording and playing back a digital data signal, wherein a record head for recording the diagonal tracks and a playback head for playing back the diagonal tracks are installed on a rotating drum so that the record head and the playback head are offset from one another on different planes lying normal to the longitudinal axis of the rotating drum with the offset distance providing a time differential between playback and record sufficient to absorb a signal transfer delay time associated with the record processing and the playback processing of the digital data signal; and wherein, with L as the width of said magnetic tape, and with the lower edge of sod magnetic tape as a reference edge, each of the diagonal tracks is recorded by the record head, or played back by the playback head such that a point local X distance from the reference edge is the starting point, and a point located (L-X) distance from the reference edge is the end point of each of said tracks, with X computed as follows:
X=0.65+n×p×cosθ
where n is the height difference expressed in number of tracks, p is the track pitch, and θ is the angle of inclination of said diagonal tracks with respect to the lengthwise direction of said magnetic tape.
It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording and playback method wherein, with 12.65 mm as the width of the magnetic tape, when a digital signal corresponding to one frame of video is recorded in from 10 to 12 tracks at a track pitch of 20 μm, the diagonal tracks have their starting points located 1.70±0.05 mm from the reference edge, and their end points located 10.95±0.05 mm from the reference edge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of an editing system using conventional recording and playback methods;
FIG. 2 illustrates insertion editing using analog VTRs;
FIG. 3 illustrates insertion editing using digital VTRs;
FIG. 4 illustrates patterns formed on the magnetic tape when conventional recording and playback methods are used;
FIG. 5 shows an editing system using the magnetic recording and playback method of the present invention;
FIG. 6 shows the structure of the magnetic head assembly of VTR-B (21) of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 shows the offset height relationships between the recording magnetic heads and playback magnetic heads of VTR-B (21) of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 shows track patterns on magnetic tape for the purpose of explaining the magnetic recording and playback method of the present invention; and
FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the playback output level from a magnetic head scanning a magnetic tape, and its distance from a lower reference edge of the tape.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following paragraphs, a working example of the present invention will be described, with reference to the drawings. Items that have already been discussed above will be referred to by the same reference numbers in this description, and will not be described.
In the magnetic recording and playback system of the present invention, after the incoming video signal is converted to digital data, it goes through prescribed digital record signal processing and has an error correction code appended to it, to obtain the data-compressed record signal. Magnetic heads mounted on a rotating drum (the same as in commonly known helical scan VTRs) then record this video signal on a magnetic tape routed over the drum, forming a prescribed pattern on the tape as the recording process proceeds. At playback, the above tape pattern is scanned to recover the recorded signal, which is then subjected to playback signal processes complementary to the above record signal processing, to decompress and reproduce the original digital signal.
FIG. 5 shows an editing system using the magnetic recording and playback method of the present invention. VTR-A (11) is a magnetic recording and playback device for performing playback, and VTR-B (21) is a magnetic recording and playback device for recording video signal 1a from VTR-A (11). In addition, this editing system comprises a synchronization signal generator means 3 for synchronizing VTR-A (11) and VTR-B (21); a control means 4 for synchronously operating VTR-A (11) and VTR-B (21), and controlling the respective record/playback operation of VTR-A (11) and VTR-B (21), based on an editing time code TA played back by VTR-A (11), and an editing time code TB played back by VTR-B (21); and a display means 5 for monitoring the video signal 2a.
FIG. 6 shows the structure of the magnetic head assembly of VTR-B (21) of FIG. 5. The record heads RA and RB are installed on opposite sides of the rotating drum 100 (180 degrees apart). The playback heads PA and PB are similarly installed on opposite sides of the rotating drum 100 (180 degrees apart). The playback head PA is installed a degrees ahead (relative to the direction of rotation of the rotating drum 100) of the record head RA. The value of the angle α can be set as desired, but for purposes of this explanation, it shall be 90 degrees.
FIG. 7 shows the installed offset relationships of the magnetic heads. In this working example, if n is the number of tracks by which the track being played back by the playback head is advanced with respect to the track being scanned by the record head, p (mm) is the track pitch, and α is the installation angle between the playback and record heads, then H, the offset difference in height between the record and playback heads of the recording and playback device (in millimeters), will be
H=n×p+(α/180)×p (1)
In this working example, one frame of the digital signal is recorded by dividing it into 10 or 12 tracks. To recover the playback signal four frames in advance, then the playback head has to pick up its signal at least 40 tracks ahead of the record head position.
In equation (1), then if the number of tracks ahead, n, is 50, then with values of 0.02 mm for p and 90 degrees for α, the value of H will be:
H=1+0.01=1.01 mm (2)
and if n were 55, for example, H would be 1.11 mm.
In the past, record and playback heads have never been offset, that is, separated in height as described above independent of any angular displacement.
FIG. 8 shows track patterns on magnetic tape for the purpose of explaining the magnetic recording and playback method of the present invention. That is, it shows track patterns that will be formed on the magnetic tape if editing is performed in an editing system, such as that shown in FIG. 5, using recording and playback devices configured as described above.
When a record head is recording in track TR, the point at which the record head first makes contact with the magnetic tape is point a, and the point at which it breaks contact with the tape is point c. The track being scanned by the playback head during this time is track TRn. Also, the point at which the playback head first makes contact with the magnetic tape is point b, and the point at which it breaks contact is point d. Accordingly, in the present invention, in order to cause the tracks to be formed in the area between lines 82 and 83 extending lengthwise along the magnetic tape, passing through points b and c, respectively; that is, the area that can be scanned in common by record heads RA and RB and playback heads PA and PB, the record timing is offset by an amount equivalent to the distance β from point a. With the pattern formed this way, a track TR recorded by a record head can be accurately played back by the corresponding playback head.
Since at this time, track pitch p (mm), the distance represented by line segment ab is equivalent to the "number of tracks ahead," n, and the angle formed by points abe is θ, X1 (mm), the distance between line 81 (through point a) and line 82 is presented as follows:
X1=n×p×cosθ (3)
Similarly, the distance between lines 83 and 84 passing through points c and d (the points at which the record and playback heads, respectively, break contact with the magnetic tape) is also equal to X1 (mm).
If the recording start point on the tape is set as described above, using magnetic tape of the same width, the tracks will be shorter than in prior systems.
In conventional VHS recording and playback equipment, for example, audio and control tracks are formed lengthwise on the tape in the space between the edge of the tape and the diagonally formed video tracks. The area for this purpose is set to extend approximately 1 mm inward from the edge of the tape. If such recording and playback equipment were used to record and reproduce digital signals, the starting points of the diagonal tracks would be approximately 1+X1 (mm) from the edge of the tape. These diagonal tracks would therefore be significantly shorter than standard VHS video tracks.
This suggests taking a look at the distance between line 81 and the lower edge of the tape (80) for a way to make the recorded tracks as long as possible. Experiments were conducted to measure the output levels obtained from a head scanning between the lower edge (80) and top edge of a common 10-to-20-micron-thick magnetic tape. As shown in FIG. 9, these experiments demonstrated that a constant output level can be obtained over a prescribed interval (Y1 in FIG. 9) from a point 0.65 mm from the lower edge (80) of the tape. Over the range extending from the lower tape edge 80 (reference edge 80) to a point 0.65 mm inward therefrom (Y2 in FIG. 9), the force of contact between the head and the tape is not constant. This can result in abnormal head wear, which can cause the heads to damage the tape. Within this range, the playback output from the head is also greatly diminished.
Accordingly, if the distance between line 81 and the lower tape edge 80 (FIG. 8) is set at 0.65 mm, the distance between lines 82 and 83 can be made longer. In other words, this provides the longest diagonal track length that can be scanned in common by the record and playback heads.
Based on the foregoing, if X (mm) is the distance between the magnetic tape reference edge 80 and the track starting point (line 82), then:
X=0.65+X1 (4)
From equation (3), then, X can be determined as follows:
X=0.65+n×p×cosθ (5)
The distance between the reference edge on the other side of the tape and the end points of the diagonal tracks (the distance between the reference edge and line 83) may also be set to X.
In practice, VTR-B (21) records video signals by dividing the signal for one frame into either 10 or 12 tracks (10 tracks for 525-scan-line, 60-field video, or 12 tracks for 625-scan-line, 50-field video).
In this VTR-B (21), the time required for record and playback signal processing (the interval between the time the signal is picked up by the playback head and the time it is recorded by the record head), constitutes a delay equivalent to at least four frames (40 tracks of 525/60 video or 48 tracks of 625/50 video) plus two additional tracks, or, allowing for error, a total delay of at least five frames (50 to 55 tracks). For example, the proper difference in the installed heights of the record and playback heads for a track pitch of 0.02 mm (20 microns), as described earlier, and a diagonal track inclination angle of 6 degrees (actually, 5.95892 degrees), would be between approximately 1.1 and 1.0 mm. In other words, the start of the tracks should be set to between 1.65 and 1.75 mm (1.7±0.05 mm) from the lower edge of the tape; and with L (mm) as the tape width, the other ends of the tracks should be set to L-(1.7±0.05) mm from the lower reference edge of the tape.
For a 1/2-inch (12.65 mm) tape, the pattern should be formed to place the track start and end points 1.7±0.05, and 10.95±0.05 mm, respectively, from the lower reference edge of the tape.
As described above, with the recording and playback method of the present invention, insertion editing of digital data signals can be performed with no playback signal and time code adjustments required. For this reason, accurate read-before-write editing can also be performed. Also, not only is insertion editing made possible, as discussed above, but the size of the track area on the magnetic tape in which recording can be performed is also maximized. The method also causes heads to wear evenly, preventing damage to both the heads and the recording tape.
Various modifications will become possible for those skilled in the art after receiving the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof.
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In a helical-scan-type magnetic recording and playback method for forming diagonal tracks on a magnetic tape while recording and playing back digital data signals, the record and playback heads are installed on a rotating drum in a manner that enables the signal transfer delay associated with the record and playback signal processing of the digital data signal to be absorbed. The recording and playback is performed using a track pattern formed on the magnetic tape with the start and end points of the tracks located at distances of X and (L-X), respectively, from the lower edge of the tape, with L being the width of the tape, and X given by the equation:
X=0.65+n×p×cosθ
where n is the signal transfer delay time associated with the signal processing required to record and playback a digital data signal expressed as a number of tracks, p is the track pitch, and θ is the angle of inclination of the diagonal tracks relative to the lower edge of the tape.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to air jet looms and, more particularly, to a system for automatically controlling an air jet loom used for weaving cloth having more than one pick range, such as tire-cord fabric.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Tire-cord fabric includes a body portion having between 1 and 3.5 picks per inch (ppi) and a tab portion at each end of the body portion having between 3.5 and 50 ppi. The tab portion is used to stabilize the ends of the body portion of the cloth and to permit separation of the cloth into smaller batches. Because of the differences in pick density between the body portion and tab portions, it is necessary that temples be inserted to stretch the fabric when the tab portion is woven to keep the fabric at its correct width. Conventional temples are set at the fell of the cloth so that the warp and the filling in the weaving will interface at right angles to form the proper fabric width.
One such device is the so-called "Lupton" temples wherein a web is wrapped around a rotatable cylindrical rod, which is located in a tubular bar, the web entering and going out of the interior of the hollow bar through a slot as it is fed. This type of temple can be set very close to the fell of the cloth because of their small cross-section and because they extend over the entire weaving width and they favor a uniform interlacing of the filling yarn.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,943,979, issued to Porter, provides an improvement over the "Lupton" temples in a construction which is effective to improve the stretching effect of such temples. The ends of the cylindrical rod are designed as tubular portions having a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal keyways which extend through the wall of the tubular portion. Longitudinal keys are provided in the keyways with needle points which project at least approximately radially to the outside and are placed and guided in each of the keyways for the positive longitudinal displacement. Advantageously, the longitudinal motion of the keys is obtained by guiding their end portions in an oblique annular grove which is provided in a guide body connected to the hollow bar and secured in a stationary position against rotation. In addition, a radial piercing of the selvage zone by the needle points during rotation of the rod to produce an anchorage of the web to the keys is obtained by providing a bolt which extends parallel to, and eccentrically of, the rod in each of the tubular end portions of the rod and is fixed in the guide body. The bolt extends through a bore of the guide body in which it is fixed, and the longitudinal keys bear against its circumferential surface. The rod is mounted for turning eccentrically relatively to the bolt so that, with its continuous turning, the longitudinally displaceable keys are moved with their needle points into and out of the longitudinal keyways over at least a part of the peripheral ranges which are enveloped by the web. However, like conventional "Lupton" temples, these temples can not be automatically inserted and removed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,943,978, issued to Jindra, discloses a method and apparatus for lateral tensioning or holding knitted fabrics at a predetermined width. A portion of the fabric adjacent to the edge is formed having uncovered weft threads. The uncovered weft threads are engaged and deflected from above and below by means of a lever which penetrates between the uncovered weft threads so that the strip bears against the side of the which acts as a temple. However, the temple device is continuously in engagement with the fabric and can not be automatically inserted and removed.
Another known type of temple with a good stretching effect is a so-called spike-disc temple, which is equipped with needle points which are manually actuated to stick into the selvage. Such temples are bulky so that they cannot be mounted close to the fell of the cloth, as is the case with the known "Lupton" temples, however, they may be easily engaged and disengaged by hand through use of a wrench.
However, because conventional temples are manually operable only, none of these temples are adaptable for use with modern control systems which can be programed to execute multiple operations in a specific sequence. Without a means for automatically inserting and removing temples it is impossible to develop a loom control system for automatically controlling, without the need for operator intervention, an air jet loom for use in weaving cloth having more than one pick range, such as tire-cord fabric.
Thus, there remains a need for an automatic temple insertion device for use with a new and improved air jet loom control system which is operable to insert multiple tabs on a roll for separating multiple body portions of the roll, providing an inspection segment per roll, and/or providing a cut line either by "no picks" or by changing the filling used within the tab.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a system for controlling an air jet loom and, in particular, for controlling a loom used for weaving cloth having move than one pick range, such as for cloth used for tire-cord fabric. Tire-cord fabric includes a body portion having between 1 and 3.5 ppi and at least one tab portion having between 3.5 and 50 ppi. The tab portions are used to stabilize the ends of the body portion of the cloth and to permit separation of the cloth into smaller batches.
The control system includes an automatic temple insertion device. The system further includes dual nozzles to automatically switch from tab to body; automatic pick spacing change from tab to body; and an automatic dual warp yarn tension level control. The system permits multiple tabs on a roll for separating multiple body portions of the roll, providing an inspection segment per roll, and/or providing a cut line either by "no picks" or by changing the filling within the tab.
In the preferred embodiment, the automatic temple insertion device includes a bi-stable linkage which is attached to an air cylinder and is operable to move the temple from a first inoperable position to a second operable position whereby the temple contacts the fabric. The automatic temple insertion device, in combination with the dual nozzles and automatic pick spacing and warp yarn tension change, permits an operator to preprogram an entire creel and have the loom operate without further operator intervention.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for a power loom for automatically varying the pick density of a woven fabric produced by the loom between a first density value to a second, substantially different density value. The apparatus includes: means associated with the loom for supplying a fill yarn suitable for forming the portion of the woven fabric corresponding to the first density value; means associated with the loom for adjusting the pick density of the woven fabric; temple means for holding the woven fabric at a predetermined width, the temple means being selectively operable between a first position out of engagement with the woven fabric and a second position in engagement with the woven fabric; and control means connected to the first and second means for supplying fill yarn, the means associated with the loom, and the temple means, the control means being operable to selectively engage the temple means and permit the loom to vary the pick density of the woven fabric while maintaining the woven fabric at a predetermined width without operator intervention.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically inserting a temple for holding woven fabric in a loom at a predetermined width. The apparatus includes: a support plate attached to one side of the loom adjacent to the edge of the woven fabric; a bracket pivotally attached at one end to the support plate and attached to the temple at the other end; and actuator means attached at one end to the support plate and at the other end to the bracket, whereby the temple is selectively operable between a first position out of engagement with the woven fabric and a second position in engagement with the woven fabric.
Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a weaving apparatus for automatically forming intermediate tabby sections in a continuous length of woven fabric on a power loom. The apparatus includes: first means associated with the loom for supplying a fill yarn having a first predetermined denier value; second means associated with the loom for supplying a fill yarn having a second predetermined denier value; take-up roll means associated with the loom for adjusting the pick density of the woven fabric; temple means for holding the woven fabric at a predetermined width, the temple means including (i) a support plate attached to one side of the loom adjacent to the edge of the woven fabric; (ii) a bracket pivotally attached at one end to the support plate and attached to the temple at the other end; and (iii) actuator means attached at one end to the support plate and at the other end to the bracket, the temple means being selectively operable between a first position out of engagement with the woven fabric and a second position in engagement with the woven fabric; and control means connected to the first and second means for supplying fill yarn, the take-up roll means, and the temple means, the control means being operable to selectively engage the temple means and permit the loom to vary the pick density of the woven fabric while maintaining the woven fabric at a predetermined width without operator intervention.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a loom for weaving tire-cord fabric employing a control system constructed according to the present invention, the view being generally diagrammatic.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the air jet loom control system for the loom shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the interrelationship between and the functional operations of the logic controller, temples, feeders, nozzle pressure, take-up speed, warp tension, and loom functions;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a prior art manual temple insertion device;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an automatic temple insertion device, constructed according to the present invention, in its disengaged position; and
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the automatic temple insertion device, as shown in FIG. 5, in its engaged position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following description, like references characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as "forward", "rearward", "left", "right", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.
Referring now to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 in particular, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. As best seen in FIG. 1, an air jet loom for weaving tire-cord fabric, generally designated 10, is shown constructed according to the present invention.
By way of background, an entire creel may provide enough yarn to weave approximately 12,000 yards of tire cord fabric. However, typically it is desirable to separate the fabric into rolls to between 1,000 and 4,000 yards. Furthermore, it is also desirable to furnish at least a small sample of about 6 yards of tire cord fabric for inspection purposes. Accordingly, it is necessary that segments of 1,000 to 4,000 yards of tire cord fabric be separated from one another in some manner that stabilizes the loosely woven fabric.
It is known in the prior art to have an operator manually insert a tabby at the beginning and intermediate between each adjacent length of woven fabric and to weave a higher density portion of fabric to separate the adjacent loosely woven fabrics sections. These tabs are approximately 9" wide and extend across the full width of the woven material and provide a point where fabric may be cut to separate adjacent rolls of material without causing damage to the loosely woven fabric portion.
The Air Jet Tire Cord Weaving System 10 receives yarn supply 12 from a conventional warp creel (not shown). The ends of the yarn pass through an eye board 14 and through a constant tension compensator 16. One example of such a compensator is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,804, issued to Alexander et al., the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. After exiting the constant tension compensator 16, the yarn supply 12 is received by air jet weaving machine 20. The air jet weaving machine 20 is a conventional design. One machine which is particularly suitable for use in this system is a model J-4400 air jet weaving machine constructed by Draper Corporation, Greensboro, N.C.
As the fabric 26 leaves the loom 20 it is engaged or disengaged by a pair of automatic temple insertion devices 22, 24. The structure and function of the automatic temple insertion devices will be discussed in more detail later. Fabric 26 exits the loom 20 and is received by powered doff mechanism 32. One doff mechanism which is particularly suitable is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,563, issued to Alexander et al., the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
As best seen in FIG. 2, there is illustrated a block diagram of the air jet loom control system for the loom 20 shown in FIG. 1. In the preferred embodiment, the loom control system 10 includes dual feeders 34 and duel air jets 36. Each of these components are connected to a programmable logic controller (PLC) 40. One type of controller 40 which has been particularly suitable an Omron Model S6 with two relay output modules. In addition, a selvage detector 42 and filling detector 44 also may be connected to the loom 20. Filling detectors are in themselves conventional and well known to the prior art. The selvage detector 42 operates by detecting the presence of the spread out of the woven fabric which occurs due to a tucking failure.
The compressor 16 provides a control signal 46 representative of the amount of yardage passing through the loom 20. Similarly, the take-up roll 30 provide a control signal 50 representative of motor speed to PLC 40. At the same time, feedback circuit 52 from the PLC 40 alerts the take-up roll 30 that the motor speed is correct. Finally, a feedback circuit 54 from the PLC 40 informs the air jet loom 20 when the correct speed is reached.
The PLC 40 provides an on/off control signal to automatic temple actuators 22 and 24 located on opposite sides of the air jet loom 20. The PLC 40 also provides a signal 60 equal to the desired tension to the warp yarn to compressor 16. Yarn supply 12 may include a stop motion signal 62 to controller to halt its operation. Similarly, selvage detector 42 and filling detector 44 may also provide stop motion detection signals 64, 66, respectively, for the same purpose.
The sequential operation of the air jet loom controlling system may best understood by a review of FIG. 3. There is illustrated a flow chart showing the interrelationship between and the functional operations of the controller, temples, feeders, nozzle pressure, take-up speed, warp tension, and loom functions.
Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment, the yardage of each of the cloth lengths 70 is first entered in the PLC 40. The PLC 40 compares this value with the yardage measurement 46 received from compressor 16 and a predetermined value to determine whether the tabby should be inserted or not. If not necessary, PLC 40 provides a stop loom signal to the operator 74. Otherwise, the controller 40 compares the value of the tabby to the value set for the tabby length 76. At this point, the PLC 40 provides control signals which engage the temples 80; changes the feeders 82; changes the relay nozzle pressure 84; changes the main nozzle pressure 86; changes pick spacings 90; changes the warp tension 92; changes the air value timing 94; and changes the feeder firing position 96 to that of the higher density woven cloth for the tabby.
The PLC 40 then monitors the pick count value to determine when the end of the tabby 100 has been reached and decides 102 whether this an intermediate tabby or a final tabby. If it is a final tabby, the PLC 40 provides a signal 104 to stop the loom and signal the operator. If it is an intermediate tabby, the PLC 40 proceeds to the second yardage value 70 back to the beginning of the flow chart.
Heretofore, one reason it was not possible to preprogram an entire creel was because it was necessary that the operator manually intervened to set the temple insert devices or that the tabby could be woven. An example of a conventional, manually operated, prior art temple insert device, generally designated in 110, is shown in FIG. 4. Temple insert device 110 includes a lever arm 112 which is attached to the temple support bracket 114. Lever arm 112 is pivotable about pivot point 116 from the engaged position to a disengaged position. The end of lever arm 112 opposite from temple bracket 114 may be provided with a stop 118 to ensure proper positioning of the manual trip temple insertion device. However, there is no means for automatically engaging and disengaging the temple insertion device.
As best seen in FIG. 5, there is shown a side elevation view of an automatic temple actuator, generally designated 120, constructed according to the present invention. The automatic temple actuator 120, includes a mounting base 122 which may be attached to the existing selvage tucker of the air jet loom. A two way air cylinder 124 is attached at one end to the mounting base 122 and at the other end to a bi-stable lever arm 128. One end of the bi-stable lever arm 128 is attached to the mounting base 122 and the other end is attached by means of a bearing 130 to the existing lever arm 112 adjacent to the temple bracket 114. A pair of adjustable stops 132, 134 are attached to the mounting base 122 on either side of the bi-stable lever 128.
Finally, FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevational view of the automatic temple insertion device, shown in FIG. 5, in its engaged position. As best seen in FIG. 6, when the air pressure to cylinder 124 is reversed the plunger of cylinder 124 extends causing bi-stable lever 128 to move forward and engage adjustable stop 134. This action increases the effective length of the bi-stable lever 128, thereby depressing lever arm 112 and causing temple bracket 114 to be lowered and engage the fabric. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, when the air pressure is reversed bi-stable lever 128 returns against adjustable stop 132 causing the effective length of lever arm of 128 to be shortened, thereby raising lever arm 112 to disengage the temple. Any of a number of conventional air cylinders can be used for the present invention, however a Clippard model UDR-17-15, manufactured by Clippard Manufacturing of Cincinnati, Ohio and having a 3-inch stroke and operated at 90 PSI has been found particularly suitable.
Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading of the foregoing description. By way of example, other mechanisms including hydraulic, electro-mechanical, and gear driven arrangements could be used to insert the loom temples. Also, the relative positions of the temple and fell support could be reversed. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.
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An apparatus for controlling an air jet loom and, in particular, for controlling a loom used for weaving cloth having move than one pick range. One use of such cloth is for tire-cord fabric having a body portion having between 1 and 3.5 ppi and at least one tab portion having between 3.5 and 50 ppi. The system includes an automatic temple insertion device. The system further includes dual nozzles to automatically switches from tab to body; automatic pick spacing change from tab to body; and an automatic tension level control. The system permits multiple tabs on a roll for separating multiple body portions of the roll, providing an inspection segment per roll, and providing a cut line either by "no picks" or by changing the filling within the tab.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the art of preparing foods which need not be cooked or heated to temperatures in excess of 212° Fahrenheit by emersion of closed containers of food into water as the heating medium.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many versions of electrically heated coffee or tea pots or plain water pots are available. None of these currently available devices have the ability to additionally function adequately as a water bath heater for containers of pre-prepared food in either liquid, semi-liquid or solid form.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a multi-purpose food heating device utilized in its simplest form to heat water for later external use or to brew beverages in water by heating and to heat containers of food such as closed containers of cans, jars, baby bottles, plastic pouches of pre-prepared foods and the like.
A primary object of the instant invention is to provide a means of heating closed containers of food.
Another object is to provide a means of heating water in the apparatus.
Still another object is to provide an apparatus capable of heating a multiple number of containers at one time.
A further object is to provide uniform heating at all external surfaces of the container thereby avoiding over-heated and under-heated portions of the food in the best mode available.
Another object is to provide an apparatus capable of providing a simple method of removing the heated containers without endangerment to the user by coming into contact with the hot container.
Still another object is to provide a convenient multi-purpose heating apparatus in pseudo-conventional appearance utilizing electrical heating means.
A further object is a heating apparatus utilizing a power source to utility line voltage as well as automobile batteries and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fragmented elevation view of the heating apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a cross section taken through line 2--2 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of arrows 2--2 illustrating the interior plan view of the bottom of the apparatus claimed.
FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken through line 3--3 of FIG. 1 viewed in the direction of arrows 3--3 illustrating the interior elevation view of the upper portions of the apparatus, lid, and removal device claimed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The structure and method of fabrication of the present invention is applicable to a water heater complete with a cover or lid and a water pouring spout. An insulating protuberance is permanently affixed to the interior bottom surface of the water compartment. The apparatus has, as an accessory, a food container removal instrument which extends around and below the uppermost surface of the protuberance and is available to the user by emerging beyond the surface of the heating apparatus through a slot in the side outer surface which is located above the aforementioned pouring spout. Another accessory which may be used in combination with the basic heating apparatus and the removal instrument is a thermally insulated container separator constructed in a fashion permitting the water heating medium to exist within and around this accessory whilst mechanically supporting another container.
Now referring to the Figures, and more particularly to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the food heating apparatus 1 with an electrical heating device 7 situated below the water compartment 11, an electrical cord 8 is adapted to provide electrical energy from a source not shown. The apparatus 7 is comprised of any conventional electrical heater which may be powered by energy available from wall utility outlets of nominally 120 volts AC or automobile batteries providing energy at nominal voltages of 12 volts, direct current. A selector switch, not shown, may be utilized to prepare the apparatus to accommodate to the appropriate power source or, various models can be adapted to operate at a fixed voltage. Pouring spout 12 is formed or attached near the uppermost edge of the heating compartment 11 and has a series of openings providing communication for the water contained within the compartment. A protuberance 6 is obtained by fastening an insulating material such as polytetrofluoroethlene, commonly called Teflon, a product of E. I. Du Pont de Namours Co., Inc., to the uppermost surface of the floor of the heating compartment. This protrusion serves as a platform to support any rigid container placed within the compartment so that uniform heating is obtained by preventing intimate thermal contact of a substantial nature with the heating apparatus 7. Thus, substantially, the only means of heating is obtained through the use of water or other liquid which couples uniformly the heat generated by the heater to the containers 16 and 2 as shown. In use, the container 16 is inserted into the compartment 11 and water is poured into the compartment.
After a desired period of time the lid 13 is removed by use of the insulating handle 14 exposing a container removal device 5. The device extends over a substantial portion of the cross sectional area internal to the compartment 11 and has radial fingers to accommodate a variety of sizes of food containers. In its rest position the device extends below the uppermost surface of the insulating protrusion 6. A handle 9, comprised of an insulating material, extends beyond the exterior surface of the apparatus heating device and is grasped by the user. The upper edge of the water compartment 11 is provided with a slot extending downwards to a point directly above pouring spout 12 to accommodate vertical removal of the removal device 5. Correspondingly, a vertical slot is cut into the vertical walls of the lid 13 insuring horizontal placement of the lid around the horizontal portion of the removal device. An upward motion raises the container above the liquid level of the heating medium and makes the food container readily available for removal. The horizontal platform created by fingers 15 is fashioned so that the platform can drop below the uppermost surface of the protrusion 6. Another accessory is an insulating spacer 4 which is used to isolate thermally additional food containers when it is desired to heat them. This spacer supports container 2 without substantially upsetting the thermal distribution of heat within the water heating medium by virtue of its low thermal mass and the ability to allow the water to circulate around and through it.
FIG. 2 illustrates how a container 16 rests upon the fingers 15. The protrusion 6 is shown to emerge through an area centrally located within the removal device 5.
FIG. 3 illustrates lid 13 displaced upwardly from the food heating apparatus 1 and having a slot 17 cut in a portion of food heating apparatus engaging rim 20. Slot 18 extends downwardly from the uppermost rim 21 of food heating apparatus 1. The horizontal portion of food removal device 5 resides in slot 18 adjacent handle 9. Spout 12 is aligned directly below slot 18.
Thus water surrounds the entire exterior surface of one or more closed food containers. The heating affect of the water is uniform upon these external surfaces and there is virtually no temperature differential between supporting elements of the heating device and the containers to be heated within it. The device can be utilized in conventional fashion to heat water and brew beverages by the removal of insulating spacer accessory 4 and the food container removal device 5.
One of the advantages of this apparatus is a simple, inexpensive means of heating closed containers of food.
Another advantage lies in the additional ability of the apparatus to heat water or brew beverages.
A further advantage includes the ability to heat more than one food container at one time.
Still another advantage pertains to uniform heating of the entire external surface of the food container creating substantially uniform heating of the contents therein.
Another advantage lies in the use of a convenient removal device which can be stored within the heating apparatus.
A further advantage pertains to the ability of the heating apparatus to serve many heating purposes yet appearing to be conventional in its construction and utilizing electrical energy as a means of heating.
Still another advantage is in the ability of the electrical heating mechanism to be utilized at various voltage levels for the electrical source of energy supplied thereto.
Thus, there is disclosed in the above description and in the drawings embodiments of the invention which fully and effectively accomplish the objects thereof. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, how to make variations and modifications to the instant invention. Therefore, this invention is to be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.
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This disclosure pertains to an apparatus for use in heating containers of food, as in cans, bottles, plastic pouches and the like by emersion into water adapted to insure uniform heating thereof by substantially insulating the containers from thermal contact with all the parts of the heating apparatus except the water in contact with the container. The apparatus can also be used to heat water alone, brew coffee, tea or other beverages.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/369,424 filed Apr. 2, 2002.
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
The present invention pertains to perforating guns used in subsurface wells, and particularly to perforating guns having stackable sections.
2. Related Art
It is often desirable to perforate zones of interest in a subterranean well with very long gun strings to maximize production of well fluids, such as hydrocarbons. This is particularly true in horizontal or highly deviated wells. Gun strings may range in length from a few hundred feet to several thousand feet. Perforating guns are often run into the well using coiled tubing, though drill string may be used if a rig is present at the well site.
Generally, it is faster and safer to run and retrieve a gun string in an underbalanced well using coiled tubing. (Underbalanced operations help prevent damage to formations.) If drill string is used, a snubbing unit must also be used to seal and control pressure from well fluids. Though coiled tubing may be faster and safer, its use may limit the length of the gun string because the coiled tubing can only push so much load before its buckling strength is exceeded. This is particularly true in horizontal or nearly horizontal wells.
There are existing systems for downhole stacking of guns. U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,716, assigned to Schlumberger Technology Corporation, is one example. However, those prior art systems have sections that are intended to be stacked in vertical or nearly vertical holes, not horizontal holes. The Schlumberger system uses a connector that mechanically latches in compression, but is not designed to carry a tensile load. Other prior art systems stack, but do not latch at all, and thus can carry neither compressive nor tensile loads. Thus, there is a continuing need for improved sectional perforating guns.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides for a perforating gun having stackable sections that latch, enabling the gun string to carry both compressive and tensile loads. This allows for the downhole assembly of guns of any desired length, and for the entire gun string to be removed after firing.
Advantages and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, drawings, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a perforating gun assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the placement of the lowermost section.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the gun assembly of FIG. 1 showing the addition of another section.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a connector, shown in its unconnected state, used to join the sections of the gun assembly of FIG. 2 .
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the connector of FIG. 3 , shown in its connected state, used to join the sections of the gun assembly of FIG. 2 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a completion assembly 10 including a perforating gun string 12 . Gun string 12 is disposed in a lower portion of a horizontal or highly deviated well bore 14 . Gun string 12 comprises sections 16 ( FIG. 2 ), and each section 16 further comprises subsections 18 . Subsections 18 may be joined using specialized connectors 20 , such as the Completions Insertion and Retrieval Under Pressure Connectors disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,042, to permit assembly and disassembly of sections 16 while maintaining well bore 14 in an underbalanced state. FIG. 1 shows coiled tubing 22 being used to place section 16 in well bore 14 , though drill string (not shown) may also be used.
Coiled tubing 22 has a disconnector 24 on its lower end. Disconnector 24 may be hydraulically or mechanically actuated, as is well known in the art, and can releasably engage each section 16 , as described further below. FIG. 2 shows a subsequent, adjoining section 26 run in and mechanically and ballistically connected to section 16 using a connector 28 . Swivels and weighted spacers may be incorporated in strategic locations of gun string 12 to allow the charges to align in a particular plane, should that be desired.
FIG. 3 shows connector 28 in its unconnected state. The upper portion 30 of connector 28 , located on the lower end of section 26 , comprises an overshot 32 , a C-ring 34 , and a donor portion 36 of a sealed ballistic transfer 38 . Overshot 32 helps guide upper portion 30 onto a lower portion 40 of connector 28 . Lower portion 40 is located on the upper end of section 16 .
C-ring 34 incorporates internal buttress threads 42 that allow C-ring 34 to slide onto a mating set of buttress threads 44 in one direction, but prevent C-ring 34 from coming off in the opposite direction. C-ring 34 is split to allow it to expand and contract to engage mating threads 44 . C-ring 34 is constrained to remain within upper portion 30 , but is allowed to ‘float’ for alignment and engagement purposes. Once engaged with mating threads 44 , C-ring 34 and upper portion 30 cannot be disconnected from lower portion 40 while in well bore 14 .
FIG. 4 shows connector 28 in its connected state. As mentioned above, lower portion 40 of connector 28 contains mating buttress threads 44 for C-ring 34 . Lower portion 40 also has an internal running/retrieving profile 46 and a receptor portion 48 of sealed ballistic transfer 38 . Disconnector 24 engages and disengages with profile 46 to connect or release coiled tubing 22 from each section 16 . External buttress threads 44 provide a latching point for C-ring 34 . Receptor portion 48 allows for the continuation of the ballistic train from gun section 26 to gun section 16 . A blank section (devoid of charges) of tubing having connector 28 can be inserted in gun string 12 between charge-bearing sections so long as the ballistic train is maintained therethrough.
In operation, an appropriate length for section 16 is determined to prevent coiled tubing 22 from buckling and locking up during insertion of section 16 into well bore 14 . The first gun section 16 to be run into well bore 14 is picked up, disconnector 24 is latched into profile 46 , and section 16 is run in to the desired depth. Disconnector 24 is then actuated to release section 16 . For example, if disconnector 24 is hydraulically actuated, fluid is pumped down an interior passageway of coiled tubing 22 to release disconnector 24 . Coiled tubing 22 is then removed from well bore 14 . The next gun section 16 (e.g., section 26 ) is picked up and run in the same way, and latched onto the lower portion 40 of connector 28 . Subsequent gun sections 16 are run in as required until a desired length is reached. A firing head 50 ( FIG. 1 ) is attached to coiled tubing 22 or uppermost gun section 16 . This terminal section 16 is run in well bore 14 and latched onto the adjoining lower section 16 .
Gun string 12 can be fired in various ways, depending on the type of firing head 50 used. For example, to fire gun string 12 using a pressure-actuated firing head 50 , a ball (not shown) is pumped down coiled tubing 22 until it lands in a seat (not shown) in firing head 50 . Pressure is increased to a predetermined level to shear a shear pin and initiate firing. Gun string 12 then fires along its entire length. Other firing head options are feasible, such as a hydraulic delay firing head. The coiled tubing 22 can remain attached or be disconnected and removed from well bore 14 before firing.
After firing, well bore 14 is perforated. The entire gun string 12 can be retrieved to surface and gun sections 16 can be removed from well bore 14 . If specialized connectors 20 were used to assemble sections 16 , the sections can be removed without killing the well.
An alternative operation would be to run the entire gun string 12 into well bore 14 with drill pipe (not shown), disconnect with disconnector 24 , fire gun string 12 , and retrieve the entire gun string 12 with coiled tubing 22 using specialized connectors 20 . The drill pipe is strong enough to allow the entire gun string 12 to be run in all at one time, or it can be run in in sections as described above. If drill pipe is used to retrieve the guns after perforating, a snubbing unit is required to remove sections 16 without killing the well.
Although only a few example embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words ‘means for’ together with an associated function.
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The present invention provides for a perforating gun having stackable sections that latch, enabling the gun string to carry both compressive and tensile loads. This allows for the downhole assembly of guns of any desired length, and for the entire gun string to be removed after firing.
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[0001] There are no related patent applications.
[0002] The subject matter of the present invention did not receive federal government research and development funding.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, device for locating and separating objects from a medium in which such objects are disposed and for use in conjunction with a metal detector. In particular, the present invention relates to a device that allows a user to scoop and simultaneously sift a medium with one hand and forearm making it an ergonomic handle. Otherwise, the device may be hung from an article of clothing such as when not being used to sift through the medium.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] There is an increasing trend in the number of people becoming interested in amateur prospecting, treasuring hunting, metal detecting, amateur geology, and amateur archaeology. A metal detector may be used to pursue these various activities by identifying metallic objects arranged within the surface of the earth. In many instances, these activities may take place in beach sand. During these “beachcombing” operations, a user walks along a beach carrying a metal detector. A distal end of the metal detector includes a sensor coil. A proximal end includes a grip and/or arm support with control electronics, a power source and an indicator means. The indicator means alerts the user when the sensor coil passes across or in near proximity to a metallic object.
[0005] The inventor, Mr. Charles A. Boll, has attempted, through trial and error, to arrive at a suitable apparatus which could be used both for digging, scooping and for sifting metallic objects from sand and other dirt taken from the earth. Thus, the device is known as a digger sifter with ergonomic handle. The prior art fails to satisfy the inventor's needs and possesses numerous disadvantages over the present invention. Typically, the prior art devices cannot be easily carried or suspended in a hand-free manner on the user when not in use. Many prior art devices require two-handed operations when scooping and sifting for hidden or lost items. Moreover, many cannot be used when standing upright to dig and sift to prevent a user's back and/or knees from becoming sore from bending over excessively during metal detecting operations. Otherwise, they do not comprise an ergonomic handle as claimed in the present invention. Still others require a user to step on a rear of the device or the metal detector and scoop are included as a single heavy device requiring all its weight to be carried on a single arm of the user. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,281 to Montelione.
[0006] Prior devices in the sifting field are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,564 to Holder; U.S. Pat. No. 645,956 to Hyrons; U.S. Pat. No. 657,508 to W. W. Brown; U.S. Pat. No. 681,608 to O. P. Baughman; U.S. Pat. No. 2,005,416 to J. H. Fisher; U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,281 to Montelione; U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,623 to Flanagan; U.S. Pat. No. 4,359,686 to Wherry; U.S. Des. Pat. No. 339,966 to Burnett; and.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides an apparatus for manually scooping and separating objects from a medium in which such objects are disposed. The apparatus includes means for temporarily scooping a portion of said medium which may contain one or more of said objects, and means for sifting said medium so as to separate said objects from said medium while discarding the sifted medium.
[0008] In one instance, the present digger sifter with ergonomic handle is easy on the wrist of the operator by means of two locations of body contact. That is, a user passes his arm through a ring or arm sleeve part 5 while gripping a handle 8 arranged horizontal to the ground whereas the prior art does not. The use of two body contacts produces a multiplier effect of by allowing the user to use a larger group of muscles which are stronger than those in the wrist. This effect creates a mechanical advantage that requires minimal movement of the operator's arm to operate the scoop member 20 . A notch 9 is provided on arm 8 to keep the scoop sifter out of the magnetic field of the metal detector when carrying it or during detection operations. This allows the user to rest the arm muscles until it is used to scoop another object of interest. Two elongated arms provide a support structure for accepting a wide variety of scoops. The scoop 20 may comprise different materials and include various methods of attaching it to the elongated arm members. Bolts, rivets, various threaded shafts, nuts, washers, pins, or any other such fasteners may couple the scoop 20 to the elongated arms. Thus, the tool may be light in weight.
[0009] Moreover, usage of the tool is easier than prior art ones that require the weight of the user be applied to the rear of the tool. Such prior art devices require a balancing act during use in the ocean surf. The user must hold the metal detector in one hand and the prior art sifting device in the other while attempting to apply the user's weight onto the back of the tool. The user's movements are further hindered by ocean waves which continually shift the sand from underneath the user's feet. Thus, the present invention makes the sport of treasure hunting more attractive with both feet on the ground to opperate.
[0010] The novel arrangement of parts in the present invention may comprise 25 gauge galvanized hardware cloth having a cross sectional diameter of an individual wire being measured at 0.04″ or 18 gauge thick wire. These sizes are beneficial in passing a medium through the substantially rigid sifter basket 25 . In a preferred embodiment, the range of the aperture-to-total area ration of the mesh material is about 84% which is not found in the prior art. This ratio allows for easy use of the instant invention in both dry and wet sand as well as in shallow water or during scuba diving.
[0011] The pitched angle of the scoop relative to the parallel elongated arms may be varied by including adjustment openings 22 in the sides of the scoop near where the elongated arms attach. By increasing the pitch of the scoop relative to the horizontal, provides for more aggressive digging to allow more medium into the scoop.
[0012] In some embodiments of the invention, a longer basket 25 increases the surface area and makes it easier to pass medium through the basket 25 . The larger sized basket is useful in hard packed wet sand. Other embodiments include oval shaped or rectangular shaped scoops that are over sized and which facilitate the faster removal of medium through the larger basket. In one embodiment, a plastic oval shaped scoop and oval shaped scoop with V-bottom, 14 gauge galvanized steel that is 1¼ inch wide strap of sheet metal is mounted to the front of the scoop to create a blade which reduces wear and abrading of the forward edge of the scoop member.
[0013] The present tool is used by pulling the scoop from 2 to 8 o'clock with the operator's feet arranged at 7 and 5 o'clock. The scoop is pulled towards the operator to capture medium. Thereafter, the scoop is shaken back and forth to sift medium through the scoop 20 and basket 25 . By twisting the arm and wrist left and right, the rear tip speed of the basket is increased.
[0014] The present invention, as described herein, is particularly well suited for use, in conjunction with a portable metal detector, to locate and separate objects from sand, principally beach sand. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, that the present invention may be used for locating and separating other types of objects from various other media. Thus, the phraseology and terminology “objects” as used hereinafter in this context is intended to include and embrace anything which is perceptible by one or more of the senses, especially something that can be seen and felt, and is not limited or restricted to metallic items. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology “medium” as used hereinafter in this context is intended to connote generally any surrounding or pervading substance in which bodies or objects exist or move, and includes, but is not limited to, sand, earth, water, dirt, mud, gravel, etc.
[0015] A digger sifter with ergonomic handle comprises an arm and hand supported elongated handle assembly including a pair of elongated arms. The elongated arm handle assembly includes a proximal end and a distal end. An arm ring attaches at the proximal end of the arm supported elongated handle assembly. The operator passes his hand and a portion of his arm through the arm ring such that the proximal end of the elongated handle assembly is constrained by a portion of the operator's arm. A scoop, having an opening that is arranged against a wire basket, has a cutting edge that cuts into the medium to be sifted. The opening is adapted to accept the medium having an object arranged therein. The scoop and wire basket attaches to the distal end of the arm supported elongated handle assembly. A cross brace attaches to the pair of parallel elongated arms intermediate the proximal and distal end of the arm and hand supported elongated handle assembly for providing a surface which may be gripped by the user of the digger sifter. One end of the cross brace extends outward from an elongated arm and includes a notch adapted to attach the sifter to an operator's belt or pants pocket when not in use, preferably on the back pocket out of the way when using a metal detector as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B . A stirrup-shaped grip fastens to the cross member or the D-stirrup can be omitted and a filler piece can be added to the cross brace with appendages.
[0016] An arm and hand supported elongated ergonomic handle assembly comprises a pair of parallel elongated arms. Each parallel elongated arm includes a proximal end and a distal end. A circular arm ring attaches between the proximal ends of the pair of parallel elongated arms. A scoop, including a front edge with a cutting edge, is arranged between the distal ends of the pair of parallel elongated arms and having an opening. The cutting edge of the scoop is preferably arranged along a bottom front edge of the scoop such that it bites into a medium having an object of interest. A sifter is arranged against a rear or back side of the scoop opposite the cutting edge. The sifter accepts and sifts media that has been cut by the cutting member and passed into the scoop. The media preferably includes an object of interest which is filtered from the media during the scooping and sifting process. A b-shaped hand grip attaches to the pair of parallel elongated members intermediate the scoop sifter assembly and the circular arm ring. One end of the b-shaped hand grip extends past the exterior edge of one of the elongated members and includes a notch that is adapted to attach the digger sifter with ergonomic handle to an operator's belt, waistline or pants pocket. That is, the invention attaches to an operator's belt or pant's pocket when not in use, preferably on the back pocket out of the way when using a metal detector as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B .
[0017] One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a lightweight and convenient apparatus for use in conjunction with a metal detector which will allow the user to scoop and sift simultaneously with one hand. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus or device for locating and separating objects from a medium in which such objects are disposed and having an ergonomic handle.
[0018] It is an additional object of the invention to provide a device of the character described that can be operationally used to scoop and sift dry, as well as hard packed wet sand located at an edge of a body of water. The apparatus is also particularly useful underwater, in shallow water, and deep water during scuba diving operations.
[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the present invention that can be readily supported from an operator's clothing when not in use.
[0020] It is another object to provide a sorting and sifting device in which lateral and rotational stability between the operator and the scooping mechanism is provided to the device by a pair of transversely spaced-apart elongated arm members.
[0021] It is another object to provide a device in which such laterally spaced apart elongated arms can be attached to scoop members constructed of varying materials and having varying sizes and geometries.
[0022] These and other objects of the invention and advantages of the invention will be set forth, appear in part or become apparent after considering the specification, accompanying drawings, and appended claims. It is to be realized that the following embodiments of the invention have been represented in their simplest form for ease in understanding the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings.
[0024] FIG. 1A is an exploded view of the various pieces necessary for practicing an embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that fasteners which fix the various parts are not shown in this view. Fasteners may include, but not be limited to screws, bolts, nuts, washers, threaded rods, clips, rivets or any mechanism which fastens one part of the various pieces to another.
[0025] FIG. 2A is a first embodiment of the invention having I-shaped parallel elongated arms. A square scoop having an angled front cutting edge is arranged at a distal end of the parallel elongated arms.
[0026] FIG. 2B is a second embodiment of the invention having parallel elongated arms formed from cylindrical tubing with flattened regions for accepting fasteners that couple the various elements of the apparatus thereto.
[0027] FIG. 2C is a third embodiment of the invention having a modified scoop member that is round.
[0028] FIG. 2D is a fourth embodiment of the invention having a modified scoop member arranged in a diamond shape.
[0029] FIG. 2E is a fifth embodiment of the invention having a modified scoop member that includes an angled scoop having a rear that opens into a larger basket fastened thereat.
[0030] FIG. 2F is a sixth embodiment of the invention having an oval shaped scoop that includes a cutting edge formed from sheet metal such as aluminum.
[0031] FIG. 2G is a seventh embodiment of the invention wherein the scoop member is rectangular in shape such that only a small area of medium is encountered by the lower edge reducing frictional losses and optimizing the scooping and sifting process.
[0032] FIG. 2H is a further embodiment of the scoop having an oval shape and formed from a first material such as a formed plastic material. A metal cutting edge is provided along the bottom of this embodiment for increasing durability and longevity of the leading bottom edge of the scoop.
[0033] FIG. 3A shows a user depositing the notch end of the handle into a back pants pocket.
[0034] FIG. 3B shows a user having the apparatus arranged with the notch in the back pants pocket and the scooping end arranged against the lower leg.
[0035] FIGS. 4A through 4H show various geometric cross sections of a parallel elongated member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are more fully explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and set forth in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the features of one embodiment may be employed with the other embodiments as the skilled artisan recognizes, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and techniques may be omitted to avoid obscuring the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments set forth herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
[0037] Before explaining the present invention in detail, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application or construction to the details of the arrangement of parts and construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, because the present invention is capable of other embodiments and modifications and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Furthermore, it should also be understood that phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and illustration only, and not of limitation or restriction.
[0038] With reference to the drawings, there is illustrated an apparatus 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The novel apparatus 1 is especially useful for scooping and separating objects, such as metal coins, jewelry, mollusks, or other objects, from a medium, such as sand, in which such objects may be disposed.
[0039] The apparatus 1 , which is adapted to be supported from an operator's arm and hand during use, includes an elongate handle assembly 15 that extends between an arm ring 5 at the handle assembly's proximal end and a scoop member 20 at the handle assembly's distal end. The apparatus 1 may be formed from a group of materials consisting of aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, stainless steel, plastics, fiberglass, thermoplastic, polycarbonate, wood, steel, or a combination thereof.
[0040] The handle assembly 15 comprises a pair of elongated arms 15 A, 15 B. The elongated arms 15 A, 15 B are oriented parallel to each other, and together define “handle plane” (P). In order to provide a clear description of the present invention, the nominal orientation of the apparatus, and of various components of the invention, is described relative to a vertical plane (V) or a horizontal plane (H) which are respectively orientated with respect to the handle plane P. It should be understood, however, that such spatial descriptors should not be construed as restricting operational movement or orientation of the assembled apparatus 1 .
[0041] An arm ring 5 is provided at the proximal end of the handle assembly 15 , and is attached to the elongated arms at substantially diametrically opposite sides of the arm ring 5 . The arm ring 5 is preferably a closed, circular shape and has an inside diameter 6 that is large enough to allow an operator to insert his/her forearm through it. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arm ring is made of PVC plastic, is between 1 and 1½ inches long when measured in the axial direction, has an inside diameter of 4 inches, and is approximately ¼ inch thick. The arm ring can be advantageously manufactured from 4-inch PVC pipe. In modified embodiments of the invention, the arm ring can have a smaller or larger diameter, so as to be wearable by children or larger persons, respectively. The edges of the arm ring are preferably curved, so as to minimize pressure against the operator's arm. The edges may be formed in a curved manner or created by turning them with a ⅛″ round router bit and in modified embodiments made of aluminum, galvanized steel, plastics, fiberglass, copper, stainless steel, polycarbonates, wood, steel or metal alloys.
[0042] The arm ring 5 includes openings and is attached to elongated members by fasteners 50 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the fasteners are rivets, but other conventional fasteners, including screws, bolts, welding, bonding or clips or the like can alternatively be used. Likewise, if the device is formed by metallic materials, welding, brazing or the like may be utilized to secure the various parts to implement the invention.
[0043] A substantially hollow scoop member 20 is provided at the distal end of the handle assembly 15 , and is located between, and attached to, the elongated arms. The scoop member 20 has a forward end and a rear end, a top and a bottom. As will be discussed in more detail below, the forward end of the scoop member includes an edge 21 that is designed to cut into and gather a bulk medium (such as sand) as the device is manually moved forwardly through the medium. In cross-section, the scoop member is a closed geometric shape. As shown in the figures, the cross-sectional shape of scoop member 20 is square as in FIGS. 2A-2B , but may, in modified embodiments be circular as in FIG. 2C , diamond as in FIG. 2D , oval as in FIG. 2F , or other closed geometric shape. FIG. 2E shows a scoop member 20 having an arcuate angled edge relative to the wire basket 25 . By way of example, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the scoop member is constructed of 4½ inch square schedule 20 PVC conduit or a fence post jacket. The centerline length of the scoop top (measured between the forward end and the rear end) is shorter than the centerline length of the scoop bottom (measured between the forward end and the rear end) such that the plane of the forward end of the scoop is at an acute angle (A) relative to vertical (V). It should be noted that the scoop member 20 may be formed in any shape with any type of bend.
[0044] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each elongated arm 15 A, 15 B is attached to the scoop member 20 with a pair of fasteners, which hold the elongated members 15 A, 15 B in a fixed position relative to the scoop member 20 . Preferably, the first fastener is at a nominally higher elevation than the second fastener, and handle plane P is nominally at an acute angle (B) relative to vertical. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more pairs of adjustment holes 22 is provided in scoop member for varying the nominal angle (B) between handle plane P and vertical V as can be understood when viewing FIG. 2A . It will be understood that such a configuration (i.e., angled forward end of the scoop member and angled handle plane-to-scoop bottom orientation) facilitates operation of the device in front of an operator as the device is moved forward to scoop up sand (or like media).
[0045] A closed-ended, perforated basket 25 is attached to the rear end of the scoop member 20 across the opening 23 defined at the back end of the scoop. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the basket 25 comprises a metallic wire mesh with ½″×½″ spacing such as 25 gauge hardware cloth, (approximately 0.04 inch 18 gauge wire including galvanized coating) having an aperture-to-total area of the mesh material used in constructing the sieve or basket of about 84%. That is, 16% of the basket comprises the cross wire that acts as a sieve to filter objects of interest from a medium. The basket is attached to the outside or inside of scoop member with fasteners through openings 26 arranged in the rear of the scoop 20 as shown in the various figures. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the forward end of the basket overlaps the rear end of the scoop member by approximately 1 inch, and is attached to the scoop member with rivet fasteners. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cross-section of basket is substantially constant in size and shape, is the same size and shape as the cross-section of scoop member, and extends rearward from scoop member parallel to the sides of scoop member. However, in modified embodiments of the invention, the cross-sectional size of basket can increase or decrease as it extends beyond the rear of the scoop member. All seams on the wire basket is soldered or brazed to create a solid basket.
[0046] A hand grip member, collectively comprising stirrup 11 or filler piece 13 , brace 8 and grip 12 is attached, using pairs of longitudinally spaced-apart fasteners, to elongated arms intermediately between the arm ring and scoop member. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongated arms are approximately 32 inches long for adults, or 24 inches long for children, and the outside distance from the arm ring at the center of the hand grip is approximately 10 inches for an adult, 8 inches for a child, such that the hand grip member can be grasped by a typical operator while the arm ring encircles the operator's forearm Oust below the elbow). The hand grip member preferably comprises a brace member 8 , which may be constructed from a 1-inch long section of 4-inch diameter schedule 40 PVC, and is fastened axially perpendicular to the elongated arms. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the hand grip member is in the shape of a “D” or stirrup-shape, with the flat side of the “D” being forward of the plane (P) of the elongate arms or filler piece 13 .
[0047] A rigid arm or cross brace 8 , preferably made of ¼-inch thick PVC, is attached to the hand grip member by common fastening means (such as adhesive, plastic weld, screws or rivets), and preferably extends approximately 1½ to 3½ inches outward of one of the elongated arms. A notch 9 is provided, approximately ¼ to ¾ inch from the end of rigid arm 8 . The notch 9 is preferably ⅛ to 3/16 inch wide by approximately ⅝ inch deep, and provides a means for securing the entire apparatus to, and carrying the apparatus by, an operator's belt or pants pocket when not in use, preferably on the back pocket out of the way when using a metal detector as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B .
[0048] A grip comprising rubber, pipe insulation, foam, or similar padding is preferably provided around at least a portion of the brace 8 for comfortable gripping of the hand grip member by an operator. Openings 16 are provided in the stirrup 11 and brace 8 to couple them together via fasteners. Stirrup 11 includes an opening 14 for passing a portion of the user's hand through during operation of the apparatus 1 or brace 8 can have alternative filler piece 13 instead of the stirrup 11 .
[0049] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongated arms 15 A, 15 B are constructed of ⅛″×¾″×¾″ aluminum angle. In a modified embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 2B , the elongated arms 15 A, 15 B can be constructed of ½″ electrical metallic tubing (EMT), in which case it is advantageous to totally flatten short sections 151 of the tubing to facilitate attachment of the tubing with fasteners to an arm ring and a scoop member as shown in the FIG. 2B . The tubing may be partially flattened near hand grip member. Drain openings 88 may be provided at the proximal end and distal end of the EMT to drain water and air there from when used in wet locations such as underwater or during scuba diving operations.
[0050] In operation, an operator inserts an arm through the arm ring and grasps the padded hand grip member with his hand, such that the forward end of the scoop member is facing forward of the operator. A metal detector may be arranged in the opposite hand and used to alert an operator to an area of media containing a metallic object of interest to be sifted from the media.
[0051] In a typical beachcombing operation, the (standing) operator draws the leading edge of the scoop member, through a medium that is to be sifted, in a forward and/or upward direction by moving his forearm forward and/or bending his elbow. The forward and/or upward motion of the leading edge of the scoop member causes the medium, that is to be sifted, to flow though the opening at the front of the scoop member and into the perforated basket. The apertures in the perforated basket are dimensional, located and shaped to facilitate and expedite the passage of the medium therethrough. During sifting operations, a portion of the medium is temporarily retained in scoop member and basket. An object of interest is simultaneously obstructed by the elements of the basket to impede passage of the object of interest therethrough. In this manner, the medium passes through the basket, while objects are located and separated from the medium.
[0052] It will be appreciated that the present invention is particularly useful when used in conjunction with a metal detector device. When the present invention is not in immediate use (e.g., when an operator is using a metal detector, but has not yet located a likely target portion of medium to be scooped and sifted), the apparatus can be conveniently hooked onto, and supported from, the operator's belt (or, alternatively, a pant's pocket when not in use, preferably on the back pocket out of the way when using a metal detector as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B to keep the device from interfering with a magnetic field generated by the metal detector for detecting metallic objects.
[0053] It will be appreciated from an understanding of the foregoing disclosure that the present invention provides a light-weight, ergonomic scooping and sifting device that can be operated by a person using only one arm and a hand. The interior surface of the arm ring provides a useful surface area against which the operator can apply a reactive force to counteract the coupling moment generated by the forward end of the scoop member as it passes through a granular medium. The closed geometry of the arm ring provides a useful means of generally restricting movement (and thereby facilitate easy handling) of the apparatus by the operator. The padded hand grip, being spaced apart from the arm ring provides mechanical advantage by which minimal movement of the operator's arm can cause multiplied movement of the apparatus scoop member. The apparatus is most useful when pulling the scoop towards the operator from a 2 o'clock to 8 o'clock position.
[0054] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
[0055] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed.
[0056] The length of the basket can be of different dimensions, with shorter dimensions generally being easier to move through media and longer dimensions facilitating rapid sifting of media. Preferably the basket will extend a minimum of 4 inches, but no more than 18 inches, beyond the rear end of the scoop member.
[0057] The cross brace appendages may be omitted, or it may alternatively extend to either side of the apparatus, or it may be constructed as an appendage of the brace. Various sizes, locations and shapes of the belt notch can be used, or, alternatively, the belt notch can be omitted.
[0058] A modified basket may be provided in which a rear portion of the basket angles (C) upwardly (relative to the forward portion of the basket and relative to the scoop bottom) within a range of substantially 0 to 45 degrees, in order to facilitate sifting when the forward apparatus is pulled forwardly and upwardly through a medium (i.e., sand). It has been found that increasing basket angle (C) and/or increasing handle plane angle (B) facilitates deeper scooping as opposed to shallow scooping of sand.
[0059] The forward edge of the scoop member may be beveled in order to facilitate ease of passage through the sifting medium. The bottom and sides of scoop member may be provided with perforations or apertures as shown in FIG. 2E , preferably each no larger than the perforations or apertures in the basket, in order to facilitate passage of wet sand out of the device when used for underwater scooping and sifting operation. The basket shown in FIG. 2E includes a kicked up angle such that when the bottom of the scoop is arranged parallel to the medium to be sifted, the back end of the basket extends upward several inches.
[0060] Although at preferably 45 degrees, the angle (A) between the leading edge of the scoop member and vertical can vary from 0 degrees up to 60 degrees.
[0061] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. The weight of the device typically varies in a range of between substantially 2 pounds to in excess of 4 pounds. The various elongated arm supports or handles for the basket may include angle aluminum or tubing or shapes 4 A through 4 H. Openings may be provided in the tubing to drain air if the device is used in an underwater setting and to also drain water when used in a dryer environment.
[0062] The elongated support arms may comprise materials selected from a group consisting of aluminum, galvanized steel, plastic, fiberglass, copper, stainless steel, polycarbonates, wood, or steel. A cross section of an elongated support member may include shapes including circles, squares, L-shapes, octagonal, hexagonal, I-beam shaped or C-channel rectangle as shown in FIGS. 4A-4H .
[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 2G and 2H which show a rectangular shaped scoop and an oval shaped scoop, respectively. The rectangular shaped scoop may further include adjustment holes 22 for coupling the scoop to the elongated arms at distinct angles relative to either the vertical plane V or horizontal plane H as defined during usage of the device with respect to that which is vertical or horizontal in relation to the device.
[0064] While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in limiting sense. From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which the present invention is susceptible. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
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A sifter device includes a proximal end having an arm support ring through which a user's hand and lower arm passes. A pair of elongated arms is arranged on opposite sides of the arm ring. A basket scoop, having a cutting edge, is arranged at a distal end of the device for scooping a medium that contains a detected metallic object that is retrieved. A grip is arranged along the pair of elongated member and includes an end that extends beyond the elongated members to be used in hanging the device from an article of clothing during metal detecting search activities when not digging or sifting in the medium. For example, an operator's belt or pants pocket may be used to hang the device from an article of clothing when not in use, preferably on the back pocket out of the way of the magnetic field generated by the metal detector.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The solid ink stick delivery system disclosed below are used in phase change ink printers, and, more particularly, in phase change ink printers that have delivery systems configured for solid ink that is larger than pellets or pastilles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Solid ink or phase change ink printers conventionally receive ink in various solid forms, such as pellets or ink sticks. The solid ink pellets or ink sticks are typically inserted through an insertion opening of an ink loader for the printer, and the ink sticks are moved along a feed channel by a feed mechanism and/or gravity toward a melting device. The melting device heats the solid ink impinging on the device until it melts. The liquid ink is collected and delivered to a printhead for jetting onto a recording medium.
[0003] Known ink sticks are variously configured with predetermined protuberances and indentations that serve a number of purposes. Some previously known solid ink stick configurations included protuberances and indentations that restrict the insertion of solid ink sticks into particular feed channel openings. In other configurations, some of the protuberances and indentations are used to guide the ink stick through a feed channel, to limit the interaction of the ink stick with feed channel structures, to interact with identification sensors within the ink loading device, or to activate sensors positioned along the feed channel to provide information regarding the position of the ink stick in a feed channel. Other protuberances and indentations provide humanly perceptible indicia that help a user identify an ink stick color or help a user correlate an ink stick with a particular printer or feed channel in a printer. In each ink stick configuration, a balance is required between ink stick esthetics, unique identification and intended usage purposes for different printer configurations and ink formulations, and the need to provide a customer with a reasonable volume of ink that will withstand manual handling and maneuvering along a feed channel to a melting device. Each configuration requires thorough and careful engineering.
SUMMARY
[0004] A solid ink stick configuration efficiently provides functional features for use of the ink stick in a phase change ink printer without adversely impacting the volumetric content of the ink stick and its appearance, which conveys a sense of purposeful function contributing to perceived value, makes handling and loading of the ink stick intuitive, and imparts visually recognizable differences among a multitude of shapes, which are simultaneously existent in the market. The solid ink stick includes a solid ink body having a center, a first end surface, a second end surface, the first end surface and the second end surface being configured on the solid ink body to enable an axis to extend from the first end surface to the second end surface and pass through the center of the solid ink body without passing through any other surface of the solid ink body, a third surface that extends from an edge of the first end surface to an edge of the second end surface, a first pair of protuberances extending from the third surface at a first height, a first protuberance in the first pair of protuberances being positioned at a distance from the second end surface that is different than a distance from the second end surface at which the other protuberance in the first pair of protuberances is positioned, a second pair of protuberances extending from the third surface at the first height, a first protuberance in the second pair of protuberances being positioned at a distance from the second end surface that is different than a distance from the second end surface at which the other protuberance in the second pair of protuberances is positioned and each of the protuberances in the second pair of protuberances being positioned at a distance from the second end surface that is greater than either distance from the second end surface at which the protuberances of the first pair of protuberances are positioned, and a fifth protuberance extending from the third surface, the fifth protuberance being positioned at a distance from the second end surface that is different than each distance at which each protuberance in at least the first pair of protuberances is positioned from the second end surface and a volume of the fifth protuberance is greater than any protuberance in either the first pair of protuberances or the second pair of protuberances.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The solid ink stick structure configured for use in a phase change ink printer is discussed with reference to the drawings now described.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a solid ink stick having two pairs of protuberances to provide a first function while a fifth protuberance provides a support function.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the solid ink stick shown in FIG. 1 .
[0008] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the solid ink stick shown in FIG. 1 with the third surface providing the support function that the fifth protuberance provided in the embodiment of FIG. 1 .
[0009] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the solid ink stick shown in FIG. 1 with the third surface providing the support function that the fifth protuberance provided in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and with a different shape in the protuberances of the two pairs of protuberances shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The term “printer” refers, for example, to devices that produce images on media, such as printers, facsimile machines, copiers, and related multi-function products. Solid ink may be called or referred to in this document as ink, ink sticks, or sticks.
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an example of a solid ink stick 10 having a configuration with features that emphasize visual differentiation between a multitude of earlier generation ink sticks, current printer model marketing and geographic considerations, and that enables future ink sticks to pose similar or equivalent interfaces and/or exclusionary features along with differentiating features. This configuration enables applicable usage of the ink stick to be determined by a user prior to insertion into the ink handling device of an imaging product. The solid ink stick 10 has a body 14 with a center 18 , a first end surface 22 , and a second end surface 26 . The center, as used in this document, refers to the center of gravity for the body as that term is defined in physics. The first end surface 22 and the second end surface 26 are oriented and positioned on the solid ink body 14 to enable an axis 30 to extend from the first end surface 22 to the second end surface 26 and pass through the center 18 of the solid ink body 14 without passing through any other surface of the solid ink body 14 . A third surface 34 extends from an edge 38 of the first end surface 22 to an edge 42 of the second end surface 26 . A first pair of protuberances 46 extends from the third surface 34 at a first height. The protuberance 50 in the first pair of protuberances 46 is positioned at a distance D 1 from the second end surface 26 that is different than a distance D 2 from the second end surface 26 at which the other protuberance 54 in the first pair of protuberances 46 is positioned. A second pair of protuberances 58 extends from the third surface 34 at the first height. The protuberance 62 in the second pair of protuberances is positioned at a distance D 3 from the second end surface 26 that is different than a distance D 4 from the second end surface 26 at which the other protuberance 66 in the second pair of protuberances 58 is positioned. Also, as shown in FIG. 1 , each of the protuberances 62 , 66 in the second pair of protuberances 58 is positioned at a distance D 3 , D 4 , respectively, from the second end surface that is greater than either distance D 1 , D 2 from the second end surface at which the protuberances 50 , 54 of the first pair of protuberances 46 are positioned. A fifth protuberance 70 extends from the third surface 34 . The fifth protuberance 70 is positioned at a distance D 5 from the second end surface 26 that is different than each distance D 1 , D 2 at which each protuberance 50 , 54 in at least the first pair of protuberances 46 is positioned from the second end surface 26 and a volume of the fifth protuberance 70 is greater than any protuberance 50 , 54 , 62 , 66 in either the first pair of protuberances 46 or the second pair of protuberances 58 .
[0012] As used in this document, “a pair of protuberances” refers to a set or group of protuberances that have at least two protuberances, but can have more than two protuberances provided the other structural limitations of a pair of protuberances as defined by the claims in this document are met. “Protuberances” refer to the common meaning of “thrusting out from a surrounding or adjacent surface.
[0013] In one embodiment, the protuberance 70 operates as a rest that supports the weight of the solid ink stick 10 on a feed channel guide feature. In another embodiment, the protuberance 70 operates as a rest that supports the weight of the solid ink stick 10 on a drive member. In both of those embodiments, the distances from the second end 26 of the ink stick body 14 of the protuberances place the protuberances at angle with respect to one another that correspond to an angle on a lead screw that is operated as a drive member to move the ink stick through a feed channel.
[0014] In another embodiment, each protuberance 50 , 54 of the first pair of protuberances 46 and the second pair of protuberances 58 has a volume approximately equal to a volume of the other protuberances in the first pair of protuberances and the second pair of protuberances. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , each protuberance 50 , 54 of the first pair of protuberances 46 and the second pair of protuberances 46 has a curved surface, although other linear and non-linear profiles can be used.
[0015] Other embodiments of the ink stick have a fifth protuberance 70 with other characteristics. For example, in one embodiment, the volume of the fifth protuberance 70 is at least thirty percent greater than any protuberance in either the first pair of protuberances 46 or the second pair of protuberances 58 . In another embodiment, the fifth protuberance 70 extends across a width of the third surface 34 that is orthogonal to a line extending from the first end surface 22 to the second end surface 26 and also extends parallel to the axis 30 that extends from the first end surface 22 to the second end surface 26 that passes through the center 18 of the solid ink body 14 . In other embodiments, the fifth protuberance does not completely cover the width of the third surface, but is truncated on one or both ends of the protuberance in the direction that parallels the width of the third surface 34 . In yet another embodiment, the shape and/or size, including the height, of the protuberance second pair 58 can be different than the first pair 46 or such differences can apply to individuals within the pair. In any of these embodiments, the ink stick is configured in such a manner as to accomplish the intended rest, guidance, or feed function. These various configurations enhance the range of visual differentiation between individual sticks apart from the interface functions of the ink stick with the ink handling/loading device of a printer.
[0016] In FIG. 2 , another embodiment of the solid ink stick is shown with like features being identified with the same reference numbers used to identify features in the embodiment of FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the fifth protuberance is not a unitary structure, but rather divided into a fifth protuberance 70 and a sixth protuberance 74 . The sixth protuberance 74 extends from the third surface 34 and a sum of the volume of the fifth protuberance and a volume of the sixth protuberance is greater than any protuberance 50 , 54 , 62 , 66 in either the first pair of protuberances 46 or the second pair of protuberances 58 . In this embodiment, the fifth protuberance 70 and the sixth protuberance 74 each have a surface 78 that slopes relative to a plane of the third surface 34 from a first height, which is not inset in the third surface, to a second height above the third surface. In one embodiment, the second height is greater than the first height, while in another embodiment, the second height is equal to the first height.
[0017] In FIG. 3 , another embodiment of the solid ink stick is shown with like features being identified with the same reference numbers used to identify features in the embodiment of FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the fifth protuberance has been removed and the third surface 34 provides support for the solid ink stick. The spacing between the first pair of protuberances and the second pair of protuberances is greater than shown in FIG. 1 . A similar embodiment not having a fifth protuberance is shown in FIG. 4 . As noted above, some embodiments have protuberances have linear shapes, as shown in FIG. 4 , while other embodiments have linear shapes as shown in FIG. 3 .
[0018] Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications can be made to the specific implementations described above. For example, the size and number of rest features and the position and relative spacing of all protuberances as well as size and shape of the individual protuberance elements can vary based on both functional and visual differentiation objectives. Therefore, the following claims are not to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described above. The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
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A solid ink stick configuration efficiently provides functional features for use of the ink stick in a phase change ink printer without adversely impacting the volumetric content of the ink stick and its appearance.
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STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for gonernmental purposes without the payment of any royalty thereon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to photodetectors, and, in particular, relates to photodetectors that measure light intensity in a pre-selected range of wavelengths.
Previous photodetectors are of two basic types: semiconductor photodiodes and photomultiplier tubes. Photodiodes have an active material such as germanium, 0.8 to 1.8 microns; indium selenide, 1 to 5.5 microns; and mercury cadmium telluride, 2 to 22 microns. Each compound has a specific range of detection. Typical photomultipliers have a spectral response in the range of 0.3 to 0.8 microns. This range is determined by the photocathode materials and window materials. It is seen from these devices that frequency response is limited by fixed compound characteristics and device limitations such as window materials.
It would be desireable to have a photodetector which is able to detect a wide range of wavelengths by varying mixture ratios, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention sets forth an ion-sensitive photodetector that is able to detect a wide range of wavelengths and thereby overcomes the problems noted hereinabove.
In particular, the present invention includes a modified ion-sensitive field effect transistor having a photoactive layer of porphyrin and hydroquionone therein with a reference electrode (gate electrode) near the photoactive layer. The photoactive layer can either be a liquid or a solid solution. The detectable wavelength range is adjusted by changing the proportions of the two compounds therein. On exposure to light of the proper wavelength, a charge separation results in the photoactive layer. Charge separation is accompanied with proton ejection or proton up-take in various systems. This charge causes, in turn, a change in the operating characteristics of the device e.g. drain current. In particular, it is known that a given charge results from a given intensity of light and that this charge directly affects the gate voltage that maintains a constant drain current on the modified ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET). Thus, the change in gate voltage indicates a light of a given intensity.
The ion-sensitive photodetector has a semiconductor substrate source and drain essentially like a typical field-effect transistor. The insulating layer between the gate and current channel is replaced with an ion-sensitive layer that does not conduct electrons therethrough but which has a fixed charge therein. Over the ion-sensitive layer, the photoactive layer is encapsulated with the gate electrode therein. A window over the photoactive layer allows the light to enter and interact with the photoactive layer.
In order to determine the intensity of the light, an electronic measuring circuit is employed that measures the change in the gate voltage when a constant voltage is applied to the drain. Two operational amplifiers are connected to the source. A feedback circuit in the second operational amplifier adjusts the gate voltage to maintain a constant drain current. The first operational amplifier converts the source current to a voltage for input into a voltage divider that is connected to the second operational amplifier.
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an ion-sensitive photodetector that can detect a broad range of wavelengths.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an ion-sensitive photodetector having a photoactive composition therein that may be selected based upon the wavelength to be detected.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an ion-sensitive photodetector that measures the light intensity as a function of the gate voltage on a modified ion-sensitive field-effect transistor.
These and many other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the related drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates by cross-section the modified ion-sensitive field effect transistor of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates the modified ISFET by cross-section and the gate voltage sensing circuit by schematic of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, an ion-sensitive photodetector 10 is shown having a modified ion-sensitive field effect transistor 12 with a photoactive layer 14 therein.
As to the photoactive layer 14, layer 14 may be essentially a mixture of porphyrin and quinone. U.S. Pat. No. 3,873,215 is incorporated by reference as to the teachings contained therein especially those directed at the light sensitive compounds.
It has been found that certain light sensitive porphyrin-quinone solutions eject protons and uptake protons when illuminated. Charge-separation accompanies the movement of protons and is observed in light-sensitive solutions. The amount of uptake or ejection is proportional to the light intensity with a constant porphyrin concentration.The wavelength can be varied over a wide range which depends on the absorption characteristic of the porphyrin. When the light sensitive porphyrin-quinone solution is exposed to light, protons are ejected into the surrounding media. The photo-response of the photodetector 10 may also arise from a charge-transfer mechanism of layer 14.
Many porphyrins can be used as a component of the photoactive layer 14.Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, pheophytin, bacteriachlorophyll and zinc tetraphenylporphin have been found to be especially useful. Hydroquinone and benzoquinone have been found useful as the quinone component. Hydroquinone gives greater responses. With the use of benzoquinone, air can be present but air must be absent when using hydroquinone as the quinone component. The porphyrin concentration is usually in the range of about 10 -2 to 10 -5 moles while the quinone concentration is generally in the range of about 10 -2 to 10 -4 moles. The photoactive layer 14 need not be limited to porphyrins-quinone (hydroquinone) systems.
In FIG. 1, modified ion-sensitive field effect transistor 12 has therein a metal layer 16 attached to a p-type semiconductor substrate 18. A common lead 20 is attached to metal layer 16. A source 22 and a drain 24 of conventional FET design are placed in substrate 18. An ion-sensitive layer 26 being electrically non-conductive is placed over a channel path 28 between source 22 and drain 24.
A source current conductor 30 and a drain current conductor 32 are connected to the source 22 and the drain 24, respectively. Contacts 34 and 36 have leads 38 and 40, respectively, thereon for attaching leads. An electrically insulating layer 42 together with an insulating encapsulation layer 44 isolate electrically conductors 30 and 32 from substrate 18. Encapsulation layer 44 has a well 46 therein having a bottom 48 being the top surface of ion-sensitive layer 26. A window 50 is attached to the top 52 of layer 44 and totally enclose liquid photoactive layer 14 therein. Window 50 is transparent to light 58 of the desired wavelength. A gate electrode 54 is placed on the inside surface 56 of window 50.
The techniques of construction of photodetector 10 are considered conventional and known in the art of semiconductor integrated circuits. A description of ion-sensitive devices having field effect transistors therein is disclosed by R.G. Kelly in an article entitled "Microelectronic Approaches To Solid State Ion Selective Electrodes" in Electrochimica Acta. Vol. 22, 1977, pp 1 to 8.
FIG. 2 is a gate voltage sensing circuit 60 for the ion-sensitive photodetector 10. I DS is the current depending on proton concentration in photoactive system. In the dark a certain current, I DS , will be observed. When the photoactive layer 14 is irradiated, protons are increased or decreased. This increased or decreased concentration will change I DS . I DS is a function of proton concentration which in turn is a function of light intensity.
The wavelength sensitivity of the device is a function of the porphyrin used. Various porphyrins can be used whose absorption can vary from the visible to the infrared.
Various ion-sensitive materials e.g. SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 , Ta 2 O 5 , etc. can be used in ion-sensitive layer 26.
The overall dimensions of ion-sensitive photodetector 10 is 5 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, and 0.30 mm thick. The photodetector 10 contains 7.5×10 -4 cc of the porphyrin-quinone (hydroquinone) photoactive system.
A reference electrode which can be defined as the gate electrode 54 can be used to increase the stability of the photodetector 10. The photodetector 10 uses a feedback circuit 62 to keep the drain current, I DS , constant. A constant voltage, V D , is applied to the drain. When the proton concentration is varied, the potential of the ion-sensitive layer 26 - photoactive layer interface changes. The potential at the interface changes the drain current. The drain current is maintained constant by varying the potential of the reference electrode (gate voltage, V G ). The changes in the reference electrode potentials compensate for the variation of the interface potential induced by protons. The amount of potential change of the gate electrode 54 is a function of the change of proton concentration induced by the absorption of light. The change in gate voltage observed is therefore a function of the light intensity and is detected by a detector 64.
The voltage, V D applied to the drain 24 is constant and the drain current, I DS is measured by an operational amplifier 66, A 1 , which serves as a current to voltage converter. The output of operational amplifier 66, V 1 , is fed into a voltage divider 68 where the other end is controlled by V SET . The voltage at voltage terminal 70 of voltage divider 68 is the average of V 1 and V SET since R 2 and R 3 are equal. The average voltage is measured by an operational amplifier 72, A 2 . The output of A 2 is fed to the reference electrode (gate electrode 54) and therefore regulates the drain current, I DS . The negative of the operational amplifier 72, A 2 , is grounded through R 4 . Since the two inputs at operational amplifier 72, A 2 , must be at the same voltage, the voltage on both inputs must be zero which requires that the output of operational amplifier 66, A 1 , be-V SET . Since the output of operational amplifier 66, A 1 , is R 1 I D , I D must be equal to V.sub. SET /R. This requirement is met by the feedback operational amplifier 72, A 2 , which adjusts its output, V G , to control the drain current. Therefore, operational amplifier 72, A 2 , holds the drain current constant by changing the voltage to the reference electrode (gate electrode 54). When the potential of the ion-sensitive layer 26 - photoactive media interface changes, the feedback circuit 62 compensates an equal and opposite change to maintain the drain current constant. The change in potential of the ion-sensitive layer-photosensitive media is a function of the amount of light-induced proton movement (with charge separation) in the photoactive layer 14. Since light intensity is proportional to the number of protons ejected or taken up, the light intensity can therefore be measured by the change in gate voltage, V G , necessary to maintain a constant drain current.
Clearly, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and it is therfore understood, that within the inventive scope of the inventive concept, the invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically claimed.
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A photodetector using a modified ion-sensitive field effect transistor has therein a layer of photoactive material. Upon exposure to a beam of light the photoactive material produces a charge-separation (with proton movement) therein which affects the drain current. The change in gate voltage to stabilizes the drain current is a measure of the intensity of the light input.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a composite type microphone that incorporates a plurality of microphone units of different electroacoustic conversion methods into a common microphone body, e.g., the composite type microphone capable of disposing a condenser microphone unit in a front acoustic terminal portion of a dynamic microphone unit.
2. Related Background of the Invention
In recording a sound generated from the same musical instrument or the like, microphones of different electroacoustic conversion methods, e.g., a dynamic microphone and a condenser microphone, are sometimes disposed side by side for use. This is intended to record a sound from the same sound source with a plurality of microphones of different conversion methods and mix the output signals of the respective microphones, thereby taking advantage of the characteristics of the respective microphones, because the microphones of different electroacoustic conversion methods have mutually different sound quality. In particular, such recording form is often employed in recording a bass drum.
In case of attempting to record a sound coming from the same sound source with a plurality of microphones of different conversion methods as described above, since a phase difference occurs in the output signals of both microphones depending on the relative installation position relation between both microphones, the relative installation position of the plurality of microphones is carefully determined so as not to cause a phase difference. When a player plays a musical instrument, however, there is a drawback that a stand supporting the microphone vibrates, the installation position of microphone will shift with this vibration and the initial installation position can not be maintained, resulting in a phase difference in the output signals of the mutual microphones.
In order to solve such positional shift problem, composite type microphones are put in practical use. The conventional composite type microphone is made by disposing microphone units of mutually different electroacoustic conversion methods, e.g., a dynamic microphone unit and a condenser microphone unit, in parallel within a single microphone body to position vibrating plates of both microphone units on the same plane. According to such conventional composite type microphone, even if the installation position of the microphone has shifted due to playing of a musical instrument and the like, the mutual positional relation between two microphone units incorporated in the microphone body will not shift and thus the mutual phase of the output signals from two microphone units will not shift.
However, since the conventional composite type microphone is made by disposing two microphone units in parallel to integrate, a drawback is that the microphone is increased in size in the diameter direction. Since the upsized microphone is difficult to install and increases its weight, a drawback is that the microphone stand also needs to have a robust structure, thus increasing its weight and causing a difficulty in handling.
In addition, as a known art related to the composite type microphone, there is a microphone made by combining a bone-conduction microphone and an air-conduction microphone, which is used under noise environment. Such type of composite type microphone includes a combining control circuit for combining the output component of bone conduction from the bone-conduction microphone and the output component of air conduction from the air-conduction microphone. A combining control circuit is proposed, which includes a noise-level measurement unit for measuring the external noise level, and is configured to carry out a control of increasing a ratio of the output component of air conduction to the output component of bone conduction when the external noise level measured by this measurement unit is small, and decreasing the ratio of the output component of air conduction to the output component of bone conduction when the external noise level is high, so that the mixing ratio of the output component of bone conduction and the output component of air conduction is maintained appropriately even under fluctuation of the external noise (e.g., see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-214391).
The invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-214391 however differs from the present invention in the problem to be solved and in the means for solving the problem.
As a known art related to the composite type microphone, there is also a composite type microphone made by integrating an FM wireless microphone circuitry and an optical wireless microphone circuitry. This is a wireless microphone device which accommodates the FM wireless microphone circuitry and the optical wireless microphone circuitry in the same housing, wherein an optical system of a high sound quality and a radio wave system capable of providing a long propagation distance are shared by means of a combination of a multiplication circuitry, a frequency conversion circuitry, and a PLL circuitry (e.g., see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-75497).
The invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-75497 however differs from the present invention in the problems to be solved and in the means for solving the problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
The present invention is intended to provide a composite type microphone that incorporates microphone units of different electroacoustic conversion methods into a common microphone body, and is capable of preventing an increase in size and weight while keeping the phases of signals output from the respective microphones the same and is capable of improving the freedom for installation and handling.
Means for Solving the Problem
A main feature of the present invention is a composite type microphone that incorporates microphone units of different electroacoustic conversion methods into a common microphone body, wherein in a front acoustic terminal portion of a first microphone unit based on one electroacoustic conversion method, a second microphone unit based on another electroacoustic conversion method is disposed.
The second microphone unit is preferably disposed such that the center thereof is aligned with the acoustic center of a front acoustic terminal of the first microphone unit.
Since in the front acoustic terminal portion of first microphone unit, an air that vibrates in the same phase with that of a vibrating plate of the first microphone unit exists, the second microphone unit is more preferably disposed within the air that vibrates in the same phase with that of the vibrating plate of the first microphone unit.
Preferably the first microphone unit is a dynamic microphone unit and the second microphone unit is a condenser microphone unit.
Advantages of the Invention
In a front acoustic terminal portion of a first microphone unit based on one electroacoustic conversion method, a second microphone unit based on another electroacoustic conversion method is disposed, and therefore the first and second microphone units are disposed in series in the front-back direction and it is thus possible to prevent a microphone from increasing in size in the diameter direction and to improve freedom for installation and handling.
If the second microphone unit is disposed within the air that vibrates in the same phase with that of the vibrating plate of the first microphone unit in the front acoustic terminal portion of the first microphone unit, it is possible to vibrate the vibrating plates of the first and second microphone units in the same phase and to eliminate a phase shift of the signals output from the first and second microphone units.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a microphone concerning the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An embodiment of a microphone concerning the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing.
In FIG. 1 , in a front end portion (at the left end portion in FIG. 1 ) of a case 30 serving as a microphone body that is formed in a cylindrical shape, a dynamic microphone unit 10 is incorporated as a first microphone unit. Also to the microphone body case 30 , a condenser microphone unit 20 projecting forwardly from the front end of the microphone body case 30 is attached as a second microphone unit. Accordingly, two microphone units of different electroacoustic conversion methods are incorporated in the common microphone body case 30 to constitute a composite type microphone.
The dynamic microphone unit 10 includes a diaphragm 11 as a vibrating plate disposed at the front end portion of the microphone body case 30 , a coil 12 projectingly secured to the back face side of the diaphragm 11 , a permanent magnet 13 , a back yoke 14 , a front yoke 15 , and a front side outer peripheral yoke 16 . The diaphragm 11 has a relatively large dome-shaped portion as its main body, wherein the periphery thereof forms a dome-shaped edge with a small cross section and the peripheral portion of the edge is secured to the front end of the microphone body case 30 . To a boundary between the dome-shaped portion in the center and the dome-shaped edge, one end of the coil 12 wound up in a cylindrical shape is secured. When the diaphragm 11 receives a sound wave, it vibrates with the above-described secured portion being as a supporting point and the coil 12 also vibrates in the front-back direction integrally with the diaphragm 11 .
The permanent magnet 13 , the back yoke 14 , the front yoke 15 , and the front side outer peripheral yoke 16 are members constituting a magnetic circuit, and the back yoke 14 and the front yoke 15 are stacked across the permanent magnet 13 . The back yoke 14 is formed in the shape of closed-end cylinder by its outer peripheral portion being cylindrically formed, and the front end face of the cylindrical outer peripheral portion and the back end face of the front side outer peripheral yoke 16 are secured to each other. The front yoke 15 and the front side outer peripheral yoke 16 are positioned at the inner peripheral side and at the outer peripheral side, respectively, in the same plane, and a cylindrical gap is formed between the outer peripheral face of the front yoke 15 and the inner peripheral face of the front side outer peripheral yoke 16 , and the coil 12 passes through this gap. The permanent magnet 13 , the back yoke 14 , the front yoke 15 , the front side outer peripheral yoke 16 , and the above-described gap constitute a magnetic circuit, thus forming a magnetic field in the gap. The coil 12 exists within this magnetic field. When receiving a sound wave, the diaphragm 11 vibrates and the coil 12 moves with the diaphragm 11 and crosses the magnetic field, thereby generating an electric signal in the coil 12 and this electric signal is output as a sound signal. In this way, the microphone unit is constituted by the diaphragm 11 , the coil 12 , the permanent magnet 13 forming the magnetic circuit, and the like.
To the front end of the microphone body case 30 , an end plate 31 is fixed covering the diaphragm 11 and forming an appropriate gap between the same and the diaphragm 11 . In the end plate 31 , there are formed an appropriate number of holes for connecting the front side of the interior space, in which the diaphragm 11 exists, with the exterior space, and these holes constitute a front side acoustic terminal T 1 - 1 of the dynamic microphone unit 10 . Near the outer periphery of the microphone body case 30 , there are formed an appropriate number of holes for connecting the back side of the interior space, in which the diaphragm 11 exists, with the exterior space, and these holes constitute a back side acoustic terminal T 1 - 2 of the dynamic microphone unit 10 .
The condenser microphone unit 20 is fixed to a support medium 32 that integrally extends from the front end face of the end plate 31 . The condenser microphone unit 20 includes, in a cylindrical unit case 28 , a diaphragm 21 as a vibrating plate, a back plate 22 that is fixed with an appropriate gap being formed behind the diaphragm 21 , an insulator 24 disposed behind the back plate 22 , and an end plate 27 disposed behind the insulator 24 . Since the output impedance of the condenser microphone unit 20 is extremely high, an impedance conversion circuit including an FET (field effect transistor) 25 as a basic component is incorporated therein. The FET 25 is disposed so as to be buried in the insulator 24 , and an output terminal of the FET 25 is passed through a hole of the end plate 27 and is brought out backward as an output terminal 26 of the condenser microphone unit 20 .
In the center of the front end face of the unit case 28 , a hole for releasing the front face of the diaphragm 21 to the exterior space is formed and this hole serves as a front side acoustic terminal T 2 - 1 of the condenser microphone unit 20 . In the back plate 22 , the insulator 24 , and the end plate 27 , there is formed a hole for connecting the back face of the diaphragm 21 with the exterior space and this hole serves as a back side acoustic terminal T 2 - 2 of the condenser microphone unit 20 . An acoustic resistor 23 is disposed in the middle of the back side acoustic terminal T 2 - 2 . The outer diameter of the condenser microphone unit 20 is small relative to the outer diameter of the dynamic microphone unit 10 and is on the order of approximately ½.
In the description of the prior art, a phase difference in the output signals at the time of using a plurality of microphones with respect to one sound source was described. Further, it was also described that the phase difference problem does not occur if the diaphragms of the respective units exist on the same plane in the composite type microphone in which a plurality of microphone units are incorporated in a common microphone body.
However, according to the illustrated embodiment, the diaphragms 11 and 21 of the first and second microphone units are positioned as shifted back and forth, and thus this embodiment seems to have factors that cause a phase difference in the output signals of the respective microphone units. Under a certain condition, however, even if the diaphragms 11 and 21 of the first and second microphone units are positioned as shifted back and forth, it is possible to align the phases of the output signals of the respective microphone units to each other, and the illustrated embodiment satisfies this condition. This condition will be described hereinafter.
In the microphone, an air that vibrates in the same phase with that of the diaphragm exists near the acoustic terminal. The acoustic center of the front acoustic terminal exists in the portion of the air that vibrates in the same phase with that of the diaphragm. Now, assuming that the outer diameter of the dynamic microphone unit 10 , which is the first microphone unit, is approximately 28 mm, then the radius ad is 1.4 (cm). Let ρ denote the density of air, then ρ=1.22×10 −3 (g/cm 3 ), and the mass M of the air that moves with the diaphragm 11 due to the vibration of the diaphragm 11 is given as follows.
M = 0.61 Πρ ad 3 ( g ) = 0.61 × 3.14 × 1.22 × 10 - 3 × 1.4 3 = 6.41 ( mg )
In other words, there exists an air corresponding to the mass (additional mass) 6.41 (mg) that vibrates in the same phase with that of the diaphragm 11 due to the vibration of the diaphragm 11 . For this reason, the acoustic center of the front acoustic terminal of the microphone exists forward of the microphone unit 10 itself. Moreover, the larger the diameter of the microphone unit, the further forward of the acoustic center is positioned. In FIG. 1 , a broken line depicted in a dome shape in front of the dynamic microphone 10 indicates a borderline of the air that vibrates in the same phase with that of the diaphragm 11 . In a space AM inside this borderline, the air that vibrates in the same phase with that of the diaphragm 11 exists. Accordingly, if the second microphone unit is disposed in the space AM, it is possible to vibrate the diaphragms of the first and second microphone units in the same phase with respect to the same sound source and thereby obtain the output signals of the same phase.
The condenser microphone unit can be produced with a small diameter and size as compared with the dynamic microphone unit. Then, in the illustrated embodiment, the dynamic microphone unit 10 with a relatively large diameter is the first microphone unit, and the condenser microphone unit 20 as the second microphone unit is disposed with its center being aligned with an acoustic center S of the front acoustic terminal. In this way, the condenser microphone unit 20 , which is the second microphone unit, is disposed in the space AM, in which the air exists that vibrates in the same phase with that of the vibrating plate 11 of the dynamic microphone unit 10 of the front acoustic terminal portion of the dynamic microphone unit 10 , which is the first microphone unit, and therefore the phases of the output signals of the dynamic microphone unit 10 and the condenser microphone unit 20 with respect to the same sound source can be aligned although the dynamic microphone unit 10 and the condenser microphone unit 20 are disposed in series as shifted in the front-back direction.
Also, according to the above-described embodiment, since the first and second microphone units are disposed in the front-back direction of the common microphone body and with the respective axis lines being the same, the diameter of the composite type microphone can be reduced. By setting the second microphone unit as a condenser microphone unit capable of being miniaturized, it is possible to set the length in the front-back direction of the composite type microphone to almost the same length as that of a single dynamic microphone. In this way, miniaturization of the composite type microphone is possible, and thus the weight of the composite type microphone also can be reduced, allowing an easily handled composite type microphone to be provided.
The electroacoustic conversion methods of the first microphone unit and the second microphone unit just need to differ from each other. Although the electroacoustic conversion method of each unit is not limited in particular, the second microphone unit is preferably as compact as possible as shown in the illustrated embodiment, and thus a condenser microphone unit is suitable.
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To obtain a composite type microphone, the microphone preventing an increase in size and weight and thereby improving the freedom for installation and handling while keeping the phases of signals output from respective microphone units the same. A composite type microphone that incorporates microphone units of different electroacoustic conversion methods into a common microphone body is provided. Here, in a front acoustic terminal portion of a first microphone unit based on one electroacoustic conversion method, a second microphone unit based on another electroacoustic conversion method is disposed, and in the front acoustic terminal portion of the first microphone unit, an air that vibrates in the same phase with that of a vibrating plate of the first microphone unit exists, and within the air that vibrates in the same phase with that of the vibrating plate of the first microphone unit, the second microphone unit is disposed.
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/330,364 filed Jan. 12, 2006 (pending), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/696,664 filed Oct. 25, 2000 (abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/553,094, filed Apr. 18, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999 (pending), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/553,094 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/394,745, filed Sep. 15, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/394,745 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,119, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,121, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,123, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,180, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,146, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,147, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,148, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,485, filed Jul. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/146,904, filed Aug. 2, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/146,907, filed Aug. 2, 1999. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/553,094 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,178, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,180, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/132,860, filed May 7, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,146, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,147, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,148, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,485, filed Jul. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/146,904, filed Aug. 2, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/146,907, filed Aug. 2, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/161,619, filed Oct. 26, 1999. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/696,664 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146, filed Aug. 9, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/244,000, filed Feb. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/244,000 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/252,974, filed Feb. 19, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/262,979, filed Mar. 4, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/304,517, filed May 6, 1999 (abandoned). U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199, filed Mar. 12, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/252,974, filed Feb. 19, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/262,979, filed Mar. 4, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482, filed Apr. 28, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/252,974, filed Feb. 19, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/262,979, filed Mar. 4, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199, filed Mar. 12, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/252,974, filed Feb. 19, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/262,979, filed Mar. 4, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/206,040, filed Dec. 4, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,647, filed Sep. 16, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/210,297, filed Dec. 8, 1998 (abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/244,000, filed Feb. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/244,000 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/263,191, filed Mar. 5, 1999 (abandoned). U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/283,466, filed Apr. 2, 1999 (abandoned). U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/306,349, filed May 10, 1999 (abandoned). U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/199,129, filed Nov. 24, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/199,129 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,793, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,131, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed September 21, and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,793, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,131, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed September 21, and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,221, filed Dec. 14, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,229, filed Dec. 14, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,808, filed Dec. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/113,224, filed Dec. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/125,816, filed Mar. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/125,817, filed Mar. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/125,818, filed Mar. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,174, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,464, filed Apr. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,690, filed May 10, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,691, filed May 10, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,692, filed May 10, 1999. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,131, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,708, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,709, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,119, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,121, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,122, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,123, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,221, filed Dec. 14, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,229, filed Dec. 14, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,807, filed Dec. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/113,224, filed Dec. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,174, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,177, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,178, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,179, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,180, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,181, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/132,860, filed May 7, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,691, filed May 10, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,692, filed May 10, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/141,128, filed Jun. 28, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/141,134, filed Jun. 28, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/144,084, filed Jul. 16, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,146, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,147, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,148, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,485, filed Jul. 23, 1999. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/696,664 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/565,306, filed May 4, 20002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146, filed Aug. 9, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/244,000, filed Feb. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/244,000 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/252,974, filed Feb. 19, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/262,979, filed Mar. 4, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/304,517, filed May 6, 1999 (abandoned). U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199, filed Mar. 12, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/252,974, filed Feb. 19, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/262,979, filed Mar. 4, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482, filed Apr. 28, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/252,974, filed Feb. 19, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/262,979, filed Mar. 4, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199, filed Mar. 12, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/252,974, filed Feb. 19, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/262,979, filed Mar. 4, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/206,040, filed Dec. 4, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,647, filed Sep. 16, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/210,297, filed Dec. 8, 1998 (abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/244,000, filed Feb. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/244,000 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/263,191, filed Mar. 5, 1999 (abandoned). U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/283,466, filed Apr. 2, 1999 (abandoned). U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/306,349, filed May 10, 1999 (abandoned). U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/199,129, filed Nov. 24, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/199,129 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,793, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,131, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed September 21, and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,793, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,131, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed September 21, and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,221, filed Dec. 14, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,229, filed Dec. 14, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,808, filed Dec. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/113,224, filed Dec. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/125,816, filed Mar. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/125,817, filed Mar. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/125,818, filed Mar. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,174, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,464, filed Apr. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,690, filed May 10, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,691, filed May 10, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,692, filed May 10, 1999. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,131, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,708, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,709, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,119, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,121, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,122, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,123, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,221, filed Dec. 14, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,229, filed Dec. 14, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,807, filed Dec. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/113,224, filed Dec. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,174, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,177, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,178, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,179, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,180, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,181, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/132,860, filed May 7, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,691, filed May 10, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,692, filed May 10, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/141,128, filed Jun. 28, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/141,134, filed Jun. 28, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/144,084, filed Jul. 16, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,146, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,147, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,148, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,485, filed Jul. 23, 1999. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/565,306 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/394,745, filed Sep. 15, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/394,745 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,119, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,121, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,123, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,180, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,146, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,147, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,148, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,485, filed Jul. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/146,904, filed Aug. 2, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/146,907, filed Aug. 2, 1999. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/565,306 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/533,094, filed Apr. 18, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/533,094 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146, filed Aug. 9, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/244,000, filed Feb. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/244,000 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/252,974, filed Feb. 19, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/262,979, filed Mar. 4, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/304,517, filed May 6, 1999 (abandoned). U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199, filed Mar. 12, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/252,974, filed Feb. 19, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/262,979, filed Mar. 4, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482, filed Apr. 28, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/252,974, filed Feb. 19, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/262,979, filed Mar. 4, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199, filed Mar. 12, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/252,974, filed Feb. 19, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/262,979, filed Mar. 4, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/267,199 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/300,482 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/206,040, filed Dec. 4, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,647, filed Sep. 16, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/210,297, filed Dec. 8, 1998 (abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/244,000, filed Feb. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/244,000 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/263,191, filed Mar. 5, 1999 (abandoned). U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/283,466, filed Apr. 2, 1999 (abandoned). U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/306,349, filed May 10, 1999 (abandoned). U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/199,129, filed Nov. 24, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/199,129 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,793, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,131, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed September 21, and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/333,535 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,793, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,131, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed September 21, and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,221, filed Dec. 14, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,229, filed Dec. 14, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,808, filed Dec. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/113,224, filed Dec. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/125,816, filed Mar. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/125,817, filed Mar. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/125,818, filed Mar. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,174, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,464, filed Apr. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,690, filed May 10, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,691, filed May 10, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,692, filed May 10, 1999. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/371,146 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,131, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,708, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,709, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,119, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,121, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,122, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,123, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,221, filed Dec. 14, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,229, filed Dec. 14, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/112,807, filed Dec. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/113,224, filed Dec. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,174, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,177, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,178, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,179, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,180, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,181, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/132,860, filed May 7, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,691, filed May 10, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/133,692, filed May 10, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/141,128, filed Jun. 28, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/141,134, filed Jun. 28, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/144,084, filed Jul. 16, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,146, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,147, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,148, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,485, filed Jul. 23, 1999. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/553,094 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/394,745, filed Sep. 15, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183, filed Jan. 26, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Serial No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218, filed Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/198,779, filed Nov. 24, 1998 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/067,000, filed Nov. 24, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/066,873, filed Nov. 25, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/069,472, filed Dec. 9, 1997; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,201, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,280, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,281, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,282, filed Feb. 10, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,565, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,566, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,567, filed Feb. 12, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/074,789, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,459, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,460, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,461, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,462, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,463, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/075,464, filed Feb. 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,229, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,230, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/077,231, filed Mar. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,368, filed Mar. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/080,844, filed Apr. 7, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,067, filed Apr. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,386, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,387, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,388, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,389, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,222, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,223, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,224, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,183, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,184, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,185, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,186, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,187, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,188, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,524, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,810, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,814, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,667, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,668, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,670, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,672, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,673, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,674, filed Sep. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,130, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,132, filed Sep. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/108,996, filed Nov. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/109,018, filed Nov. 18, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,586, filed Jan. 8, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,064, filed Jan. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/229,413, filed Jan. 12, 1999 (abandoned), which claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. Ser. No. 60/071,479, filed Jan. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,806, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,807, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,808, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,811, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,812, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,813, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/099,697, filed Sep. 9, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,343, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,508, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,126, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,128, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,981, filed Dec. 11, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/233,218 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,027, filed Jan. 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/237,183 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/072,888, filed Jan. 27, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,709, filed Mar. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/076,912, filed Mar. 6, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/078,031, filed Mar. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/083,390, filed Apr. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/084,684, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,057, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,429, filed May 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,245, filed May 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,533, filed May 15, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/085,940, filed May 19, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,339, filed May 21, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,594, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/086,608, filed May 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,422, filed Jun. 1, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,631, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,762, filed Jun. 2, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,972 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/087,973 filed Jun. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/088,441, filed Jun. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,627, filed Jun. 16, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/089,789, filed Jun. 18, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,170, filed Jun. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,856, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/090,928, filed Jun. 26, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,035, filed Jun. 29, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,247, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/091,405, filed Jun. 30, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/092,036, filed Jul. 8, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/100,963, filed Sep. 17, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,108, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/110,109, filed Nov. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,742, filed Dec. 10, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/394,745 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,344, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,347, filed Sep. 22, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/101,707, filed Sep. 25, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,119, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,121, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,123, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,124, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/104,127, filed Oct. 13, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/111,033, filed Dec. 4, 1998; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,180, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,146, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,147, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,148, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,485, filed Jul. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/146,904, filed Aug. 2, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/146,907, filed Aug. 2, 1999. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/533,094 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,178, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/130,180, filed Apr. 20, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/132,860, filed May 7, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,146, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,147, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,148, filed Jul. 22, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/145,485, filed Jul. 23, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/146,904, filed Aug. 2, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/146,907, filed Aug. 2, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/161,619, filed Oct. 26, 1999. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/565,306 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/132,860, filed May 7, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/146,904, filed Aug. 2, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/146,907, filed Aug. 2, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/161,619, filed Oct. 26, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/179,730, filed Feb. 2, 2000. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/696,664 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/161,619, filed Oct. 26, 1999; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/207,458, filed May 30, 2000; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/208,063, filed May 31, 2000; and to U.S. Provisional Appln. Ser. No. 60/209,830, filed Jun. 6, 2000. All of the above-listed applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
INCORPORATION OF SEQUENCE LISTING
[0002] This application contains an electronic equivalent paper copy of the sequence listing submitted herewith electronically via EFS web and a computer-readable form of the sequence listing submitted herewith electronically via EFS web which contains a file named “P01782US09_seq_list.txt”, which is 13,170,715 bytes in size (measured in MS-DOS) and which was created on Jul. 9, 2009.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is in the field of plant biochemistry. More specifically the invention relates to nucleic acid molecules that encode proteins and fragments of proteins produced in plant cells, in particular, maize plants. The invention also relates to proteins and fragments of proteins so encoded and antibodies capable of binding the proteins. The invention also relates to methods of using the nucleic acid molecules, proteins and fragments of proteins.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Expressed Sequence Tag Nucleic Acid Molecules
[0004] Expressed sequence tags, or ESTs, are short sequences of randomly selected clones from a cDNA (or complementary DNA) library which are representative of the cDNA inserts of these randomly selected clones. McCombie, et al., Nature Genetics, 1: 124-130 (1992); Kurata, et al., Nature Genetics, 8: 365-372 (1994); Okubo, et al., Nature Genetics, 2: 173-179 (1992), all of which references are incorporated herein in their entirety.
[0005] Using conventional methodologies, cDNA libraries can be constructed from the mRNA (messenger RNA) of a given tissue or organism using poly dT primers and reverse transcriptase (Efstratiadis, et al., Cell 7:279-288 (1976), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Higuchi, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 73:3146-3150 (1976), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Maniatis, et al., Cell 8:163 (1976) the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Land, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 9:2251-2266 (1981), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Okayama, et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 2:161-170 (1982), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Gubler, et al., Gene 25:263 (1983), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0006] Several methods may be employed to obtain full-length cDNA constructs. For example, terminal transferase can be used to add homopolymeric tails of dC residues to the free 3′ hydroxyl groups (Land, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 9:2251-2266 (1981), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). This tail can then be hybridized by a poly dG oligo which can act as a primer for the synthesis of full length second strand cDNA. Okayama and Berg, report a method for obtaining full length cDNA constructs. This method has been simplified by using synthetic primer-adapters that have both homopolymeric tails for priming the synthesis of the first and second strands and restriction sites for cloning into plasmids (Coleclough, et al., Gene 34:305-314 (1985), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) and bacteriophage vectors (Krawinkel, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 14:1913 (1986), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; and Han, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 15:6304 (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0007] These strategies have been coupled with additional strategies for isolating rare mRNA populations. For example, a typical mammalian cell contains between 10,000 and 30,000 different mRNA sequences. Davidson, Gene Activity in Early Development, 2nd ed., Academic Press, New York (1976). The number of clones required to achieve a given probability that a low-abundance mRNA will be present in a cDNA library is N=(ln(1−P))/(ln(1−1/n)) where N is the number of clones required, P is the probability desired, and 1/n is the fractional proportion of the total mRNA that is represented by a single rare mRNA. (Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.).
[0008] A method to enrich preparations of mRNA for sequences of interest is to fractionate by size. One such method is to fractionate by electrophoresis through an agarose gel (Pennica, et al., Nature 301:214-221 (1983), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Another such method employs sucrose gradient centrifugation in the presence of an agent, such as methylmercuric hydroxide, that denatures secondary structure in RNA (Schweinfest, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 79:4997-5000 (1982), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0009] A frequently adopted method is to construct equalized or normalized cDNA libraries (Ko, Nucleic Acids Res. 18:5705-5711 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Patanjali, S. R. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 88:1943-1947 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Typically, the cDNA population is normalized by subtractive hybridization. Schmid, et al., J. Neurochem. 48:307-312 (1987) the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Fargnoli, et al., Anal. Biochem. 187:364-373 (1990) the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Travis, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 85:1696-1700 (1988) the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Kato, Eur. J. Neurosci. 2:704 (1990); and Schweinfest, et al., Genet. Anal. Tech. Appl. 7:64 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Subtraction represents another method for reducing the population of certain sequences in the cDNA library. Swaroop, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 19:1954 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0010] ESTs can be sequenced by a number of methods. Two basic methods may be used for DNA sequencing, the chain termination method of Sanger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 74: 5463-5467 (1977), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference and the chemical degradation method of Maxam and Gilbert, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 74: 560-564 (1977), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. Automation and advances in technology such as the replacement of radioisotopes with fluorescence-based sequencing have reduced the effort required to sequence DNA (Craxton, Methods, 2: 20-26 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Ju et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 92: 4347-4351 (1995), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Tabor and Richardson, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 92: 6339-6343 (1995), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Automated sequencers are available from, for example, Pharmacia Biotech, Inc., Piscataway, N.J. (Pharmacia ALF), LI-COR, Inc., Lincoln, Nebr. (LI-COR 4,000) and Millipore, Bedford, Mass. (Millipore BaseStation).
[0011] In addition, advances in capillary gel electrophoresis have also reduced the effort required to sequence DNA and such advances provide a rapid high resolution approach for sequencing DNA samples (Swerdlow and Gesteland, Nucleic Acids Res. 18:1415-1419 (1990); Smith, Nature 349:812-813 (1991); Luckey et al., Methods Enzymol. 218:154-172 (1993); Lu et al., J. Chromatog. A. 680:497-501 (1994); Carson et al., Anal. Chem. 65:3219-3226 (1993); Huang et al., Anal. Chem. 64:2149-2154 (1992); Kheterpal et al., Electrophoresis 17:1852-1859 (1996); Quesada and Zhang, Electrophoresis 17:1841-1851 (1996); Baba, Yakugaku Zasshi 117:265-281 (1997), all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety).
[0012] ESTs longer than 150 bases have been found to be useful for similarity searches and mapping. (Adams, et al., Science 252:1651-1656 (1991), herein incorporated by reference.) EST sequences normally range from 150-450 bases. This is the length of sequence information that is routinely and reliably generated using single run sequence data. Typically, only single run sequence data is obtained from the cDNA library, Adams, et al., Science 252:1651-1656 (1991). Automated single run sequencing typically results in an approximately 2-3% error or base ambiguity rate. (Boguski, et al., Nature Genetics, 4:332-333 (1993), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0013] EST databases have been constructed or partially constructed from, for example, C. elegans (McCombrie, et al., Nature Genetics 1: 124-131 (1992), human liver cell line HepG2 (Okubo, et al., Nature Genetics 2:173-179 (1992)), human brain RNA (Adams, et al., Science 252:1651-1656 (1991); Adams, et al., Nature 355:632-635 (1992)), Arabidopsis , (Newman, et al., Plant Physiol. 106:1241-1255 (1994)); and rice (Kurata, et al., Nature Genetics 8:365-372 (1994).
II. Sequence Comparisons
[0014] A characteristic feature of a protein or DNA sequence is that it can be compared with other known protein or DNA sequences. Sequence comparisons can be undertaken by determining the similarity of the test or query sequence with sequences in publicly available or propriety databases (“similarity analysis”) or by searching for certain motifs (“intrinsic sequence analysis”)(e.g. cis elements)(Coulson, Trends in Biotechnology, 12: 76-80 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Birren, et al., Genome Analysis, 1: 543-559 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0015] Similarity analysis includes database search and alignment. Examples of public databases include the DNA Database of Japan (DDBJ) (available on the Worldwide Web at ddbj.nig.ac jp/); Genebank (available on the Worldwide Web at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/web/Genbank/Index.htlm); and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Nucleic Acid Sequence Database (EMBL) (available on the Worldwide Web at ebi.ac.uk/ebi_docs/embl_db.html). A number of different search algorithms have been developed, one example of which are the suite of programs referred to as BLAST programs. There are five implementations of BLAST, three designed for nucleotide sequences queries (BLASTN, BLASTX, and TBLASTX) and two designed for protein sequence queries (BLASTP and TBLASTN) (Coulson, Trends in Biotechnology, 12: 76-80 (1994); Birren, et al., Genome Analysis, 1: 543-559 (1997)).
[0016] BLASTN takes a nucleotide sequence (the query sequence) and its reverse complement and searches them against a nucleotide sequence database. BLASTN was designed for speed, not maximum sensitivity, and may not find distantly related coding sequences. BLASTX takes a nucleotide sequence, translates it in three forward reading frames and three reverse complement reading frames, and then compares the six translations against a protein sequence database. BLASTX is useful for sensitive analysis of preliminary (single-pass) sequence data and is tolerant of sequencing errors (Gish and States, Nature Genetics, 3: 266-272 (1993), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). BLASTN and BLASTX may be used in concert for analyzing EST data (Coulson, Trends in Biotechnology, 12: 76-80 (1994); Birren, et al., Genome Analysis, 1: 543-559 (1997).
[0017] Given a coding nucleotide sequence and the protein it encodes, it is often preferable to use the protein as the query sequence to search a database because of the greatly increased sensitivity to detect more subtle relationships. This is due to the larger alphabet of proteins (20 amino acids) compared with the alphabet of nucleic acid sequences (4 bases), where it is far easier to obtain a match by chance. In addition, with nucleotide alignments, only a match (positive score) or a mismatch (negative score) is obtained, but with proteins, the presence of conservative amino acid substitutions can be taken into account. Here, a mismatch may yield a positive score if the non-identical residue has physical/chemical properties similar to the one it replaced. Various scoring matrices are used to supply the substitution scores of all possible amino acid pairs. A general purpose scoring system is the BLOSUM62 matrix (Henikoff and Henikoff, Proteins, 17: 49-61 (1993), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), which is currently the default choice for BLAST programs. BLOSUM62 is tailored for alignments of moderately diverged sequences and thus may not yield the best results under all conditions. Altschul, J. Mol. Biol. 36: 290-300 (1993), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, uses a combination of three matrices to cover all contingencies. This may improve sensitivity, but at the expense of slower searches. In practice, a single BLOSUM62 matrix is often used but others (PAM40 and PAM250) may be attempted when additional analysis is necessary. Low PAM matrices are directed at detecting very strong but localized sequence similarities, whereas high PAM matrices are directed at detecting long but weak alignments between very distantly related sequences.
[0018] Homologues in other organisms are available that can be used for comparative sequence analysis. Multiple alignments are performed to study similarities and differences in a group of related sequences. CLUSTAL W is a multiple sequence alignment package available that performs progressive multiple sequence alignments based on the method of Feng and Doolittle, J. Mol. Evol. 25: 351-360 (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. Each pair of sequences is aligned and the distance between each pair is calculated; from this distance matrix, a guide tree is calculated, and all of the sequences are progressively aligned based on this tree. A feature of the program is its sensitivity to the effect of gaps on the alignment; gap penalties are varied to encourage the insertion of gaps in probable loop regions instead of in the middle of structured regions. Users can specify gap penalties, choose between a number of scoring matrices, or supply their own scoring matrix for both the pairwise alignments and the multiple alignments. CLUSTAL W for UNIX and VMS systems is available at: ftp.ebi.ac.uk. Another program is MACAW (Schuler et al., Proteins, Struct. Func. Genet, 9:180-190 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, for which both Macintosh and Microsoft Windows versions are available. MACAW uses a graphical interface, provides a choice of several alignment algorithms, and is available by anonymous ftp at: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (directory/pub/macaw).
[0019] Sequence motifs are derived from multiple alignments and can be used to examine individual sequences or an entire database for subtle patterns. With motifs, it is sometimes possible to detect distant relationships that may not be demonstrable based on comparisons of primary sequences alone. Currently, the largest collection of sequence motifs in the world is PROSITE (Bairoch and Bucher, Nucleic Acid Research, 22: 3583-3589 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.) PROSITE may be accessed via either the ExPASy server on the World Wide Web or anonymous ftp site. Many commercial sequence analysis packages also provide search programs that use PROSITE data.
[0020] A resource for searching protein motifs is the BLOCKS E-mail server developed by S. Henikoff, Trends Biochem Sci., 18:267-268 (1993), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Henikoff and Henikoff, Nucleic Acid Research, 19:6565-6572 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Henikoff and Henikoff, Proteins, 17: 49-61 (1993). BLOCKS searches a protein or nucleotide sequence against a database of protein motifs or “blocks.” Blocks are defined as short, ungapped multiple alignments that represent highly conserved protein patterns. The blocks themselves are derived from entries in PROSITE as well as other sources. Either a protein or nucleotide query can be submitted to the BLOCKS server; if a nucleotide sequence is submitted, the sequence is translated in all six reading frames and motifs are sought in these conceptual translations. Once the search is completed, the server will return a ranked list of significant matches, along with an alignment of the query sequence to the matched BLOCKS entries.
[0021] Conserved protein domains can be represented by two-dimensional matrices, which measure either the frequency or probability of the occurrences of each amino acid residue and deletions or insertions in each position of the domain. This type of model, when used to search against protein databases, is sensitive and usually yields more accurate results than simple motif searches. Two popular implementations of this approach are profile searches (such as GCG program ProfileSearch) and Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) (Krough et al., J. Mol. Biol. 235:1501-1531 (1994); Eddy, Current Opinion in Structural Biology 6:361-365 (1996), both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety). In both cases, a large number of common protein domains have been converted into profiles, as present in the PROSITE library, or HHM models, as in the Pfam protein domain library (Sonnhammer et al., Proteins 28:405-420 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Pfam contains more than 500 HMM models for enzymes, transcription factors, signal transduction molecules, and structural proteins. Protein databases can be queried with these profiles or HMM models, which will identify proteins containing the domain of interest. For example, HMMSW or HMMFS, two programs in a public domain package called HMMER (Sonnhammer et al., Proteins 28:405-420 (1997)) can be used.
[0022] PROSITE and BLOCKS represent collected families of protein motifs. Thus, searching these databases entails submitting a single sequence to determine whether or not that sequence is similar to the members of an established family. Programs working in the opposite direction compare a collection of sequences with individual entries in the protein databases. An example of such a program is the Motif Search Tool, or MoST (Tatusov et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 91: 12091-12095 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.) On the basis of an aligned set of input sequences, a weight matrix is calculated by using one of four methods (selected by the user); a weight matrix is simply a representation, position by position in an alignment, of how likely a particular amino acid will appear. The calculated weight matrix is then used to search the databases. To increase sensitivity, newly found sequences are added to the original data set, the weight matrix is recalculated, and the search is performed again. This procedure continues until no new sequences are found.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention provides a substantially purified nucleic acid molecule that encodes a maize protein or fragment thereof comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472.
[0024] The present invention also provides one or more substantially purified nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or complements thereof.
[0025] The present invention also provides a substantially purified maize protein or fragment thereof, wherein said maize protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472.
[0026] The present invention further provides a substantially purified protein, peptide, or fragment thereof encoded by a nucleic acid sequence which specifically hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of a complement of SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472.
[0027] The present invention further provides a substantially purified antibody capable of specifically binding to a protein or fragment thereof encoded by a nucleic acid sequence which specifically hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of a complement of SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472.
[0028] The present invention also provides a transformed plant transformed to contain a nucleic acid molecule which comprises: (A) an exogenous promoter region which functions in plant cells to cause the production of an mRNA molecule; which is linked to (B) a structural nucleic acid molecule, wherein said structural nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a protein, peptide, or fragment thereof which hybridizes to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of a complement of SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472 expressed in an effective amount to produce a desirable agronomic effect; which is linked to (C) a 3′ non-translated sequence that functions in plant cells to cause the termination of transcription and the addition of polyadenylated ribonucleotides to the 3′ end of the mRNA sequence.
[0029] The present invention also provides a transformed plant cell containing a nucleic acid molecule whose non-transcribed strand encodes a protein or fragment thereof, wherein the transcribed strand of said nucleic acid is complementary to a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a protein or fragment thereof. The present invention also provides bacterial, viral, microbial, and plant cells comprising a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention
[0030] The present invention also provides a method of producing a plant containing one or more proteins encoded by sequences comprising SEQ ID NO:1 or complement thereof through SEQ ID NO:17472 or complements thereof, expressed in a sufficient amount and/or fashion to produce a desirable agronomic effect.
[0031] In accomplishing the foregoing, there is provided, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, methods of producing genetically transformed plants, comprising the steps of:
(a) inserting into the genome of a plant cell a recombinant, double-stranded DNA molecule comprising
(i) a promoter which functions in plant cells to cause the production of an RNA sequence, (ii) a structural DNA sequence that causes the production of an RNA sequence which encodes a desired protein. (iii) a 3′ non-translated DNA sequence which functions in plant cells to cause the addition of polyadenylated nucleotides to the 3′ end of RNA sequence; where the promoter is homologous or heterologous with respect to the coding sequence and adapted to cause sufficient expression of a protein in desired plant tissues to enhance the agronomic utility of a plant transformed with said gene.
(b) obtaining a transformed plant cell with said nucleic acid molecule that encodes one or more proteins, wherein said nucleic acid molecule is transcribed and results in expression of said protein(s); and (c) regenerating from the transformed plant cell a genetically transformed plant
[0038] The present invention also encompasses differentiated plants, seeds, and progeny comprising said transformed plant cells and which exhibit novel properties of agronomic significance.
[0039] The present invention also provides a method of producing a plant containing reduced levels of a protein comprising: (A) transforming a plant cell with a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a protein, wherein said nucleic acid molecule is transcribed and results in co-suppression of endogenous protein synthesis activity, and (B) regenerating plants and producing subsequent progeny from the transformed plant.
[0040] The present invention also provides a method of determining an association between a polymorphism and a plant trait comprising: (A) hybridizing a nucleic acid molecule specific for a polymorphism to genetic material of a plant, wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or complements thereof; and (B) calculating the degree of association between the polymorphism and the plant trait.
[0041] The present invention also provides a method of isolating a genetic region, or nucleic acid that encodes a protein or fragment thereof comprising: (A) incubating under conditions permitting nucleic acid hybridization: a marker nucleic acid molecule, preferably an EST, with a complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from a plant cell or plant tissue; (B) permitting hybridization between said marker nucleic acid molecule, preferably an EST, and said complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from said plant cell or plant tissue; and (C) isolating said complementary nucleic acid molecule.
[0042] The present invention also provides a method for determining a level or pattern in a plant cell of a protein in a plant comprising: (A) incubating, under conditions permitting nucleic acid hybridization, a marker nucleic acid molecule, the marker nucleic acid molecule selected from the group of marker nucleic acid molecules which specifically hybridize to a nucleic acid molecule having the nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472 or complements thereof or fragments of either, with a complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from the plant cell or plant tissue, wherein nucleic acid hybridization between the marker nucleic acid molecule and the complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from the plant cell or plant tissue permits the detection of an mRNA for the enzyme; (B) permitting hybridization between the marker nucleic acid molecule and the complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from the plant cell or plant tissue; and (C) detecting the level or pattern of the complementary nucleic acid, wherein the detection of the complementary nucleic acid is predictive of the level or pattern of the protein.
[0043] The present invention also provides a method for determining the level or pattern of a protein in a plant cell or plant tissue comprising: (A) incubating under conditions permitting nucleic acid hybridization: a marker nucleic acid molecule, the marker nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or complements thereof, with a complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from a plant cell or plant tissue, wherein nucleic acid hybridization between the marker nucleic acid molecule, and the complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from the plant cell or plant tissue permits the detection of said protein; (B) permitting hybridization between the marker nucleic acid molecule and the complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from the plant cell or plant tissue; and (C) detecting the level or pattern of the complementary nucleic acid, wherein the detection of said complementary nucleic acid is predictive of the level or pattern of the protein synthesis.
[0044] The present invention also provides a method for determining a level or pattern of a protein in a plant cell or plant tissue which comprises assaying the concentration of a molecule, whose concentration is dependent upon the expression of a gene, the gene having a nucleic acid sequence which specifically hybridizes to a protein marker nucleic acid molecule, the molecule being present in a plant cell or plant tissue, in comparison to the concentration of that molecule present in a plant cell or plant tissue with a known level or pattern of said protein, wherein an assayed concentration of the molecule is compared to the assayed concentration of the molecule in a plant cell or plant tissue with a known level or pattern of said protein.
[0045] The present invention also provides a method of determining a mutation in a plant whose presence is predictive of a mutation affecting a level or pattern of a protein comprising the steps: (A) incubating, under conditions permitting nucleic acid hybridization, a marker nucleic acid, the marker nucleic acid selected from the group of marker nucleic acid molecules which specifically hybridize to a nucleic acid molecule consisting of the nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472 or complements thereof or fragments of either and a complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from the plant, wherein nucleic acid hybridization between the marker nucleic acid molecule and the complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from the plant permits the detection of a polymorphism whose presence is predictive of a mutation affecting the level or pattern of the protein in the plant; (B) permitting hybridization between the marker nucleic acid molecule and the complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from the plant; and (C) detecting the presence of the polymorphism, wherein the detection of the polymorphism is predictive of the mutation.
[0046] The present invention also provides a method for determining a mutation in a plant whose presence is predictive of a mutation affecting the level or pattern of protein synthesis comprising the steps: (A) incubating under conditions permitting nucleic acid hybridization: a marker nucleic acid molecule, the marker nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule that is linked to gene, the gene having a nucleic acid sequence which specifically hybridizes to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 and complements thereof, and a complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from a plant tissue or plant cell of the plant, wherein nucleic acid hybridization between the marker nucleic acid molecule and the complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from the plant permits the detection of a polymorphism whose presence is predictive of a mutation affecting said level or pattern of a protein synthesis in the plant; (B) permitting hybridization between said marker nucleic acid molecule and said complementary nucleic acid molecule obtained from said plant; and; (C) detecting the presence of the polymorphism, wherein the detection of the polymorphism is predictive of the mutation.
[0047] The present invention also provides a method for reducing expression of a protein in a plant cell, the method comprising: growing a transformed plant cell containing a nucleic acid molecule whose non-transcribed strand encodes a protein or fragment thereof, wherein the transcribed strand of said nucleic acid is complementary to a nucleic acid molecule that encodes the protein in said plant cell, and whereby the strand that is complementary to the nucleic acid molecule that encodes the protein reduces or depresses expression of the protein.
[0048] The present invention provides maize nucleic acid molecules for use as molecular tags to isolate genetic regions (i.e. promoters and flanking sequences), isolate genes, map genes, and determine gene function. The present invention further provides maize nucleic acid molecules for use in determining if genes are members of a particular gene family.
[0049] The present invention also provides a method of obtaining full length genes using maize ESTs or complements thereof or fragments of either.
[0050] The present invention also provides a method of isolating promoters and flanking sequences using maize ESTs or complements thereof or fragments of either.
[0051] The present invention also provides maize ESTs or complements thereof or fragments of either for use in marker-assisted breeding programs.
[0052] The present invention also provides a method of identifying tissues comprising hybridizing nucleic acids from the tissue with maize ESTs or complements thereof or fragments of either.
[0053] The present invention also provides a method for production of antibodies targeted against the proteins, peptides, or fragments produced by the disclosed or complements thereof or fragments of either.
[0054] The present invention also provides a method for the transformation and regeneration of plants comprising sequences hybridizable to the disclosed ESTs or complements thereof or fragments of either.
[0055] The present invention also provides a method of modifying plant protein expression by inserting in a chimeric gene sense or antisense constructs of the maize ESTs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Agents
[0056] (a) Nucleic Acid Molecules
[0057] Agents of the present invention include nucleic acid molecules and more specifically EST nucleic acid molecules or nucleic acid fragment molecules thereof. Fragment EST nucleic acid molecules may encode significant portion(s) of, or indeed most of, the EST nucleic acid molecule. Alternatively, the fragments may comprise smaller oligonucleotides (having from about 15 to about 250 nucleotide residues, and more preferably, about 15 to about 30 nucleotide residues).
[0058] A subset of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention includes nucleic acid molecules that are marker molecules. Another subset of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention include nucleic acid molecules that encode a protein or fragment thereof. Another subset of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention are EST molecules.
[0059] The term “substantially purified”, as used herein, refers to a molecule separated from substantially all other molecules normally associated with it in its native state. More preferably a substantially purified molecule is the predominant species present in a preparation. A substantially purified molecule may be greater than 60% free, preferably 75% free, more preferably 90% free, and most preferably 95% free from the other molecules (exclusive of solvent) present in the natural mixture. The term “substantially purified” is not intended to encompass molecules present in their native state.
[0060] The agents of the present invention will preferably be “biologically active” with respect to either a structural attribute, such as the capacity of a nucleic acid to hybridize to another nucleic acid molecule, or the ability of a protein to be bound by antibody (or to compete with another molecule for such binding). Alternatively, such an attribute may be catalytic, and thus involve the capacity of the agent to mediate a chemical reaction or response.
[0061] The agents of the present invention may also be recombinant. As used herein, the term recombinant, refers to a) molecules that are constructed outside of living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules that can replicate in a living cell or b) molecules that result from the replication or expression of those molecules described above or c) amino acid molecules from different sources which are joined together.
[0062] It is understood that the agents of the present invention may be labeled with reagents that facilitate detection of the agent (e.g. fluorescent labels (Prober, et al., Science 238:336-340 (1987); Albarella et al., EP 144914, chemical labels (Sheldon et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,789; Albarella et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,417, modified bases (Miyoshi et al., EP 119448, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety).
[0063] It is further understood, that the present invention provides bacterial, viral, microbial, and plant cells comprising the agents of the present invention.
[0064] Nucleic acid molecules or fragment thereof of the present invention are capable of specifically hybridizing to other nucleic acid molecules under certain circumstances. As used herein, two nucleic acid molecules are said to be capable of specifically hybridizing to one another if the two molecules are capable of forming an anti-parallel, double-stranded nucleic acid structure. A nucleic acid molecule is said to be the “complement” of another nucleic acid molecule if they exhibit complete complementarity. As used herein, molecules are said to exhibit “complete complementarity” when every nucleotide of one of the molecules is complementary to a nucleotide of the other. Two molecules are said to be “minimally complementary” if they can hybridize to one another with sufficient stability to permit them to remain annealed to one another under at least conventional “low-stringency” conditions. Similarly, the molecules are said to be “complementary” if they can hybridize to one another with sufficient stability to permit them to remain annealed to one another under conventional “high-stringency” conditions. Conventional stringency conditions are described by Sambrook, et al., In: Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2 nd Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Press , Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989), and by Haymes, et al. In: Nucleic Acid Hybridization, A Practical Approach , IRL Press, Washington, D.C. (1985), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. Departures from complete complementarity are therefore permissible, as long as such departures do not completely preclude the capacity of the molecules to form a double-stranded structure. Thus, in order for an nucleic acid molecule or fragment of the present invention to serve as a primer or probe it need only be sufficiently complementary in sequence to be able to form a stable double-stranded structure under the particular solvent and salt concentrations employed.
[0065] Appropriate stringency conditions which promote DNA hybridization are, for example, 6.0× sodium chloride/sodium citrate (SSC) at about 45° C., followed by a wash of 2.0×SSC at 50° C., are known to those skilled in the art or can be found in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology , John Wiley & Sons, N.Y. (1989), 6.3.1-6.3.6. For example, the salt concentration in the wash step can be selected from a low stringency of about 2.0×SSC at 50° C. to a high stringency of about 0.2×SSC at 50° C. In addition, the temperature in the wash step can be increased from low stringency conditions at room temperature, about 22° C., to high stringency conditions at about 65° C. Both temperature and salt may be varied, or either the temperature or the salt concentration may be held constant while the other variable is changed.
[0066] In a preferred embodiment, a nucleic acid of the present invention will specifically hybridize to one or more of the nucleic acid molecules set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472 or complements thereof under moderately stringent conditions, for example, at about 2.0×SSC and about 65° C.
[0067] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a nucleic acid of the present invention will include those nucleic acid molecules that specifically hybridize to one or more of the nucleic acid molecules set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472 or complements thereof under high stringency conditions.
[0068] In one aspect of the present invention, the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention have one or more of the nucleic acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or complements thereof. In another aspect of the present invention, one or more of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention share between 100% and 90% sequence identity with one or more of the nucleic acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or complements thereof. In a further aspect of the present invention, one or more of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention share between 100% and 95% sequence identity with one or more of the nucleic acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or complements thereof. In a more preferred aspect of the present invention, one or more of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention share between 100% and 98% sequence identity with one or more of the nucleic acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or complements thereof. In an even more preferred aspect of the present invention, one or more of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention share between 100% and 99% sequence identity with one or more of the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or complements thereof. In a further, even more preferred aspect of the present invention, one or more of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention exhibit 100% sequence identity with one or more nucleic acid molecules present within the cDNA libraries designated LIB3179, LIB3227, LIB3228, and LIB3279 (Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Mo., United States of America).
[0069] The term “sequence identity” refers to the extent to which two sequences, nucleotide or amino acid, are invariant throughout the portion at which they are aligned. While there exist a number of methods to measure identity between two polynucleotide or polypeptide sequences, the term “sequence identity” is well known to skilled artisans. Methods commonly employed to determine identity between two sequences include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in Guide to Huge Computers , Martin J. Bishop, ed., Academic Press, San Diego, 1994, and Carillo, H., and Lipton, D.; Siam, J Applied Math (1988) 48:1073. Methods to determine identity are codified in computer programs. Preferred computer program methods to determine identity between two sequences include, but are not limited to, the BLAST suite of programs publicly available from NCBI and other sources ( BLAST Manual , Altschul et al., Natl. Cent. Biotechnol. Inf., Natl. Library Med. (NCBI NLM) NIH, Bethesda, Md. 20894; Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 (1990), Pearson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85:2444-2448 (1988), the FAST programs (Pearson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85:2444-2448 (1988). the GAP and BESTFIT programs found in the GCG program package, (Madison, Wis.) and Cross_Match (Phi Green, University of Washington). Another preferred method to determine identity, is by the method of DNASTAR protein alignment protocol using the Jotun-Hein algorithm (Hein et al., Methods Enzymol. 183:626-645 (1990)).
[0070] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a maize protein or fragment thereof of the present invention is a homologue of another plant protein. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a maize protein or fragment thereof of the present invention is a homologue of a fungal protein. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a maize protein or fragment thereof of the present invention is a homologue of a mammalian protein. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a maize protein or fragment thereof of the present invention is a homologue of an algal protein. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a maize protein or fragment thereof of the present invention is a homologue of a bacterial protein. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a maize protein or fragment thereof of the present invention is a homologue of a soybean protein. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a maize protein or fragment thereof of the present invention is a homologue of a cotton protein. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a maize protein or fragment thereof of the present invention is a homologue of a wheat protein.
[0071] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nucleic molecule of the present invention encodes a maize protein or fragment thereof where a maize protein or fragment thereof exhibits a BLAST probability score of greater than 1E-12, preferably a BLAST probability score of between about 1E-30 and about 1E-12, even more preferably a BLAST probability score of greater than 1E-30 with its homologue.
[0072] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nucleic acid molecule encoding a maize protein or fragment thereof exhibits a % identity with its homologue of between about 25% and about 40%, more preferably of between about 40% and about 70%, even more preferably of between about 70% and about 90% and even more preferably between about 90% and 99%. In another preferred embodiment, of the present invention, a maize protein or fragment thereof exhibits a % identity with its homologue of 100%.
[0073] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention encodes a maize protein or fragment thereof where the maize protein exhibits a BLAST score of greater than 120, preferably a BLAST score of between about 1450 and about 120, even more preferably a BLAST score of greater than 1450 with its homologue.
[0074] Nucleic acid molecules of the present invention also include non-maize homologues. Preferred non-maize homologues are selected from the group consisting of alfalfa, Arabidopsis , barley, Brassica , broccoli, cabbage, citrus, cotton, garlic, oat, oilseed rape, onion, canola, flax, an ornamental plant, pea, peanut, pepper, potato, rice, rye, sorghum, soybean, strawberry, sugarcane, sugarbeet, tomato, wheat, poplar, pine, fir, eucalyptus, apple, lettuce, lentils, grape, banana, tea, turf grasses, sunflower, oil palm and Phaseolus.
[0075] The degeneracy of the genetic code, which allows different nucleic acid sequences to code for the same protein or peptide, is known in the literature. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,006, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0076] In an aspect of the present invention, one or more of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention differ in nucleic acid sequence from those encoding a maize protein or fragment thereof in SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472 due to the degeneracy in the genetic code in that they encode the same protein but differ in nucleic acid sequence.
[0077] In another further aspect of the present invention, nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can comprise sequences, which differ from those encoding a protein or fragment thereof in SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472 due to fact that the different nucleic acid sequence encodes a protein having one or more conservative amino acid changes. It is understood that codons capable of coding for such conservative amino acid substitutions are known in the art.
[0078] It is well known in the art that one or more amino acids in a native sequence can be substituted with another amino acid(s), the charge and polarity of which are similar to that of the native amino acid, i.e., a conservative amino acid substitution, resulting in a silent change. Conserved substitutes for an amino acid within the native polypeptide sequence can be selected from other members of the class to which the naturally occurring amino acid belongs. Amino acids can be divided into the following four groups: (1) acidic amino acids, (2) basic amino acids, (3) neutral polar amino acids, and (4) neutral nonpolar amino acids. Representative amino acids within these various groups include, but are not limited to, (1) acidic (negatively charged) amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid; (2) basic (positively charged) amino acids such as arginine, histidine, and lysine; (3) neutral polar amino acids such as glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, cystine, tyrosine, asparagine, and glutamine; and (4) neutral nonpolar (hydrophobic) amino acids such as alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and methionine.
[0079] Conservative amino acid changes within the native polypeptides sequence can be made by substituting one amino acid within one of these groups with another amino acid within the same group. Biologically functional equivalents of the proteins or fragments thereof of the present invention can have 10 or fewer conservative amino acid changes, more preferably seven or fewer conservative amino acid changes, and most preferably five or fewer conservative amino acid changes. The encoding nucleotide sequence will thus have corresponding base substitutions, permitting it to encode biologically functional equivalent forms of the proteins or fragments of the present invention.
[0080] It is understood that certain amino acids may be substituted for other amino acids in a protein structure without appreciable loss of interactive binding capacity with structures such as, for example, antigent-binding regions of antibodies or binding sites on substrate molecules. Because it is the interactive capacity and nature of a protein that defines that protein's biological functional activity, certain amino acid sequence substitutions can be made in a protein sequence and, of course, its underlying DNA coding sequence and, nevertheless, obtain a protein with like properties. It is thus contemplated by the inventors that various changes may be made in the peptide sequences of the proteins or fragments of the present invention, or corresponding DNA sequences that encode said peptides, without appreciable loss of their biological utility or activity. It is understood that codons capable of coding for such amino acid changes are known in the art.
[0081] In making such changes, the hydropathic index of amino acids may be considered. The importance of the hydropathic amino acid index in conferring interactive biological function on a protein is generally understood in the art (Kyte and Doolittle, J. Mol. Biol. 157, 105-132 (1982), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). It is accepted that the relative hydropathic character of the amino acid contributes to the secondary structure of the resultant protein, which in turn defines the interaction of the protein with other molecules, for example, enzymes, substrates, receptors, DNA, antibodies, antigens, and the like.
[0082] Each amino acid has been assigned a hydropathic index on the basis of its hydrophobicity and charge characteristics (Kyte and Doolittle, 1982); these are isoleucine (+4.5), valine (+4.2), leucine (+3.8), phenylalanine (+2.8), cysteine/cystine (+2.5), methionine (+1.9), alanine (+1.8), glycine (−0.4), threonine (−0.7), serine (−0.8), tryptophan (−0.9), tyrosine (−1.3), proline (−1.6), histidine (−3.2), glutamate (−3.5), glutamine (−3.5), aspartate (−3.5), asparagine (−3.5), lysine (−3.9), and arginine (−4.5).
[0083] In making such changes, the substitution of amino acids whose hydropathic indices are within ±2 is preferred, those which are within ±1 are particularly preferred, and those within ±0.5 are even more particularly preferred.
[0084] It is also understood in the art that the substitution of like amino acids can be made effectively on the basis of hydrophilicity. U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,101, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, states that the greatest local average hydrophilicity of a protein, as govern by the hydrophilicity of its adjacent amino acids, correlates with a biological property of the protein.
[0085] As detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,101, the following hydrophilicity values have been assigned to amino acid residues: arginine (+3.0), lysine (+3.0), aspartate (+3.0±1), glutamate (+3.0±1), serine (+0.3), asparagine (+0.2), glutamine (+0.2), glycine (0), threonine (−0.4), proline (−0.5±1), alanine (−0.5), histidine (−0.5), cysteine (−1.0), methionine (−1.3), valine (−1.5), leucine (−1.8), isoleucine (−1.8), tyrosine (−2.3), phenylalanine (−2.5), and tryptophan (−3.4).
[0086] In making such changes, the substitution of amino acids whose hydrophilicity values are within ±2 is preferred, those which are within ±1 are particularly preferred, and those within ±0.5 are even more particularly preferred.
[0087] In a further aspect of the present invention, one or more of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention differ in nucleic acid sequence from those encoding a maize protein or fragment thereof set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472 or fragment thereof due to the fact that one or more codons encoding an amino acid has been substituted for a codon that encodes a nonessential substitution of the amino acid originally encoded.
[0088] One aspect of the present invention concerns markers that include nucleic acid molecules SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472 or complements thereof or fragments of either that can act as markers or other nucleic acid molecules of the present invention that can act as markers. Genetic markers of the present invention include “dominant” or “codominant” markers “Codominant markers” reveal the presence of two or more alleles (two per diploid individual) at a locus. “Dominant markers” reveal the presence of only a single allele per locus. The presence of the dominant marker phenotype (e.g., a band of DNA) is an indication that one allele is present in either the homozygous or heterozygous condition. The absence of the dominant marker phenotype (e.g. absence of a DNA band) is merely evidence that “some other” undefined allele is present. In the case of populations where individuals are predominantly homozygous and loci are predominately dimorphic, dominant and codominant markers can be equally valuable. As populations become more heterozygous and multi-allelic, codominant markers often become more informative of the genotype than dominant markers. Marker molecules can be, for example, capable of detecting polymorphisms such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
[0089] SNPs are single base changes in genomic DNA sequence. They occur at greater frequency and are spaced with a greater uniformity throughout a genome than other reported forms of polymorphism. The greater frequency and uniformity of SNPs means that there is greater probability that such a polymorphism will be found near or in a genetic locus of interest than would be the case for other polymorphisms. SNPs are located in protein-coding regions and noncoding regions of a genome. Some of these SNPs may result in defective or variant protein expression (e.g., as a results of mutations or defective splicing). Analysis (genotyping) of characterized SNPs can require only a plus/minus assay rather than a lengthy measurement, permitting easier automation.
[0090] SNPs can be characterized using any of a variety of methods. Such methods include the direct or indirect sequencing of the site, the use of restriction enzymes (Botstein et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet. 32:314-331 (1980), the entirety of which is herein incorporated reference; Konieczny and Ausubel, Plant J. 4:403-410 (1993), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), enzymatic and chemical mismatch assays (Myers et al., Nature 313:495-498 (1985), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), allele-specific PCR (Newton et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 17:2503-2516 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Wu et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 86:2757-2760 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), ligase chain reaction (Barany, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 88:189-193 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (Labrune et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet. 48: 1115-1120 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), primer-directed nucleotide incorporation assays (Kuppuswami et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:1143-1147 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), dideoxy fingerprinting (Sarkar et al., Genomics 13:441-443 (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), solid-phase ELISA-based oligonucleotide ligation assays (Nikiforov et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 22:4167-4175 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), oligonucleotide fluorescence-quenching assays (Livak et al., PCR Methods Appl. 4:357-362 (1995), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), 5′-nuclease allele-specific hybridization TaqMan assay (Livak et al., Nature Genet. 9:341-342 (1995), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), template-directed dye-terminator incorporation (TDI) assay (Chen and Kwok, Nucl. Acids Res. 25:347-353 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), allele-specific molecular beacon assay (Tyagi et al., Nature Biotech. 16: 49-53 (1998), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), PinPoint assay (Haff and Smimov, Genome Res. 7: 378-388 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) and dCAPS analysis (Neff et al., Plant J. 14:387-392 (1998), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0091] Additional markers, such as AFLP markers, RFLP markers and RAPD markers, can be utilized (Walton, Seed World 22-29 (July, 1993), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Burow and Blake, Molecular Dissection of Complex Traits, 13-29, Paterson (ed.), CRC Press, New York (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). DNA markers can be developed from nucleic acid molecules using restriction endonucleases, the PCR and/or DNA sequence information. RFLP markers result from single base changes or insertions/deletions. These codominant markers are highly abundant in plant genomes, have a medium level of polymorphism and are developed by a combination of restriction endonuclease digestion and Southern blotting hybridization. CAPS are similarly developed from restriction nuclease digestion but only of specific PCR products. These markers are also codominant, have a medium level of polymorphism and are highly abundant in the genome. The CAPS result from single base changes and insertions/deletions.
[0092] Another marker type, RAPDs, are developed from DNA amplification with random primers and result from single base changes and insertions/deletions in plant genomes. They are dominant markers with a medium level of polymorphisms and are highly abundant. AFLP markers require using the PCR on a subset of restriction fragments from extended adapter primers. These markers are both dominant and codominant are highly abundant in genomes and exhibit a medium level of polymorphism.
[0093] SSRs require DNA sequence information. These codominant markers result from repeat length changes, are highly polymorphic and do not exhibit as high a degree of abundance in the genome as CAPS, AFLPs and RAPDs, SNPs also require DNA sequence information. These codominant markers result from single base substitutions. They are highly abundant and exhibit a medium of polymorphism (Rafalski et al., In: Nonmammalian Genomic Analysis , Birren and Lai (ed.), Academic Press, San Diego, Calif., pp. 75-134 (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). It is understood that a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention may be used as a marker.
[0094] A PCR probe is a nucleic acid molecule capable of initiating a polymerase activity while in a double-stranded structure with another nucleic acid. Various methods for determining the structure of PCR probes and PCR techniques exist in the art. Computer generated searches using programs such as Primer3 (available on the Worldwide Web at genome.wi.mit.edu/cgi-bin/primer/primer3.cgi), STSPipeline (available on the Worldwide Web at genome.wi.mit.edu/cgi-bin/www-STS_Pipeline), or GeneUp (Pesole et al., BioTechniques 25:112-123 (1998) the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), for example, can be used to identify potential PCR primers.
[0095] It is understood that a fragment of one or more of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be a probe and specifically a PCR probe.
[0096] (b) Protein and Peptide Molecules
[0097] A class of agents comprises one or more of the protein or peptide molecules encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or one or more of the protein or fragment thereof or peptide molecules encoded by other nucleic acid agents of the present invention. As used herein, the term “protein molecule” or “peptide molecule” includes any molecule that comprises five or more amino acids. It is well know in the art that proteins may undergo modification, including post-translational modifications, such as, but not limited to, disulfide bond formation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, or oligomerization. Thus, as used herein, the term “protein molecule” or “peptide molecule” includes any protein molecule that is modified by any biological or non-biological process. The terms “amino acid” and “amino acids” refer to all naturally occurring L-amino acids. This definition is meant to include norleucine, ornithine, homocysteine, and homoserine.
[0098] One or more of the protein or fragment of peptide molecules may be produced via chemical synthesis, or more preferably, by expression in a suitable bacterial or eukaryotic host. Suitable methods for expression are described by Sambrook, et al., (In: Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2 nd Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Press , Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989)), or similar texts.
[0099] A “protein fragment” is a peptide or polypeptide molecule whose amino acid sequence comprises a subset of the amino acid sequence of that protein. A protein or fragment thereof that comprises one or more additional peptide regions not derived from that protein is a “fusion” protein. Such molecules may be derivatized to contain carbohydrate or other moieties (such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin, etc.). Fusion protein or peptide molecule of the present invention are preferably produced via recombinant means.
[0100] Another class of agents comprise protein or peptide molecules encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or complements thereof or, fragments or fusions thereof in which non-essential, or not relevant, amino acid residues have been added, replaced, or deleted. An example of such a homologue is the homologue protein of all non-maize plant species, including but not limited to alfalfa, Arabidopsis , barley, Brassica , broccoli, cabbage, citrus, cotton, garlic, oat, oilseed rape, onion, canola, flax, an ornamental plant, pea, peanut, pepper, potato, rice, rye, sorghum, soybean, strawberry, sugarcane, sugarbeet, tomato, wheat, poplar, pine, fir, eukalyptus, apple, lettuce, peas, lentils, grape, banana, tea, turf grasses, etc. Particularly preferred non-maize plants to utilize for the isolation of homologues would include alfalfa, Arabidopsis , barley, cotton, oat, oilseed rape, rice, canola, ornamentals, soybean, sugarcane, sugarbeet, tomato, potato, wheat, and turf grasses. Such a homologue can be obtained by any of a variety of methods. Most preferably, as indicated above, one or more of the disclosed sequences (SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or complements thereof) will be used to define a pair of primers that may be used to isolate the homologue-encoding nucleic acid molecules from any desired species. Such molecules can be expressed to yield homologues by recombinant means.
[0101] (c) Antibodies
[0102] One aspect of the present invention concerns antibodies, single-chain antigen binding molecules, or other proteins that specifically bind to one or more of the protein or peptide molecules of the present invention and their homologues, fusions or fragments. Such antibodies may be used to quantitatively or qualitatively detect the protein or peptide molecules of the present invention. As used herein, an antibody or peptide is said to “specifically bind” to a protein or peptide molecule of the present invention if such binding is not competitively inhibited by the presence of non-related molecules.
[0103] Nucleic acid molecules that encode all or part of the protein of the present invention can be expressed, via recombinant means, to yield protein or peptides that can in turn be used to elicit antibodies that are capable of binding the expressed protein or peptide. Such antibodies may be used in immunoassays for that protein. Such protein-encoding molecules, or their fragments may be a “fusion” molecule (i.e., a part of a larger nucleic acid molecule) such that, upon expression, a fusion protein is produced. It is understood that any of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be expressed, via recombinant means, to yield proteins or peptides encoded by these nucleic acid molecules.
[0104] The antibodies that specifically bind proteins and protein fragments of the present invention may be polyclonal or monoclonal, and may comprise intact immunoglobulins, or antigen binding portions of immunoglobulins (such as (F(ab′), F(ab′) 2 ) fragments, or single-chain immunoglobulins producible, for example, via recombinant means). It is understood that practitioners are familiar with the standard resource materials which describe specific conditions and procedures for the construction, manipulation and isolation of antibodies (see, for example, Harlow and Lane, In Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual , Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0105] Murine monoclonal antibodies are particularly preferred. BALB/c mice are preferred for this purpose, however, equivalent strains may also be used. The animals are preferably immunized with approximately 25 μg of purified protein (or fragment thereof) that has been emulsified a suitable adjuvant (such as TiterMax adjuvant (Vaxcel, Norcross, Ga.)). Immunization is preferably conducted at two intramuscular sites, one intraperitoneal site, and one subcutaneous site at the base of the tail. An additional i.v. injection of approximately 25 μg of antigen is preferably given in normal saline three weeks later. After approximately 11 days following the second injection, the mice may be bled and the blood screened for the presence of anti-protein or peptide antibodies. Preferably, a direct binding Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay (ELISA) is employed for this purpose.
[0106] More preferably, the mouse having the highest antibody titer is given a third i.v. injection of approximately 25 μg of the same protein or fragment. The splenic leukocytes from this animal may be recovered 3 days later, and are then permitted to fuse, most preferably, using polyethylene glycol, with cells of a suitable myeloma cell line (such as, for example, the P3X63Ag8.653 myeloma cell line). Hybridoma cells are selected by culturing the cells under “HAT” (hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymine) selection for about one week. The resulting clones may then be screened for their capacity to produce monoclonal antibodies (“mAbs), preferably by direct ELISA.
[0107] In one embodiment, anti-protein or peptide monoclonal antibodies are isolated using a fusion of a protein, protein fragment, or peptide of the present invention, or conjugate of a protein, protein fragment, or peptide of the present invention, as immunogens. Thus, for example, a group of mice can be immunized using a fusion protein emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant (e.g. approximately 50 μg of antigen per immunization). At three week intervals, an identical amount of antigen is emulsified in Freund's incomplete adjuvant and used to immunize the animals. Ten days following the third immunization, serum samples are taken and evaluated for the presence of antibody. If antibody titers are too low, a fourth booster can be employed. Polysera capable of binding the protein or peptide can also be obtained using this method.
[0108] In a preferred procedure for obtaining monoclonal antibodies, the spleens of the above-described immunized mice are removed, disrupted, and immune splenocytes are isolated over a ficoll gradient. The isolated splenocytes are fused, using polyethylene glycol with BALB/c-derived HGPRT (hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase) deficient P3×63xAg8.653 plasmacytoma cells. The fused cells are plated into 96-well microtiter plates and screened for hybridoma fusion cells by their capacity to grow in culture medium supplemented with hypothanthine, aminopterin and thymidine for approximately 2-3 weeks.
[0109] Hybridoma cells that arise from such incubation are preferably screened for their capacity to produce an immunoglobulin that binds to a protein of interest. An indirect ELISA may be used for this purpose. In brief, the supernatants of hybridomas are incubated in microtiter wells that contain immobilized protein. After washing, the titer of bound immunoglobulin can be determined using, for example, a goat anti-mouse antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. After additional washing, the amount of immobilized enzyme is determined (for example through the use of a chromogenic substrate). Such screening is performed as quickly as possible after the identification of the hybridoma in order to ensure that a desired clone is not overgrown by non-secreting neighbors. Desirably, the fusion plates are screened several times since the rates of hybridoma growth vary. In a preferred sub-embodiment, a different antigenic form of immunogen may be used to screen the hybridoma. Thus, for example, the splenocytes may be immunized with one immunogen, but the resulting hybridomas can be screened using a different immunogen. It is understood that any of the protein or peptide molecules of the present invention may be used to raise antibodies.
[0110] As discussed below, such antibody molecules or their fragments may be used for diagnostic purposes. Where the antibodies are intended for diagnostic purposes, it may be desirable to derivatize them, for example with a ligand group (such as biotin) or a detectable marker group (such as a fluorescent group, a radioisotope or an enzyme).
[0111] The ability to produce antibodies that bind the protein or peptide molecules of the present invention permits the identification of mimetic compounds of those molecules. A “mimetic compound” is a compound that is not that compound, or a fragment of that compound, but which nonetheless exhibits an ability to specifically bind to antibodies directed against that compound.
[0112] It is understood that any of the agents of the present invention can be substantially purified and/or be biologically active and/or recombinant.
[0113] Uses of the Agents of the Invention
[0114] The nucleic acid molecules and fragments thereof of the present invention from the cDNA library LIB3179 are isolated from jasmonic acid treated maize leaf tissue. Jasmonic acid plays a role in the response of plants to wounding and other stresses. It is one of signal compounds responsible for induction of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins which show strong antifungal and antimicrobial activities. Therefore, the cDNA library of the present invention can enable acquisition of, including but not limited to, stress response genes and genes that regulate PR proteins. The ESTs of the present invention can also be used in isolating genes which would be involved in pathways, including but not limited to, of light and dark respiration, of CO 2 assimilation, and of nitrogen metabolism linked to fruiting and mobilization and distribution of nitrogen. Leaves are the main photosynthetic organs of crop plants, therefore, the ESTs of the present invention will find great use in the isolation of a variety of agronomically significant genes, including but not limited to, genes that regulate photosynthesis and respiration. Such genes are associated with plant growth, quality and yield, and could also serve as links in important developmental, metabolic, and catabolic pathways. Libraries from this tissue can enable the acquisition of a variety of agronomically significant genes involved in the synthesis and catabolism of commercially important traits. The ESTs of the present invention also can enable the acquisition of promoters and cis-regulatory elements which will be useful to express agronomically significant genes in these tissues and/or other tissues. The ESTs of the present invention also can enable the acquisition of molecular markers, which can be used in, including but not limited to, breeding schemes, genetic and molecular mapping, and cloning of agronomically significant genes.
[0115] The nucleic acid molecules and fragments thereof of the present invention from the subtractive cDNA library LIB3227 is generated from maize immature ear tissue, which is harvested from eight week old plants grown in a greenhouse. Libraries from this tissue can enable the acquisition of a variety of agronomically significant genes involved in the synthesis and catabolism of commercially important traits. The ESTs of the present invention can enable the acquisition of, including but are not limited to, non-regulatory genes and genes that regulate protein, oils, amino acids, sterols, minerals, isoflavones, saponins, vitamins, tocopherols, antinutrient components, carbohydrates, starch metabolism and seed regulatory elements. Such genes are associated with plant growth, quality and yield, and could also serve as links in important developmental, metabolic, and catabolic pathways. The ESTs of the present invention also can enable the acquisition of promoters and cis-regulatory elements which will be useful to express agronomically significant genes in these tissues and/or other tissues. The ESTs of the present invention also can enable the acquisition of molecular markers, which can be used in, including but not limited to, breeding schemes, genetic and molecular mapping, and cloning of agronomically significant genes.
[0116] The nucleic acid molecules and fragments thereof of the present invention from the subtractive cDNA library LIB3228 is generated from maize microspore tissue. Libraries from this tissue can enable the acquisition of a variety of agronomically significant genes involved in the synthesis and catabolism of commercially important traits. The ESTs of the present invention can enable the acquisition of, but are not limited to genes involved in reproduction, meiosis, and cell division. Such genes are associated with plant growth, quality and yield, and could also serve as links in important developmental, metabolic, and catabolic pathways. The ESTs of the present invention also can enable the acquisition of promoters and cis-regulatory elements which will be useful to express agronomically significant genes in these tissues and/or other tissues. The ESTs of the present invention also can enable the acquisition of molecular markers, which can be used in, including but not limited to, breeding schemes, genetic and molecular mapping, and cloning of agronomically significant genes.
[0117] The nucleic acid molecules and fragments thereof of the present invention from the cDNA library LIB3279 is generated from maize anthers (about 1 to 2 cm), which are harvested from greenhouse-grown plants 37 days after germination. The ESTs of the present invention can enable the acquisition of, but are not limited to genes involved in reproduction, pollen production and development, and seed production, therefore, the ESTs of the present invention will find great use in the isolation of a variety of agronomically significant genes, including but not limited to, genes that regulate microsporogenesis, meiosis, cell division, carotenoids, floral biogenesis, embryogenesis, protein, amino acids, sterols, oils, minerals, isoflavones, saponins, vitamins, tocopherols, antinutrient components, carbohydrates, starch metabolism and seed regulatory elements. Such genes are associated with plant growth, quality and yield, and could also serve as links in important developmental, metabolic, and catabolic pathways. Libraries from this tissue can enable the acquisition of a variety of agronomically significant genes involved in the synthesis and catabolism of commercially important traits. The ESTs of the present invention also can enable the acquisition of promoters and cis-regulatory elements which will be useful to express agronomically significant genes in these tissues and/or other tissues. The ESTs of the present invention also can enable the acquisition of molecular markers, which can be used in, including but not limited to, breeding schemes, genetic and molecular mapping, and cloning of agronomically significant genes.
[0118] Nucleic acid molecules and fragments thereof of the present invention may be employed to obtain other nucleic acid molecules. Such molecules include the nucleic acid molecules of other plants or other organisms (e.g., alfalfa, rice, potato, cotton, oat, rye, barley, soybean, wheat, Arabidopsis, Brassica , etc.) including the nucleic acid molecules that encode, in whole or in part, protein homologues of other plant species or other organisms, and sequences of genetic elements such as promoters and transcriptional regulatory elements. Such molecules can be readily obtained by using the above-described nucleic acid molecules or fragments thereof to screen cDNA or genomic libraries obtained from such plant species. Methods for forming such libraries are well known in the art. Such homologue molecules may differ in their nucleotide sequences from those found in one or more of SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or complements thereof because complete complementarity is not needed for stable hybridization. The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention therefore also include molecules that, although capable of specifically hybridizing with the nucleic acid molecules may lack “complete complementarity.”
[0119] Any of a variety of methods may be used to obtain one or more of the above-described nucleic acid molecules (Zamechik et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 83:4143-4146 (1986), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Goodchild et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 85:5507-5511 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Wickstrom et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 85:1028-1032 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Holt, et al., Molec. Cell. Biol. 8:963-973 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Gerwirtz, et al., Science 242:1303-1306 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Anfossi, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 86:3379-3383 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Becker, et al., EMBO J. 8:3685-3691 (1989); the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Automated nucleic acid synthesizers may be employed for this purpose. In lieu of such synthesis, the disclosed nucleic acid molecules may be used to define a pair of primers that can be used with the polymerase chain reaction (Mullis, et al., Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 51:263-273 (1986); Erlich et al., EP 50,424; EP 84,796, EP 258,017, EP 237,362; Mullis, EP 201,184; Mullis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202; Erlich, U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,788; and Saiki, R. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,194, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety) to amplify and obtain any desired nucleic acid molecule or fragment.
[0120] Promoter sequence(s) and other genetic elements including but not limited to transcriptional regulatory elements associated with one or more of the disclosed nucleic acid sequences can also be obtained using the disclosed nucleic acid sequences provided herein.
[0121] In one embodiment, such sequences are obtained by incubating EST nucleic acid molecules or preferably fragments thereof with members of genomic libraries (e.g. maize and soybean) and recovering clones that hybridize to the EST nucleic acid molecule or fragment thereof. In a second embodiment, methods of “chromosome walking,” or inverse PCR may be used to obtain such sequences (Frohman, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 85:8998-9002 (1988); Ohara, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 86: 5673-5677 (1989); Pang et al., Biotechniques, 22(6); 1046-1048 (1977); Huang et al., Methods Mol. Biol. 69: 89-96 (1977); Hartl et al., Methods Mol. Biol. 58: 293-301 (1996), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety). In one embodiment, the disclosed nucleic acid molecules are used to identify cDNAs whose analogous genes contain promoters with desirable expression patterns. The nucleic acid molecules isolated from the library of the present invention are used to isolate promoters of tissue-enhanced, tissue-specific, developmentally- or environmentally-regulated expression profiles. Isolation and functional analysis of the 5′ flanking promoter sequences of these genes from genomic libraries, for example, using genomic screening methods and PCR techniques would result in the isolation of useful promoters and transcriptional regulatory elements. These methods are known to those of skill in the art and have been described (See for example Birren et al., Genome Analysis: Analyzing DNA, 1, (1997), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0122] Promoters obtained utilizing the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention could also be modified to affect their control characteristics. Examples of such modifications would include but are not limited to enhancer sequences as reported by Kay et al., Science 236:1299 (1987), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Such genetic elements could be used to enhance gene expression of new and existing traits for crop improvements.
[0123] The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be used to isolate promoters of tissue enhanced, tissue specific, cell-specific, cell-type, developmentally or environmentally regulated expression profiles. Isolation and functional analysis of the 5′ flanking promoter sequences of these genes from genomic libraries, for example, using genomic screening methods and PCR techniques would result in the isolation of useful promoters and transcriptional regulatory elements. These methods are known to those of skill in the art and have been described (See, for example, Birren et. al., Genome Analysis: Analyzing DNA, 1, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Promoters obtained utilizing the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention could also be modified to affect their control characteristics. Examples of such modifications would include but are not limited to enhancer sequences as reported by Kay, et al Science 236:1299 (1987), herein incorporated reference in its entirety. Such genetic elements could be used to enhance gene expression of new and existing traits for crop improvements.
[0124] In an aspect of the present invention, one or more of the nucleic molecules of the present invention are used to determine whether a plant (preferably maize) has a mutation affecting the level (i.e., the concentration of mRNA in a sample, etc.) or pattern (i.e., the kinetics of expression, rate of decomposition, stability profile, etc.) of the expression encoded in part or whole by one or more of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention (collectively, the “Expression Response” of a cell or tissue). As used herein, the Expression Response manifested by a cell or tissue is said to be “altered” if it differs from the Expression Response of cells or tissues of plants not exhibiting the phenotype. To determine whether a Expression Response is altered, the Expression Response manifested by the cell or tissue of the plant exhibiting the phenotype is compared with that of a similar cell or tissue sample of a plant not exhibiting the phenotype. As will be appreciated, it is not necessary to re-determine the Expression Response of the cell or tissue sample of plants not exhibiting the phenotype each time such a comparison is made; rather, the Expression Response of a particular plant may be compared with previously obtained values of normal plants. As used herein, the phenotype of the organism is any of one or more characteristics of an organism (e.g. disease resistance, pest tolerance, environmental tolerance, male sterility, yield, quality improvements, etc.). A change in genotype or phenotype may be transient or permanent. Also as used herein, a tissue sample is any sample that comprises more than one cell. In a preferred aspect, a tissue sample comprises cells that share a common characteristic (e.g. derived from leaf, root, or pollen etc).
[0125] In one sub-aspect, such an analysis is conducted by determining the presence and/or identity of polymorphism(s) by one or more of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention and more specifically, one or more of the EST nucleic acid molecules or fragments thereof which are associated with phenotype, or a predisposition to phenotype.
[0126] Any of a variety of molecules can be used to identify such polymorphism(s). In one embodiment, one or more of the EST nucleic acid molecules (or a sub-fragment thereof) may be employed as a marker nucleic acid molecule to identify such polymorphism(s). Alternatively, such polymorphisms can be detected through the use of a marker nucleic acid molecule or a marker protein that is genetically linked to (i.e., a polynucleotide that co-segregates with) such polymorphism(s).
[0127] In an alternative embodiment, such polymorphisms can be detected through the use of a marker nucleic acid molecule that is physically linked to such polymorphism(s). For this purpose, marker nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide located within 1 mb of the polymorphism(s), and more preferably within 100 kb of the polymorphism(s), and most preferably within 10 kb of the polymorphism(s) can be employed.
[0128] The genomes of animals and plants naturally undergo spontaneous mutation in the course of their continuing evolution (Gusella, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 55:831-854 (1986)). A “polymorphism” is a variation or difference in the sequence of the gene or its flanking regions that arises in some of the members of a species. The variant sequence and the “original” sequence co-exist in the species' population. In some instances, such co-existence is in stable or quasi-stable equilibrium.
[0129] A polymorphism is thus said to be “allelic,” in that, due to the existence of the polymorphism, some members of a species may have the original sequence (i.e., the original “allele”) whereas other members may have the variant sequence (i.e., the variant “allele”). In the simplest case, only one variant sequence may exist, and the polymorphism is thus said to be di-allelic. In other cases, the species' population may contain multiple alleles, and the polymorphism is termed tri-allelic, etc. A single gene may have multiple different unrelated polymorphisms. For example, it may have a di-allelic polymorphism at one site, and a multi-allelic polymorphism at another site.
[0130] The variation that defines the polymorphism may range from a single nucleotide variation to the insertion or deletion of extended regions within a gene. In some cases, the DNA sequence variations are in regions of the genome that are characterized by short tandem repeats (STRs) that include tandem di- or tri-nucleotide repeated motifs of nucleotides. Polymorphisms characterized by such tandem repeats are referred to as “variable number tandem repeat” (“VNTR”) polymorphisms. VNTRs have been used in identity analysis (Weber, U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,217; Armour, et al., FEBS Lett. 307:113-115 (1992); Jones, et al., Eur. J. Haematol. 39:144-147 (1987); Horn, et al., PCT Application WO91/14003; Jeffreys, European Patent Application 370,719; Jeffreys, U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,082; Jeffreys. et al., Amer. J. Hum. Genet. 39:11-24 (1986); Jeffreys. et al., Nature 316:76-79 (1985); Gray, et al., Proc. R. Acad. Soc. Lond. 243:241-253 (1991); Moore, et al., Genomics 10:654-660 (1991); Jeffreys, et al., Anim. Genet. 18:1-15 (1987); Hillel, et al., Anim. Genet. 20:145-155 (1989); Hillel, et al., Genet. 124:783-789 (1990), all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety).
[0131] The detection of polymorphic sites in a sample of DNA may be facilitated through the use of nucleic acid amplification methods. Such methods specifically increase the concentration of polynucleotides that span the polymorphic site, or include that site and sequences located either distal or proximal to it. Such amplified molecules can be readily detected by gel electrophoresis or other means.
[0132] The most preferred method of achieving such amplification employs the polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) (Mullis, et al., Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 51:263-273 (1986); Erlich, et al., European Patent Appln. 50,424; European Patent Appln. 84,796, European Patent Application 258,017, European Patent Appln. 237,362; Mullis, European Patent Appln. 201,184; Mullis, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202; Erlich., U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,788; and Saiki, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,194, all of which are herein incorporated by reference), using primer pairs that are capable of hybridizing to the proximal sequences that define a polymorphism in its double-stranded form.
[0133] In lieu of PCR, alternative methods, such as the “Ligase Chain Reaction” (“LCR”) may be used (Barany, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 88:189-193 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). LCR uses two pairs of oligonucleotide probes to exponentially amplify a specific target. The sequences of each pair of oligonucleotides is selected to permit the pair to hybridize to abutting sequences of the same strand of the target. Such hybridization forms a substrate for a template-dependent ligase. As with PCR, the resulting products thus serve as a template in subsequent cycles and an exponential amplification of the desired sequence is obtained.
[0134] LCR can be performed with oligonucleotides having the proximal and distal sequences of the same strand of a polymorphic site. In one embodiment, either oligonucleotide will be designed to include the actual polymorphic site of the polymorphism. In such an embodiment, the reaction conditions are selected such that the oligonucleotides can be ligated together only if the target molecule either contains or lacks the specific nucleotide that is complementary to the polymorphic site present on the oligonucleotide. Alternatively, the oligonucleotides may be selected such that they do not include the polymorphic site (see, Segev, PCT Application WO 90/01069, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0135] The “Oligonucleotide Ligation Assay” (“OLA”) may alternatively be employed (Landegren, et al., Science 241:1077-1080 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). The OLA protocol uses two oligonucleotides which are designed to be capable of hybridizing to abutting sequences of a single strand of a target. OLA, like LCR, is particularly suited for the detection of point mutations. Unlike LCR, however, OLA results in “linear” rather than exponential amplification of the target sequence.
[0136] Nickerson, et al. have described a nucleic acid detection assay that combines attributes of PCR and OLA (Nickerson, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 87:8923-8927 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). In this method, PCR is used to achieve the exponential amplification of target DNA, which is then detected using OLA. In addition to requiring multiple, and separate, processing steps, one problem associated with such combinations is that they inherit all of the problems associated with PCR and OLA.
[0137] Schemes based on ligation of two (or more) oligonucleotides in the presence of nucleic acid having the sequence of the resulting “di-oligonucleotide”, thereby amplifying the di-oligonucleotide, are also known (Wu, et al., Genomics 4:560 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), and may be readily adapted to the purposes of the present invention.
[0138] Other known nucleic acid amplification procedures, such as allele-specific oligomers, branched DNA technology, transcription-based amplification systems, or isothermal amplification methods may also be used to amplify and analyze such polymorphisms (Malek, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,238; Davey, et al., European Patent Application 329,822; Schuster et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,766; Miller, et al., PCT Application WO 89/06700; Kwoh, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . (U.S.A.) 86:1173-1177 (1989); Gingeras, et al., PCT Application WO 88/10315; Walker, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 89:392-396 (1992), all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety).
[0139] The identification of a polymorphism can be determined in a variety of ways. By correlating the presence or absence of it in a plant with the presence or absence of a phenotype, it is possible to predict the phenotype of that plant. If a polymorphism creates or destroys a restriction endonuclease cleavage site, or if it results in the loss or insertion of DNA (e.g., a VNTR polymorphism), it will alter the size or profile of the DNA fragments that are generated by digestion with that restriction endonuclease. As such, individuals that possess a variant sequence can be distinguished from those having the original sequence by restriction fragment analysis. Polymorphisms that can be identified in this manner are termed “restriction fragment length polymorphisms” (“RFLPs”). RFLPs have been widely used in human and plant genetic analyses (Glassberg, UK Patent Application 2135774; Skolnick, et al., Cytogen. Cell Genet. 32:58-67 (1982); Botstein, et al., Ann. J. Hum. Genet. 32:314-331 (1980); Fischer, et al. (PCT Application WO90/13668); Uhlen, PCT Application WO90/11369).
[0140] Polymorphisms can also be identified by Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. The SSCP technique is a method capable of identifying most sequence variations in a single strand of DNA, typically between 150 and 250 nucleotides in length (Elles, Methods in Molecular Medicine: Molecular Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases , Humana Press (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); Orita et al., Genomics 5: 874-879 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Under denaturing conditions a single strand of DNA will adopt a conformation that is uniquely dependent on its sequence conformation. This conformation usually will be different, even if only a single base is changed. Most conformations have been reported to alter the physical configuration or size sufficiently to be detectable by electrophoresis. A number of protocols have been described for SSCP including, but not limited to Lee et al., Anal. Biochem. 205: 289-293 (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Suzuki et al., Anal. Biochem. 192: 82-84 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Lo et al., Nucleic Acids Research 20: 1005-1009 (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Sarkar et al., Genomics 13: 441-443 (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). It is understood that one or more of the nucleic acids of the present invention, may be utilized as markers or probes to detect polymorphisms by SSCP analysis.
[0141] Polymorphisms may also be found using a DNA fingerprinting technique called amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), which is based on the selective PCR amplification of restriction fragments from a total digest of genomic DNA to profile that DNA. Vos, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 23:4407-4414 (1995), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. This method allows for the specific co-amplification of high numbers of restriction fragments, which can be visualized by PCR without knowledge of the nucleic acid sequence.
[0142] AFLP employs basically three steps. Initially, a sample of genomic DNA is cut with restriction enzymes and oligonucleotide adapters are ligated to the restriction fragments of the DNA. The restriction fragments are then amplified using PCR by using the adapter and restriction sequence as target sites for primer annealing. The selective amplification is achieved by the use of primers that extend into the restriction fragments, amplifying only those fragments in which the primer extensions match the nucleotide flanking the restriction sites. These amplified fragments are then visualized on a denaturing polyacrylamide gel.
[0143] AFLP analysis has been performed on Salix (Beismann, et al., Mol. Ecol. 6:989-993 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); Acinetobacter (Janssen, et al., Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol 47:1179-1187 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), Aeromonas popoffi (Huys, et al., Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 47:1165-1171 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), rice (McCouch, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 35:89-99 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); Nandi, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 255:1-8 (1997); Cho, et al., Genome 39:373-378 (1996), herein incorporated by reference), barley ( Hordeum vulgare ) (Simons, et al., Genomics 44:61-70 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Waugh, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 255:311-321 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Qi, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 254:330-336 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Becker, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 249:65-73 (1995), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), potato (Van der Voort, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 255:438-447 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Meksem, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 249:74-81 (1995), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), Phytophthora infestans (Van der Lee, et al., Fungal Genet. Biol. 21:278-291 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), Bacillus anthracis (Keim, et al., J. Bacteriol. 179:818-824 (1997)), Astragalus cremnophylax (Travis, et al., Mol. Ecol. 5:735-745 (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), Arabidopsis (Cnops, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 253:32-41 (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), Escherichia coli (Lin, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 24:3649-3650 (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), Aeromonas (Huys, et al., Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 46:572-580 (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), nematode (Folkertsma, et al., Mol. Plant. Microbe Interact. 9:47-54 (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), tomato (Thomas, et al., Plant J. 8:785-794 (1995), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), and human (Latorra, et al., PCR Methods Appl. 3:351-358 (1994)). AFLP analysis has also been used for fingerprinting mRNA (Money, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 24:2616-2617 (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Bachem, et al., Plant J. 9:745-753 (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). It is understood that one or more of the nucleic acids of the present invention, may be utilized as markers or probes to detect polymorphisms by AFLP analysis for fingerprinting mRNA.
[0144] Polymorphisms may also be found using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) (Williams et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 18: 6531-6535 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) and cleaveable amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) (Lyamichev et al., Science 260: 778-783 (1993), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). It is understood that one or more of the nucleic acids of the present invention, may be utilized as markers or probes to detect polymorphisms by RAPD or CAPS analysis.
[0145] Polymorphisms are useful, through linkage analysis, to define the genetic distances or physical distances between polymorphic traits. A physical map or ordered array of genomic DNA fragments in the desired region containing the gene may be used to characterize and isolate genes corresponding to desirable traits. For this purpose, yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), and cosmids are appropriate vectors for cloning large segments of DNA molecules. Although fewer clones are needed to make a contig for a specific genomic region by using YACs (Agyare et al., Genome Res. 7: 1-9 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; James et al., Genomics 32: 425-430 (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), chimerism in the inserted DNA fragment can arise. Cosmids are convenient for handling smaller-size DNA molecules and may be used for transformation in developing transgenic plants. BACs also carry DNA fragments and are less prone to chimerism.
[0146] Through genetic mapping, a fine scale linkage map can be developed using DNA markers and, then, a genomic DNA library of large-sized fragments can be screened with molecular markers linked to the desired trait. Molecular markers are advantageous for agronomic traits that are otherwise difficult to tag, such as resistance to pathogens, insects and nematodes, tolerance to abiotic stress, quality parameters and quantitative traits such as high yield potential.
[0147] The essential requirements for marker-assisted selection in a plant breeding program are: (1) the marker(s) should co-segregate or be closely linked with the desired trait; (2) an efficient means of screening large populations for the molecular marker(s) should be available; and (3) the screening technique should have high reproducibility across laboratories and preferably be economical to use and be user-friendly.
[0148] The genetic linkage of marker molecules can be established by a gene mapping model such as, without limitation, the flanking marker model reported by Lander and Botstein, Genetics 121:185-199 (1989) and the interval mapping, based on maximum likelihood methods described by Lander and Botstein, Genetics 121:185-199 (1989) and implemented in the software package MAPMAKER/QTL (Lincoln and Lander, Mapping Genes Controlling Quantitative Traits Using MAPMAKER/QTL , Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts, (1990). Additional software includes Qgene, Version 2.23 (1996), Department of Plant Breeding and Biometry, 266 Emerson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., the manual of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Use of Qgene software is a particularly preferred approach.
[0149] A maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) for the presence of a marker is calculated, together with an MLE assuming no QTL effect, to avoid false positives. A log 10 of an odds ratio (LOD) is then calculated as: LOD=log 10 (MLE for the presence of a QTL/MLE given no linked QTL).
[0150] The LOD score essentially indicates how much more likely the data are to have arisen assuming the presence of a QTL than in its absence. The LOD threshold value for avoiding a false positive with a given confidence, say 95%, depends on the number of markers and the length of the genome. Graphs indicating LOD thresholds are set forth in Lander and Botstein, Genetics 121:185-199 (1989) the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference and further described by Aris and Moreno-González, Plant Breeding , Hayward et al., (eds.) Chapman & Hall, London, pp. 314-331 (1993), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0151] Additional models can be used. Many modifications and alternative approaches to interval mapping have been reported, including the use of non-parametric methods (Kruglyak and Lander, Genetics 139:1421-1428 (1995), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Multiple regression methods or models can be also be used, in which the trait is regressed on a large number of markers (Jansen, Biometrics in Plant Breeding , van Oijen and Jansen (eds.), Proceedings of the Ninth Meeting of the Eucarpia Section Biometrics in Plant Breeding, The Netherlands, pp. 116-124 (1994); Weber and Wricke, Advances in Plant Breeding , Blackwell, Berlin, 16 (1994), both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety). Procedures combining interval mapping with regression analysis, whereby the phenotype is regressed onto a single putative QTL at a given marker interval and at the same time onto a number of markers that serve as ‘cofactors,’ have been reported by Jansen and Stam, Genetics 136:1447-1455 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference and Zeng, Genetics 136:1457-1468 (1994) the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. Generally, the use of cofactors reduces the bias and sampling error of the estimated QTL positions (Utz and Melchinger, Biometrics in Plant Breeding , van Oijen and Jansen (eds.) Proceedings of the Ninth Meeting of the Eucarpia Section Biometrics in Plant Breeding, The Netherlands, pp. 195-204 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, thereby improving the precision and efficiency of QTL mapping (Zeng, Genetics 136:1457-1468 (1994)). These models can be extended to multi-environment experiments to analyze genotype-environment interactions (Jansen et al., Theo. Appl. Genet. 91:33-37 (1995), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0152] Selection of an appropriate mapping population is important to map construction. The choice of an appropriate mapping population depends on the type of marker systems employed (Tanksley et al., Molecular mapping plant chromosomes. Chromosome structure and function: Impact of new concepts , Gustafson and Appels (eds.), Plenum Press, New York, pp 157-173 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Consideration must be given to the source of parents (adapted vs. exotic) used in the mapping population. Chromosome pairing and recombination rates can be severely disturbed (suppressed) in wide crosses (adapted×exotic) and generally yield greatly reduced linkage distances. Wide crosses will usually provide segregating populations with a relatively large array of polymorphisms when compared to progeny in a narrow cross (adapted×adapted).
[0153] An F 2 population is the first generation of selfing after the hybrid seed is produced. Usually a single F 1 plant is selfed to generate a population segregating for all the genes in Mendelian (1:2:1) fashion. Maximum genetic information is obtained from a completely classified F 2 population using a codominant marker system (Mather, Measurement of Linkage in Heredity , Methuen and Co., (1938), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). In the case of dominant markers, progeny tests (e.g. F 3 , BCF 2 ) are required to identify the heterozygotes, thus making it equivalent to a completely classified F 2 population. However, this procedure is often prohibitive because of the cost and time involved in progeny testing. Progeny testing of F 2 individuals is often used in map construction where phenotypes do not consistently reflect genotype (e.g. disease resistance) or where trait expression is controlled by a QTL. Segregation data from progeny test populations (e.g. F 3 or BCF 2 ) can be used in map construction. Marker-assisted selection can then be applied to cross progeny based on marker-trait map associations (F 2 , F 3 ), where linkage groups have not been completely disassociated by recombination events (i.e., maximum disequilibrium).
[0154] Recombinant inbred lines (RIL) (genetically related lines; usually >F 5 , developed from continuously selfing F 2 lines towards homozygosity) can be used as a mapping population. Information obtained from dominant markers can be maximized by using RIL because all loci are homozygous or nearly so. Under conditions of tight linkage (i.e., about <10% recombination), dominant and co-dominant markers evaluated in RIL populations provide more information per individual than either marker type in backcross populations (Reiter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 89:1477-1481 (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). However, as the distance between markers becomes larger (i.e., loci become more independent), the information in RIL populations decreases dramatically when compared to codominant markers.
[0155] Backcross populations (e.g., generated from a cross between a successful variety (recurrent parent) and another variety (donor parent) carrying a trait not present in the former) can be utilized as a mapping population. A series of backcrosses to the recurrent parent can be made to recover most of its desirable traits. Thus a population is created consisting of individuals nearly like the recurrent parent but each individual carries varying amounts or mosaic of genomic regions from the donor parent. Backcross populations can be useful for mapping dominant markers if all loci in the recurrent parent are homozygous and the donor and recurrent parent have contrasting polymorphic marker alleles (Reiter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 89:1477-1481 (1992)). Information obtained from backcross populations using either codominant or dominant markers is less than that obtained from F 2 populations because one, rather than two, recombinant gametes are sampled per plant. Backcross populations, however, are more informative (at low marker saturation) when compared to RILs as the distance between linked loci increases in RIL populations (i.e. about 15% recombination). Increased recombination can be beneficial for resolution of tight linkages, but may be undesirable in the construction of maps with low marker saturation.
[0156] Near-isogenic lines (NIL) created by many backcrosses to produce an array of individuals that are nearly identical in genetic composition except for the trait or genomic region under interrogation can be used as a mapping population. In mapping with NILs, only a portion of the polymorphic loci are expected to map to a selected region.
[0157] Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) is a method developed for the rapid identification of linkage between markers and traits of interest (Michelmore et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 88:9828-9832 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). In BSA, two bulked DNA samples are drawn from a segregating population originating from a single cross. These bulks contain individuals that are identical for a particular trait (resistant or susceptible to particular disease) or genomic region but arbitrary at unlinked regions (i.e. heterozygous). Regions unlinked to the target region will not differ between the bulked samples of many individuals in BSA.
[0158] It is understood that one or more of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be used as molecular markers. It is also understood that one or more of the protein molecules of the present invention may be used as molecular markers.
[0159] In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, a sample nucleic acid is obtained from plants cells or tissues. Any source of nucleic acid may be used. Preferably, the nucleic acid is genomic DNA. The nucleic acid is subjected to restriction endonuclease digestion. For example, one or more EST nucleic acid molecule or fragment thereof can be used as a probe in accordance with the above-described polymorphic methods. The polymorphism obtained in this approach can then be cloned to identify the mutation at the coding region which alters the protein's structure or regulatory region of the gene which affects its expression level.
[0160] In one aspect of the present invention, an evaluation can be conducted to determine whether a particular mRNA molecule is present. One or more of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention, preferably one or more of the EST nucleic acid molecules of the present invention are utilized to detect the presence or quantity of the mRNA species. Such molecules are then incubated with cell or tissue extracts of a plant under conditions sufficient to permit nucleic acid hybridization. The detection of double-stranded probe-mRNA hybrid molecules is indicative of the presence of the mRNA; the amount of such hybrid formed is proportional to the amount of mRNA. Thus, such probes may be used to ascertain the level and extent of the mRNA production in a plant's cells or tissues. Such nucleic acid hybridization may be conducted under quantitative conditions (thereby providing a numerical value of the amount of the mRNA present). Alternatively, the assay may be conducted as a qualitative assay that indicates either that the mRNA is present, or that its level exceeds a user set, predefined value.
[0161] A principle of in situ hybridization is that a labeled, single-stranded nucleic acid probe will hybridize to a complementary strand of cellular DNA or RNA and, under the appropriate conditions, these molecules will form a stable hybrid. When nucleic acid hybridization is combined with histological techniques, specific DNA or RNA sequences can be identified within a single cell. An advantage of in situ hybridization over more conventional techniques for the detection of nucleic acids is that it allows an investigator to determine the precise spatial population (Angerer et al., Dev. Biol. 101: 477-484 (1984), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Angerer et al., Dev. Biol. 112: 157-166 (1985), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Dixon et al., EMBO J. 10: 1317-1324 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). In situ hybridization may be used to measure the steady-state level of RNA accumulation. It is a sensitive technique and RNA sequences present in as few as 5-10 copies per cell can be detected (Hardin et al., J. Mol. Biol. 202: 417-431. (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). A number of protocols have been devised for in situ hybridization, each with tissue preparation, hybridization, and washing conditions (Meyerowitz, Plant Mol. Biol. Rep. 5: 242-250 (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Cox and Goldberg, In: Plant Molecular Biology: A Practical Approach (ed. C. H. Shaw), pp. 1-35. IRL Press, Oxford (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Raikhel et al., In situ RNA hybridization in plant tissues. In Plant Molecular Biology Manual , vol. B9: 1-32. Kluwer Academic Publisher, Dordrecht, Belgium (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0162] In situ hybridization also allows for the localization of proteins within a tissue or cell (Wilkinson, In Situ Hybridization , Oxford University Press, Oxford (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Langdale, In Situ Hybridization 165-179 In: The Maize Handbook , eds. Freeling and Walbot, Springer-Verlag, New York (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). It is understood that one or more of the molecules of the present invention, preferably one or more of the EST nucleic acid molecules of the present invention or one or more of the antibodies of the present invention may be utilized to detect the level or pattern of a protein or fragment thereof by in situ hybridization.
[0163] Fluorescent in situ hybridization also enables the localization of a particular DNA sequence along a chromosome which is useful, among other uses, for gene mapping, following chromosomes in hybrid lines or detecting chromosomes with translocations, transversions or deletions. In situ hybridization has been used to identify chromosomes in several plant species (Griffor et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 17: 101-109 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Gustafson et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A ). 87: 1899-1902 (1990), herein incorporated by reference; Mukai and Gill, Genome 34: 448-452. (1991); Schwarzacher and Heslop-Harrison, Genome 34: 317-323 (1991); Wang et al., Jpn. J. Genet. 66: 313-316 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Parra and Windle, Nature Genetics, 5: 17-21 (1993), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). It is understood that the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be used as probes or markers to localize sequences along a chromosome.
[0164] It is also understood that one or more of the molecules of the present invention, preferably one or more of the EST nucleic acid molecules of the present invention or one or more of the antibodies of the present invention may be utilized to detect the expression level or pattern of a protein or mRNA thereof by in situ hybridization.
[0165] Another method to localize the expression of a molecule is tissue printing. Tissue printing provides a way to screen, at the same time on the same membrane many tissue sections from different plants or different developmental stages. Tissue-printing procedures utilize films designed to immobilize proteins and nucleic acids. In essence, a freshly cut section of an organ is pressed gently onto nitrocellulose paper, nylon membrane or polyvinylidene difluoride membrane. Such membranes are commercially available (e.g. Millipore, Bedford, Mass.). The contents of the cut cell transfer onto the membrane, and the molecules are immobilized to the membrane. The immobilized molecules form a latent print that can be visualized with appropriate probes. When a plant tissue print is made on nitrocellulose paper, the cell walls leave a physical print that makes the anatomy visible without further treatment (Varner and Taylor, Plant Physiol. 91: 31-33 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0166] Tissue printing on substrate films is described by Daoust, Exp. Cell Res. 12: 203-211 (1957), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, who detected amylase, protease, ribonuclease, and deoxyribonuclease in animal tissues using starch, gelatin, and agar films. These techniques can be applied to plant tissues (Yomo and Taylor, Planta 112:35-43 (1973); Harris and Chrispeels, Plant Physiol. 56: 292-299 (1975). Advances in membrane technology have increased the range of applications of Daoust's tissue-printing techniques allowing (Cassab and Vamer, J. Cell. Biol. 105: 2581-2588 (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; the histochemical localization of various plant enzymes and deoxyribonuclease on nitrocellulose paper and nylon (Spruce et al., Phytochemistry, 26: 2901-2903 (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Barres et al. Neuron 5: 527-544 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Reid and Pont-Lezica, Tissue Printing: Tools for the Study of Anatomy, Histochemistry, and Gene Expression , Academic Press, New York, N.Y. (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Reid et al. Plant Physiol. 93: 160-165 (1990), herein incorporate by reference; Ye et al. Plant J. 1: 175-183 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0167] It is understood that one or more of the molecules of the present invention, preferably one or more of the EST nucleic acid molecules of the present invention or one or more of the antibodies of the present invention may be utilized to detect the presence or quantity of a protein by tissue printing.
[0168] Further, it is also understood that any of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be used as marker nucleic acids and or probes in connection with methods that require probes or marker nucleic acids. As used herein, a probe is an agent that is utilized to determine an attribute or feature (e.g. presence or absence, location, correlation, etc.) or a molecule, cell, tissue or plant. As used herein, a marker nucleic acid is a nucleic acid molecule that is utilized to determine an attribute or feature (e.g., presence or absence, location, correlation, etc.) or a molecule, cell, tissue or plant.
[0169] A microarray-based method for high-throughput monitoring of gene expression may be utilized to measure expression response Schena et al., Science 270:467-470 (1995); http://cmgm.stanford.edu/pbrown/array.html; Shalon, Ph.D. Thesis, Stanford University (1996). This approach is based on using arrays of DNA targets (e.g. cDNA inserts, colonies, or polymerase chain reaction products) for hybridization to a “complex probe” prepared with RNA extracted from a given cell line or tissue. The probe may be produced by reverse transcription of mRNA or total RNA and labeled with radioactive or fluorescent labeling. The probe is complex in that it contains many different sequences in various amounts, corresponding to the numbers of copies of the original mRNA species extracted from the sample.
[0170] The initial RNA source will typically be derived from a physiological source. The physiological source may be derived from a variety of eukaryotic sources, with physiological sources of interest including sources derived from single celled organisms such as yeast and multicellular organisms, including plants and animals, particularly plants, where the physiological sources from multicellular organisms may be derived from particular organs or tissues of the multicellular organism, or from isolated cells derived therefrom. The physiological sources may be derived from multicellular organisms at different developmental stages (e.g., 10-day-old seedlings), grown under different environmental conditions (e.g., drought-stressed plants) or treated with chemicals.
[0171] In obtaining the sample of RNAs to be analyzed from the physiological source from which it is derived, the physiological source may be subjected to a number of different processing steps, where such processing steps might include tissue homogenation, cell isolation and cytoplasmic extraction, nucleic acid extraction and the like, where such processing steps are known to the those of skill in the art. Methods of isolating RNA from cells, tissues, organs or whole organisms are known to those of skill in the art and are described in Maniatis et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Press) (1989).
[0172] The DNA may be placed on nylon or glass “microarrays” regularly arranged with a spot spacing of 1 mm or less. Expression levels can be measured for hundreds or thousands of genes, by using less than 2 micrograms of polyA+RNA and determining the relative mRNA abundances down to one in ten thousand or less (Granjeaud et. al., BioEssays 21:781-790 (1999)).
[0173] In addition to arrays of cDNA clones or inserts, arrays of oligonucleotides are also used to study differential gene expression. In an oligonucleotide array, the genes of interest are represented by a series of approximately 20 nucleotide oligomers that are unique to each gene. Labeled mRNA is prepared and hybridization signals are detected from specific sets of oligos that represent different genes supplemented by a set of control oligonucleotides. Potential advantages of the oligonucleotide array include enhanced specificity and sensitivity through the parallel analysis of “perfect match” oligos and “mismatch” oligos for each gene. The hybridization conditions can be adjusted to distinguish a perfect heteroduplex from a single base mismatch, thus allowing subtraction of nonspecific hybridization signals from specific hybridization signals. A disadvantage of oligonucleotide arrays relative to cDNA arrays is the limitation of the technology to genes of known sequence (Granjeaud et. al., BioEssays 21:781-790 (1991); Carulli et al., Journal of Cellular Biochemistry Supplements 30/31:286-296 (1998)).
[0174] These techniques have been successfully used to characterize patterns of gene expression associated with, for example, various important physiological changes in yeast, including the mitotic cell cycle, the heat shock response, and comparison between mating types. Once a set of comparable expression profiles is obtained, e.g. for cells at different time points or at different cellular states, a clustering algorithm generally is used to group sets of genes which share similar expression patterns. The clusters obtained can then be analyzed in the light of available functional annotations, often leading to associations of poorly characterized genes with genes whose function and regulation are better understood.
[0175] Regulatory networks that control gene expression can be characterized using microarray technology (DeRisi et al., Science 278: 680-686 (1997); Winzler et al. Science 28: 1194-1197 (1998); Cho et al. Mol Cell 2: 65-73 (1998); Spellman et al. Mol Biol Cell 95: 14863-14868 (1998). For example, it is has been reported that both cDNA and oligonucleotide arrays have been used to monitor gene expression in synchronized cell cultures. Analysis of the corresponding temporal patterns of gene expression resulted in the identification of over 400 cell cycle-regulated genes. In order to identify possible common regulatory mechanisms accounting for co-expression, consensus motifs in putative regulatory sequences upstream of the corresponding ORFs were examined. This resulted in the identification of several new potential binding sites for known factors or complexes involved in the coordinated transcription of genes during specific phases of the cell cycle (Thieffry, D. BioEssays 21: 895-899 (1999)).
[0000] The microarray approach may be used with polypeptide targets (U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,934; U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,854; U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,600; U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,901) synthesized on a substrate (microarray) and these polypeptides can be screened with either (Fodor et al., Science 251:767-773 (1991)).
[0176] As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,934 arrays with nucleic acid molecules can comprise a substrate with a surface comprising 10 3 or more groups of oligonucleotides with different, known sequences covalently attached to the surface in discrete known regions, e.g. 10 4 or 10 5 or 10 6 or more different groups of known sequences in discrete known regions. In preferred arrays 10 3 or more groups of oligonucleotides occupy a total area of less than 1 cm 2 . In preferred embodiments the groups of oligonucleotides are at least 50% pure within the discrete known regions.”
[0177] It is understood that one or more of the nucleic acid molecules or protein or fragments thereof of the invention may be utilized in a microarray-based method.
[0178] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention microarrays may be prepared that comprise nucleic acid molecules where preferably at least 10%, preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 50% and even more preferably at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95% of the nucleic acid molecules located on that array are selected from the group of nucleic acid molecules that specifically hybridize to one or more nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group of SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 17472 or complement thereof or fragments of either.
[0179] A particular preferred microarray embodiment of the present invention is a microarray comprising nucleic acid molecules encoding genes or fragments thereof that are homologues of known genes or nucleic acid molecules that comprise genes or fragment thereof that elicit only limited or no matches to known genes. A further preferred microarray embodiment of the present invention is a microarray comprising nucleic acid molecules having genes or fragments thereof that are homologues of known genes and nucleic acid molecules that comprise genes or fragment thereof that elicit only limited or no matches to known genes. Site-directed mutagenesis may be utilized to modify nucleic acid sequences, particularly as it is a technique that allows one or more of the amino acids encoded by a nucleic acid molecule to be altered (e.g. a threonine to be replaced by a methionine). Three basic methods for site-directed mutagenesis are often employed. These are cassette mutagenesis (Wells et al., Gene 34:315-23 (1985), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), primer extension (Gilliam et al., Gene 12:129-137 (1980), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); Zoller and Smith, Methods Enzymol. 100:468-500 (1983), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; and Dalbadie-McFarland et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 79:6409-6413 (1982), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) and methods based upon PCR (Scharf et al., Science 233:1076-1078 (1986), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Higuchi et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16:7351-7367 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Site-directed mutagenesis approaches are also described in European Patent 0 385 962, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, European Patent 0 359 472, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, and PCT Patent Application WO 93/07278, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0180] Site-directed mutagenesis strategies have been applied to plants for both in vitro as well as in vivo site-directed mutagenesis (Lanz et al., J. Biol. Chem. 266:9971-6 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Kovgan and Zhdanov, Biotekhnologiya 5:148-154; No. 207160n, Chemical Abstracts 110:225 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Ge et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 86:4037-4041 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, Zhu et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271:18494-18498 (1996), Chu et al., Biochemistry 33:6150-6157 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, Small et al., EMBO J. 11:1291-1296 (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, Cho et al., Mol. Biotechnol. 8:13-16 (1997), Kita et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271:26529-26535 (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, Jin et al., Mol. Microbiol. 7:555-562 (1993), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, Hatfield and Vierstra, J. Biol. Chem. 267:14799-14803 (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, Zhao et al., Biochemistry 31:5093-5099 (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0181] Any of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may either be modified by site-directed mutagenesis or used as, for example, nucleic acid molecules that are used to target other nucleic acid molecules for modification. It is understood that mutants with more than one altered nucleotide can be constructed using techniques that practitioners skilled in the art are familiar with such as isolating restriction fragments and ligating such fragments into an expression vector (see, for example, Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual , Cold Spring Harbor Press (1989)).
[0182] Sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins play a role in the regulation of transcription. The isolation of recombinant cDNAs encoding these proteins facilitates the biochemical analysis of their structural and functional properties. Genes encoding such DNA-binding proteins have been isolated using classical genetics (Vollbrecht et al., Nature 350: 241-243 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) and molecular biochemical approaches, including the screening of recombinant cDNA libraries with antibodies (Landschulz et al., Genes Dev. 2: 786-800 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) or DNA probes (Bodner et al., Cell 55: 505-518 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). In addition, an in situ screening procedure has been used and has facilitated the isolation of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins from various plant species (Gilmartin et al., Plant Cell 4: 839-849 (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Schindler et al., EMBO J. 11: 1261-1273 (1992) the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). An in situ screening protocol does not require the purification of the protein of interest (Vinson et al., Genes Dev. 2: 801-806 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Singh et al., Cell 52: 415-423 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0183] Steps may be employed to characterize DNA-protein interactions. The first is to identify promoter fragments that interact with DNA-binding proteins, to titrate binding activity, to determine the specificity of binding, and to determine whether a given DNA-binding activity can interact with related DNA sequences (Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2 nd edition. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989). Electrophoretic mobility-shift assay is a widely used assay. The assay provides a simple, rapid, and sensitive method for detecting DNA-binding proteins based on the observation that the mobility of a DNA fragment through a nondenaturing, low-ionic strength polyacrylamide gel is retarded upon association with a DNA-binding protein (Fried and Crother, Nucleic Acids Res. 9: 6505-6525 (1981), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). When one or more specific binding activities have been identified, the exact sequence of the DNA bound by the protein may be determined. Several procedures for characterizing protein/DNA-binding sites are used, including methylation and ethylation interference assays (Maxam and Gilbert, Methods Enzymol. 65: 499-560 (1980), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Wissman and Hillen, Methods Enzymol. 208: 365-379 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) and footprinting techniques employing DNase I (Galas and Schmitz, Nucleic Acids Res. 5: 3157-3170 (1978), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), 1,10-phenanthroline-copper ion methods (Sigman et al., Methods Enzymol. 208: 365-379 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) or hydroxyl radical methods (Dixon et al., Methods Enzymol. 208: 380-413 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). It is understood that one or more of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention, preferably one or more of the EST nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be utilized to identify a protein or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. It is also understood that one or more of the protein molecules or fragments thereof of the present invention may be utilized to identify a nucleic acid molecule that specifically binds to it.
[0184] The two-hybrid system is based on the fact that many cellular functions are carried out by proteins that interact (physically) with one another. Two-hybrid systems have been used to probe the function of new proteins (Chien et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 88: 9578-9582 (1991) the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Durfee et al., Genes Dev. 7: 555-569 (1993) the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Choi et al., Cell 78: 499-512 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Kranz et al., Genes Dev. 8: 313-327 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0185] Interaction mating techniques have facilitated a number of two-hybrid studies of protein-protein interaction. Interaction mating has been used to examine interactions between small sets of tens of proteins (Finley and Brent, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 91: 12098-12984 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), larger sets of hundreds of proteins, (Bendixen et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 22: 1778-1779 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) and to comprehensively map proteins encoded by a small genome (Bartel et al., Nature Genetics 12: 72-77 (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). This technique utilizes proteins fused to the DNA-binding domain and proteins fused to the activation domain. They are expressed in two different haploid yeast strains of opposite mating type, and the strains are mated to determine if the two proteins interact. Mating occurs when haploid yeast strains come into contact and result in the fusion of the two haploids into a diploid yeast strain. An interaction can be determined by the activation of a two-hybrid reporter gene in the diploid strain. The primary advantage of this technique is that it reduces the number of yeast transformations needed to test individual interactions. It is understood that the protein-protein interactions of protein or fragments thereof of the present invention may be investigated using the two-hybrid system and that any of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention that encode such proteins or fragments thereof may be used to transform yeast in the two-hybrid system.
[0186] Synechocystis 6803 is a photosynthetic Cyanobacterium capable of oxygenic photosynthesis as well as heterotrophic growth in the absence of light. The entire genome has been sequenced, and it is reported to have a circular genome size of 3.57 Mbp containing 3168 potential open reading frames. Open reading frames (ORFs) were identified based upon their homology to other reported ORFs and by using ORF identification computer programs. Sixteen hundred potential ORFs were assigned based on their homology to previously identified ORFs. Of these 1600 ORFs, 145 were identical to reported ORFs (Kaneko et al., DNA Research 3:109-36 (1996), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety).
[0187] Several prokaryote promoters have been used in Synechocystis to express heterologous genes including the tac, lac, and lambda phage promoters (Bryant (ed.), The Molecular Biology of Cyanobacteria , Kluwer Academic Publishers, (1994); Ferino and Chauvat, Gene 84:257-266 (1989), both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety). Several bacterial origins of replication such as RSF1010 and ACYC are reported to replicate in Synechocystis (Mermet-Bouvier and Chauvat, Current Microbiology 28:145-148 (1994); Kuhlemeier et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 184:249-254 (1981), both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety).
[0188] Synechocystis has been used to study gene regulation by gene replacement through homologous recombination or by gene disruption using antibiotic resistance markers (Pakrasi et al., EMBO 7:325-332 (1988), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). In such gene regulation studies, double reciprocal homologous regions of the host genome flanking the gene of interest recombine to stably integrate the gene of interest into the genome. The gene of interest can be expressed once that gene has been stably integrated into the genome. Biochemical analysis can be performed to study the effect of the replaced or deleted gene.
[0189] It is understood that the agents of the present invention may be employed in a Synechocystis system.
[0190] Exogenous genetic material may be transferred into a plant cell and the plant cell regenerated into a whole, fertile or sterile plant. Exogenous genetic material is any genetic material, whether naturally occurring or otherwise, from any source that is capable of being inserted into any organism. Such genetic material may be transferred into either monocotyledons and dicotyledons including but not limited to the crops, maize and soybean (See specifically, Chistou, Particle Bombardment for Genetic Engineering of Plants , pp 63-69 (maize), pp 50-60 (soybean), Biotechnology Intelligence Unit. Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference and generally Chistou, Particle Bombardment for Genetic Engineering of Plants , Biotechnology Intelligence Unit. Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0191] Transfer of a nucleic acid that encodes for a protein can result in overexpression of that protein in a transformed cell or transgenic plant. One or more of the proteins or fragments thereof encoded by nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be overexpressed in a transformed cell or transformed plant. Such overexpression may be the result of transient or stable transfer of the exogenous material.
[0192] Exogenous genetic material may be transferred into a plant cell by the use of a DNA vector or construct designed for such a purpose. Design of such a vector is generally within the skill of the art (See, Plant Molecular Biology: A Laboratory Manual eds. Clark, Springer, New York (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0193] A construct or vector may include a plant promoter to express the protein or protein fragment of choice. A number of promoters which are active in plant cells have been described in the literature. These include the nopaline synthase (NOS) promoter (Ebert et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 84:5745-5749 (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), the octopine synthase (OCS) promoter (which are carried on tumor-inducing plasmids of Agrobacterium tumefaciens ), the caulimovirus promoters such as the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 19S promoter (Lawton et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 9:315-324 (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) and the CAMV 35S promoter (Odell et al., Nature 313:810-812 (1985), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), the figwort mosaic virus 35S-promoter, the light-inducible promoter from the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bis-phosphate carboxylase (ssRUBISCO), the Adh promoter (Walker et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 84:6624-6628 (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), the sucrose synthase promoter (Yang et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 87:4144-4148 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), the R gene complex promoter (Chandler et al., The Plant Cell 1:1175-1183 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), and the chlorophyll a/b binding protein gene promoter, etc. These promoters have been used to create DNA constructs which have been expressed in plants; see, e.g., PCT publication WO 84/02913, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0194] Promoters which are known or are found to cause transcription of DNA in plant cells can be used in the present invention. Such promoters may be obtained from a variety of sources such as plants and plant viruses. It is preferred that the particular promoter selected should be capable of causing sufficient expression to result in the production of an effective amount of a protein to cause the desired phenotype. In addition to promoters which are known to cause transcription of DNA in plant cells, other promoters may be identified for use in the current invention by screening a plant cDNA library for genes which are selectively or preferably expressed in the target tissues or cells.
[0195] For the purpose of expression in source tissues of the plant, such as the leaf, seed, root or stem, it is preferred that the promoters utilized in the present invention have relatively high expression in these specific tissues. For this purpose, one may choose from a number of promoters for genes with tissue- or cell-specific or -enhanced expression. Examples of such promoters reported in the literature include the chloroplast glutamine synthetase GS2 promoter from pea (Edwards et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 87:3459-3463 (1990), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), the chloroplast fructose-1,6-biphosphatase (FBPase) promoter from wheat (Lloyd et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 225:209-216 (1991), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), the nuclear photosynthetic ST-LS1 promoter from potato (Stockhaus et al., EMBO J. 8:2445-2451 (1989), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) promoter and the chalcone synthase (CHS) promoter from Arabidopsis thaliana . Also reported to be active in photosynthetically active tissues are the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RbcS) promoter from eastern larch ( Larix laricina ), the promoter for the cab gene, cab6, from pine (Yamamoto et al., Plant Cell Physiol. 35:773-778 (1994), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), the promoter for the Cab-1 gene from wheat (Fejes et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 15:921-932 (1990), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), the promoter for the CAB-1 gene from spinach (Lubberstedt et al., Plant Physiol. 104:997-1006 (1994), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), the promoter for the cab1R gene from rice (Luan et al., Plant Cell. 4:971-981 (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), the pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) promoter from maize (Matsuoka et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 90: 9586-9590 (1993), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), the promoter for the tobacco Lhcb1*2 gene (Cerdan et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 33: 245-255. (1997), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), the Arabidopsis thaliana SUC2 sucrose-H+ symporter promoter (Truernit et al., Planta. 196: 564-570 (1995), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), and the promoter for the thylacoid membrane proteins from spinach (psaD, psaF, psaE, PC, FNR, atpC, atpD, cab, rbcS). Other promoters for the chlorophyl a/b-binding proteins may also be utilized in the present invention, such as the promoters for LhcB gene and PsbP gene from white mustard ( Sinapis alba ; Kretsch et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 28: 219-229 (1995), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0196] For the purpose of expression in sink tissues of the plant, such as the tuber of the potato plant, the fruit of tomato, or the seed of maize, wheat, rice, and barley, it is preferred that the promoters utilized in the present invention have relatively high expression in these specific tissues. A number of promoters for genes with tuber-specific or -enhanced expression are known, including the class I patatin promoter (Bevan et al., EMBO J. 8: 1899-1906 (1986); Jefferson et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 14: 995-1006 (1990), both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety), the promoter for the potato tuber ADPGPP genes, both the large and small subunits, the sucrose synthase promoter (Salanoubat and Belliard, Gene. 60: 47-56 (1987), Salanoubat and Belliard, Gene. 84: 181-185 (1989), both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety), the promoter for the major tuber proteins including the 22 kd protein complexes and proteinase inhibitors (Hannapel, Plant Physiol. 101: 703-704 (1993), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), the promoter for the granule bound starch synthase gene (GBSS) (Visser et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 17: 691-699 (1991), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), and other class I and II patatins promoters (Koster-Topfer et al., Mol Gen Genet. 219: 390-396 (1989); Mignery et al., Gene. 62: 27-44 (1988), both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety).
[0197] Other promoters can also be used to express a fructose 1,6 bisphosphate aldolase gene in specific tissues, such as seeds or fruits. The promoter for β-conglycinin (Chen et al., Dev. Genet. 10: 112-122 (1989), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) or other seed-specific promoters such as the napin and phaseolin promoters, can be used. The zeins are a group of storage proteins found in maize endosperm. Genomic clones for zein genes have been isolated (Pedersen et al., Cell 29: 1015-1026 (1982), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), and the promoters from these clones, including the 15 kD, 16 kD, 19 kD, 22 kD, 27 kD, and gamma genes, could also be used. Other promoters known to function, for example, in maize, include the promoters for the following genes: waxy, Brittle, Shrunken 2, Branching enzymes I and II, starch synthases, debranching enzymes, oleosins, glutelins, and sucrose synthases. A particularly preferred promoter for maize endosperm expression is the promoter for the glutelin gene from rice, more particularly the Osgt-1 promoter (Zheng et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 13: 5829-5842 (1993), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Examples of promoters suitable for expression in wheat include those promoters for the ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase (ADPGPP) subunits, the granule bound and other starch synthases, the branching and debranching enzymes, the embryogenesis-abundant proteins, the gliadins, and the glutenins. Examples of such promoters in rice include those promoters for the ADPGPP subunits, the granule bound and other starch synthases, the branching enzymes, the debranching enzymes, sucrose synthases, and the glutelins. A particularly preferred promoter is the promoter for rice glutelin, Osgt-1. Examples of such promoters for barley include those for the ADPGPP subunits, the granule bound and other starch synthases, the branching enzymes, the debranching enzymes, sucrose synthases, the hordeins, the embryo globulins, and the aleurone specific proteins.
[0198] Root specific promoters may also be used. An example of such a promoter is the promoter for the acid chitinase gene (Samac et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 25: 587-596 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Expression in root tissue could also be accomplished by utilizing the root specific subdomains of the CaMV35S promoter that have been identified (Lam et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 86:7890-7894 (1989), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Other root cell specific promoters include those reported by Conkling et al. (Conkling et al., Plant Physiol. 93:1203-1211 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0199] Additional promoters that may be utilized are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,378,619, 5,391,725, 5,428,147, 5,447,858, 5,608,144, 5,608,144, 5,614,399, 5,633,441, 5,633,435, and 4,633,436, all of which are herein incorporated in their entirety. In addition, a tissue specific enhancer may be used (Fromm et al., The Plant Cell 1:977-984 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0200] Constructs or vectors may also include, with the coding region of interest, a nucleic acid sequence that acts, in whole or in part, to terminate transcription of that region. For example, such sequences have been isolated including the Tr7 3′ sequence and the nos 3′ sequence (Ingelbrecht et al., The Plant Cell 1:671-680 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Bevan et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 11:369-385 (1983), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), or the like.
[0201] A vector or construct may also include regulatory elements. Examples of such include the Adh intron 1 (Callis et al., Genes and Develop. 1:1183-1200 (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), the sucrose synthase intron (Vasil et al., Plant Physiol. 91:1575-1579 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) and the TMV omega element (Gallie et al., The Plant Cell 1:301-311 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). These and other regulatory elements may be included when appropriate.
[0202] A vector or construct may also include a selectable marker. Selectable markers may also be used to select for plants or plant cells that contain the exogenous genetic material. Examples of such include, but are not limited to, a neo gene (Potrykus et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 199:183-188 (1985), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) which codes for kanamycin resistance and can be selected for using kanamycin, G418, etc.; a bar gene which codes for bialaphos resistance; a mutant EPSP synthase gene (Hinchee et al., Bio/Technology 6:915-922 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) which encodes glyphosate resistance; a nitrilase gene which confers resistance to bromoxynil (Stalker et al., J. Biol. Chem. 263:6310-6314 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); a mutant acetolactate synthase gene (ALS) which confers imidazolinone or sulphonylurea resistance (European Patent Application 154,204 (Sep. 11, 1985), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); and a methotrexate resistant DHFR gene (Thillet et al., J. Biol. Chem. 263:12500-12508 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0203] A vector or construct may also include a transit peptide. Incorporation of a suitable chloroplast transit peptide may also be employed (European Patent Application Publication Number 0218571, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Translational enhancers may also be incorporated as part of the vector DNA. DNA constructs could contain one or more 5′ non-translated leader sequences which may serve to enhance expression of the gene products from the resulting mRNA transcripts. Such sequences may be derived from the promoter selected to express the gene or can be specifically modified to increase translation of the mRNA. Such regions may also be obtained from viral RNAs, from suitable eukaryotic genes, or from a synthetic gene sequence. For a review of optimizing expression of transgenes, see Koziel et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 32:393-405 (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0204] A vector or construct may also include a screenable marker. Screenable markers may be used to monitor expression. Exemplary screenable markers include a β-glucuronidase or uidA gene (GUS) which encodes an enzyme for which various chromogenic substrates are known (Jefferson, Plant Mol. Biol, Rep. 5: 387-405 (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Jefferson et al., EMBO J. 6: 3901-3907 (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); an R-locus gene, which encodes a product that regulates the production of anthocyanin pigments (red color) in plant tissues ((Dellaporta et al., Stadler Symposium 11:263-282 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); a β-lactamase gene (Sutcliffe et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 75: 3737-3741 (1978), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), a gene which encodes an enzyme for which various chromogenic substrates are known (e.g., PADAC, a chromogenic cephalosporin); a luciferase gene (Ow et al., Science 234: 856-859 (1986), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) a xylE gene (Zukowsky et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 80:1101-1105 (1983), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) which encodes a catechol diozygenase that can convert chromogenic catechols; an α-amylase gene (Ikatu et al., Bio/Technol. 8:241-242 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); a tyrosinase gene (Katz et al., J. Gen. Microbiol. 129:2703-2714 (1983), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) which encodes an enzyme capable of oxidizing tyrosine to DOPA and dopaquinone which in turn condenses to melanin; an α-galactosidase, which will turn a chromogenic α-galactose substrate.
[0205] Included within the terms “selectable or screenable marker genes” are also genes which encode a scriptable marker whose secretion can be detected as a means of identifying or selecting for transformed cells. Examples include markers which encode a secretable antigen that can be identified by antibody interaction, or even secretable enzymes which can be detected catalytically. Secretable proteins fall into a number of classes, including small, diffusible proteins detectable, e.g., by ELISA, small active enzymes detectable in extracellular solution (e.g., α-amylase, β-lactamase, phosphinothricin transferase), or proteins which are inserted or trapped in the cell wall (such as proteins which include a leader sequence such as that found in the expression unit of extension or tobacco PR-S). Other possible selectable and/or screenable marker genes will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
[0206] Methods and compositions for transforming a bacteria and other microorganisms are known in the art (see for example Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual , Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0207] There are many methods for introducing transforming nucleic acid molecules into plant cells. Suitable methods are believed to include virtually any method by which nucleic acid molecules may be introduced into a cell, such as by Agrobacterium infection or direct delivery of nucleic acid molecules such as, for example, by PEG-mediated transformation, by electroporation or by acceleration of DNA coated particles, etc. (Pottykus, Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 42:205-225 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Vasil, Plant Mol. Biol. 25: 925-937 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. For example, electroporation has been used to transform maize protoplasts (Fromm et al., Nature 312:791-793 (1986), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0208] Other vector systems suitable for introducing transforming DNA into a host plant cell includes but is not limited to binary artificial chromosome (BIBAC) vectors (Hamilton et al., Gene 200:107-116, (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, and transfection with RNA viral vectors (Della-Cioppa et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci . (1996), 792 (Engineering Plants for Commercial Products and Applications), 57-61, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0209] Technology for introduction of DNA into cells is well known to those of skill in the art. Four general methods for delivering a gene into cells have been described: (1) chemical methods (Graham and van der Eb, Virology, 54:536-539 (1973), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); (2) physical methods such as microinjection (Capecchi, Cell 22:479-488 (1980), electroporation (Wong and Neumann, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 107:584-587 (1982); Fromm et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82:5824-5828 (1985); U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,253; and the gene gun (Johnston and Tang, Methods Cell Biol. 43:353-365 (1994), all of which the entirety is herein incorporated by reference; (3) viral vectors (Clapp, Clin. Perinatol., 20:155-168 (1993); Lu et al., J. Exp. Med., 178:2089-2096 (1993); Eglitis and Anderson, Biotechniques, 6:608-614 (1988), all of which the entirety is herein incorporated by reference); and (4) receptor-mediated mechanisms (Curiel et al., Hum. Gen. Ther., 3:147-154 (1992); Wagner et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:6099-6103 (1992), all of which the entirety is herein incorporated by reference).
[0210] Acceleration methods that may be used include, for example, microprojectile bombardment and the like. One example of a method for delivering transforming nucleic acid molecules to plant cells is microprojectile bombardment. This method has been reviewed by Yang and Christou, eds., Particle Bombardment Technology for Gene Transfer , Oxford Press, Oxford, England (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Non-biological particles (microprojectiles) that may be coated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a propelling force. Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten, gold, platinum, and the like.
[0211] A particular advantage of microprojectile bombardment, in addition to it being an effective means of reproducibly, and stably transforming monocotyledons, is that neither the isolation of protoplasts (Cristou et al., Plant Physiol. 87:671-674 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) nor the susceptibility of Agrobacterium infection is required. An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into maize cells by acceleration is a biolistics g-particle delivery system, which can be used to propel particles coated with DNA through a screen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a filter surface covered with corn cells cultured in suspension. Gordon-Kamm et al., describes the basic procedure for coating tungsten particles with DNA (Gordon-Kamm et al., Plant Cell 2: 603-618 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). The screen disperses the tungsten nucleic acid particles so that they are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates. A particle delivery system suitable for use with the present invention is the helium acceleration PDS-1000/He gun which is available from Bio-Rad Laboratories (Bio-Rad, Hercules, Calif.) (Sanford et al., Technique 3:3-16 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0212] For the bombardment, cells in suspension may be concentrated on filters. Filters containing the cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriate distance below the microprojectile stopping plate. If desired, one or more screens are also positioned between the gun and the cells to be bombarded.
[0213] Alternatively, immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culture medium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriate distance below the macroprojectile stopping plate. If desired, one or more screens are also positioned between the acceleration device and the cells to be bombarded. Through the use of techniques set forth herein one may obtain up to 1000 or more foci of cells transiently expressing a marker gene. The number of cells in a focus which express the exogenous gene product 48 hours post-bombardment often range from one to ten and average one to three.
[0214] In bombardment transformation, one may optimize the prebombardment culturing conditions and the bombardment parameters to yield the maximum numbers of stable transformants. Both the physical and biological parameters for bombardment are important in this technology. Physical factors are those that involve manipulating the DNA/microprojectile precipitate or those that affect the flight and velocity of either the macro- or microprojectiles. Biological factors include all steps involved in manipulation of cells before and immediately after bombardment, the osmotic adjustment of target cells to help alleviate the trauma associated with bombardment, and also the nature of the transforming DNA, such as linearized DNA or intact supercoiled plasmids. It is believed that pre-bombardment manipulations are especially important for successful transformation of immature embryos. In another alternative embodiment, plastids can be stably transformed. Methods disclosed for plastid transformation in higher plants include the particle gun delivery of DNA containing a selectable marker and targeting of the DNA to the plastid genome through homologous recombination (Svab et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 87:8526-8530 (1990); Svab and Maliga, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 90:913-917 (1993); Staub and Maliga, EMBO J. 12:601-606 (1993); U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,451,513 and 5,545,818, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety).
[0215] Accordingly, it is contemplated that one may wish to adjust various aspects of the bombardment parameters in small scale studies to fully optimize the conditions. One may particularly wish to adjust physical parameters such as gap distance, flight distance, tissue distance, and helium pressure. One may also minimize the trauma reduction factors by modifying conditions which influence the physiological state of the recipient cells and which may therefore influence transformation and integration efficiencies. For example, the osmotic state, tissue hydration and the subculture stage or cell cycle of the recipient cells may be adjusted for optimum transformation. The execution of other routine adjustments will be known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure.
[0216] Agrobacterium -mediated transfer is a widely applicable system for introducing genes into plant cells because the DNA can be introduced into whole plant tissues, thereby bypassing the need for regeneration of an intact plant from a protoplast. The use of Agrobacterium -mediated plant integrating vectors to introduce DNA into plant cells is well known in the art. See, for example the methods described (Fraley et al., Biotechnology 3:629-635 (1985); Rogers et al., Meth. In Enzymol, 153:253-277 (1987), both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Further, the integration of the Ti-DNA is a relatively precise process resulting in few rearrangements. The region of DNA to be transferred is defined by the border sequences, and intervening DNA is usually inserted into the plant genome as described (Spielmann et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 205:34 (1986), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0217] Modern Agrobacterium transformation vectors are capable of replication in E. coli as well as Agrobacterium , allowing for convenient manipulations as described (Klee et al., In: Plant DNA Infectious Agents , T. Hohn and J. Schell, eds., Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 179-203 (1985), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. Moreover, recent technological advances in vectors for Agrobacterium -mediated gene transfer have improved the arrangement of genes and restriction sites in the vectors to facilitate construction of vectors capable of expressing various polypeptide coding genes. The vectors described have convenient multi-linker regions flanked by a promoter and a polyadenylation site for direct expression of inserted polypeptide coding genes and are suitable for present purposes (Rogers et al., Meth. In Enzymol., 153:253-277 (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). In addition, Agrobacterium containing both armed and disarmed Ti genes can be used for the transformations. In those plant strains where Agrobacterium -mediated transformation is efficient, it is the method of choice because of the facile and defined nature of the gene transfer.
[0218] A transgenic plant formed using Agrobacterium transformation methods typically contains a single gene on one chromosome. Such transgenic plants can be referred to as being heterozygous for the added gene. More preferred is a transgenic plant that is homozygous for the added structural gene; i.e., a transgenic plant that contains two added genes, one gene at the same locus on each chromosome of a chromosome pair. A homozygous transgenic plant can be obtained by sexually mating (selfing) an independent segregant transgenic plant that contains a single added gene, germinating some of the seed produced and analyzing the resulting plants produced for the gene of interest.
[0219] It is also to be understood that two different transgenic plants can also be mated to produce offspring that contain two independently segregating added, exogenous genes. Selfing of appropriate progeny can produce plants that are homozygous for both added, exogenous genes that encode a polypeptide of interest. Back-crossing to a parental plant and out-crossing with a non-transgenic plant are also contemplated, as is vegetative propagation.
[0220] Transformation of plant protoplasts can be achieved using methods based on calcium phosphate precipitation, polyethylene glycol treatment, electroporation, and combinations of these treatments. See for example (Potrykus et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 205:193-200 (1986); Lorz et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 199:178, (1985); Fromm et al., Nature, 319:791, (1986); Uchimiya et al., Mol. Gen. Genet.: 204:204, (1986); Callis et al., Genes and Development, 1183, (1987); Marcotte et al., Nature, 335:454, (1988), all of which the entirety is herein incorporated by reference).
[0221] Application of these systems to different plant strains depends upon the ability to regenerate that particular plant strain from protoplasts. Illustrative methods for the regeneration of cereals from protoplasts are described (Fujimura et al., Plant Tissue Culture Letters, 2:74, (1985); Toriyama et al., Theor Appl. Genet. 205:34. (1986); Yamada et al., Plant Cell Rep., 4:85, (1986); Abdullah et al., Biotechnology, 4:1087, (1986), all of which the entirety is herein incorporated by reference).
[0222] To transform plant strains that cannot be successfully regenerated from protoplasts, other ways to introduce DNA into intact cells or tissues can be utilized. For example, regeneration of cereals from immature embryos or explants can be effected as described (Vasil, Biotechnology, 6:397, (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). In addition, “particle gun” or high-velocity microprojectile technology can be utilized (Vasil et al., Bio/Technology 10:667, (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0223] Using the latter technology, DNA is carried through the cell wall and into the cytoplasm on the surface of small metal particles as described (Klein et al., Nature, 328:70, (1987); Klein et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:8502-8505, (1988); McCabe et al., Biotechnology, 6:923, (1988), all of which the entirety is herein incorporated by reference). The metal particles penetrate through several layers of cells and thus allow the transformation of cells within tissue explants.
[0224] Other methods of cell transformation can also be used and include but are not limited to introduction of DNA into plants by direct DNA transfer into pollen (Hess et al., Intern Rev. Cytol., 107:367, (1987); Luo et al., Plant Mol. Biol. Reporter, 6:165, (1988), all of which the entirety is herein incorporated by reference), by direct injection of DNA into reproductive organs of a plant (Pena et al., Nature, 325:274, (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), or by direct injection of DNA into the cells of immature embryos followed by the rehydration of desiccated embryos (Neuhaus et al., Theor. Appl. Genet., 75:30, (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0225] The regeneration, development, and cultivation of plants from single plant protoplast transformants or from various transformed explants is well known in the art (Weissbach and Weissbach, In: Methods for Plant Molecular Biology , (Eds.), Academic Press, Inc. San Diego, Calif., (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). This regeneration and growth process typically includes the steps of selection of transformed cells, culturing those individualized cells through the usual stages of embryonic development through the rooted plantlet stage. Transgenic embryos and seeds are similarly regenerated. The resulting transgenic rooted shoots are thereafter planted in an appropriate plant growth medium such as soil.
[0226] The development or regeneration of plants containing the foreign, exogenous gene that encodes a protein of interest is well known in the art. Preferably, the regenerated plants are self-pollinated to provide homozygous transgenic plants, as discussed before. Otherwise, pollen obtained from the regenerated plants is crossed to seed-grown plants of agronomically important lines. Conversely, pollen from plants of these important lines is used to pollinate regenerated plants. A transgenic plant of the present invention containing a desired polypeptide is cultivated using methods well known to one skilled in the art.
[0227] There are a variety of methods for the regeneration of plants from plant tissue. The particular method of regeneration will depend on the starting plant tissue and the particular plant species to be regenerated.
[0228] Methods for transforming dicots, primarily by use of Agrobacterium tumefaciens , and obtaining transgenic plants have been published for cotton (U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,863, U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,135, U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,908, all of which the entirety is herein incorporated by reference); soybean (U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,834, U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,011, McCabe et al., Biotechnology 6:923, (1988), Christou et al., Plant Physiol., 87:671-674 (1988), all of which the entirety is herein incorporated by reference); Brassica (U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,174, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); peanut (Cheng et al., Plant Cell Rep. 15: 653-657 (1996), McKently et al., Plant Cell Rep. 14:699-703 (1995), all of which the entirety is herein incorporated by reference); papaya (Yang et al., (1996), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); pea (Grant et al., Plant Cell Rep. 15:254-258, (1995), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0229] Transformation of monocotyledons using electroporation, particle bombardment, and Agrobacterium have also been reported. Transformation and plant regeneration have been achieved in asparagus (Bytebier et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:5345, (1987), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); barley (Wan and Lemaux, Plant Physiol 104:37, (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); maize (Rhodes et al., Science 240: 204, (1988), Gordon-Kamm et al., Plant Cell, 2:603, (1990), Fromm et al., Bio/Technology 8:833, (1990), Koziel et al., Bio/Technology 11:194, (1993), Armstrong et al., Crop Science 35:550-557, (1995), all of which the entirety is herein incorporated by reference); oat (Somers et al., Bio/Technology, 10:1589, (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); orchardgrass (Horn et al., Plant Cell Rep. 7:469, (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); rice (Toriyama et al., Theor Appl. Genet. 205:34, (1986); Park et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 32: 1135-1148, (1996); Abedinia et al., Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 24:133-141, (1997); Zhang and Wu, Theor. Appl. Genet. 76:835, (1988); Zhang et al. Plant Cell Rep. 7:379, (1988); Battraw and Hall, Plant Sci. 86:191-202, (1992); Christou et al., Bio/Technology 9:957, (1991), all of which the entirety is herein incorporated by reference); sugarcane (Bower and Birch, Plant J. 2:409, (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference); tall fescue (Wang et al., Bio/Technology 10:691, (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference), and wheat (Vasil et al., Bio/Technology 10:667, (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,152, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0230] Assays for gene expression based on the transient expression of cloned nucleic acid constructs have been developed by introducing the nucleic acid molecules into plant cells by polyethylene glycol treatment, electroporation, or particle bombardment (Marcotte, et al., Nature, 335: 454-457 (1988), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Marcotte, et al., Plant Cell, 1: 523-532 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; McCarty, et al., Cell 66: 895-905 (1991), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Hattori, et al., Genes Dev. 6: 609-618 (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Goff, et al., EMBO J. 9: 2517-2522 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Transient expression systems may be used to functionally dissect gene constructs (See generally, Mailga et al., Methods in Plant Molecular Biology , Cold Spring Harbor Press (1995)).
[0231] Any of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be introduced into a plant cell in a permanent or transient manner in combination with other genetic elements such as vectors, promoters enhancers etc. Further any of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be introduced into a plant cell in a manner that allows for over expression of the protein or fragment thereof encoded by the nucleic acid molecule.
[0232] Cosuppression is the reduction in expression levels, usually at the level of RNA, of a particular endogenous gene or gene family by the expression of a homologous sense construct that is capable of transcribing mRNA of the same strandedness as the transcript of the endogenous gene (Napoli et al., Plant Cell 2: 279-289 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; van der Krol et al., Plant Cell 2: 291-299 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Cosuppression may result from stable transformation with a single copy nucleic acid molecule that is homologous to a nucleic acid sequence found with the cell (Prolls and Meyer, Plant J. 2:465-475 (1992), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) or with multiple copies of a nucleic acid molecule that is homologous to a nucleic acid sequence found with the cell (Mittlesten et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 244: 325-330 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Genes, even though different, linked to homologous promoters may result in the cosuppression of the linked genes (Vaucheret, C. R. Acad. Sci. III 316: 1471-1483 (1993), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0233] This technique has, for example been applied to generate white flowers from red petunia and tomatoes that do not ripen on the vine. Up to 50% of petunia transformants that contained a sense copy of the chalcone synthase (CHS) gene produced white flowers or floral sectors; this was as a result of the post-transcriptional loss of mRNA encoding CHS (Flavell, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . ( U.S.A .) 91:3490-3496 (1994)), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Cosuppression may require the coordinate transcription of the transgene and the endogenous gene, and can be reset by a developmental control mechanism (Jorgensen, Trends Biotechnol, 8:340344 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Meins and Kunz, In: Gene Inactivation and Homologous Recombination in Plants (Paszkowski, J., ed.), pp. 335-348. Kluwer Academic, Netherlands (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0234] It is understood that one or more of the nucleic acids of the present invention including those comprising SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or complement thereof or fragments of either or other nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be introduced into a plant cell and transcribed using an appropriate promoter with such transcription resulting in the co-suppression of an endogenous protein.
[0235] Antisense approaches are a way of preventing or reducing gene function by targeting the genetic material (Mol et al., FEBS Lett. 268: 427-430 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). The objective of the antisense approach is to use a sequence complementary to the target gene to block its expression and create a mutant cell line or organism in which the level of a single chosen protein is selectively reduced or abolished. Antisense techniques have several advantages over other ‘reverse genetic’ approaches. The site of inactivation and its developmental effect can be manipulated by the choice of promoter for antisense genes or by the timing of external application or microinjection. Antisense can manipulate its specificity by selecting either unique regions of the target gene or regions where it shares homology to other related genes (Hiatt et al., In Genetic Engineering , Setlow (ed.), Vol. 11, New York: Plenum 49-63 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0236] The principle of regulation by antisense RNA is that RNA that is complementary to the target mRNA is introduced into cells, resulting in specific RNA:RNA duplexes being formed by base pairing between the antisense substrate and the target mRNA (Green et al., Annu. Rev. Biochem. 55: 569-597 (1986), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Under one embodiment, the process involves the introduction and expression of an antisense gene sequence. Such a sequence is one in which part or all of the normal gene sequences are placed under a promoter in inverted orientation so that the ‘wrong’ or complementary strand is transcribed into a noncoding antisense RNA that hybridizes with the target mRNA and interferes with its expression (Takayama and Inouye, Crit. Rev. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 25: 155-184 (1990), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). An antisense vector is constructed by standard procedures and introduced into cells by transformation, transfection, electroporation, microinjection, or by infection, etc. The type of transformation and choice of vector will determine whether expression is transient or stable. The promoter used for the antisense gene may influence the level, timing, tissue, specificity, or inducibility of the antisense inhibition.
[0237] It is understood that protein synthesis activity in a plant cell may be reduced or depressed by growing a transformed plant cell containing a nucleic acid molecule whose non-transcribed strand encodes a protein or fragment thereof.
[0238] Antibodies have been expressed in plants (Hiatt et al., Nature 342:76-78 (1989), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Conrad and Fielder, Plant Mol. Biol. 26: 1023-1030 (1994), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). Cytoplasmic expression of a scFv (single-chain Fv antibodies) has been reported to delay infection by artichoke mottled crinkle virus. Transgenic plants that express antibodies directed against endogenous proteins may exhibit a physiological effect (Philips et al., EMBO J. 16: 4489-4496 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Marion-Poll, Trends in Plant Science 2: 447-448 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). For example, expressed anti-abscisic antibodies reportedly result in a general perturbation of seed development (Philips et al., EMBO J. 16: 4489-4496 (1997)).
[0239] Antibodies that are catalytic may also be expressed in plants (abzymes). The principle behind abzymes is that since antibodies may be raised against many molecules, this recognition ability can be directed toward generating antibodies that bind transition states to force a chemical reaction forward (Persidas, Nature Biotechnology 15:1313-1315 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Baca et al., Ann. Rev. Biophys. Biomol. Struct. 26:461-493 (1997), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference). The catalytic abilities of abzymes may be enhanced by site directed mutagensis. Examples of abzymes are, for example, set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,753; U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,990; U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,137; U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,015; U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,538; U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,174; U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,358; U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,897; U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,409; U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,289 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,585, all of which are herein incorporated in their entirety.
[0240] It is understood that any of the antibodies of the present invention may be expressed in plants and that such expression can result in a physiological effect. It is also understood that any of the expressed antibodies may be catalytic.
[0241] In addition to the above discussed procedures, practitioners are familiar with the standard resource materials which describe specific conditions and procedures for the construction, manipulation and isolation of macromolecules (e.g., DNA molecules, plasmids, etc.), generation of recombinant organisms and the screening and isolating of clones, (see for example, Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual , Cold Spring Harbor Press (1989); Mailga et al., Methods in Plant Molecular Biology , Cold Spring Harbor Press (1995), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference; Birren et al., Genome Analysis: Analyzing DNA, 1, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
[0242] The nucleotide sequence provided in SEQ ID NO:1, through SEQ ID NO:17472 or fragment thereof, or complement thereof, or a nucleotide sequence at least 90% identical, preferably 95%, identical even more preferably 99% or 100% identical to the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:17472 or fragment thereof, or complement thereof, can be “provided” in a variety of mediums to facilitate use fragment thereof. Such a medium can also provide a subset thereof in a form that allows a skilled artisan to examine the sequences.
[0243] In one application of this embodiment, a nucleotide sequence of the present invention can be recorded on computer readable media. As used herein, “computer readable media” refers to any medium that can be read and accessed directly by a computer. Such media include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage media, such as floppy discs, hard disc, storage medium, and magnetic tape: optical storage media such as CD-ROM; electrical storage media such as RAM and ROM; and hybrids of these categories such as magnetic/optical storage media. A skilled artisan can readily appreciate how any of the presently known computer readable mediums can be used to create a manufacture comprising computer readable medium having recorded thereon a nucleotide sequence of the present invention.
[0244] As used herein, “recorded” refers to a process for storing information on computer readable medium. A skilled artisan can readily adopt any of the presently known methods for recording information on computer readable medium to generate media comprising the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention. A variety of data storage structures are available to a skilled artisan for creating a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a nucleotide sequence of the present invention. The choice of the data storage structure will generally be based on the means chosen to access the stored information. In addition, a variety of data processor programs and formats can be used to store the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention on computer readable medium. The sequence information can be represented in a word processing text file, formatted in commercially-available software such as WordPerfect and Microsoft Word, or represented in the form of an ASCII file, stored in a database application, such as DB2, Sybase, Oracle, or the like. A skilled artisan can readily adapt any number of data processor structuring formats (e.g. text file or database) in order to obtain computer readable medium having recorded thereon the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention.
[0245] By providing one or more of nucleotide sequences of the present invention, a skilled artisan can routinely access the sequence information for a variety of purposes. Computer software is publicly available which allows a skilled artisan to access sequence information provided in a computer readable medium. The examples which follow demonstrate how software which implements the BLAST (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 (1990)) and BLAZE (Brutlag et al., Comp. Chem. 17:203-207 (1993), the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference) search algorithms on a Sybase system can be used to identify open reading frames (ORFs) within the genome that contain homology to ORFs or proteins from other organisms. Such ORFs are protein-encoding fragments within the sequences of the present invention and are useful in producing commercially important proteins such as enzymes used in amino acid biosynthesis, metabolism, transcription, translation, RNA processing, nucleic acid and a protein degradation, protein modification, and DNA replication, restriction, modification, recombination, and repair.
[0246] The present invention further provides systems, particularly computer-based systems, which contain the sequence information described herein. Such systems are designed to identify commercially important fragments of the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. As used herein, “a computer-based system” refers to the hardware means, software means, and data storage means used to analyze the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention. The minimum hardware means of the computer-based systems of the present invention comprises a central processing unit (CPU), input means, output means, and data storage means. A skilled artisan can readily appreciate that any one of the currently available computer-based system are suitable for use in the present invention.
[0247] As indicated above, the computer-based systems of the present invention comprise a data storage means having stored therein a nucleotide sequence of the present invention and the necessary hardware means and software means for supporting and implementing a search means. As used herein, “data storage means” refers to memory that can store nucleotide sequence information of the present invention, or a memory access means which can access manufactures having recorded thereon the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention. As used herein, “search means” refers to one or more programs which are implemented on the computer-based system to compare a target sequence or target structural motif with the sequence information stored within the data storage means. Search means are used to identify fragments or regions of the sequence of the present invention that match a particular target sequence or target motif. A variety of known algorithms are disclosed publicly and a variety of commercially available software for conducting search means are available and can be used in the computer-based systems of the present invention. Examples of such software include, but are not limited to, MacPattern (EMBL), BLASTIN and BLASTIX (NCBIA). One of the available algorithms or implementing software packages for conducting homology searches can be adapted for use in the present computer-based systems.
[0248] The most preferred sequence length of a target sequence is from about 10 to 100 amino acids or from about 30 to 300 nucleotide residues. However, it is well recognized that during searches for commercially important fragments of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention, such as sequence fragments involved in gene expression and protein processing, may be of shorter length.
[0249] As used herein, “a target structural motif,” or “target motif,” refers to any rationally selected sequence or combination of sequences in which the sequences or sequence(s) are chosen based on a three-dimensional configuration which is formed upon the folding of the target motif. There are a variety of target motifs known in the art. Protein target motifs include, but are not limited to, enzymatic active sites and signal sequences. Nucleic acid target motifs include, but are not limited to, promoter sequences, cis elements, hairpin structures and inducible expression elements (protein binding sequences).
[0250] Thus, the present invention further provides an input means for receiving a target sequence, a data storage means for storing the target sequences of the present invention sequence identified using a search means as described above, and an output means for outputting the identified homologous sequences. A variety of structural formats for the input and output means can be used to input and output information in the computer-based systems of the present invention. A preferred format for an output means ranks fragments of the sequence of the present invention by varying degrees of homology to the target sequence or target motif. Such presentation provides a skilled artisan with a ranking of sequences which contain various amounts of the target sequence or target motif and identifies the degree of homology contained in the identified fragment.
[0251] A variety of comparing means can be used to compare a target sequence or target motif with the data storage means to identify sequence fragments sequence of the present invention. For example, implementing software which implement the BLAST and BLAZE algorithms (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 (1990)) can be used to identify open frames within the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention. A skilled artisan can readily recognize that any one of the publicly available homology search programs can be used as the search means for the computer-based systems of the present invention. Having now generally described the invention, the same will be more readily understood through reference to the following examples which are provided by way of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting of the present invention, unless specified.
EXAMPLE 1
[0252] The cDNA library LIB3179 is generated from maize (DK604, Dekalb Genetics, Dekalb, Ill. U.S.A.) jasmonic acid treated leaf tissue from plants at the V4 to V6 plant development stage. Seeds are planted in 4 inch pots containing Metro 200 growing medium on greenhouse tables. Plants are watered when found to be dry (about every 48 hours). NPK 2199 fertilizer is applied once per week. The plants are grown in a greenhouse in 15 hr day/9 hr night cycles. The daytime temperature is approximately 85° F. and the nighttime temperature is approximately 65° F. The light intensity is about 600 microEinsteins. At the V4 to V6 plant development stage, plant leaves are sprayed with a jasmonic acid (Sigma J-2500, Sigma, St. Louis, Mo. U.S.A.) solution (1 mg/ml) in 0.1% Tween-20. Plants are sprayed until runoff. Jasmonic acid treated leaf tissues are collected from plants at 18, 24, and 48 hours after jasmonic acid treatment. Equal weight of leaf tissues from the three timepoints is pooled and frozen immediately in liquid nitrogen. The harvested leaf tissue is stored at −80° C. until RNA preparation. The RNA is purified from the stored tissue and the cDNA library is constructed as described in Example 2.
[0253] The subtractive cDNA library LIB3227 is generated by subtracting driver cDNA, which is prepared from leaf and root tissues harvested from maize (H99, USDA Maize Genetic Stock Center, Urbana, Ill. U.S.A.) plants, from target cDNA, which is prepared from maize (H99) immature ear tissue from 8 weeks old plants. Seeds are planted at a depth of approximately 3 cm into 2-3 inch peat pots containing Metro 200 growing medium. After 2-3 weeks growth they are transplanted into 10 inch pots containing the same growing medium. Plants are watered daily before transplantation and three times a week after transplantation. Peters 15-16-17 fertilizer is applied three times per week after transplanting at a strength of 150 ppm N. Two to three times during the lifetime of the plant, from transplanting to flowering, a total of 900 mg Fe is added to each pot. Maize plants are grown in a greenhouse in 15 hr day/9 hr night cycles. The daytime temperature is approximately 80° F. and the nighttime temperature is approximately 70° F. Supplemental lighting is provided by 1000 W sodium vapor lamps. Ears are harvested from 8 week old plants and are approximately 3.5-4.5 cm long. Kernels are dissected away from the cob, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80 C until preparation of RNA. The RNA is purified from the stored tissue and the subtractive cDNA library is constructed as described in Example 2.
[0254] The subtractive cDNA library LIB3228 is generated by subtracting driver cDNA, which is prepared from leaf and root tissues harvested from maize (H99, USDA Maize Genetic Stock Center, Urbana, Ill. U.S.A.) plants, from target cDNA, which is prepared from maize (H99) microspore tissue. Seeds are planted at a depth of approximately 3 cm into 2-3 inch peat pots containing Metro 200 growing medium. After 2-3 weeks growth they are transplanted into 10 inch pots containing the same growing medium. Plants are watered daily before transplantation and three times a week after transplantation. Peters 15-16-17 fertilizer is applied three times per week after transplanting at a strength of 150 ppm N. Two to three times during the lifetime of the plant, from transplanting to flowering, a total of 900 mg Fe is added to each pot. Maize plants are grown in a greenhouse in 15 hr day/9 hr night cycles. The daytime temperature is approximately 80° F. and the nighttime temperature is approximately 70° F. Supplemental lighting is provided by 1000 W sodium vapor lamps. Tissue is collected from immature anthers from 7 week old tassels. The immature anthers are first dissected from the 7 week old tassel with a scalpel on a glass slide covered with water. The microspores (immature pollen) are released into the water and are recovered by centrifugation. The microspore suspension is immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. The harvested tissue is then stored at −80° C. until RNA preparation. The RNA is purified from the stored tissue and the subtractive cDNA library is constructed as described in Example 2.
[0255] The cDNA library LIB3279 is generated from maize (H99, USDA Maize Genetic Stock Center, Urbana, Ill. U.S.A.) anther tissue from 1-2 cm tassels harvested from plants 37 days after germination. Seeds are planted at a depth of approximately 3 cm into 2-3 inch peat pots containing Metro 200 growing medium. After 2-3 weeks growth they are transplanted into 10 inch pots containing the same growing medium. Plants are watered daily before transplantation and three times a week after transplantation. Peters 15-16-17 fertilizer is applied three times per week after transplanting at a strength of 150 ppm N. Two to three times during the lifetime of the plant, from transplanting to flowering, a total of 900 mg Fe is added to each pot. Maize plants are grown in a greenhouse in 15 hr day/9 hr night cycles. The daytime temperature is approximately 80° F. and the nighttime temperature is approximately 70° F. Supplemental lighting is provided by 1000 W sodium vapor lamps. Tissue is collected at about 37 days after germination. At this stage, the anthers are green, 1 to 2 cm long, and enclosed in staminate spikelets. The developing anthers are dissected away from the plants and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. The harvested tissue is then stored at −80° C. until RNA preparation. The RNA is purified from the stored tissue and the cDNA library is constructed as described in Example 2.
EXAMPLE 2
[0256] The total RNA is purified using Trizol reagent from Life Technologies (Gibco BRL, Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md. U.S.A.), essentially as recommended by the manufacturer. Poly A+ RNA (mRNA) is purified using magnetic oligo dT beads essentially as recommended by the manufacturer (Dynabeads, Dynal Corporation, Lake Success, N.Y. U.S.A.).
[0257] Construction of plant cDNA libraries is well-known in the art and a number of cloning strategies exist. A number of cDNA library construction kits are commercially available. cDNA libraries are prepared using the Superscript™ Plasmid System for cDNA synthesis and Plasmid Cloning (Gibco BRL, Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md. U.S.A.), as described in the Superscript II cDNA library synthesis protocol. The cDNA libraries are quality controlled for a good insert:vector ratio.
[0258] Target cDNA library is generated as described above from the target tissues described in Example 1. Once a library of satisfactory construction has been made, 106 colony forming units are grown in a large culture and then plasmid target cDNA is isolated for library subtraction. The poly A region of the target plasmid cDNA is blocked with poly T, which is generated using Not I-oligo dT primer following standard PCR procedures.
[0259] Driver cDNA is prepared from mRNA isolated from leaf and root tissues and driver first strand cDNA is covalently linked to Dynabeads, following a protocol similar to that described in the Dynal literature. The single strand driver cDNA is then stored on ice until subtraction.
[0260] For subtraction, the mixture of the target plasmid cDNA and poly T is heat denatured for 4 minutes at 94° C., immediately placed on ice for 2 minutes, and then mixed with driver cDNA-dynabeads in about 400 μl of 4×SSPE solution. The hybridization solution is heated for 1 minute at 94° C. prior to hybridization at 68° C. for 20 hours. The driver is trapped with a magnetic holder and the hybridization solution is removed from the system for the next round of hybridization with the refreshed driver cDNA-Dynabeads. The driver cDNA-Dynabeads is refreshed by heat denaturation at 94° C. in distilled water for 4 minutes, followed by trapping with a magnetic holder. The water containing the eluted plasmids is removed. The driver cDNA-Dynabeads is then resuspended in the previously removed hybridization solution for a second round of hybridization. This process is repeated a third time. After the third hybridization, the remaining unsubtracted plasmid is concentrated from the hybridization solution by filtration and used to transform E. coli.
EXAMPLE 3
[0261] The cDNA libraries are plated on LB agar containing the appropriate antibiotics for selection and incubated at 37° for a sufficient time to allow the growth of individual colonies. Single colonies are individually placed in each well of a 96-well microtiter plates containing LB liquid including the selective antibiotics. The plates are incubated overnight at approximately 37° C. with gentle shaking to promote growth of the cultures. The plasmid DNA is isolated from each clone using Qiaprep plasmid isolation kits, using the conditions recommended by the manufacturer (Qiagen Inc., Santa Clara, Calif. U.S.A.).
[0262] The template plasmid DNA clones are used for subsequent sequencing. For sequencing the cDNA libraries LIB3179, LIB3227, LIB3228, and LIB3279, a commercially available sequencing kit, such as the ABI PRISM dRhodamine Terminator Cycle Sequencing Ready Reaction Kit with AmpliTaq® DNA Polymerase, FS, is used under the conditions recommended by the manufacturer (PE Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.). The ESTs of the present invention are generated by sequencing initiated from the 5′ end of each cDNA clone.
[0263] A number of sequencing techniques are known in the art, including fluorescence-based sequencing methodologies. These methods have the detection, automation and instrumentation capability necessary for the analysis of large volumes of sequence data. Currently, the 377 DNA Sequencer (Perkin-Elmer Corp., Applied Biosystems Div., Foster City, Calif.) allows the most rapid electrophoresis and data collection. With these types of automated systems, fluorescent dye-labeled sequence reaction products are detected and data entered directly into the computer, producing a chromatogram that is subsequently viewed, stored, and analyzed using the corresponding software programs. These methods are known to those of skill in the art and have been described and reviewed (Birren et al., Genome Analysis: Analyzing DNA, 1, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference).
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Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) isolated from maize are disclosed. The ESTs provide a unique molecular tool for the targeting and isolation of novel genes for plant protection and improvement. The disclosed ESTs have utility in the development of new strategies for understanding critical plant developmental and metabolic pathways. The disclosed ESTs have particular utility in isolating genes and promoters, identifying and mapping the genes involved in developmental and metabolic pathways, and determining gene function. Sequence homology analyses using the ESTs provided in the present invention, will result in more efficient gene screening for desirable agronomic traits. An expanding database of these select pieces of the plant genomics puzzle will quickly expand the knowledge necessary for subsequent functional validation, a key limitation in current plant biotechnology efforts.
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[0001] This research was funded in part by Outstanding Investigator Grant CA44344-01-11 awarded by the Division of Cancer Treatment, National Cancer Institute, DHHS. The United States government may have certain rights to this invention.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of chemotherapy and more particularly to the invention of novel anti-neoplastic agents denominated “hydroxyphenstatin” and selected prodrugs thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The elucidation and isolation of agents from the African bush willow combretum caffrum first identified combretastatin A-4 as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,237 which issued to G. R. Pettit et al., on Feb. 26, 1991. Other early efforts to develop a combretastatin A-4 prodrug are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,122, which issued to G. R. Pettit on Oct. 1, 1996. The general background information from each of these patents is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.
[0004] The potent cancer cell growth and tubulin assembly inhibitor combretastatin A-4 was originally isolated from the African tree Combretum caffrum (Combretaceae) circa 1985 and has been undergoing preclinical development since that time. However, because of the very limited aqueous solubility of the phenol and its alkali metal salts, drug formulation attempts gave unsatisfactory results. Accordingly, the present disclosure comprises a benchmark in the continuing effort to synthesize practical water soluble prodrugs based on combretastatin A-4 and is a significant and remarkably unexpected extension of those early efforts which are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,122, supra.
[0005] The African willow tree Combretum caffrum Kuntze (Combretaceae) has proven to be a very productive source of cancer cell growth (murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia) inhibitory stilbenes, bibenzyls and phenanthrenes. Since 1979 promising leads have been pursued which were focused on the three most active (inhibition of cancer cell growth and polymerization of tubulin (Id.)) constituents, namely combretastatin A-1 (3a), A-2 (4), and A-4 (3b) (Id.) (See, FIG. 1). Of these, combretastatin A-4 (3b) has reached the most advanced stage of preclinical development as the very soluble prodrug 3c. Meanwhile other research groups have also been further extending structure/activity relationships (hereinafter referred to as “SAR”) among the combretastatins and related stilbenes.
[0006] The formation of new blood vessels, known as “angiogenesis” (neovascularisation), is controlled by a very complex series of biochemical interactions involving a large number of angiogenic factors ranging from various cytokines (e.g. IL-1) and growth factors (e.g., GM-CSF) to serine proteases (e.g. urokinase). In general, normal angiogenesis involves the activation and transport of endothelial cells from already formed blood vessels to new locations. Normally that transition takes three (3) months to a year except in wound healing and in certain stages of female reproductive biology. When the angiogenic control mechanisms fail, the results lead to a wide range of human disease categories, such as cancer, psoriasis, hemangioma, atherosclerotic plaque, diabetic and macular retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma, and vascular adhesions following surgery.
[0007] Because the African bush willow ( Combretum caffrum ) constituents, (Isolation, Structure and Synthesis of Combretastatin A-1 and Combretastatin B-1, Potent New Inhibitors of Microtubule Assembly, Derived from Combretum caffrum. J. Nat. Prod. 1987, 50, 119-131), combretastatins A-1 (3a) and A-4 (3b) were isolated and designated as well as their phosphate prodrug; (Pettit, G. R.; Rhodes, M. R. Antineoplastic Agents 389. New Syntheses of Combretastatin A-4 Prodrug. Anti-Cancer Drug Des. 1998, 13, 183-191; and Pettit, G. R.; Lippert, J. W. III. Antineoplastic Agents 429. Synthesis of Combretastatin A-1 and Combretastatin B-1Prodrugs. Anti-Cancer Drug Des. 1999, in preparation.), derivatives (3c,e) which displayed very promising antineoplastic, cancer antiangiogenesis. Recently extended SAR investigations of these cis-stilbenes have been conducted. Indeed, combretastatin A-4 prodrug (3c) has been undergoing a series of phase I human cancer clinical trials since November 1998.
[0008] Previous SAR analyses of the combretastatin A-4 series have indicated that the cis configuration of the stilbene unit is the most important factor for inhibition of cancer cell growth and inhibiting tubulin assembly. With the corresponding (E)-stilbenes, the cancer cell growth inhibitory and antitubulin activity is greatly reduced from that exhibited by the corresponding (Z)-isomers. Initially, both the trans-isomers and were found to be moderately active as cancer cell growth inhibitors. Later studies using trans-stilbene revealed that freshly prepared solutions in dimethyl sulfoxide were inactive and only gained activity with the passage of time suggesting that the trans-isomers were slowly converted to the cis active isomer.
[0009] Furthermore, a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of the South African willow tree ( Combretum caffrum ) antineoplastic constituent combretastatin A-4 (3b) led to the discovery of a potent cancer cell growth inhibitor designated phenstatin (5a). This benzophenone derivative of combretastatin A-4 showed great antineoplastic activity and the benzophenone derivative of combretastatin A-1 was synthesized. The benzophenone, designated hydroxyphenstatin (6a), was synthesized by coupling of a protected bromobenzene and a benzaldehyde to give the benzhydrol with subsequent oxidation to the ketone. Hydroxyphenstatin was converted to the sodium phosphate prodrug (6e) by a dibenzyl phosphite phosphorylation and subsequent benzyl cleavage (6a→6d→6e). Hydroxyphenstatin (6a) was a potent inhibitor of tubulin polymerization comparable to combretastatin A-1 (3a).
[0010] Podophyllum, the roots and rhizomes of Podophyllum species such as Peltatumi L. (Podophyllaceae, May Apple) found important uses including cancer and antiviral applications in the traditional medicine of early Americans and in India. Indeed, it was an important component of the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1820-1942 (the derived resin has been found to contain up to 38% podophyllotoxin (1a) and was the first terrestrial plant anticancer agent developed to clinical trials by the U.S. National Cancer Institute some fifty years ago. Subsequently, podophyllotoxin has been converted to the glycoside derivative known as etoposide (1b), now widely used in human cancer treatment.
[0011] In 1958, a SAR investigation was initiated which focused on the trimethoxy and methylenedioxy diarylmethylene unit of podophyllotoxin (1a). While not detected at the time, owing to limitations of the early antineoplastic evaluation options, it was later found that the diarylketone (2) significantly inhibited the growth of the P388 lymphocytic leukemia cell line with an ED 50 value of 2.6 μg/ml. By 1978, while investigating the cancer cell growth inhibition of the African willow tree Combretum caffrum Kuntze (Combretaceae) three potentially important constituents were discovered which were designated combretastatins A-1 (3a), A-2 (4), and A-4 (3b). Combretastatin A-4, as the water soluble prodrug (3c), subsequently reached the most advanced stage of preclinical and clinical development. More recently, the diarylketone named phenstatin (5a) was discovered (See: Pettit, G. R.; Toki, B.; Herald, D. L.; Verdier-Pinard, P.; Boyd, M. R.; Hamel, E.; Pettit, R. K. Antineoplastic Agents 379. Synthesis of Phenstatin Phosphate. J. Med Chem. 1998, 41, 1688-1695) which was found to be structurally related to podophyllotoxin (1a) and combretastatin A-4 (3b) and proved to be a very strong anticancer substance comparable to stilbene (3b). These and other results (See: Pettit, G. R.; Lippert, J. W. III; Boyd, M. R.; Hamel, E.; Pettit, R. K. Antineoplastic Agents 442. The Remarkable Antitubulin Assembly and Cancer Cell Growth Inhibition of (4S,5S)-4-(2″,3″-dihydroxy-4″-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxolane. J. Med Chem. in preparation) encouraged efforts to undertake the synthesis and evaluation of diphenol (6a).
[0012] The general procedure reported in 1962 for obtaining ketone ( 2 ) (See: Pettit, G. R.; Baumann, M. F.; Rangammal, K. N. Antineoplastic Agents V. The Aromatic System of Podophyllotoxin (Part B). J. Med Pharm. 1962, 5, 800-808) was attempted first. Coupling reactions between 2,3-bis(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-4-methoxy-bromobenzene (7b) and N-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)morpholine (8a) utilizing either n-butyl- or tert-butyllithium were unsuccessful. Changing the acylating agent to a benzoyl chloride was also not productive. Presumably, the bulky TBDMS substituents caused enough steric hindrance to prevent nucleophilic attack of the lithium-benzene complex on the carbonyl group. Thus, the smaller methoxymethyl ether (MOM) protecting group was next chosen. (See: Greene, T. W.; Wutz, P. G. M. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis. J. Wiley & Sons: New York, 1999; pp. 27-33). However, formation of the benzophenone using the MOM-protected bromobenzene (7c) and either the morpholine amide (8a) or the benzoyl chloride (8b) met only with limited success, affording 24% and 20% yields, respectively. Further attempts to prepare protected diphenol (6c) using Grignard reactions, Weinreb amides, (See: Nahm, S.; Weinreb, S. M. N-Methoxy-N-methylamides as Effective Acylating Agents. Tetrahedron Lett. 1981, 22, 3815-3818), and dimethylamides also afforded low yields (14-44%). Application of organometallic reagents such as La(OTf) 3 , Bu 3 P and Fe(acac) 3 did not provide improved yields of ketone (6c).
[0013] In order to determine if the protecting groups were interfering, ketone formation was evaluated starting with 2,3,4-trimethoxybromobenzene (9) and morpholine amide (8a). The resulting yields were found to range from 17-20%. These results indicated that the protecting groups used in the preceding reaction may not have significantly influenced the poor yields. Later, however, it was found that condensing the bromobenzene (9) with 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde led to the formation of benzhydrol (14) in 86% yield. Subsequent oxidation with pyridinium dichromate (PDC) to benzophenone (13) provided 83% yield. These favorable results led to the utilization of the efficient reaction between an aldehyde and an organolithium reagent to prepare a benzhydrol derivative of ketone (6a). This approach was realized when the lithium derivative of MOM-protected bromobenzene (7c) and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde were condensed to afford protected benzhydrol (15) in 92% yield. Oxidation of protected benzhydrol by PDC produced protected hydroxyphenstatin (6c) in good yield (96%) and MOM-cleavage (acidic) afforded hydroxyphenstatin (6a) in 97% yield. It is toward these discoveries and the unexpected results obtained therefrom that the present disclosure is directed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of the South African willow tree ( Combretum caffrum ) antineoplastic constituent combretastatin A-4 (3b) led to the discovery of a potent cancer cell growth inhibitor designated phenstatin (5a). This benzophenone derivative of combretastatin A-4 showed great antineoplastic activity and the benzophenone derivative of combretastatin A-1 was likewise synthesized. This, benzophenone, designated “hydroxyphenstatin” (6a), was synthesized by coupling of a protected bromobenzene and a benzaldehyde to give the benzhydrol with subsequent oxidation to the ketone. Hydroxyphenstatin was converted to the sodium phosphate prodrug (6e) by a dibenzyl phosphite phosphorylation and subsequent benzyl cleavage (6a→6d→6e). Hydroxyphenstatin (6a) was found to be a potent inhibitor of tubulin polymerization comparable to combretastatin A-1 (3a).
[0015] A principal object of the present invention is the synthesis, elucidation of structure and utilization of a novel anti-neoplastic compound obtained while attempting to synthesize anticancer substances related to combretastatin A-1, obtained from the South African willow tree ( Combretum caffrum ) and found to obtain greater potency, enhanced solubility and less adverse side effects than had been previously obtained from other compounds previously derived therefrom.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is the isolation, elucidation and utilization of a synthetic derivative of the potent cell growth inhibitor designated “phenstatin” in a continuing effort to develop synthetic agents capable of inhibiting the spread of cancer cells in the human environment with minimal side effects.
[0017] These and still further objects as shall hereinafter appear are readily fulfilled by the present invention in a remarkably unexpected manner as will be readily discerned from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
[0018] In the drawing:
[0019] [0019]FIG. 1 is a crystal structure of hydroxyphenstatin (6a) showing intermolecular H-bonding between the carbonyl oxygen O7 and the hydroxyl hydrogen or O10.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] As indicated above, the present invention relates generally to the field of chemotherapy and more particularly to the synthesis of novel anti-neoplastic agents denominated “hydroxyphenstatin” and selected prodrugs thereof which were discovered while attempting to synthesize compounds related to those obtained from the South African willow tree combretum caffrum. To enhance the of the following detailed description, reference is made to the statistical definitions and structural representations shown below, as Chart 1, which have been coded to correspond to the various references in this text and to illustrate the scheme defined herein and identified as Scheme 1 and Scheme 2.
[0021] Statistical Definitions
[0022] The following measures are used to express drug activity giving the drug dose, which reduces cell growth to a specified percentage of growth:
[0023] ED 50 (P388) and GI 50 (HTCL) are the drug doses needed to reduce the percent growth to 50%. There is no mathematical difference between ED 50 and GI 50 , which are both calculated using the same formula. The only difference is historical usage.
[0024] TGI, (Total Growth Inhibition), is the drug dose needed to yield zero percent growth, e.g., just as many cells at the end of the experiment as were present in the beginning. Whether just as many cells were killed as were produced (steady state), or no growth occurred (total inhibition), cannot be distinguished.
[0025] LC 50 , (Lethal Concentration 50%), is the drug concentration which reduces growth to −50%, i.e., removes half of the cells originally present at the beginning of the experiment.
[0026] Each drug is tested at five (5) doses: 100-10-1-0.1-0.01 μg/ml. Percent Growths are calculated for each dose. The two (or three) doses with growth values above, below, (or near to) 50% growth are used to calculate the ED 50 /GI 50 using a linear regression formula. The log of the dose is used during the regression computation. If no dose yields a growth value under 50%, the results are expressed as: ED 50 >(highest dose). If no dose yields a growth value higher than 50%, then ED 50 <(lowest dose). Similar calculations are performed for the TGI at 0% growth, and at −50% growth for the LC 50 .
[0027] In addition, the crystal structure of hydroxyphenstatin (6a) is shown in FIG. 1 and the GI 50 values obtained using hydroxyphenstatin against selected cell lines are shown in Table 1, below.
[0028] The crystal structure of hydroxyphenstatin (6a), as shown on FIG. 1, was established via single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The unit cell contained 4 molecules of the parent compound; each asymmetric unit consisting of two independent molecules of hydroxyphenstatin. In addition, adjacent molecules of hydroxyphenstatin are linked via intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the O10 carbonyl and O7 hydroxyl group.
[0029] Furthermore, the evaluation of hydroxyphenstatin (6a) the tetrasodium diphosphate prodrug (6e), against a series of Human Cancer Cells and Murine P388 Lymphocytic Leukemia and the GI 50 values obtained are shown in Table I, below.
TABLE I Evaluation of Hydroxyphenstatin (6a), the Tetrasodium Diphosphate Prodrug (6e), Against a Series of Human Cancer Cell and Murine P388 Lymphocytic Leukemia. GI 50 μg/mL Cell Type Cell Line (6a) (6c) (6d) (6e) Leukemia P388 0.315 >10 2.55 0.0336 Pancreas-a BXPC-3 3.3 >10 >10 5.3 Melanoma RPMI-7951 0.58 >10 >10 ND CNS SF-295 0.04 >10 >10 0.23 Lung-NSC NCI-H460 0.21 >10 >10 0.35 Colon KM20L2 1.2 ND a ND 5.9 Prostate DU-145 0.048 >10 >10 0.3
[0030] In Table II, below, the interaction of hydroxyphenstatin (6a), its diphosphate derivative (6e), combretastatin A-1 (3a), combretastatin A-4 (3b) and its prodrug (3c) are shown.
[0031] Comparative testing of (6a) and (6e) in the NCI 60-cell screen revealed a differential cytotoxicity profile and potency (e.g., mean-panel GI 50 1.67±0.24×10 −7 M) that were essentially indistinguishable from each other or from combretastatin A-4.
TABLE 2 Interactions with Tubulin of Hydroxyphenstatin (6a), its Diphosphate Derivative (6e), Combretastatin A-1 (3a), Combretastatin A-4 (3b) and its prodrug (3c) Compound Inhibition of Tubulin Polymerization % Inhibition of Binding ± SD (μM IC50 ± SD) Colchicine 6a 0.82 ± 0.2 77 ± 4 6e >40 ND a 3a 1.1 ± 0.07 99.6 ± 0.7 3b 1.0 ± 0.05 98 ± 1 3c >40 ND
[0032] Hydroxyphenstatin (6a) was found to potently inhibit tubulin polymerization, and its activity appeared to be somewhat greater than that of combretastatin A-1 (3a) (Table 2). Nevertheless, 6a was somewhat less active than 3a as an inhibitor of the binding of [ 3 H]colchicine to tubulin (Table 2). The reason for the apparent difference in relative activities between the catalytic assembly assay and the stoichiometric colchicine binding assay is not understood. However, it has been observed with other colchicine site drugs, (See: Verdier-Pinard, P.; Lai, J-Y.; Yoo, H-D.; Yu, J.; Marquez, B.; Nagle, D. G.; Nambu, M.; White, J. D.; Falck, J. R; Gerwick, W. H.; Day, B. W.; Hamel, E. Structure-activity Analysis of the Interaction of Curacin A, the Potent Colchicine Site Antimitotic Agent, with Tubulin and Effects of Analogs on the Growth of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells. Mol. Pharmacol. 1998, 53, 62-76), and an analogous pattern was also observed when phenstatin (5a) and combretastatin A-4 (3b) were compared.
[0033] The antimicrobial activities of the Combretum caffrum constituents combretastatins A-1 and A-4 have been reported. (See: Pettit, G. R.; Lippert, J. W. III; Herald, D. L.; Pettit, R. K.; Hamel, E. Antineoplastic Agents 440. Asymmetric Synthesis and Evaluation of the Combretastatin A-1 SAR Probes (1S,2S) and (1R,2R)-1-2-Dihydroxy-1-(2′,3′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyphenyl)-2-(3″,4″,5″-trimethoxyphenyl)ethane. J. Nat. Prod, in preparation). While several precursors to the related compound sodium hydroxyphenstatin diphosphate (6e) exhibited antifungal and/or antibacterial action (Table III, supra), the prodrug (6e) did not. Compounds 6a, 6c, 7b, 8a, 13, 14, and 15 were also available in sufficient quantity for antibiotic screening. At 100 μg/disk, none of these compounds inhibited growth of the two fungal and eight bacterial strains tested.
[0034] Due to the greater improved therapeutic properties of the combretastatin A-4 sodium phosphate prodrug (3c) vs. the parent phenol (3b), the corresponding hydroxyphenstatin prodrug (6e) was synthesized (6a-e), (See: Scheme 2). The previous phosphorylation techniques was used for such syntheses, based on pentavalent and trivalent phosphorus precursors, were evaluated. They proved to be substantially less effective than employment of the dibenzyl phosphite approach. (See: Silverberg, L. J.; Dillon, J. L.; Vemishetti, P. A Simple, Rapid and Efficient Protocol for the Selective Phosphorylation of Phenols with Dibenzyl Phosphite. Tetrahedron Lett. 1996, 37, 771-774) The prodrug was synthesized in three steps from hydroxyphenstatin by phosphorylation of phenol (6a) utilizing dibenzyl phosphite (under basic conditions in acetonitrile), followed by cleavage of the benzyl groups (6d) with trimethylsilyl iodide (formed in situ) and reaction of the resulting phosphoric acid with sodium methoxide in ethanol to afford the sodium phosphate prodrug (6e) in 92% overall yield.
[0035] As expected, 6e was not active as an inhibitor of tubulin polymerization (IC 50 >40 μM Table 2), as has been the case with other phosphorylated derivatives in the combretastatin series. However, its activity as an inhibitor of cancer cell growth (Table 1) was significant.
[0036] Experimental Section
[0037] All solvents were redistilled. Both the course and products from reactions were monitored by thin-layer chromatography using Analtech silica gel GHLF uniplates. Solvent extracts of aqueous solutions were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate unless otherwise noted. Flash column chromatography was performed using silica gel (230-400 mesh ASTM).
[0038] Melting points were recorded employing an Electrothermal 9100 digital melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. The IR spectra were obtained using a Mattson FTIR model 2020 instrument. Low resolution mass spectral data were collected using a Varian MAT 312 instrument (EIMS). The high resolution FAB spectra were obtained at the Midwest Center for Mass Spectrometry employing a Kratos MS-50 mass spectrometer, University of Nebraska, Lincoln Nebr. All 1 H— and 13 C—NMR spectra determined using a Varian Gemini 300 MHZ instrument with CDCl 3 (TMS internal reference) as solvent unless otherwise noted. The 31 P—NMR spectra were measured in CDCl 3 with 85% H 3 PO 4 as an external standard employing a Varian Unity 500 MHZ instrument. The X-ray crystal structure data collection was performed on an Enraf-Nonius CAD4 diffractometer. Elemental analyses were determined by Galbraith Laboratories, Inc., Knoxville, Tenn.
[0039] 2-Acetoxy-3methoxy-benzaldehyde (10).
[0040] To a solution of o-vanillin (10.1 g) and a catalytic quantity (0.8 g) of dimethylaminopyridine in N-diisopropylethyl amine (23 mL) at 0° C. was added acetic anhydride (8 mL). The solution was stirred overnight, poured into 2N hydrochloric acid (100 mL), extracted with dichloromethane and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford a yellow solid. Recrystallization from ethanol yielded yellow crystals (10.9 g, 85%): m.p. 75.4-76.2° C., lit 17 m.p. 76° C.; EIMS m/z 194 (M + ), 152, 106, 43.
[0041] 2-Acetoxy-3methoxy-6bromo-benzaldehyde (11).
[0042] To a solution of potassium bromide (40 g) in H 2 O (250 mL) was added bromine (6.8 mL). To the dark red solution was added aldehyde 10 (20.2 g). The turbid orange solution was stirred overnight, filtered, rinsed with ethyl acetate, recrystallized from ethyl acetate/hexane to afford yellow crystals (22.4 g, 79%): m.p. 121.6-123.4° C., lit 18 m.p. 119-120° C.; EIMS m/z 274 (M + , 81 Br), 272 (M + , 79 Br), 232, 230, 186, 184, 43; 1 H NMR δ 10.26 (1H, s, CHO), 7.51 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz, H 4 ), 7.05 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz H 2 , H 4 ), 3.85 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 2.38 (3H, s, COCH 3 ); 13 C—NMR (75.5 MHZ) δ 190.38, 168.71, 151.78, 140.37, 131.41, 126.49, 117.69, 116.35, 56.40, 20.44. Anal. Calcd. For C 10 H 9 O 4 Br: C, 43.98; H, 3.32. Found: C, 44.46; H, 3.55.
[0043] 2-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-6bromo-benzaldehyde (12).
[0044] To the aldehyde 11 (17.7 g) in aqueous methanol (125 mL) was added sodium bicarbonate (7.6 g, 1.1 eq.) and the turbid bright yellow solution stirred for 2 hours. The solution was acidified, extracted with dichloromethane and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford a yellow solid. The product was recrystallized from ethyl acetate/hexane to afford yellow crystals (14.7 g, 98%): m.p. 105.6-106.4° C., lit 19 m.p. 102-103° C.; EIMS m/z 232 (M + , 81 Br), 230 (M + , 79 Br), 186, 107, 79, 54, 32; Anal. Calcd. For C 8 H 7 O 3 Br: C, 41.59; H, 3.05. Found: C, 41.83; H, 3.27.
[0045] 1-Bromo-2,3dihydroxy-4methoxy-benzene (7a).
[0046] Aldehyde 12 (23 g) was suspended in 2% sodium hydroxide (300 mL) and a solution of 30% hydrogen peroxide (15.8 g, 1.4 eq.) was added. After 2 hours, another portion of 30% hydrogen peroxide (1.4 eq.) was added and the solution stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was acidified, extracted with dichloromethane, washed with sodium thiosulfate and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford a tan solid. The solid was recrystallized from methanol to afford colorless crystals (14 g, 64%): m.p. 122.3-124.3° C., lit 20 m.p. 124-126° C.; EIMS m/z 220 (M + , 81 Br), 218 (M + , 79 Br), 205, 203, 177, 175, 95; 1 HNMR δ 6.99 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz, H 5 ), 6.42 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz, H 4 ), 5.56 (1H, s, OH), 5.51 (1H, s, OH), 3.88 (3H, s, OCH 3 ); 13 C—NMR (75.5 MHZ) δ 146.59, 140.95, 133.47, 122.21, 104.35, 101.55, 56.31; Anal. Calcd. For C 7 H 7 O 3 Br: C, 38.39; H, 3.22. Found: C, 38.47; H, 3.36.
[0047] 1-Bromo-2,3-bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyl-oxy)-4-methoxy-benzene (7b).
[0048] To a solution of diphenol 7a (0.51 g) in dry dimethylformamide (10 mL) was added successively diisopropylethylamine (1.25 mL, 3.1 eq.) and t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (0.78 g, 2.2 eq.) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature under argon for 3 hours, (HCl evolution was noted). The reaction was terminated by adding ice. After extraction with dichloromethane, the combined solvent was washed with water, saturated sodium bicarbonate and water, and dried. Removal of solvent gave an oil which solidified on trituration with ether. The solid was recrystallized from methanol and afforded colorless crystals (0.92 g, 90%): m.p. 68.9-69.6° C.; EIMS m/z 448 (M + , 81 Br), 446 (M + , 79 Br), 443, 431, 391, 389, 167; IR (KBr, cm −1 ) v max 2934, 2859, 1576, 1472, 1254, 1092, 845, 671; 1 H NMR δ 7.06 (1, d, J=8.7 Hz, H 6 ), 6.42 (1H, d, J=8.7 Hz, H 5 ), 3.75 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 1.06 (9H, s, C(CH 3 )), 0.99 (9H s, C(CH 3 ), 0.19 (6H, s, Si—CH 3 ×2); 13 C NMR 75.5 MHZ) δ 151.74, 145.32, 138.06, 124.33, 108.36, 105.64, 55.04, 26.46, 26.12, 18.75, 18.73, −3.10, −3.85. Anal. Calcd. For C 19 H 29 BrO 3 Si 2 : C, 50.99; H, 7.88. Found: C, 51.00; H, 7.84.
[0049] 1-Bromo-2,3-bis(methoxymethyloxy)-4-methoxy-benzene (7c).
[0050] To a solution of 1-bromo-2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-benzene (5.0 g) and anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (20 mL) at 0° C. under argon was added diisopropylethylamine (8.0 mL). The solution was stirred for 15 min, methyloxymethyl chloride (3.5 mL) was added, and the reaction mixture stirred for 3 hours. The solution was poured into water (250 mL), extracted with dichloromethane and the solvent removed in vacuo to provide an orange oil. The oil was purified by flash column chromatography (hexane-ethyl acetate, 2:1) to yield a clear oil (6.4 g, 91%): EIMS m/z 308 (M + , 81 Br), 306 (M + , 79 Br), 232, 230, 45; IR (neat, cm −1 ) v max 2963, 2836, 1221, 1159, 1084, 966; 1 H NMR δ 7.25 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz, H 5 ), 6.61 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz, H 4 ), 5.20 (2H, s, OCH 2 ), 5.13 (2H, s, OCH 2 ), 3.84 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.66 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.59 (3H, s, OCH 3 ); 13 C—NMR (75.5 MHZ) δ 153.31, 148.24, 140.05, 127.49, 108.94, 108.73, 99.39, 98.73, 58.14, 57.46, 56.11. Anal. Calcd. For C 11 H 15 O 5 Br: C, 43.02; H, 4.92. Found: C, 42.86; H, 4.93.
[0051] N-(3,4,5Trimethoxybenzoyl)-morpholine (8a)
[0052] Morpholine (0.8 mL) was slowly added to a solution composed of toluene (10 mL) and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl chloride (1.1 g). The reaction was accompanied by evolution of heat and precipitation of morpholine hydrochloride. After 3 hours, the solution was filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford a white solid which was recrystallized from ethanol to afford colorless needles (1.2 g, 86%): m.p. 119.8-120.7° C., lit 3c m.p. 120-121° C.; EIMS m/z 281 (M + ), 266, 195; 1 H NMR δ 6.63 (2H, s, H 2,6 ), 3.87 (6H, s, OCH 3 ×2), 3.86 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.70 (8H, bs, CH 2 ×4).
[0053] 1-Bromo-2,3,4-trimethoxy-benzene (9)
[0054] Pyrogallol trimethyl ether (5.1 g) was suspended in CCl 4 (60 mL) and N-bromosuccinimide (6.5 g, 1.2 eq.) was added. The reaction mixture was heated at reflux for 20 hours. The succinimide was collected and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to a brown oil. The oil was separated by gravity column chromatography (hexane-ethyl acetate, 19: 1) and yielded the title compound as a yellow oil (5.9 g, 78%): EIMS m/z 234 ((M + —CH 3 , 81 Br), 232 (M + —CH 3 , 79 Br), 107, 95, 69, 58, 44; 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHZ) δ 7.21 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz, H 6 ), 6.58 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz, H 5 ), 3.91 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.89 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.85 (3H, s, OCH 3 ).
[0055] 2′,3,3′,4,4′,5-Hexamethoxybenzophenone (13).
[0056] To a solution of bromobenzene 9 (0.21 g) in dry tetrahydrofuran (5 mL) cooled to −78 ° C. was added n-butyl lithium (0.38 mL, 2.5 M, 1.1 eq.). The solution was stirred for 30 min. and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl chloride (0.2 g) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added. The resulting solution was then stirred for an additional 28 hours. The reaction was stopped with water, extracted with ethyl acetate and the solvent removed (in vacuo) to give a yellow oil. Separation by flash column chromatography (hexane-ethyl acetate, 3:1) afforded a colorless solid (0.06 g, 20.5%). The solid was recrystallized twice from ethyl acetate-hexane: m.p. 124.6-125.9° C., lit 22 m.p. 121° C.; EIMS m/z 362 (M + ), 345, 317, 181, 169, 151; 1 H NMR δ 7.11 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz, H 6 ), 7.08 (2H, s, H 2,6 ), 6.72 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz, H 5′ ), 3.94 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.93 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.90 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.85 (6H, s, OCH 3,3,5 ), 3.80 (3H, s, OCH 3 ).
[0057] 2′,3,3′,4,4′,5Hexamethoxydiphenylcarbinol (14).
[0058] The preceding experiment was repeated using bromobenzene 9 (0.55 g) anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (15 mL) and n-butyllithium (0.93 mL, 2.5 M, 1.05 eq.). A solution of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde (0.44 g) was added and the solution stirred for 16 hours. The resulting oily product was separated by flash column chromatography (hexane-ethyl acetate, 9:1) to give a clear oil (0.38 g, 47%): EIMS m/z 364 (M + ), 331, 315, 195, 181, 169; IR (neat, cm −1 ) v max 3462, 2940, 2837, 1593, 1464, 1234, 1127, 1015; 1 H NMR δ 6.90 (1H, d, J=8.7 Hz, H 6′ ), 6.64 (1H, d, J=8.7 Hz, H 5′ ), 6.61 (2H s, H 2,6 ), 5.88 (1H, d, J=3.9 Hz, CH), 3.86 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.85 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.83 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.82 (6H, s, OCH 3 ×2), 3.76 (3H, s, OCH 3 ); 13 C NMR (75.5 MHz) δ 153.37, 152.98, 151.20, 142.03, 139.55, 136.91, 129.63, 122.15, 106.98, 103.46, 72.03, 60.85, 60.74, 60.61, 56.01, 55.88. Anal. Calcd. For C 19 H 23 O 7 ; C, 62.63; H, 6.64. Found: C, 62.25; H, 6.97.
[0059] 2′,3′-Bis(methoxymethyloxy)-3,4,4′,5tetramethoxydiphenylcarbinol (15).
[0060] To a solution of protected bromobenzene 7c (0.91 g, 2.95 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (5.0 mL) cooled to −78° C., n-butyl lithium (1.21 mL, 2.44 M, 2.95 mmol.) was added. The solution was stirred for 1 hour and 3,4,5-triethoxybenzyaldehyde (0.58 g, 2.95 mmol) was added. The resulting solution was then stirred for an additional 4 hours. The reaction was ended by adding water and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. Removal of solvent (in vacuo) led to a yellow oil that was separated by flash column chromatography (hexane-ethyl acetate, 9:1) to afford a clear oil that solidified upon standing (1.15 g, 92%). The solid was recrystallized from methanol and yielded colorless plates: m.p. 79.9-81.8° C.: HRMS 424.1749 C 21 H 28 O 9 EIMS m/z 424 (M + ), 362, 347, 331, 317, 289, 181; IR (KBr, cm −1 ) v max 3407, 3001, 2942, 2836, 1236, 1155, 1123, 1063; 1 H NMR δ 6.71 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz, H 6′ ), 6.68 (2H, s, H 2′,6′ ), 6.63 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz, H 5 ), 6.09 (1H, d, J=3.3 Hz, CH), 5.20 (2H, dd, J=6.0, 10.5 Hz, OCH 2 ), 5.13 (2H, OCH 2 ), 3.85 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.84 (6H, s, OCH 3 ×2), 3.82 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.61 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.58 (3H, S, OCH 3 ), 13 C NMR (75.5 MHz) δ 153.23, 153.05, 149.73, 138.17, 138.12, 136.80, 131.16, 123.52, 108.04, 104.32, 103.53, 100.03, 98.59, 69.79, 60.85, 57.74, 57.37, 56.07, 55.93. Anal. Calcd. For C 21 H 27 O 9 : C, 59.43; H, 6.65. Found, C, 59.44; H, 6.82.
[0061] 2′,3′-Bis(methoxymethyloxy)-3,4,4′,5-tetramethoxybenzophenone (6c).
[0062] To a stirred solution of diphenylcarbinol 15 (6.85 g) in dichloromethane (250 mL) was added 4 Å molecular sieves (9 g) and pyridinium dichromate (9.1 g, 1.5 eq.). The black solution was stirred overnight, filtered through Celite, rinsed with methanol and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford a black residue. The mixture was separated by flash column chromatography (hexane-ethyl acetate, 4:1) to provide a clear oil that solidified upon standing (6.5 g, 95%). The solid was recrystallized twice from ethyl acetate-hexane to afford colorless crystals: m.p. 70.2-71.7° C.; HRMS 422.1577 C 21 H 26 O 9 ; EIMS m/z 422 (M + ), 346, 195, 181; IR (KBr, cm −1 ) v max 3005, 2944, 2845, 1649, 1583, 1231, 1125, 1071; 1 H NMR δ 7.16 (1H, d, J=8.5 Hz, H 6′ ), 7.12 (2H, s, H 2,6 ), 6.78 (1H, d, J=8.5 Hz, H 5′ ), 5.18 (2H, s, OCH 2 2′), 5.01 (2H, s, OCH 2 ), 3.93 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.92 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.85 (6H, s, OCH 3 3,5 ), 3.62 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.26 (3H, s, OCH 3 ); 13 C NMR (75.5 MHz) δ 193.87, 155.93, 152.77, 149.48, 142.42, 138.80, 133.07, 127.35, 125.48, 107.64, 107.36, 99.76, 98.66, 60.92, 57.41, 57.32, 56.22, 56.05. Anal. Calcd. For C 21 H 26 O 9 : C, 59.71; H, 6.20. Found: C, 59.75; H, 6.28.
[0063] Hydroxyphenstatin (2′,3′-Dihydroxy-4-methoxy-phenyl)-3,4,5-trimethoxy-phenyl)-methanone (6a).
[0064] To a stirred solution of MOM-protected hydroxyphenstatin 6c (0.120 g, 0.284 mmol) in methanol (10.0 mL) was added 1 N HCl (0.57 mL) and the solution stirred for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water, extracted with dichloromethane and the solvent evaporated in vacuo to yield a yellow solid (0.09 g, 99%). The solid was recrystallized (twice) from methanol: m.p. 171.1-171.9° C.; HRMS 334.1052 C 17 H 17 O 7 ; EIMS m/z 334 (M + ), 303, 195, 168, 153; IR(KBr, cm −1 ) v max 3273, 3100, 3001, 2944, 1636, 1574, 1121, 1063; 1 H NMR δ 12.23 (1H, s, OH), 7.27 (1H, d, J=8.7 Hz, H 6′ ), 10 6.92 (2H, s, H 2,6 ), 6.51 (1H, d, J=8.7 Hz, H 5′ ), 5.57 (1H, s, OH), 3.99 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.94 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.90 (6H, s, OCH 3 ×2); 13 C NMR (75.5 MHz) δ 199.58, 152.93, 152.08, 150.94, 141.33, 133.67, 133.13, 125.59, 113.99, 106.80, 102.53, 60.98, 56.32, 56.24. Anal. Calcd. For C 17 H 18 O 7 : C, 61.07; H, 5.43. Found: C, 61.07; H, 5.37.
[0065] X-Ray Crystal Structure Determination of Hydroxyphenstatin (6a). A thick, plate-shaped X-ray sample (˜0.38×0.36×0.08 mm), grown from methanol solution, was mounted on the tip of a glass fiber with Super-Glue. Data collection was performed at 301±1° K. Accurate cell dimensions were determined by least-squares fitting of 25 carefully centered reflections in the range of 35°<è<40° using Cu Ká radiation.
[0066] 2′,3′-O-Di-(bisbenzylphosphoryl)-hydroxyphenstatin (6d).
[0067] To a solution of hydroxyphenstatin 6a (4 g) in dry acetonitrile (100 mL) and carbon tetrachloride (11.4 mL, 10 eq.) was added dimethylaminopyridine (0.14 g, 0.1 eq.) and diisopropylethylamine (8.7 mL, 4.2 eq.). After cooling to −10° C., dibenzylphosphite (7.8 mL, 3.0 eq.) was added and the solution stirred for 16 hours under argon at −10° C. and then brought to room temperature. The reaction was terminated with 0.5 M KH 2 PO 4 , extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined solvent was washed with brine and dried. Removal of solvent (in vacuo) afforded an orange oil which was separated by flash column chromatography (hexane-ethyl acetate, 1:1 to 0:1) to provide a white solid (9.7 g, 96%). The solid was recrystallized twice from ethyl acetate-hexane: m.p. 86.9-87.4° C.; EIMS m/z 854 (M + ), 656, 576, 514, 486, 91; IR (KBr, cm − ) v max 2967, 2945, 2841, 1659, 1298, 1020, 951; 1 H NMR δ 7.44 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz, H 6′ ), 7.27 (18H, m, Ar—H), 7.11 (2H, s, H 2,6 ), 7.08 (2H, m, Ar—H), 6.92 (1H, d, J=9.0 Hz, H 5′ ), 5.23 (2H, s, CH 2 Bn), 5.21 (2H, s, CH 2 Bn), 4.64 (2H, dd, J=4.5, 6.9 Hz, CH 2 Bn), 4.77 (2H, dd, J=4.5, 6.9 Hz, CH 2 Bn), 3.84 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.80 (6H, s, OCH 3 3,5 ), 3.77 (3H, s, OCH 3 ); 13 C NMR (75.5 MHZ) δ 191.73, 171.11, 154.84, 152.84, 142.20, 135.81, 135.74, 135.24, 135.18, 132.77, 128.42, 128.37, 128.29, 127.96, 127.67, 127.58, 125.90, 109.19, 107.55, 69.98, 69.93, 69.87, 69.82, 60.80, 60.36, 56.30, 56.23; 31 P NMR (DMSO, decoupled, −202.35 MHZ) δ −5.01, −5.79. Anal. Calcd. For C 45 H 44 O 13 P 2 : C, 63.23; H, 5.19. Found: C, 62.81; H, 5.58.
[0068] Sodium Hydroxyphenstatin Diphosphate (6e)
[0069] A mixture of the phosphorylated hydroxyphenstatin (6d) (9.0 g) and sodium iodide (6.3 g, 4.0 eq.) in anhydrous acetonitrile (30 mL) was stirred (under argon) and trimethylsilyl chloride (5.4 mL, 4.0 eq.) was added. The solution was stirred for 2 hours and the reaction was stopped with water. After extraction with ethyl acetate, the aqueous layer was concentrated to a light brown foam. To the residue in ethanol (75 mL) was added sodium methoxide (2.3 g, 4.0 eq.) and the solution stirred for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the residue crystallized from water-acetone to yield an amphorous solid (5.6 g, 92%) which was recrystallized (three times) from water-acetone: m.p. 145.7-147.2; LRFAB m/z 583.1 (M+H + ), calcd. 583.2; IR (KBr, cm −1 ) v max 3009, 2947, 2843, 1643, 1343, 1289, 1182, 1123, 990; 1 H NMR (D 2 O, 500 MHZ) δ 7.07 (2H, s, H 2,6 ), 6.98 (1H, d, J=5.1 Hz, H 6′ ), 6.75 (1H, d, J=5.1 Hz, H 5′ ), 3.80 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.75 (6H, s, OCH 3 ×2), 3.74 (3H, s, OCH 3 ); 13 C NMR (D 2 O, reference to CDCl 3 , 75.5 MHZ) δ 197.15, 156.15, 152.24, 145.03, 141.38, 135.70, 133.99, 126.37, 125.49, 108.72, 106.95, 61.16, 56.40, 56.30; 31 P NMR (D 2 O, decoupled, −202.35 MHZ) δ 0.05, −1.49. The solubility of sodium hydroxyphenstatin diphosphate was found to be 100 mg/mL in distilled water at 25° C.
[0070] Lithium Hydroxyphenstatin Diphosphate (6f)
[0071] To the light brown foam in methanol (10 mL) was added lithium hydroxide (0.049 g, 4.0 eq.) and the solution stirred for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the residue crystallize from water-acetone to yield an amphorous solid (0.11 g, 74%) which was recrystallized from water-acetone: m.p. 174-176° C. (dec.); LRFAB m/z 511 (M + ), 505 (M + -Li), 499 (M + -2Li), 493 (M + -3Li), 435, 413, 199; IR (KBr, cm −1 ) v max 3011, 2945, 2845, 1632, 1339, 1283, 1187, 1127, 1003; 1 H NMR (D 2 O, 300 MHz) δ 7.13 (2H, s, H 2,6 ), 6.96 (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz, H 6′ ), 6.69 (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz, H 5′ ), 3.77 (6H, s, OCH 3 ×2), 3.76 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.75 (3H, s, OCH 3 ); The solubility of lithium hydroxyphenstatin diphosphate was found to be 25 mg/mL in distilled water at 25° C.
[0072] Potassium Hydroxyphenstatin Diphosphate (6g)
[0073] To the light brown foam in methanol (10 mL) was added potassium hydroxide (0.065 g, 4.0 eq.) in water (5 mL) and the solution stirred for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the yellow solid crystallized from water-acetone to yield an amphorous solid (0.161 g, 86%) which was recrystallized from water-acetone: m.p. 141-143° C. (dec.); LRFAB m/z 647 (M + -K), 545, 395, 333, 181; IR (KBr, cm −1 ) v max 3010, 2946, 2843, 1640, 1335, 1269, 1169, 1123, 988; 1 H NMR (D 2 O, 300 MHz) δ 7.14 (2H, s, H 2,6 ), 6.96 (1H, d, J=8.1 Hz, H 6′ ), 6.69 (1H, d,8.1 Hz, H 5′ ), 3.77 (6H, s, OCH 3 ×2), 3.76 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.75 (3H, s, OCH 3 ); The solubility of potassium hydroxyphenstatin diphosphate was found to be >100 mg/mL in distilled water at 25° C.
[0074] Calcium Hydroyphenstatin Diphosphate (6h)
[0075] To the light brown foam in methanol (10 mL) was added calcium acetate (0.102 g, 2.0 eq.) and the solution stirred for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the residue crystallized from water-acetone to yield an amphorous solid (0.159 g, 79%) which was recrystallized from water-acetone: m.p. 186-188° C. (dec.); LRFAB m/z 531 (M + ), 493, 413, 395, 277; IR (KBr, cm −1 ) v max 3011, 2940, 2847, 1638, 1337, 1296, 1182, 1127, 964; 1 H NMR (D 2 O, 300 MHz) δ 7.13 (1H, d, J=8.4 Hz, H 6′ ), 7.07 (2H, s, H 2,6 ), 6.84 (1H, d, J=8.4 Hz, H 5′ ), 3.82 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.76 (6H, s, OCH 3 ×2), 3.75 (3H, s, OCH 3 ); The solubility of calcium hydroxyphenstatin diphosphate was found to be <1 mg/mL in distilled water at 25° C.
[0076] Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
[0077] The new substances were screened against the bacteria Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and the fungi Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, according to established disk susceptibility testing protocols. The results of these screens are shown in Table 1, below.
TABLE III Antimicrobial activities of sodium hydroxyphenstatin phosphate precursors. Minimum inhibitory Compound Microbe(s) inhibited Concentration (μg/disk) 6d Micrococcus luteus 50-100 10 Cryptococcus neoformans 25-50 Stenotrophomonas maltophilia 50-100 11 C. neoformans 6.25-12.5 Candida albicans 12.5-25 Escherichia coli 50-100 Neisseria gonorrhoeae 25-50 12 C. neoformans 12.5-25 C. albicans 50-100 N. gonorrhoeae 12.5-25 7a S. maltophilia 25-50 E. coli 50-100 Staphylococcus aureus 25-50 N. gonorrhoeae <6.25
[0078] Tubulin Assays
[0079] The tubulin polymerization and colchicine binding assays were performed as described previously (See: Cardellicchio, C.; Fiandanese, V.; Marchese, G.; Ronzini, L. Functionalized Ketones by Iron Mediated Reaction of Grignard Reagents with Acyl Chlorides. Tetrahedron Lett. 1987, 28, 2053-2056), except that Beckman DU7400/7500 spectrophotometers equipped with “high performance” temperature controllers were used in the former assay. Unlike the manual control possible with the previously used Gilford spectrophotometers, the polymerization assays required use of programs provided by MDB analytical Associates, South Plainfield, N.J., since the Beckman instruments are microprocessor controlled. The Beckman instruments were unable to maintain 0° C., and the lower temperature in the assays fluctuated between 2 and 4° C. Temperature changes were, however, more rapid than in the Gilford instruments with the jump from the lower temperature to 30° C. taking about 20 sec. and the reverse jump about 100 sec.
[0080] [0080]FIG. 1. Crystal structure of hydroxyphenstatin (6a), showing intermolecular
[0081] H-bonding between the carbonyl oxygen O7 and the hydroxyl hydrogenon O 10.
[0082] Dosing.
[0083] The dosage administered will be dependent upon the identity of the neoplastic disease; the type of host involved, including its age, health and weight; the kind of concurrent treatment, if any; the frequency of treatment and therapeutic ratio.
[0084] Illustratively, dosage levels of the administered active ingredients are: intravenous, 0.1 to about 200 mg/kg; intramuscular, 1 to about 500 mg/kg; orally, 5 to about 1000 mg/kg; intranasal instillation, 5 to about 1000 mg/kg; and aerosol, 5 to about 1000 mg/kg of host body weight.
[0085] Expressed in terms of concentration, an active ingredient can be present in the compositions of the present invention for localized use about the cutis, intranasally, pharyngolaryngeally, bronchially, intravaginally, rectally, or ocularly in a concentration of from about 0.01 to about 50% w/w of the composition; preferably about 1 to about 20% w/w of the composition; and for parenteral use in a concentration of from about 0.05 to about 50% w/v of the composition and preferably from about 5 to about 20% w/v.
[0086] The compositions of the present invention are preferably presented for administration to humans and animals in unit dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, pills, powders, granules, suppositories, sterile parenteral solutions or suspensions, sterile non-parenteral solutions of suspensions, and oral solutions or suspensions and the like, containing suitable quantities of an active ingredient.
[0087] For oral administration either solid or fluid unit dosage forms can be prepared.
[0088] Powders are prepared quite simply by comminuting the active ingredient to a suitably fine size and mixing with a similarly comminuted diluent. The diluent can be an edible carbohydrate material such as lactose or starch. Advantageously, a sweetening agent or sugar is present as well as a flavoring oil.
[0089] Capsules are produced by preparing a powder mixture as hereinbefore described and filling into formed gelatin sheaths. Advantageously, as an adjuvant to the filling operation, a lubricant such as talc, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate and the like is added to the powder mixture before the filling operation.
[0090] Soft gelatin capsules are prepared by machine encapsulation of a slurry of active ingredients with an acceptable vegetable oil, light liquid petrolatum or other inert oil or triglyceride.
[0091] Tablets are made by preparing a powder mixture, granulating or slugging, adding a lubricant and pressing into tablets. The powder mixture is prepared by mixing an active ingredient, suitably comminuted, with a diluent or base such as starch, lactose, kaolin, dicalcium phosphate and the like. The powder mixture can be granulated by wetting with a binder such as corn syrup, gelatin solution, methylcellulose solution or acacia mucilage and forcing through a screen. As an alternative to granulating, the powder mixture can be slugged, i.e., run through the tablet machine and the resulting imperfectly formed tablets broken into pieces (slugs). The slugs can be lubricated to prevent sticking to the tablet-forming dies by means of the addition of stearic acid, a stearic salt, talc or mineral oil. The lubricated mixture is then compressed into tablets.
[0092] Advantageously, the tablet can be provided with a protective coating consisting of a sealing coat or enteric coat of shellac, a coating of sugar and methylcellulose and polish coating of carnauba wax.
[0093] Fluid unit dosage forms for oral administration on such as in syrups, elixirs and suspensions can be prepared wherein each teaspoonful of composition contains a predetermined amount of an active ingredient for administration. The water-soluble forms can be dissolved in an aqueous vehicle together with sugar, flavoring agents and preservatives to form a syrup. An elixir is prepared by using a hydroalcoholic vehicle with suitable sweeteners together with a flavoring agent. Suspensions can be prepared of the insoluble forms with a suitable vehicle with the aid of a suspending agent such as acacia, tragacanth, methylcellulose and the like.
[0094] For parenteral administration, fluid unit dosage forms are prepared utilizing an active ingredient and a sterile vehicle, water being preferred. The active ingredient, depending on the form and concentration used, can be either suspended or dissolved in the vehicle. In preparing solutions the water-soluble active ingredient can be dissolved in water for injection and filter sterilized before filling into a suitable vial or ampule and sealing. Advantageously, adjuvants such as a local anesthetic, preservative and buffering agents can be dissolved in the vehicle. Parenteral suspensions are prepared in substantially the same manner except that an active ingredient is suspended in the vehicle instead of being dissolved and sterilization cannot be accomplished by filtration. The active ingredient can be sterilized by exposure to ethylene oxide before suspending in the sterile vehicle. Advantageously, a surfactant or wetting agent is included in the composition to facilitate uniform distribution of the active ingredient.
[0095] In addition to oral and parenteral administration, the rectal and vaginal routes can be utilized. An active ingredient can be administered by means of a suppository. A vehicle which has a melting point at about body temperature or one that is readily soluble can be utilized. For example, cocoa butter and various polyethylene glycols (Carbowaxes) can serve as the vehicle.
[0096] For intranasal instillation, a fluid unit dosage form is prepared utilizing an active ingredient and a suitable pharmaceutical vehicle, preferably P.F. water, a dry powder can be formulated when insufflation is the administration of choice.
[0097] For use as aerosols, the active ingredients can be packaged in a pressurized aerosol container together with a gaseous or liquified propellant, for example, dichlorodifluoromethane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, propane, and the like, with the usual adjuvants such as cosolvents and wetting agents, as may be necessary or desirable.
[0098] The term “unit dosage form” as used in the specification and claims refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human and animal subjects, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical diluent, carrier or vehicle. The specifications for the novel unit dosage forms of this invention are dictated by and are directly dependent on (a) the unique characteristics of the active material and the particular therapeutic effect to be achieved, and (b) the imitation inherent in the art of compounding such an active material for therapeutic use in humans, as disclosed in this specification, these being features of the present invention. Examples of suitable unit dosage forms in accord with this invention are tablets, capsules, troches, suppositories, powder packets, wafers, cachets, teaspoonfuls, tablespoonfuls, dropperfuls, ampules, vials, segregated multiples of any of the foregoing and other forms as herein described.
[0099] The active ingredients to be employed as antineoplastic agents can be easily prepared in such unit dosage form with the employment of pharmaceutical materials which themselves are available in the art and can be prepared by established pores. The following preparations are illusive of the preparation of the unit dosage forms of the present invention, and not as a limitation thereof. Several dosage forms were prepared embodying the present invention. They are shown in the following examples in which the notation “active ingredient” signifies either hydroxyphenstatin 3a and/or hydroxyphenstatin prodrug 3e, and/or benzophenones 6c, 13 or any other compound described herein.
COMPOSITION “A”
Hard-Gelatin Capsules
[0100] One thousand two-piece hard gelatin capsules for oral use, each capsule containing 200 mg of an active ingredient are prepared from the following types and amounts of ingredients:
Active ingredient, micronized 200 g Corn Starch 20 g Talc 20 g Magnesium stearate 2 g
[0101] The active ingredient, finely divided by means of an air micronizer, is added to the other finely powdered ingredients, mixed thoroughly and then encapsulated in the usual manner.
[0102] The foregoing capsules are used for treating a neoplastic disease by the oral administration of one or two capsules one to four times a day.
[0103] Using the procedure above, capsules are similarly prepared containing an active ingredient in 50, 250 and 500 mg amounts by substituting 50 g, 250 g and 500 g of an active ingredient for the 200 g used above.
COMPOSITION “B”
Soft Gelatin Capsules
[0104] One-piece soft gelatin capsules for oral use, each containing 200 mg of an active ingredient, finely divided by means of an air micronizer, are prepared by first suspending the compound in 0.5 ml of corn oil to render the material capsulatable and then encapsulating in the above manner.
[0105] The foregoing capsules are useful for treating a neoplastic disease by the oral administration of one or two capsules one to four times a day.
COMPOSITION “C”
Tablets
[0106] One thousand tablets, each containing 200 mg of an active ingredient, are prepared from the following types and amounts of ingredients:
Active ingredient, micronized 200 g Lactose 300 g Corn starch 50 g Magnesium stearate 4 g Light liquid petrolatum 5 g
[0107] The active ingredient, finely divided by means of an air micronizer, is added to the other ingredients and then thoroughly nixed and slugged. The slugs are broken down by forcing them through a Number Sixteen screen. The resulting granules are then compressed into tablets, each tablet containing 200 mg of the active ingredient.
[0108] The foregoing tablets are useful for treating a neoplastic disease by the oral administration of one or two tablets one to four times a day.
[0109] Using the procedure above, tablets are similarly prepared containing an active ingredient in 250 mg and 100 mg amounts by substituting 250 g and 100 g of an active ingredient for the 200 g used above.
COMPOSITION “D”
Oral Suspension
[0110] One liter of an aqueous suspension for oral use, containing in each teaspoonful (5 ml) dose, 50 mg of an active ingredient, is prepared from the following types and amounts of ingredients:
Active ingredient, micronized 10 g Citric acid 2 g Benzoic acid 1 g Sucrose 790 g Tragacanth 5 g Lemon Oil 2 g Deionized water, q.s. 1000 ml
[0111] The citric acid, benzoic acid, sucrose, tragacanth and lemon oil are dispersed in sufficient water to make 850 ml of suspension. The active ingredient, finely divided by means of an air micronizer, is stirred into the syrup unit uniformly distributed. Sufficient water is added to make 1000 ml.
[0112] The composition so prepared is useful for treating a neoplastic disease at a dose of 1 teaspoonful (15 ml) three times a day.
COMPOSITION “E”
Parenteral Product
[0113] A sterile aqueous suspension for parenteral injection, containing 30 mg of an active ingredient in each milliliter for treating a neoplastic disease, is prepared from the following types and amounts of ingredients:
Active ingredient, micronized 30 g POLYSORBATE 80 5 g Methylparaben 2.5 g Propylparaben 0.17 g Water for injection, q.s. 1000 ml.
[0114] All the ingredients, except the active ingredient, are dissolved in the water and the solution sterilized by filtration. To the sterile solution is added the sterilized active ingredient, finely divided by means of an air micronizer, and the final suspension is filled into sterile vials and the vials sealed.
[0115] The composition so prepared is useful for treating a neoplastic disease at a dose of 1 milliliter (1 ml) three times a day.
COMPOSITION “F”
Suppository, Rectal and Vaginal
[0116] One thousand suppositories, each weighing 2.5 g and containing 200 mg of an active ingredient are prepared from the following types and amounts of ingredients:
Active ingredient, micronized 15 g Propylene glycol 150 g Polyethylene glycol #4000, q.s. 2,500 g
[0117] The active ingredient is finely divided by means of an air micronizer and added to the propylene glycol and the mixture passed through a colloid mill until uniformly dispersed. The polyethylene glycol is melted and the propylene glycol dispersion is added slowly with stirring. The suspension is poured into unchilled molds at 40° C. The composition is allowed to cool and solidify and then removed from the mold and each suppository foil wrapped.
[0118] The foregoing suppositories are inserted rectally or vaginally for treating a neoplastic disease.
COMPOSITION “G”
Intranasal Suspension
[0119] One liter of a sterile aqueous suspension for intranasal instillation, containing 20 mg of an active ingredient in each milliliter, is prepared from the following types and amounts of ingredients:
Active ingredient, micronized 15 g POLYSORBATE 80 5 g Methylparaben 2.5 g Propylparaben 0.17 g Deionized water, q.s. 1000 ml.
[0120] All the ingredients, except the active ingredient, are dissolved in the water and the solution sterilized by filtration. To the sterile solution is added the sterilized active ingredient, finely divided by means of an air micronizer, and the final suspension is aseptically filled into sterile containers.
[0121] The composition so prepared is useful for treating a neoplastic disease, by intranasal instillation of 0.2 to 0.5 ml given one to four times per day.
[0122] An active ingredient can also be present in the undiluted pure form for use locally about the cutis, intranasally, pharyngolaryngeally, bronchially, or orally.
COMPOSITION “H”
Powder
[0123] Five grams of an active ingredient in bulk form is finely divided by means of an air micronizer. The micronized powder is placed in a shaker-type container.
[0124] The foregoing composition is useful for treating a neoplastic disease, at localized sites by applying a powder one to four times per day.
COMPOSITION “I”
Oral Powder
[0125] One hundred grams of an active ingredient in bulk form is finely divided by means of an air micronizer. The micronized powder is divided into individual doses of 200 mg and packaged.
[0126] The foregoing powders are useful for treating a neoplastic disease, by the oral administration of one or two powders suspended in a glass of water, one to four times per day.
COMPOSITION “J”
Insufflation
[0127] One hundred grams of an active ingredient in bulk form is finely divided by means of an air micronizer.
[0128] The foregoing composition is useful for treating a neoplastic disease, by the inhalation of 300 mg one to four times a day.
[0129] From the foregoing, it becomes readily apparent that a new and useful antineoplastic factor and new and useful antineoplastic preparations have been herein described and illustrated which fulfill all of the aforestated objectives in a remarkably unexpected fashion. It is of course understood that such modifications, alterations and adaptations as will readily occur to the artisan confronted with this disclosure are intended within the spirit of the present invention.
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The benzophenone derivative of combretastatin A-1, designated “hydroxyphenstatin”, was synthesized by compiling a protected bromobenzene and a benzaldehyde to form a benzhydrol which was subsequently oxidized to the ketone. Hydroxyphenstatin was converted to a sodium phosphate prodrug by dibenzyl phosphite phosphorylation and subsequent benzyl cleavage: Hydroxyphenstatin and the prodrugs thereof were found to be a potent inhibitor of tubulin polymerization and to demonstrate surprisingly effective anti neoplastic activity against a series of human cancer cells and murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells.
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BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to devices for cleaning floors with revolving adhesive lint rollers and non-woven peelable sweepers and mops
[0002] Adhesive lint rollers for clothing and floors as well as Swiffer™ style swivel sweepers have enjoyed substantial commercial success for use in certain applications. For example, an average home owner can use a Swiffer™ style sweeper and peel, place and replace one cleaning sheet at a time upon the sweeper head. The problem is that these types of sweeper heads have single sided cleaning surfaces; although coupled with swivel movement of the head. It would be desirable to provide a similar swivel action; but with a dual cleaning surface rotatable about an axle.
[0003] Many adhesive lint rollers for use on floors are commercially available and are modeled after typical paint rollers that are limited to bent metal combined with a plastic handle. This sort of paint roller style handle for the adhesive floor rollers is lacking in that it does not provide a swivel or pivoting action to provide ergonomical movement of the head over floor and upholstery surfaces and around furniture legs, corners and steps.
[0004] Accordingly it would be desirable to provide an improved cleaning tool having a flexible connection between the head and the handle. The improved connection should limit the extent of relative movement between the head and handle so that the spindle-head has limited movement in the vertical cleaning direction. The cleaning tool head should move more freely in the lateral direction than it does in the back and forth cleaning direction.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention broadly provides an improved cleaning tool with a variable flexible connection between the head and handle.
[0006] The improved tool broadly includes a spindle roller or an oblate head for receiving a tape roll or an oblate mop head, a handle and a head with an axle upon which the spindle head rotates, and a flexible connection between or in the parts to permit relative movement there between.
[0007] The handle may be tubular and may be provided with an internally threaded portion which is adapted to receive the threaded marginal end portion of a hand tool and, preferably, an additional extension pole. The handle may have at least one cushioned grip portion that makes the handle feel more comfortable to the user. The cushioned grip may be formed of a suitable thermoplastic elastomer, such as a polyolefin. The body may be formed of a suitable plastic with soft rubber inserts or coatings placed as bumpers in areas that may come in contact with furniture. This is to avoid scratching the delicate furniture surface.
[0008] In one aspect, the body, flexible connection and at least a portion of the handle are formed of a flexible, unbreakable soft material, such as polypropylene. The connection has a web portion that is more flexible to movement in one plane than it is to movement in another generally perpendicular plane. This web portion has major and minor transverse dimensions. In the one aspect, the web portion may have a substantially rectangular transverse cross-section. Optionally the web area may be filled and/or surrounded with an elastomeric material between the web areas to limit movement.
[0009] Optionally, the flexible connection may be made of at least one transverse U-shaped fold formed with the remainder of the body or optionally as a separate connector between the body and the handle. The U-shaped folds are preferable positioned in a plane at from 30° to 150°, preferably substantially at right angles, to the plane in which the handle lies, whereby the resiliently flexible connector permits the body and/or the head to be moved at an angle to the handle or grip portion out of the plane in which it normally lies, and then to revert to its original position on the release of pressure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0010] The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one aspect of the present cleaning apparatus;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded, front elevational view of another aspect of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a cleaning apparatus with another aspect of a flexible connection;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial, enlarged frontal elevational view showing the connection between the shaft and the arm of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 3 ;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial, enlarged view, similar to FIG. 4 , but depicting another aspect of the flexible connection of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of another aspect of the cleaning apparatus according to the present invention, using the connection of FIG. 5 ;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 6 ;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a partial, enlarged, front elevational views showing different aspects of connections for the cleaning apparatus of the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 9, 10 , 11 and 12 are enlarged, partial front elevational views showing an alternate mounting location for the connections of the present inventions;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a frontal elevational view of a cleaning apparatus according to the present invention including another aspect of a flexible connection;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one aspect of a handle employable in the cleaning apparatus of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another aspect of the flexible connector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Refer now to the drawing, and to FIG. 1 in particular, there is depicted a cleaning apparatus 20 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0024] The cleaning apparatus 20 includes a body or head 22 , a handle 24 and a spindle 26 . The head 22 is formed of a suitable lightweight material, preferably a plastic material, with poly-propylene and poly-ethylene being suitable materials by way of example only.
[0025] The head 22 includes an upper arm 30 and a side arm 32 . The upper and lower arms 30 and 32 may be formed as a one piece molded structure by suitable molding processes, such as by blow molding or injection molding, for example, or as separate members. The upper arm 30 and the side arm 32 , while integrally joined, may be formed in a plurality of sections, with separate halves being shown in FIG. 2 , for example, and joined together by adhesive, fasteners, and/or snap-together connections.
[0026] The side arm 32 depends from one end of the upper arm 30 . One or more optional inserts 48 and 50 are mounted on the head 22 , with at least one insert 48 mounted on one or both sides of the upper arm 30 and one insert 50 mounted on the outer surface of the side arm 32 . The inserts 48 and 50 are formed of a resilient material, such as an elastomer or rubber, and may include a plurality of resilient ribs 52 . The inserts 48 and 50 are positioned to act as bumpers to prevent contact between the head 22 and external surfaces during use of or coated with the cleaning apparatus 20 . Alternately, the entire head 22 can be formed of a resilient material.
[0027] A reinforcing member 34 , such as a metal rod, may be disposed within the head 22 and has a curvilinear shape, as shown in FIG. 1 . One end of the reinforcing member or rod 32 is fixed in the upper arm 34 . The other end portion of the reinforcing member 36 or rod 34 projects laterally inward from the side arm 32 in a spaced, generally parallel position to the upper arm 34 . The purpose of the end portion 32 of the rod 34 will be described in greater detail hereafter.
[0028] A shaft 40 is coupled to the upper arm 30 by means of a flexible or resilient connector means 42 . The shaft 40 has a generally circular cross-section with an internally threaded bore 44 which is adapted to mate with threads 46 extending from one end of the handle 24 to releasably connect the handle 24 to the head 22 and to enable different length handles to be interchangeably connected to the head 22 as also described hereafter.
[0029] The handle 24 has an elongated shape and a length which may vary depending on the particular application of the apparatus 20 . A long length handle 24 as shown in FIG. 1 by way of example only, to enable the cleaning apparatus 20 to function as a floor mop or as a mop for hard to reach surfaces. Alternately, a shorter length handle may be mounted in the shaft 40 for hand use of the cleaning apparatus 20 to clean clothes, furniture, etc.
[0030] Resilient inserts 54 , similar to the inserts 48 and 50 , may be mounted at various locations on the handle 24 to form an ergonomic, high-friction grip surface.
[0031] The spindle 26 is shown in FIG. 1 as being rotatable. Also, the head 22 and rod 34 maybe molded or formed in one piece.
[0032] The spindle 26 , in the aspect of the cleaning apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1 , includes a cartridge 60 formed of first and second end caps 62 and 64 which are joined by a plurality of longitudinally extending strips 66 . The end caps 62 and 64 have a generally circular shape so as to form the cartridge 60 in the shape of a cylinder. At least one of the end caps, such as end cap 64 , has a through aperture through which the end portion of the rod 36 extends. An interior bearing member 68 , having a shape similar to that of the end caps 62 and 64 is fixedly mounted intermediately between the end caps 62 and 64 within the strips 66 . The bearing 68 includes a receiver for rotatably receiving the end portion 36 of the reinforcement member or rod 34 . Alternately, the end portion 36 of the rod 34 may be provided with extra length so as to extend completely through the cartridge 60 to the end cap 62 wherein it is rotatably supported in a boss, not shown, in the end cap 62 .
[0033] In this manner, the cartridge 60 is rotatably coupled to the head 22 by the reinforcement member or rod 34 and is capable of bi-directional rotation as pressure is applied to the cartridge 60 through the head 22 and the handle 24 by a user.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 2 , the two-part construction of the head 22 is depicted by way of example only. In this aspect of the invention, the upper arm 30 and the integral side arm 32 are formed in two sections 30 A and 32 A, and 30 B, and 32 B, respectively. One insert 48 can be mounted on both of the upper arm portions 30 A and 30 B.
[0035] A recessed shoulder 35 is formed in one of the head halves, such as along the edge of the upper arm 30 B and the side arm 32 B for engagement with a mating edge on the opposed upper arm 30 A and side arm 32 A.
[0036] At least one, and preferably a plurality of bosses 37 , are formed in one of the head halves and receive smaller diameter pins, not shown, on the mating half to align and secure the head halves together.
[0037] As also shown in FIG. 2 , the head half formed of the upper arm 30 B and side arm 32 B includes an enlargement 39 projecting from the shoulder also has a recessed shoulder like the recess 35 for mating engagement with a recess 41 in the opposed upper arm 30 A. The enlargement 39 carries a connector 42 and a shaft 40 so that the connector 42 is physically located on only one of the head halves for strength and proper function.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 1 , a cleaning element 80 is mounted on the cartridge 60 . In the case of the rotatable, cylindrically shaped cartridge 60 , the cleaning element 80 can be in the form of a roll of separable sheets of a film or substrate having an outwardly facing adhesive surface suitable for picking up lint, dirt, etc., from hard surfaces, soft fabrics, clothes, animals, etc. The length and width of the separable sheets as well as the length of the cartridge 60 may be varied to suit the needs of different applications. When the outermost sheet of the cleaning element 80 is soiled or dirty, it is peeled from the roll supported on the cartridge 60 to expose a fresh, clean sheet for further cleaning operations.
[0039] According to the present invention, the unique connector 42 in the cleaning apparatus 20 provides a pivotal or swivel function for ergonomic feel and effective use of the cleaning apparatus 20 over a number of different surfaces, or different shaped surfaces. All aspects of the connector 42 , including those described and illustrated hereafter, are formed to exhibit more flex in one plane than in an opposite, angularly opposed plane, such as a perpendicular plane.
[0040] For purposes of clearly understanding the operation of the connector 42 and the other connectors described hereafter, reference planes will be provided for clarity. As shown in FIG. 1 , the upper arm 30 has a longitudinally extending axis extending between the side arm 32 and an opposed end generally parallel to a lower end. A plane through this axis and the handle 24 defines a first plane. The handle 24 is also located in a second plane, mutually perpendicular to the first plane. The connector 42 , is designed to allow significant movement, i.e., 30° to 150° of the handle 24 in either direction of arrow 82 in the first plane; while enabling only manual movement, i.e., 20° in the second plane. This movement provides an ergonomic use of the cleaning apparatus 20 as well as a more efficient cleaning since pressure variations which may result from the angular application of pressure from the user to the handle 24 are compensated for by the pivotal movement of the handle 24 , relative to the head 26 through a connector 42 .
[0041] In the aspect of the connector 42 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connector 42 includes of a plurality of segments 86 each having a generally planar shape. Although the segments 86 are depicted in FIG. 2 as having a circular periphery, it will be understood that other polygonal, oval, elliptical, etc., shapes may be employed for each segment 86 .
[0042] The segments 86 are spaced apart by a stem 88 which may be formed as a continuous member between the shaft 40 and the upper arm 30 or as a plurality of interconnected stem sections, each generally aligned along a longitudinal axis of the handle 24 and the shaft 40 .
[0043] As shown in FIG. 2 , the stem 88 extends in one direction across the complete diameter of the shaft 40 from opposed diametrical edges of the segments 86 . This prevents substantial flexing or movement of the segments 86 along a plane perpendicular to the first plane defined through the handle 24 and the head 26 .
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , cleaning apparatus 100 is substantially the same as the cleaning apparatus 20 except for a different spindle 102 and a different connector 104 . In this aspect, the spindle 102 is formed of a one piece molded body having interconnected solid portions 104 and open portions 106 . End caps 108 and 110 are formed at opposite ends of the spindle 102 and receive a metal reinforcing rod, not shown, therethrough, as described above and shown in FIG. 1 . The cleaning apparatus 100 includes a head 22 and a shaft 40 which are substantially the same as the corresponding elements described above and shown in FIG. 1 .
[0045] The connector 42 , in this aspect of the invention, is formed of a plurality of transversely extending, generally U-shaped folds 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 and 120 between a first end 108 integrally connected, such as by molding, adhesive, fasteners, etc., to the upper arm 30 and an opposed second end 110 also integrally molded, adhesively joined and fastened to one end of the shaft 40 . The folds 112 , etc., are alternatingly inverted between the first and second ends 108 and 110 . The degree of resiliency of the connector 104 may be varied by changing the thickness or width of the folds 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 and 120 as well as the number of folds. For example, a less resilient connector 104 may be provided by increasing the thickness, increasing the width and/or as decreasing the number of the folds 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 and 120 . A more resilient connector 104 may be obtained by increasing the number of folds, decreasing the thickness and/or decreasing the width of the fold 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 and 120 .
[0046] By way of example only, the number of folds is between at least two folds and ten folds, with five folds 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 and 120 being shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as an example only.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 4 , the length of each segment between the folded ends varies so that the length of the folds increases from the fold 112 to the fold 120 . It will be understood that all of the folds 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 and 120 may have the same length provided in a reverse increasing length from the end on the shaft 40 to the opposite end on the upper arm 30 .
[0048] Another aspect of the connector 104 in FIG. 5 . The connector 104 includes the same folds 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 and 120 . In this aspect, however, the open spaces between the generally U-shaped folds spaces are filled with a resilient, elastomeric or rubber material 122 . This material 122 decreases the resiliency but provides a more controlled pivotal movement of the handle 24 relative to the head 22 .
[0049] FIGS. 6 and 7 depict the cleaning apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3 , with a connector 104 ′ and an oblate or oval shaped spindle 130 . The spindle 130 may receive a roll of outwardly facing adhesive strips which are conformed to the oblate shape of the spindle 130 or a separate stack of sheets along one or opposite sides of the spindle 130 , or as a continuous roll of perforated non-woven sheets.
[0050] The spindle 130 is similar to the spindle shown in Applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,517 as shown in FIG. 7 . The end portion 36 of the reinforcing rod 34 extends through one end cap 132 to an opposed end cap 134 . Individual support rods, not shown, also extend between fixed connections on the end caps 132 and 134 to support a cleaning element 136 in the desired oblate shape on the spindle 130 .
[0051] Yet another connector 150 is shown in FIG. 8 . In this aspect, the connector 150 is connected at opposite ends to the shaft 40 and the upper arm 30 of the head 22 . The individual segments 152 and 154 are similar to the planar segments 86 shown in FIG. 1 but are provided in different diameters, with the segments 152 having a first diameter and the segments 154 having a second larger diameter, by example only. It will also be understood that all of the segments, with five segments being shown in the connector 150 by way of example only, may have different diameters. Such as increasing diameters from segment to segment from one end of the connector 150 at the shaft 40 to an opposite end at the upper arm 30 .
[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 9-12 , there is depicted use of the various connectors described above in a different mounting position on the cleaning apparatus of the present invention. In these aspects of the invention, the various connectors are mounted in the side arm 32 intermediately between an upper side arm portion 170 and a lower side arm portion 172 . As shown in FIG. 9 , the connector 104 is mounted between the side arm portions 170 and 172 . In Fig. the connector 104 ′ is likewise mounted between the side arm portions 170 and 172 . In FIG. 11 , the connector 42 is likewise mounted between the side arm portions 170 and 172 . In FIG. 12 , the connector 150 is integrally formed between the upper and lower side arm portions 170 and 172 .
[0053] It will be understood that the use of the connectors 104 and 104 ′ in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the side arm 32 will typically require the side arm 32 to be formed as a one piece member. The same one piece side arm construction may also apply for the use of the connectors 42 and 150 in the side arm 32 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 .
[0054] Although this aspect of the invention utilizes the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 6 , it will be understood that the connector 180 described hereafter may be employed in place of any of the other connectors described above as part of this invention.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 13 , the connector 180 includes a thin web 182 which extends substantially across the diameter of the shaft 40 and the end of the upper arm 30 . The web 182 , which may be integrally formed, such as by molding, with the shaft 40 in the upper arm 30 , has a significantly smaller width or cross-sectional dimension than its corresponding length dimension.
[0056] The resulting open space between the end of the shaft 40 and the mating portion of the upper arm 30 is filled with a mass 184 of a resilient material, such as an elastomeric or rubber material which is cured to a solid, but resilient form. In use, the connector 180 allows lateral movement between the shaft 40 and the head 30 in the direction of arrows 186 and 188 of approximately 30° to 150°, etc. At the same time, due to the length of the web 182 , perpendicular movement of the shaft 40 relative to the upper arm is limited to at most 20°.
[0057] Refer now to FIG. 14 , there is depicted an alternate elongated handle 190 which may be used with any of the cleaning apparatus described above and shown in FIGS. 1-13 . The handle 140 includes an elongated shaft portion 192 which terminates in a hand grip 194 . The hand grip 194 may be formed with or covered with a resilient pad forming a suitable hand gripping surface. The opposite end 196 on the shaft 192 is formed with a suitable mating connector to the connector in the shaft 40 , the thread shown on the end 196 in FIG. 14 will be understood to be by way of example only.
[0058] The handle 190 can be connected directly to the shaft 40 or to the handle 24 shown in FIG. 1 where a mating connector, such as internal threads, are formed in the end of the handle 24 . This allows the extension handle 190 to be easily employed when necessary, but separated from the handle 24 when not required.
[0059] According to a unique feature, the handle 190 includes an intermediate rotatable connection 200 between the hand grip 194 and the end 196 . The rotatable connection 200 provides a small amount of angular displacement between the opposed shaft portions denoted by Ref Nos. 192 A and 192 B of the shaft 192 . This will accommodate different hand positions relative to the head 22 or the application of a slight amount of torque to the head 22 .
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 15 , there is depicted another aspect of a handle 210 which may be employed with any of the cleaning apparatus described above and shown in FIGS. 1-13 . The handle 210 includes a first or a main shaft portion 212 , a second shaft portion 214 having the head connector, such as threads 46 , extending from one end and a gripped end 216 . The grip end 216 may also provide for a releasible connection to a handle extension, not shown.
[0061] Any of the flexible connectors described above, such as connector 42 shown in FIG. 15 by way of example only, may be formed between the shaft sections 212 and 214 . When mounted in the handle 210 , the flexible connector 42 functions in the same manner as the use of all of the flexible connector regardless of whether the connectors are mounted in the head or shaft, by allowing more substantial movement of the handle 210 relative to the head 22 in the first plane than a substantially lesser amount of movement in a second, mutually exclusive, generally angular or perpendicular plane.
[0062] In conclusion, there has been disclosed a unique flexible connection for a cleaning apparatus which provides economic and efficient pressure application during use of the cleaning apparatus. The flexible connector is easily integrated into a cleaning apparatus carrying an outwardly facing adhesive roll or sheet stack and may be provided with different degrees of flexibility or resiliency by varying the shape of the connector.
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An improved cleaning tool is provided with a flexible connection between the head or spindle and the handle. The improved tool broadly includes a spindle or head, a handle and a flexible connection between the head and handle to permit relative pivotal movement therebetween and rubber bumpers to protect against scratching furniture. The flexible connection regulates relative movement between the spindle head in such a way that lateral movement is greater than the up and down movement.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an electro-optic sampling process and device for characterising an electric signal, and in particular for determining the direction of propagation of the electric signal. It also relates to an electro-optic probe used in a device according to the invention.
[0002] The field of application of the invention is electro-optic sampling and the measurement and characterisation of electric signals, in particular of ultra-short electric pulses propagating in guided structures.
PRIOR ART
[0003] Fields such as optical communications and microelectronics require increasingly faster components. The present means in the field of communications have rates of 10 gigabits per second in single-channel laid lines. Rates of 40 gigabits per second are already proven in research and are beginning to be installed and rates of 80 gigabits per second are foreseen.
[0004] The use of conventional measurement equipment for measuring electric signals in electronic and optoelectronic components is limited to frequencies below 210 gigahertz with network analyzers and to frequencies below 110 gigahertz with oscilloscopes, which corresponds to a temporal resolution of a few picoseconds.
[0005] For higher frequencies, it is possible to use measuring equipment based on electro-optic sampling. The principle of the electro-optic sampling technique is widely described in the literature, in particular in the documents [1] to [4] referenced on the last page. It is based on the Pockels effect, i.e. on a change of optical properties of an electro-optic crystal under the effect of an electric field. An electro-optic crystal is placed for example close to a sample in which an electric signal is propagating. The refractive indices of the crystal change in the presence of the electric field. A measuring light beam passing through the crystal has its polarisation changed due to the index variation of the crystal induced by the electric field. A measurement of this variation of polarisation makes it possible to derive the value of the applied electric field. In a device such as that described in document [2], the measuring light beam propagates in the crystal in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the electric signal.
[0006] However, the present day electro-optic sampling devices do not make it possible to determine the direction of propagation of an electric signal. Such devices therefore have the disadvantage of not being able to distinguish between two signals propagating in opposite directions. They do not therefore make it possible to distinguish between, on the one hand, an original signal propagating in a circuit and, on the other hand, echo signals or parasitic rebounds of the original signal. These echoes or rebounds are generally emitted as a result of an impedance mismatch phenomenon in the circuit and generally propagate in the direction opposite to that of the original signal. The characterisation of these parasitic effects is important because these effects interfere with the original signal.
[0007] Moreover, present day fibre-based electro-optic sampling devices are limited in frequency.
[0008] The purpose of the invention is to propose a process and a device for characterising an electric signal and an electro-optic probe used in a device according to the invention, making it possible to determine the direction of propagation of an electric signal, and moreover able to exhibit at least one of the following advantages:
the possibility of determining the presence of parasitic echoes and of characterising these echoes, and an improved temporal resolution with respect to the prior art of fibre-based electro-optic systems.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] This objective is achieved with a process for characterising an electric signal, comprising:
a propagation of a first light beam through an electro-optic medium in a first direction of propagation, at least one optical property of the medium varying when it is subjected to an electric field, a propagation of a second light beam through the electro-optic medium in a second direction of propagation different from the first direction, for each of the light beams, a measurement of a variation of an optical property of the light beam due to the propagation of the beam in the electro-optic medium, and a determination, from the measurements, of a direction of propagation of an electric signal subjecting the electro-optic medium to an electric field.
[0016] In one embodiment, the propagations of the two light beams through the electro-optic medium are substantially simultaneous, such that the electric signal modifies at least one optical property of the electro-optic medium during the propagations of the light beams through the electro-optic medium.
[0017] It is also possible to envisage another embodiment in which the propagations of the two light beams through the electro-optic medium are spaced temporally. In this case, the same electric signal, for which it is sought to determine the direction of propagation, propagates twice in succession in the proximity of the electro-optic medium, in such a way as to modify at least one optical property of the electro-optic medium during each of the propagations of the light beams through the electro-optic medium.
[0018] The determination of the direction of propagation of the electric signal uses the fact that the variation of an optical property for each light beam depends on the direction of propagation of the beam through the medium with respect to the direction of propagation of the electric signal.
[0019] Preferably, the direction of propagation of one of the light beams is substantially collinear with the direction of propagation of the electric signal. In this way, the direction of propagation of one of the light beams is parallel with the direction of propagation of the electric signal. The geometry of the problem and the determination of the direction of propagation of the electric signal are then simplified.
[0020] In the same way, the first and second directions of propagation are preferentially substantially opposite. This way, the directions of propagation of the light beams are parallel. The geometry of the problem and the determination of the direction of propagation of the electric signal are then simplified. In this variant, the two beams can propagate in the medium along substantially merged paths.
[0021] At least one of the light beams can consist of an optical pulse. The process according to the invention can moreover comprise a generation of the two light beams by a same optical pulse. The shorter the pulse is, the smaller is the temporal resolution of a measurement, that is to say the better it is (high temporal resolution).
[0022] One of the properties of the medium varying when it is subjected to an electric field can be for example a refractive index of the medium. The properties of the medium varying when it is subjected to an electric field can, for example in the case of a birefringent crystal, comprise several refractive indices. In general, an electric field modifies the permittivity tensor of an electro-optic medium, which can influence a refractive index of the medium and other properties as well.
[0023] For at least one of the light beams, the measurement can comprise a measurement of a variation of the polarisation of the light beam or directly a measurement of a variation of intensity of the beam (a variation of index in fact being able to modify the transmittance of the electro-optic medium which results in a variation of intensity of the transmitted beam). The process according to the invention can moreover comprise a conversion of the variation of polarisation of the light beam into a variation of intensity of the light beam, for example by means of a polarizer.
[0024] The process according to the invention can moreover comprise a generation of the propagating electric signal, for example allowing a triggering of the propagation of the electric signal in a sample such as a printed circuit. The generation of the electric signal can comprise a conversion of an optical triggering pulse into the electric signal.
[0025] The process according to the invention can moreover comprise a generation of the optical triggering pulse and at least one of the light beams (preferably both of them) by the same initial optical pulse. The process according to the invention can moreover also comprise a variation of a delay between the generation of the electric signal and the propagations of the light beams through the electro-optic medium.
[0026] The electric signal which propagates results in the propagation of an electric field in the electro-optic medium. The process according to the invention can moreover comprise a determination of a value of the electric signal or of the electric field. During its propagation, the electric field causes at least one optical property of the medium to vary. When the light beams propagate in the medium, the variation of the optical property of the medium can cause an optical property of the first light beam and of the second light beam to vary. Thus, the first and second light beams interact with the electric signal via the electro-optic medium. The interaction time of one of the beams with the electric field or signal depends in particular on the angle (or on the difference) between the direction of propagation of said beam and the direction of propagation of the electric signal. The measurement of the variation of the optical property of one of the beams (typically the polarisation) makes it possible to determine the value of the signal or of the field at the time when the beam interacts with the signal via the medium. The process according to the invention can moreover comprise a determination of a temporal profile of the electric signal or field. The determination of the temporal profile can be carried out for example by successive propagations of the first or second beam through the medium, in the form of a plurality of optical pulses. Each optical pulse interacts with a different part of the electric signal and thus makes it possible to determine different values of the electric signal or field over the course of time.
[0027] The process according to the invention can moreover comprise a characterisation of parasitic echoes and/or of rebounds of the electric signal. The characterisation of an echo (or of a rebound) can comprise the determination of the value of the electric field of the echo, the determination of a temporal profile of the echo, the determination of the delay between the echo and the electric signal at the origin of the echo, or the determination of the direction of propagation of the echo.
[0028] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a device for characterising an electric signal is proposed, comprising:
means for propagating a first light beam through an electro-optic medium in a first direction of propagation, at least one optical property of the medium varying when it is subjected to an electric field, means for propagating a second light beam through the electro-optic medium in a second direction of propagation different from the first direction, for each of the light beams, means for measuring a variation of an optical property of the light beam due to the propagation of the beam in the electro-optic medium, and means for determining, from the variation measurements, a direction of propagation of an electric signal subjecting the electro-optic medium to an electric field.
[0033] The device can be arranged such that the first and second directions of propagation of the light beams are substantially opposite.
[0034] The device can be arranged such that the two light beams have substantially merged propagation paths in the medium.
[0035] The device can be arranged such that the direction of propagation of one of the light beams is substantially collinear with the direction of propagation of the electric signal.
[0036] The device according to the invention can moreover comprise means for generating the first and the second light beams from a same optical pulse. These means make it possible to limit a possible time shift between the two beams.
[0037] For at least one of the light beams, the measuring means can comprise means for measuring a variation of the polarisation of the light beam, or means for measuring a variation of intensity of the beam. The device according to the invention can moreover comprise means for converting a variation of polarisation of the light beam into a variation of intensity of the light beam.
[0038] The device according to the invention can moreover comprise means for determining a value of the electric signal or field, and/or means for determining a temporal profile of the electric signal or of the induced electric field.
[0039] The device according to the invention can moreover comprise means for characterising parasitic echoes and/or rebounds of the electric signal.
[0040] The electro-optic medium can comprise an electro-optic crystal, preferably a crystal of lithium tantalite (LiTaO 3 ), of zinc telluride (ZnTe) or of (diethyl amino)sulphur trifluoride (DAST).
[0041] The refractive index of the electro-optic medium at an optical frequency of at least one of the light beams can be substantially equal to the refractive index of the electro-optic medium at a frequency of the electric signal.
[0042] The device according to the invention can moreover comprise means for generating the propagating electric signal, for example in order to excite a sample such as a printed circuit. The means for generating the electric signal can comprise means for converting an optical triggering pulse into the electric signal. The device according to the invention can moreover comprise means for generating the optical triggering pulse and at least one of the light beams from the same initial optical pulse. The device according to the invention can moreover comprise means for varying a delay between the generation of the propagating electric signal and the propagations of the light beams through the medium.
[0043] The electric signal can propagate in a sample to be characterised such as a printed circuit.
[0044] Finally, the electro-optic medium can be part of an electro-optic probe provided so as to be placed close to a sample that has to be characterised and in which the electric signal propagates.
[0045] According to yet another aspect of the invention, an electro-optic probe used in a device according to the invention is proposed, characterized in that it comprises:
an electro-optic medium of which at least one optical property varies when it is subjected to an electric field, means for collecting a first light beam and a second light beam having substantially the same direction of propagation towards the electro-optic probe, and means such that the first light beam and the second light beam propagate through the electro-optic medium in different directions of propagation.
[0049] The electro-optic probe can be arranged such that the directions of propagation of the light beams through the medium are substantially opposite.
[0050] The electro-optic probe can be arranged such that the two beams have substantially merged propagation paths through the medium.
[0051] The electro-optic probe can comprise two prisms situated along a first lateral face and a second lateral face of the electro-optic medium respectively, the prisms being arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to a plane passing through the medium.
[0052] The electro-optic medium can have substantially the shape of a right-angled parallelepiped and can comprise two opposite faces called upper and lower and substantially perpendicular to the lateral faces, the lower face being provided so as to be placed close to a sample in which an electric signal propagates, and each prism can comprise:
a first face along one of the lateral faces, a second face provided for collecting the first or the second light beam, and forming with said one of the lateral faces a substantially right angle at the upper face side, a third face forming with said one of the lateral faces an acute angle at the lower face side, the third face being arranged in order to reflect the first or the second beam from the second face towards the electro-optic medium or vice-versa. The electro-optic probe can be arranged such that the direction of propagation of one of the light beams through the medium is substantially parallel with the lower face of the medium.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND EMBODIMENTS
[0056] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments that are in no way limitative, and the following attached drawings:
[0057] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention,
[0058] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an electro-optic probe of the device shown in FIG. 1 , and
[0059] FIG. 3 shows two signals measured by a device according to the invention.
[0060] A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, implementing a process according to the invention, will be described with reference to the FIGS. 1 to 3 .
[0061] The device comprises means 1 , 5 for emitting a first and a second light beam 18 , 19 . An electro-optic probe 14 comprising an electro-optic crystal 17 is arranged to collect the emitted beams and to make them propagate through the crystal 17 in two different directions of propagation. The electro-optic probe is provided so as to be situated close to a sample 11 such as an integrated circuit, in which an electric signal 10 propagates. Means 24 - 27 for carrying out measurements on the beams having passed through the crystal make it possible to determine the direction of propagation 20 of the electric signal in the circuit.
[0062] In general, the electric signal propagates along a line 39 of the integrated circuit 11 to be characterised. The determination of the direction of propagation 20 of the electric signal therefore consists of a determination of the direction of propagation of the electric signal along the line 39 .
[0063] The general principle of the invention is as follows. The electric signal 10 which propagates in the circuit 11 induces a propagation of an electric field in the electro-optic medium 17 . During its propagation, the electric field causes at least one optical property of the medium 17 , such as its refractive index, to vary. When the light beams 18 , 19 propagate in the medium 17 , the variation of the optical property of the medium causes an optical property of the first 18 and/or of the second 19 light beam to vary, in particular their polarisation. The interaction time of one of the beams with the electric field depends in particular on the angle between the direction of propagation of said beam and the direction of propagation of the electric signal. The directions of propagation of the beams in the medium are different, such that the interaction times of each beam with the electric field are different. The variation of the optical property of the first beam over time is therefore different from that of the second beam. The difference between these variations makes it possible to determine the direction of propagation 20 of the electric signal 10 .
[0064] The means for emitting the first and second light beams comprise a laser source 1 , connected via an optical fibre 2 to a first optical coupler 6 . The dispersion introduced by the optical fibres is managed: it is possible for example to use optical fibres for which the dispersion is low at the wavelengths and powers conveyed, or means of compensation of the of dispersion phenomena (such as negative dispersion fibres). The laser 1 delivers optical pulses having a duration of 200 femtoseconds, a wavelength of 1550 nanometres and with a repetition rate of 14 megahertz. The coupler 6 separates each pulse into an optical triggering pulse on a first channel and a an optical analysis pulse on a second channel.
[0065] In the first channel, the optical triggering pulse is carried along an optical fibre 7 , the end of which orientated towards the circuit 11 is provided with a lens 8 , and is then converted by an optical-electrical converter 9 into an electric signal (typically a Gaussian electric pulse). The optical pulse focussed by the lens 8 onto the converter 9 therefore makes it possible to trigger a propagation of the electric signal 10 in a part 39 of the integrated circuit 11 . The means for carrying out this conversion comprise a fast photoconductor arranged such that the electric signal is as short as possible. The photoconductor has preferably been irradiated with ions of the active semiconductor layer of the integrated circuit, such that it is as fast as possible and the electric signal is as short as possible. In fact, the shorter the electric signal 10 is, the more it is possible to characterise the response of the circuit 11 at a high frequency.
[0066] In the second channel, the optical analysis pulse is directed via optical fibres 3 , 4 to a second coupler 5 and is then is separated by the coupler 5 into a first and a second optical pulse corresponding to the first and second light beams respectively. The first optical pulse 18 is directed to the crystal 17 via a first fibre circulator 22 and a first flexible optical fibre 12 optically coupled to the electro-optic probe 14 . Similarly, the second optical pulse 19 is directed to the crystal 17 via a second fibre circulator 23 and a second flexible optical fibre 13 optically coupled with the electro-optic probe 14 . As the optical pulses 18 , 19 are generated simultaneously by the same laser pulse, they propagate virtually simultaneously inside the electro-optic crystal of the probe 14 .
[0067] The electro-optic probe 14 consists of a prismatic head comprising the electro-optic crystal 17 placed between a first prism 15 and a second prism 16 . The assembly of the prisms can be carried out by a method such as bonding by molecular adhesion or using an optical adhesive. In the case of the optical adhesive, the adhesive used has an index substantially identical to that of the electro-optic crystal. The crystal preferably consists of a crystal of ZnTe. The prisms are formed from a material conventionally used in optics, such as a type BK7 glass. The electro-optic crystal substantially has the shape of a right-angled parallelepiped. The two prisms are respectively situated against a first lateral face 29 and a second lateral face 30 of the crystal. These two lateral faces are opposite, such that the probe has a plane of symmetry passing through the crystal and between the two prisms. The crystal moreover has a face called the upper face 32 orientated towards the flexible fibres 12 , 13 , and a lower face 31 provided so as to be placed close to a part 39 of the integrated circuit 11 . The lower 31 and upper 32 faces are opposite and substantially perpendicular to the two lateral faces 29 , 30 .
[0068] Each prism moreover has:
a first face along one of the lateral faces 29 or 30 , a second face 33 or 35 provided for collecting the first light beam 18 or second light beam 19 , and forming with said one of the lateral faces 29 or 30 a substantially right angle at the upper face 32 side, a third face 34 or 36 forming with said one of the lateral faces 29 or 30 an acute angle A at the lower face 31 side, said third face being arranged to reflect the first 18 or the second 19 beam from the second face 33 or 35 towards the electro-optic medium 17 or vice-versa.
[0072] The second faces of the two prisms are oriented towards the fibres 12 , 13 , and are both substantially perpendicular to the directions of propagation of the beams 18 , 19 towards the electro-optic probe 14 . A anti-reflection treatment has been deposited on the second face 33 , 35 of each prism.
[0073] On leaving the fibres 12 , 13 , the optical pulses 18 , 19 both propagate substantially perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the faces 32 , 33 , 35 of the crystal and of the prisms. The first optical pulse 18 leaves the first fibre 12 , is collected by the second face 33 of the first prism 15 , is reflected towards the crystal 17 by the third oblique face 34 of the first prism 15 , penetrates into the crystal through the first lateral face 29 of the crystal, passes through the crystal, leaves the crystal through the second lateral face 30 of the crystal, is reflected towards the second face 35 of the second prism 16 by the third oblique face 36 of the second prism 16 , and penetrates into the inside of the second fibre 13 .
[0074] The second optical pulse 19 follows the reverse path. It therefore leaves the second fibre 13 , passes through the crystal from the second lateral face 30 to the first lateral face 29 , and penetrates into the first fibre 12 .
[0075] Thus, the prisms redirect the pulses 18 , 19 which have substantially a same direction of propagation before penetrating into the electro-optic probe, such that the pulses 18 , 19 propagate through the crystal in opposite directions.
[0076] The angle A is less than or equal to 47°, such that the reflection of the pulses 18 , 19 on the oblique faces 34 , 36 is total. Typically, the pulses 18 , 19 pass through the crystal over a width of about one hundred micrometres, and pass through each prism over a width of approximately 200 micrometres and over a height of approximately two millimetres.
[0077] In FIG. 2 , the paths of the pulses 18 , 19 are shown spaced for better clarity of the figure. In reality, the paths of the pulses 18 , 19 are preferably substantially merged.
[0078] The fibres 12 , 13 and the electro-optic probe are arranged such that the pulses 18 , 19 propagate as close as possible and substantially parallel to the plane of the lower face 31 of the crystal 17 . A plate having three axes of translational movement 21 makes it possible to displace the distal ends (i.e. those orientated towards the circuit 11 ) of the fibres 12 , 13 through which the pulses 18 , 19 emerge and the electro-optic probe 14 together in an integral manner. The plate 21 thus makes it possible to position the lower face 31 close to a part 39 of the circuit 11 , such that the electric signal 10 , generated by the same laser pulse as the pulses 18 , 19 , propagates under the face 31 of the electro-optic probe 14 at the same time as the pulses 18 , 19 pass through the crystal, and such that the electric signal 10 has a direction of propagation substantially collinear with the direction of propagation of one of the optical pulses 18 .
[0079] In propagating through the circuit 11 situated close to the electro-optic probe, the electric signal subjects the crystal to an electric field. The refractive indices of the crystal vary, and the polarisation of each of the first and second pulses 18 , 19 vary during their passage through the crystal 17 .
[0080] After having passed through the crystal 17 , the first pulse 18 penetrates into the inside of the second fibre 13 through its distal end. The second fibre circulator 23 directs the first pulse 18 towards a photodiode 27 , preceded by a polarising system 25 . Similarly, after having passed through the crystal 17 , the second pulse 19 penetrates inside the first fibre 12 through its distal end. The first fibre circulator 22 directs the pulse 19 towards a photodiode 26 , preceded by a polarising system 24 . The polarising system 25 , 24 makes it possible to convert the variation of polarisation of the first or of the second pulse 18 or 19 respectively into a variation of light intensity, measured by the photodiode 27 or 26 respectively.
[0081] The photodiodes 26 , 27 therefore make it possible to carry out two simultaneous measurements: in a first measurement, the optical pulse 18 propagating through the crystal and the electric signal propagating close to the lower face 31 of the crystal have the same direction of propagation; and in a second measurement, the optical pulse 19 propagating through the crystal and the electric signal propagating close to the lower face 31 of the crystal have opposite directions of propagation.
[0082] The electric signal 10 which propagates induces a propagation of an electric field in the electro-optic crystal 17 . During its propagation, the electric field causes the refractive indices of the crystal 17 to vary. When the light beams 18 , 19 propagate in the medium, the variation of refractive index causes the polarisations of the first and of the second light beams to vary. Thus, the first light beam 18 and second light beam 19 interact with the electric signal via the electro-optic crystal 17 . The interaction time of one of the beams with the electric field or signal depends in particular on the angle between the direction of propagation of said beam and the direction of propagation of the electric signal. The variation of the polarisation of one of the beam and therefore the intensity signal over the course of time measured on the beam depends on this interaction time and therefore on the direction of propagation of the beam. Moreover, the measurement of the variation of the polarisation is proportional to the value of the signal or of the field at the time when the beam interacts with the signal via the medium.
[0083] The signals S measured as a function of time t are shown in FIG. 3 for both measurements. Preferably, the photodiodes 26 , 27 are positioned as close as possible to the crystal 17 in order to limit the noise on the measured signals. The use of synchronous detections also makes it possible to reduce this noise.
[0084] For the first measurement, the signal measured by the photodiode 27 is not distorted. For the second measurement, the signal 28 measured by the photodiode 26 is widened in time because of the counter-propagative propagation vectors of the optical pulse 19 and of the electric signal 10 . An electronic unit for processing and analyzing the measurements makes it possible to determine the direction of propagation of the electric signal 10 . The comparison of the two measurements therefore makes it possible to determine the direction of propagation 20 data of the electric signal 10 : the electric signal propagates in the same direction as the optical pulse for which the measured variation of polarisation is greatest and the least widened in time. The value of the signal 10 and of the electric field is that measured by the photodiode 27 over an optical pulse 18 propagating in the same direction as the electric signal 10 .
[0085] The determination of the direction of propagation uses the fact that the result of a measurement is different if the electric signal 10 and the light beam 18 or 19 propagate in the same direction or propagate in opposite directions. In a configuration such as that of a device according to document [2], the result of the measurement is insensitive to the direction of propagation of the electric signal since the measuring light beam and the electric signal are perpendicular.
[0086] The device according to the invention moreover comprises a fibre delay line 28 , making it possible to vary a delay between the generation of the propagating electric signal 10 and the propagations of the optical pulses 18 , 19 through the crystal. A variation of this delay makes it possible, for example, using the processing and analysis unit:
to determine the temporal profile of the electric signal 10 , to sample the response of the circuit 11 to be tested and thus to determine the temporal electric response of the circuit, or to characterise parasitic echoes or rebounds of the electric signal due, for example, to impedance mismatch phenomena in the circuit 11 .
[0090] The characterisation of an echo (or of a rebound) typically comprises the determination of the value of the electric field of the echo, the determination of a temporal profile of the echo, the determination of the delay between the echo and the electric signal 10 at the origin of the echo, or also the determination of the direction of propagation of the echo. The determination of the direction of propagation of the echo is carried out in the same way as the determination of the direction of propagation of the electric signal 10 , using the two light signals 18 , 19 .
[0091] The crystal 17 is preferably chosen such that its refractive index is substantially the same at the optical frequency of the beam 18 passing through the crystal (corresponding to the wavelength of the beam 18 ) and at a frequency of the electric signal 10 (typically the Fourier transform of the electric signal, of the order of terahertz). Thus, the pulse 18 propagates in the crystal with substantially the same speed of propagation as the electric field which is induced in the crystal by the propagation of the electric signal. Thus, the temporal resolution and the bandwidth of the device according to the invention substantially depend only on the duration of the optical pulse 18 . A device according to the invention can typically have a bandwidth greater than 300 gigahertz, and a temporal resolution of the order of a few femtoseconds.
[0092] In a configuration such as that of a device according to document [2], the optical pulse propagating through the crystal and the electric signal are perpendicular. The electric signal induces an electric field propagating in the crystal. Throughout the longitudinal passage of the optical pulse, the electric field which propagates laterally in the crystal is averaged. The temporal resolution of such a configuration is therefore limited by the interaction time between the optical pulse and the electric field present in the crystal, and is typically 2.2 ps for a crystal thickness of 100 micrometres. This is equivalent to a bandwidth of 220 gigahertz.
[0093] Of course the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without exceeding the scope of the invention.
[0094] A variant of the described embodiment can be imagined in which the measurements of variation of an optical property are not carried out simultaneously for the two light beams. Means such that a same electric signal propagates several times in succession can make it possible to carry out, at two different times, a first and a second measurement of variation of an optical property of the first or of the second light beam respectively.
[0095] Moreover, the directions of propagation of the first and second light beams through the electro-optic medium are not necessarily both parallel with the direction of propagation of the electric signal, but can propagate in directions different from that of the electric signal. It is possible, for example, to imagine a configuration in which one of the light beams only has a first component of propagation collinear with the direction of propagation of the electric signal (a second component of propagation of this beam being substantially perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the signal), and in which the other light beam has only one component of propagation opposed to said first component (another component of propagation of this beam being substantially perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the signal). In this case, the interaction times of the two beams with the electric field induced by the electric signal are different. The variations of polarisations of the first and of the second beams are different, which makes it possible to determine the direction of propagation of the electric signal.
[0096] Finally, a device or a process according to the invention is not limited to the characterisation of an electric signal propagating in a sample situated close to an electro-optic medium through which the first and second light beams propagate but can also be applied in order to characterise and to determine the direction of propagation of an electric signal propagating directly in the electro-optic medium.
REFERENCES
[0000]
Document [1]: Patent Application US 2002/0 017 913 A1
Document [2]: “A 210-GHz Bandwidth Electrooptic Sampler for Large Signal Characterization of InP-Based Components”, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 17, no. 12, December 2005
Document [3]: Subpicosecond Electrooptic Sampling: Principles and Applications , IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, vol. QE-22, no. 1, January 1986
Document [4]: patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,449
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A method for characterising an electric signal ( 10 ), includes the propagation of a first light beam ( 18 ) through an electro-optical medium ( 17 ) in a first propagation direction, wherein at least one optical property of the medium changes when it is submitted to an electrical field, and the propagation of a second light beam ( 19 ) through the electro-optical medium in a second propagation direction different from the first direction. For each light beam, a measurement of a variation in an optical property of the light beam ( 18; 19 ) due to the propagation of the beam in the medium ( 17 ) is used for determining the propagation direction ( 20 ) of an electric signal ( 10 ) submitting the medium to an electrical field. A device for implementing the method, and an electro-optical probe implemented in the device are also disclosed. Applicability: electro-optical sampling of a component, characterisation of electric pulses in guided structures.
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STATEMENT REGARDING SEQUENCE LISTING
The Sequence Listing associated with this application is provided in text format in lieu of a paper copy, and is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification. The name of the text file containing the Sequence Listing is 940120 — 402C1_SEQUENCE_LISTING.txt. The text file is 3 KB, was created on Jun. 22, 2010, and is being submitted electronically via EFS-Web.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an anchoring system for nucleic acid molecules. The anchoring system generally comprises a solid support and a chemical linking moiety useful for ether formation with another chemical moiety on a nucleic acid molecule. The present invention further contemplates methods for anchoring a nucleic acid molecule to a solid support via a covalent linkage. The anchoring system of the present invention is useful inter alia in construction of nucleic acid arrays, to purify nucleic acid molecules and to anchor nucleic acid molecules so that they can be used as templates for in vitro transcription and/or translation experiments and to participate in amplification reactions. The present invention is particularly adaptable for use with microspheres and the preparation of microsphere suspension arrays and optical fiber arrays. The anchoring system permits the generation of an anchored oligonucleotide for use as a universal nucleic acid conjugation substrate for any nucleic acid molecule or population of nucleic acid molecules. The present invention further provides a kit useful for anchoring nucleic acid molecules or comprising nucleic acid molecules already anchored to a solid support.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.
The increasing sophistication of recombinant DNA technology is greatly facilitating research and development in a range of biotechnology-related industries.
Many manipulations involving nucleic acid molecules require immobilization strategies. One immobilization strategy involves the use of binding partners such as avidin and streptavidin. Whilst the latter system has been successfully employed in many nucleic acid anchoring systems, it does have some limitations and does not enable the full gamut of nucleic acid manipulations now available to be performed on single and mixtures of nucleic acid molecules. It is also subject to non-specific binding thus limiting the accuracy of any immobilization reactions.
In addition, there are difficulties in using linker systems like streptavidin and avidin in automated and high throughput systems.
The immobilization procedure can be complex and involve the use of expensive reagents. There is a need, therefore, to develop a universal conjugation system for nucleic acid molecules.
In accordance with the present invention, a universal conjugation system has been developed for anchoring nucleic acid molecules to a solid support. The system of the present invention has a myriad of uses in molecular biology including micro or macro nucleic acid arrays, capturing, purifying and/or sorting nucleic acid molecules, RNA production for RNAi and short, interfering RNA (si-RNA) applications and microsphere nucleic acid technology, especially for microengineered structures and nanoshells. The system may also be usefully employed in high throughput and/or automated systems. In particular, the present invention provides a re-usable anchoring system for nucleic acid molecules.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any other element or integer or group of elements or integers.
Nucleotide and amino acid sequences are referred to by a sequence identifier number (SEQ ID NO:). The SEQ ID NOs: correspond numerically to the sequence identifiers <400>1 (SEQ ID NO:1), <400>2 (SEQ ID NO:2), etc. A summary of the sequence identifiers is provided in Table 1. A sequence listing is provided after the claims.
The present invention provides a conjugation system for target nucleic acid molecules. The conjugation system facilitates immobilization or anchoring of the target nucleic acid molecules to a solid phase. The solid phase may be any form of solid support including microspheres, microchips, beads, slides such as glass slides, microliter wells and dipsticks amongst many others.
The solid support is generally selected on the basis of ease of manipulation, inexpensiveness, thermal stability and stability to aqueous and/or organic solvents.
Silica and methacrylate microspheres are particularly useful especially for use in suspension arrays or optical fiber arrays.
The solid support is generally modified to include a chemical moiety capable of engaging in the formation of a covalent bond with another chemical moiety present on a nucleic acid molecule (the tag oligonucleotide). Any number of chemical moieties may be employed on the solid support but in a preferred embodiment, the solid support comprises a thiolated surface capable of engaging in covalent bond formation with an acryl group linked to the 5′ end of a tag oligonucleotide via a spacer between the 5′ base of the oligonucleotide and the active group. One preferred form of anchoring system is shown in FIG. 1 .
The level of success in anchoring the tag oligonucleotide to the solid support is measured by annealing an oligonucleotide which is complementary to the tag oligonucleotide (referred to herein as the “α-tag”) optionally labeled with a reporter molecule such as but not limited to 6-FAM. The annealing of the α-tag results, in a preferred embodiment, in a 3′ single-stranded overhang (or “sticky end”) comprising the tag oligonucleotide.
Any target nucleic acid molecule is then ligated to the tag oligonucleotide via a bridging oligonucleotide. The bridging oligonucleotide comprises a sequence of nucleotides complementary to a nucleotide sequence of the 3′ overhang portion of the tag oligonucleotide and a sequence of oligonucleotides complementary to a 5′ end portion of a target nucleic acid molecule.
Accordingly, a target nucleic acid conjugating system is provided comprising a solid support having a tag oligonucleotide covalently bound to the surface of the solid support, the tag oligonucleotide rendered partially double-stranded by annealing an α-tag oligonucleotide to the tag oligonucleotide to provide a 3′ overhang single-stranded portion of the tag oligonucleotide to which is annealed a bridging oligonucleotide having a nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing to the 5′ end portion of a target nucleic acid molecule. Conveniently, the bridging oligo is removed from the support prior to becoming active.
In one embodiment, therefore, the present invention provides a universal nucleic acid anchoring system comprising the structure:—
S(-T) p
wherein:
S is a solid support having a chemical moiety capable of covalent bond formation with a second chemical moiety; T is a tag oligonucleotide comprising single-stranded DNA having said second chemical moiety linked via a spacer molecule to its 5′ end, said spacer comprising mc+n atoms, having from about 1 to about 100 atoms, where m is the number of repeats of a small subunit, c is the number of atoms in each repeat, and n is the number of atoms not in the repeat; said T further comprising a bridging oligonucleotide having a nucleotide sequence complementary to 3′ overhang nucleotides on the tag oligonucleotide and a further nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence on a 5′ end of a target nucleic acid molecule; wherein T may be represented p times on the solid support wherein p is from about 1 to about 100,000.
In the above structure, the line “-” represents a covalent bond between a solid support surface chemical moiety and the chemical moiety on the tag oligonucleotide.
The universal anchoring system of the present invention permits the generation of arrays of nucleic acid molecules. When the solid support comprises microspheres, the present invention permits the generation of suspension arrays. The anchored nucleic acid molecules may be subject to, for example, mutation identification or other manipulations such as in vitro transcription and/or translation reactions.
The nucleic acid anchoring system, i.e. S(-T) p , may be re-used and, hence, only a single anchoring reaction need take place for virtually unlimited customizations via specific targets and bridges
The present invention further contemplates a method for anchoring a target nucleic acid to a substrate, said substrate comprising:—
(i) a solid support having a surface chemical moiety; (ii) a tag oligonucleotide having a chemical moiety linked to its 5′ end via a spacer comprising a molecule with mc+n atoms wherein m is the number of repeats of a small subunit and c is the number of atoms in each repeat and n is the number of atoms not in the repeat wherein the latter chemical moiety is in covalent bond formation with the chemical moiety on the surface of the solid support; (iii) a complementary (α) tag oligonucleotide sequence which has hybridized to said tag oligonucleotide sequence such that there is a single-stranded nucleotide sequence constituting a 3′ overhang of the tag oligonucleotide; (iv) a bridging oligonucleotide having a complementary nucleotide sequence to the nucleotide sequence of the 3′ overhang portion of the tag oligonucleotide and which bridging oligonucleotide has hybridized to its complementary sequence on the tag oligonucleotide leaving a single-stranded portion of the bridging oligonucleotide which has a complementary nucleotide sequence to the 5′ terminal portion of said target nucleic acid molecule;
wherein said method comprises contacting said target nucleic acid molecule to said substrate for a time and under conditions to permit hybridization of the 5′ portion of the nucleic acid molecule to the single-stranded portion of the bridging oligonucleotide and permitting ligase-mediated covalent bond formation between said target nucleic acid molecule and the substrate.
A spacer generally but not necessarily comprise carbon and oxygen based molecules or is a hydrocarbon molecule such as having from about 1 to about 100 atoms, more preferably from about 18 to about 50 atoms and even more preferably from about 24 to about 36 atoms is particularly useful.
The spacer molecule is conveniently an alkyl, alkenyl or an alkynyl molecule including a hydrocarbon molecule. Preferably, the spacer is a linear non-branched hydrocarbon although many other molecules may be employed such as ethylene oxy (PEG) or one or more amino acids to separate the oligonucleotide from the surface of the solid support as long as they are inert in terms of the constructs intended application.
A summary of sequence identifiers used throughout the subject specification is provided in Table 1.
TABLE 1
Summary of sequence identifiers
SEQUENCE
ID NO:
DESCRIPTION
1
nucleotide sequence of 5′-acrydite universal tag
2
nucleotide sequence of PO4 complementary tag
3
nucleotide sequence of bridge oligonucleotide
4
nucleotide sequence of PO4 target
5
nucleotide sequence of a target synthesized with 5′
PO4
6
nucleotide sequence of a terminal T3 polymerase signal
sequence
7
nucleotide sequence of target DNA sequence
8
nucleotide sequence of 5′ overhang of common sequence
of bridge
9
nucleotide sequence of common sequence of bridge
10
nucleotide sequence of a tag sequence (FIG. 3A)
11
nucleotide sequence of an α-tag sequence (FIG. 3B)
A list of terms used herein is provided in Table 2.
TABLE 2
Terms
TERM
DESCRPTION
tag oligonucleotide or tag
oligonucleotide molecule anchored to a solid
support face via a covalent bond between a
chemical moiety on the surface of the solid
support and a chemical moiety conjugated to
the oligonucleotide via a spacer molecule
α-tag
oligonucleotide molecule comprising a
nucleotide sequence complementary to the tag
oligonucleotide sequence
solid support
form of solid phase; includes microspheres,
microchips, beads and slides
bridging oligonucleotide
oligonucleotide which bridges the tag
oligonucleotide and the target nucleic acid
molecule; the bridging oligonucleotide has a
nucleotide sequence complementary to a 3′
nucleotide sequence on tag and an end portion
of the target nucleic acid molecule
spacer
a molecule comprising a number of atoms and
having the structure mc + n wherein m is the
number of repeats, and c is the number of
atoms in each repeat and n is the number of
atoms not in the repeat
target nucleic acid
DNA or RNA target having a single-stranded
molecule
end portion complementary to part of the
bridging oligonucleotide
anchoring/anchored
joining of two molecules via a covalent
linkage
chemical moiety
a chemical group capable of forming a
covalent bond with another chemical moiety
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the three component linker used to modify thiolated solid phase, especially silica microsphere activated by silanization with 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane. AU components are synthesized using standard phosphoramidite coupling chemistry. (A) Reactive group; (B) Spacer (18 atom spacer, with m=6; c=3 and n=2 following designation of mc+n atoms in the spacer; (C) Tag DNA sequence. This component is variable and can be engineered for specific application; (D) Complete Tag Linker. This component serves the purpose of separating the DNA of interest (referred to as Target DNA in text) from the surface as well as provides a method for amplification of Target after molecular testing.
FIG. 2 is a representation of the process of two-step bead activation with silane to produce a surface with a high density of exposed thiol groups to create a tagged microsphere. Step (1): Raw silica beads are reacted with sulfur containing silane (3-Mercaptoprophyl trimethoxysilane (HS—CH 2 —CH 2 —CH 2 —Si(Ome 3 )). Step (2): Activated beads with dense blanket of surface thiols are reacted with Tag linker (see FIG. 1 ) to produce a bead with many thousands of covalently bound uni-directionally tethered DNA molecules.
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation showing testing of conjugation efficiency. (A) Immobilized tag sequence; (B) α-tag: reverse complement to tag with 3′ FAM label; (C) approx. 10 4 untreated silica microspheres probed with 10 pMol α-tag; (D) approx. 10 4 activated beads probed with 10 pMol α-tag; (E) approx. 10 4 beads with immobilized Tags probed with 10 pMol α-tag. Fluorescence calculated on Becton-Dickinson FacsCalibur.
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation showing ligase-mediated customization Phosphorylated target DNA and bridge DNA is mixed with tagged microspheres, T4 DNA ligase, and ATP. After brief reaction at room temperature, bridge and unincorporated targets are removed by heat and separation from the microspheres.
FIG. 5 is a graphical representation showing testing of ligation efficiency by the use of OLIGREEN (registered trademark). Customized beads (Tag+Target; M2 or left-most peak) and tagged beads (Tag only/no target; M1 or right-most peak) were stained with a small amount of OLIGREEN (registered trademark). Beads were run on Becton Dickinson FacsCalibur flow cytometer. Ligation efficiency is measured by testing the ratio of M2 (tagged+target)/M1 (tag only). For this example, M2/M1 is approximately 2.5, indicative of a successful ligation. M2/M1 values of <1.7 generally represent ligation efficiency of less than 80% of target DNA modified.
FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of optimal overhang length for ligase-mediated conjugation to tagged microspheres. Bridge oligonucleotides differing by only the number of 5′ bases in direct base pairing with target were tested by OLIGREEN (registered trademark) ligation assay (see FIG. 5 ). (A) 4 base pair overlap; (B) five base pair overlap; (C) six base pair overlap. M1 or Marker 1 is the mean fluorescence of the tagged microsphere. M2 is the mean fluorescence of the tagged microsphere post ligation of target. The quantity M2/M1 measures the relative gain in fluorescence and thus the amount of bound DNA. In this example, five and six base overlaps have greater ligation efficiency than four base overlap.
FIG. 7 is a graphical representation showing universal binding analogs for general use bridges in ligation-mediated conjugation of tagged microspheres. All bridges had a common sequence of 5′- CXXXXXT [SEQ ID NO:8] CAT AGC TGT CCT-3′ [SEQ ID NO:9]. The 3′ italicized 12 bases were common to, all bridges and hybridized to the 3′ 12 bases of the immobilized tag. The underlined sequence CXXXXXT [SEQ ID NO:8} represents the variable 5′ overhang which hybridized to the target sequence. The Xs represent nucleotide positions which were variable in this test between the actual base and inosines, which are general binding base analogs. FIG. 7A represents the unsubstituted bridge. FIGS. 7B-E represent increasing numbers of inosines in the bridges. A box in the left side of each figure gives the tested sequence of the 5′ overhang. In each experiment, 1×10 5 beads with immobilized tags were reacted with 2.0 nMols of target oligonucleotide and appropriate bridge as well as 20 units T4 DNA ligase, 1 mM ATP, 10 mM MgCl 2 . Reactions were carried out at room temperature for 15 minutes. Unligated DNAs were removed by two 0.2 M NaOH washes. Beads with ligase mediated conjugated products were assayed by OLIGREEN (registered trademark) binding assay using Becton Dickinson FacsCalibur. Ligation efficiency is calculated as the sample fluorescence post binding (M2) divided by the control mean fluorescence (M1). At least 200 events for each data point were collected.
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation showing use of ligase-mediated customized silica microspheres in solid phase PCR. This experiment is divided into three sections. (A) description of the regions of the DNA to be amplified with labeled probes and their targets; (B) Controls to assess pre-PCR presence of immobilized sequences; (C) Post-PCR probes of amplified sequences.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a nucleic acid anchoring system which facilitates ligase-mediated conjugation of a target nucleic acid molecule to a solid support via a tag oligonucleotide which is conjugated to the solid support via a covalent bond between a chemical moiety resident on the solid support and another chemical moiety on the tag nucleic acid molecule.
A first aspect of the present invention, therefore, is a tag oligonucleotide anchored to a solid support.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a solid phase comprising a surface with a first chemical moiety capable of participating in covalent bond formation with a second chemical moiety conjugated to a tag oligonucleotide wherein the tag oligonucleotide is a substrate for ligase-mediated covalent bonding to a target nucleic acid molecule.
In one embodiment, the chemical moiety on the surface of the solid phase is capable of covalent bond formation with a tag-associated amine group, thiol group or acryl group.
Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention is directed to a solid phase comprising a surface with a first chemical moiety selected from a carboxyl group, an amine group, and a thiol group, said first chemical moiety capable of participating in covalent bond formation with a second chemical moiety selected from an amine group, a thiol group and an acryl group conjugated to an oligonucleotide with the proviso that when the solid phase surface moiety is a carboxyl group then the covalent bond forms with an amine group, when the surface moiety is a thiol group the tag associated moiety is an acryl group or thiol group, or amine group linked via a heterobifunctional linker. The present invention extends, however, to chemical moieties capable of any form of covalent bond formation with any other chemical entity.
In one preferred embodiment, the chemical moiety on the surface of the solid phase is a carboxyl group and such a group is capable of covalent bond formation with a number of chemical moieties but especially an amine group and when the solid phase chemical moiety is an amine group or a thiol group several methods employing heterobifunctional crosslinkers allow covalent bond formation with an aminated or thiolated tag oligonucleotide.
Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention is directed to a solid phase comprising either a surface carboxyl group capable of participating in covalent bond formation with an amine group, or a surface encoded amine or thiol group conjugated to a tag oligonucleotide via a crosslinker.
In a most preferred embodiment, the solid phase surface chemical moiety is a thiol group.
Most preferably, the chemical moiety conjugated to the tag oligonucleotide is an acryl group.
In this embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a solid phase comprising a surface thiol group capable of participating in covalent bond formation with an acryl group conjugated to a tag oligonucleotide.
The solid phase is preferably in the form of a solid support such as a microsphere, bead, glass, ceramic or plastic slide, a dipstick or the wall of a vessel such as a microtiter well. The form of the solid support is not critical and may vary depending on the application intended. However, microspheres such as silica or methacrylate microspheres are particularly useful in the practice of the present invention, especially for use in suspension arrays or optical fiber arrays.
The selection of solid supports is conveniently based on ease of manipulation, level of expense, thermal stability and/or stability in aqueous and/or organic solvents.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, therefore, the present invention is directed to microspheres having a thiolated surface capable of participating in linker mediated or direct covalent bond formation with a chemical moiety selected from an amine group, a thiol group and an acryl group conjugated to a tag oligonucleotide.
Generally, any number of chemical moieties may be present or exposed on the surface of the solid support and these may range from a few hundred to several thousand.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, there are from about 1 to about 100,000 surface chemical moieties potentially involved in covalent bonding per solid support. This is particularly the case when the solid support is a microsphere. Conveniently, the microsphere comprises from about 500 to about 80000 or more conveniently from about 1000 to about 80000 chemical moieties per bead. Examples include 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10000, 11000, 12000, 13000, 14000, 15000, 16000, 17000, 18000, 19000, 20000, 21000, 22000, 23000, 24000, 25000, 26000, 27000, 28000, 29000, 30000, 31000, 32000, 33000, 34000, 35000, 36000, 37000, 38000, 39000, 40000, 41000, 42000, 43000, 44000, 45000, 46000, 47000, 48000, 49000, 50000, 51000, 52000, 53000, 54000, 55000, 56000, 57000, 58000, 59000, 60000, 61000, 62000, 63000, 64000, 65000, 66000, 67000, 68000, 69000, 70000, 71000, 72000, 73000, 74000, 75000, 76000, 77000, 78000, 79000 or 80000.
In relation to one preferred embodiment, therefore, the present invention provides microspheres each comprising from about 3000 to about 80000 such as about 4000 to about 80000 or more particularly about 50000 to about 80000 surface thiol groups per microsphere.
The tag oligonucleotide having the chemical moiety capable of covalent bond formation with the solid phase surface chemical moiety may comprise any nucleotide sequence although the nucleotide sequence would generally be known. One particularly useful sequence is an RNA polymerase promoter nucleotide sequence such as the T3 RNA polymerase promoter nucleotide sequence. The benefit of the latter in terms of linking DNA is the ability to generate RNA transcripts. However, any oligonucleotide of known sequence may be employed. The term “oligonucleotide” is not to be viewed to any limiting extent and may comprise from about 10 base pairs (bp) to hundreds of bp.
It is convenient to ensure that after binding of the tag oligonucleotide to the solid phase that the tag oligonucleotide does not exhibit interference with the solid support surface. Consequently, a spacer molecule is generally included between the chemical moiety and the 5′ end of the tag oligonucleotide. A spacer generally but not necessarily comprise carbon and oxygen based molecules or is a hydrocarbon molecule such as having from about 1 to about 100 atoms, more preferably from about 18 to about 50 atoms and even more preferably from about 24 to about 36 atoms is particularly useful. Examples of the number of atoms in the spacer include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100.
The spacer may also be multiple repeats such as 2×(18 atoms) spacers or 3×(6 atoms) spacers. The length of the spacer is not critical for most applications as long as a crucial distance threshold between the bead surface and the active end of the DNA tag is maintained.
Consequently, another aspect of the present invention contemplates an isolated tag oligonucleotide comprising a chemical moiety capable of covalent bond formation with a chemical moiety on the surface of a solid phase, said first mentioned chemical moiety conjugated to said tag oligonucleotide via a spacer molecule having mc+n atoms wherein m is the number of repeats, c is the length of the repeat and n is the number of atoms of the spacer molecule not contained in repeats.
Generally, m is from about 1 to about 12 such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 and n is preferably 1 or from 0 to about 10 such as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10.
Conveniently, mc+n is from about 1 to about 100 such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100. Advantageously, the atoms are carbon or oxygen atoms.
The spacer molecule is conveniently an alkyl, alkenyl or an alkynyl molecule including a hydrocarbon molecule. Preferably, the spacer is a linear non-branched hydrocarbon although many other molecules may be employed such as ethylene oxy (PEG) or one or more amino acids to separate the oligonucleotide from the surface of the solid support as long as they are inert in terms of the constructs intended application.
The 5′ tag oligonucleotide chemical moiety is conveniently an amine group, a thiol group or an acryl group if the solid support surface chemical moiety is a thiol group.
In a most preferred embodiment, the 5′ chemical moiety on the tag oligonucleotide is an acryl group.
In accordance with the above aspect of the present invention, the solid support is preferably a microsphere although any solid support may be employed.
Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention provides a solid phase comprising a tag oligonucleotide anchored to the surface of said solid phase via a covalent bond between a chemical moiety on the surface of the solid phase and a chemical moiety conjugated to said tag oligonucleotide via a multi atom spacer having the structure mc+n wherein m is the number of repeats, c is the size of the repeat, and n is the number of atoms not included in the repeats.
As indicated above, mc+n is from about 1 to about 100.
As indicated above, the covalent bond is conveniently a thiol group covalently bonded to an acryl group or covalently bridged through bifunctional linkers to tag encoded amines or thiols. Furthermore, the spacer molecule is preferably from about 1 to about 100 carbon atoms in length.
Consequently, another aspect of the present invention comprises an article of manufacture having the structure:—
S-(mc+n)-[x 1 x 2 . . . x p ]
wherein:
S is a solid support; m is the number of repeats; c is a repeat of size c; n is the number of atoms not included in repeats; and [x 1 x 2 . . . x p ] is a nucleotide sequence of nucleotides x 1 x 2 . . . x p wherein each of x 1 x 2 . . . x p may be the same or different and the nucleotide length, p, is from 5 to about 200.
In the above formation, the schematic “-” represents a covalent bond such as, for example, an amide bond or a thioether bond.
The oligonucleotide sequence, i.e. x 1 x 2 . . . x p is any known sequence such as the T3 RNA polymerase promoter. The oligonucleotide sequence may also comprise an additional nucleotide sequence having, for example, translation start signals, ribosome binding sites and an initiating methionine (ATG) triplet.
It is particularly convenient to ensure or to measure successful covalent attachment of the tag oligonucleotide sequence to the solid phase. This can be accomplished by incorporating an internal fluor within the tag oligonucleotide sequence. This would give an immediate and simple test of amount of binding. However, this approach is operationally limiting because in most instances, the internal fluor confounds future applications by either interfering with data readout or by interfering by inhibiting the chemistry of the anchored system.
A preferred approach to measurement of amount of conjugated tag oligonucleotide is to prepare a labeled reverse complement to the tag oligonucleotide. Conveniently, the labeled oligonucleotide sequence is complementary to the 5′ end of the anchored tag oligonucleotide sequence. The label may be any suitable label such as 6-FAM. The 5′ end is generally phosphorylated.
Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention provides a solid phase comprising a tag oligonucleotide of known sequence anchored thereto via a covalent linkage between a chemical moiety on the surface of the solid phase and a chemical moiety conjugated to the tag oligonucleotide via a molecule of mc+n atoms wherein m is the number of repeated atoms, c is the number of atoms in a repeat and n is the number of atoms not in the repeat and wherein mc+n is from about 1 to about 100, said solid phase further comprising a second oligonucleotide sequence annealed by base pairing to a complementary nucleotide sequence on said first mentioned tag oligonucleotides resulting in an overhang at the 3 end of either the tag oligonucleotide or its complementary oligonucleotide.
Preferably, the second oligonucleotide sequence comprises a label and is used to measure the success or otherwise of the covalent anchoring of the first oligonucleotide sequence to the solid phase.
The preferred label is 6-FAM.
Preferably, the first oligonucleotide sequence overhangs at its 3′ end over the second oligonucleotide sequence.
As indicated above, the second oligonucleotide is labeled and, hence, it becomes a convenient assay for the success or otherwise of covalent attachment of the first oligonucleotide to the solid phase. One skilled in the art will immediately recognize that there are many variations in order to determine the extent of covalent linkage and that the present invention should not be only limited to one particular means.
The essence of this aspect of the invention is a solid phase having a first tag oligonucleotide attached thereto via covalent linkage between a first chemical moiety on the surface of the solid phase (e.g. a carboxyl group) and a second chemical moiety conjugated to the first oligonucleotide via a spacer molecule of length mc+n atoms as defined above and a second tag oligonucleotide, optionally labeled with a reporter molecule capable of giving an identifiable signal, which anneals to complementary nucleotide sequences on the first oligonucleotide to provide, in a preferred embodiment, a 3′ overhang of the first tag oligonucleotide and wherein the 5′ end of the second tag oligonucleotide is phosphorylated.
The complementary oligonucleotide to the tag oligonucleotide is referred to herein as α-tag or the α-tag oligonucleotide.
The present invention provides, therefore, in one embodiment:—
(i) a solid phase such as a microsphere, microchip or the sides of a well in a microliter plate; and (ii) a tag oligonucleotide having a chemical moiety conjugated to the oligonucleotide via a molecule of mc+n atoms as described above;
wherein the chemical moiety on the oligonucleotide is in covalent bond formation with a chemical moiety on the surface of the solid phase.
Again, as stated above, although a covalent linkage such as an amide bond or thioether bond is particularly useful in the practice of the present invention, it is but one of a whole myriad of covalent linkages which may be used in accordance with the present invention.
In general, the efficient production of a solid phase, especially on a surface with great stability, is difficult. In many systems, great care is required to ensure maximally efficient chemical reactions. Enzymatic manipulations, on the other hand, are relatively easy and can be performed in aqueous solutions, at moderate temperatures. The main advantage of the system described here is flexibility. Since the difficult covalent linkage between tag and solid phase is only performed once in a large stock, subsequent additions to the initial tag DNA is done easily at any point in the future with virtually any desired target DNA on whatever portion of the original stock required by a particular application.
The above solid support generally further comprises a second oligonucleotide (α-tag) in complementary base pairing to the first mentioned oligonucleotide (tag) such that there is optionally a label on the 3′ end of the α-tag oligonucleotide and the 5′ end is phosphorylated wherein the tag oligonucleotide overhangs the α-tag oligonucleotide at the 3′ end of the tag oligonucleotide.
The next step is the generation of a bridge oligonucleotide which enables anchoring of a target nucleic acid molecule to the tag oligonucleotide anchored to the solid phase.
The bridging oligonucleotide, in the case where the tag oligonucleotide overhangs at its 3′ end relative to the annealed αtag oligonucleotide, anneals in a direction where the bridge's 3″ end is reverse complementary to the overhanging portion of the tag oligonucleotide The bridge's 5′ end is thus a 5′ overhang of the tag: bridge double stranded (ds) DNA.
The 5′ end of the bridge is then reverse complementary to the 5′ end portion of a target nucleic acid molecule. Both the 5′ end of the target nucleic acid molecule and the 5′ end of the labeled α-tag oligonucleotide (complementary to the anchored tag oligonucleotide) are phosphorylated. A ligase-mediated covalent attachment then forms anchoring the target nucleic acid molecule to the anchored tag via the bridging oligonucleotide.
Accordingly, in one embodiment, there is provided a substrate for anchoring a target nucleic acid molecule, said substrate comprising:—
(i) a solid phase having a first chemical moiety on its surface; (ii) a tag oligonucleotide comprising a second chemical moiety in covalent bond formation with the first chemical moiety, said second chemical moiety conjugated to the tag oligonucleotide via a molecule of structure mc+n atoms as defined above; (iii) an optionally labeled oligonucleotide reverse complementary to the tag oligonucleotide; and (iv) a bridging oligonucleotide having complementary based to the 3′ overhang region of the tag oligonucleotide and complementary bases to the 5′ end portion of the target nucleic acid molecule wherein the target nucleic acid molecule is anchored to the tag oligonucleotide via ligase-mediated conjugation.
The bridging oligonucleotide may be part of the solid phase complex prior to anchoring of the target nucleic acid molecule or it may be first added to and annealed to the target nucleic acid molecule prior to annealing to the tag oligonucleotide.
Yet in a further embodiment, the solid phase-tag oligonucleotide complex, the bridging oligonucleotide and the target nucleic acid molecule are mixed together and subjected to ligation conditions.
The target nucleic acid molecule is specific for each conjugation experiment. Generally, its initial 5-30 bases are complementary to the bases at the 5′ end of the bridging oligonucleotide. The 5′ end of the target nucleic acid molecule is generally phosphorylated. A minimum of five bases complementary between the target nucleic acid molecule and the tag oligonucleotide is enough to enable ligation but generally insufficient to permit cross-hybridization, especially when multiplexing a large number of target molecules.
Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a universal nucleic acid anchoring system comprising the structure:—
S(-T) p
wherein:
S is a solid support having a chemical moiety capable of covalent bond formation with a second chemical moiety; T is a partially double-stranded oligonucleotide comprising single-stranded tag oligonucleotide having said second chemical moiety linked via a spacer molecule to its 5′ end, said spacer comprising carbon atoms having the structure mc+n wherein in is the number of repeats of length c, and n is the number of atoms in the spacer molecule not included in the repeats and wherein mc+n generally ranges from about 1 to about 100 n ; said tag oligonucleotide further comprising a complementary oligonucleotide (α-tag) annealed to the tag oligonucleotide to provide a method of measurement of conjugation success a; said T further comprising a bridging oligonucleotide having a nucleotide sequence reverse complementary to the 3′ overhang nucleotide sequence of the tag oligonucleotide and a further nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence on the 5′ end of a target nucleic acid molecule; wherein T may be represented p times on the solid support wherein p is from about 1 to about 100,000.
Still another aspect of the present invention contemplates a method for immobilizing a target nucleic acid molecule to a partially double-stranded tag oligonucleotide anchored to a solid support, said method comprising ligating a phosphorylated 5′ end of the target nucleic acid molecule to a complementary single-stranded portion of the tag oligonucleotide under conditions to permit ligase-mediated covalent bond formation wherein said tag oligonucleotide is covalently anchored to the solid support via covalent bond formation between a first chemical moiety on the surface of the solid support and a chemical moiety conjugated to the tag oligonucleotide via a molecule of structure mc+n as defined above and wherein the tag oligonucleotide is rendered partially double-stranded by annealing a complementary oligonucleotide to the tag oligonucleotide leaving a single-stranded 3′ terminal portion of the tag oligonucleotide which is used to capture the target nucleic acid molecule via a bridging oligonucleotide.
The present invention further provides a kit useful in capturing and/or anchoring target nucleic acid molecules. The kit is conveniently in multi-compartment form wherein a first compartment comprises a solid support such as microspheres or microchips having a surface chemical moiety. A second compartment comprises a tag oligonucleotide having a chemical moiety capable of covalent bond formation with the surface chemical moiety of the solid support and wherein the chemical moiety on the tag is linked to the tag via a molecule of the mc+n structure as defined above. A third compartment comprises a labeled complementary tag oligonucleotide and a fourth compartment comprises a bridging oligonucleotide.
In an alternative, the kit may comprise a solid support having a partially double-stranded tag oligonucleotide anchored thereto comprising a single-stranded 3′ end portion. The kit may then have a bridging oligonucleotide already attached to the single-stranded portion of the tag oligonucleotide or this may be maintained separately. A target nucleic acid molecule is then ligated to the tag oligonucleotide via the bridge oligonucleotide.
The anchoring system of the present invention has many uses such as in deconvolution of complex mixtures of nucleic acid molecules, sorting of nucleic acid molecules and for generation of microarrays, suspension arrays and optical fiber arrays.
The system may also be adopted to facilitating in vitro transcription and/or translation and the transcription and/or translation products assayed or used to screen for ligand or binding partners.
The anchoring system of the present invention may be fully or partially automated and may be used for high throughput screening of target nucleic acid molecules.
The present invention is further described by the following non-limiting Examples.
Example 1
Selection of Components of Anchoring Systems
1. Solid Support
The physicochemical structure of the surface of the solid support is an important consideration for the choice of chemical reactive moiety of the DNA to exploit for covalent attachment. The main attributes of the surface are:—
(a) ease of manipulation;
(b) inexpensive;
(c) stable in extremes of temperatures; and
(d) stable in both aqueous and organic solvents.
Suitable surfaces include glass slides for solid microarrays and silica and methacrylate microspheres for use in suspension arrays, optical fiber arrays, or micromachined devices. The one favoured at the moment and representing the most common conjugation chemistry involves a thiolated surface is exemplified below.
2. A Universal Tag for Initial Modification of the Surface
In the present system, a reactive end (amine, thiol or acryl group) is used at the 5′ end of the DNA oligonucleotide. In the example given here, the 5′ reactive group is an acryl, followed by two —(OCH 2 CH 2 ) 6 spacers. These additions are made at point of synthesis.
To this common 5′ end architecture is added a 20 base linker designed on the T7, T3, or SP6 RNA polymerase promoters along with an additional 18 bases comprising transcription and translation start signals.
The universal tag comprises the structure:—
[SEQ ID NO: 1] 5′-Acrydite-C18-C18-TAATACGACTCACTATAGGGCGA
3. A Labeled αα-Tag
To assay the successful covalent attachment of the tag to the surface, a labeled reverse complementary 16-mer built to bind to the first 16 bases of the tag is used. The 3′ end is fluoresceinated with 6-FAM and the 5′ end is phosphorylated.
The sequence of the complementary tag is as follows:—
5′PO4-ATAGTGAGTCGTATTA-FAM [SEQ ID NO: 2]
4. A Bridge Oligo
This bridge is built to be complementary to the last six bases of the tag as well as the first five bases of the target. It is kept small for easy removal from reactions, but long enough to be easily scored by electrophoresis. The bridge needs no 5′ modifications.
Its structure is:—
5′-TCCCGCTCCTAGA [SEQ ID NO: 3]
5. Phosphorylated Target
This DNA is made to be specific for each experiment. It has its initial five bases reverse complementary to the five 5′ bases of the bridge. The 5′ end of the target is phosphorylated. The five bases of the target which hybridise to the 5′ end of the bridge are sufficient to enable ligation, but not sufficient enough to significantly add to cross-hybridization. In the present system test, the 3′ end of the target contained the reverse complement of the SP6 RNA polymerase promoter allowing for either translation or, in concert with T7 promoter, PCR amplification.
An example of a target is as follows:
[SEQ ID NO: 4]
5′-PO4-GGATCTGACACGGACTGATGAATTCC-α-sp6-3′
Example 2
System Set-Up
1. Tag is Conjugated to Surface
The execution of this step depends on the chemistry and surface used. The assay for measurement of amount of covalent binding is performed by binding α-tag to the solid surface. Amount of fluorescence at 521 nm is measured after excitation by a high-energy light source. The argon ion laser of the ABI 377, ABI 3700 or BD FacsCalibur may conveniently be used to measure this quantity.
2. Target is Ligated to Tag by Bridging Ligation
The bridge and target are added in equimolar amounts to the tag-modified surface with T4 DNA ligase. Successful ligation of target to tag is measured indirectly by measuring the ligation of α-tag to bridge electrophoretically (a 27-mer vs an 11-mer and a 16-mer) or by measuring the binding of OLIGREEN, a single stranded fluorescent binding dye from Molecular Probes. By measuring the amount of binding to the surface before and after ligation, it is easy to quantify the amount of ssDNA gained by the ligation-anchoring step.
Example 3
Universal Primed Target Production
The primary aim of this Example is to introduce a high efficiency, low cost, easily used microsphere based system for capturing nucleic acid molecules. The present system is useful for specific testing of reagents which can be used in conjunction with a flow cytometer or other bead based instrument.
The system may also be used for generation of capture reagents for combinatorial screening as well as a system for solid phase PCR and/or single-stranded extensions.
The three component linker used to modify a thiolated solid phase is shown in FIG. 1 .
A Universal Forward Oligo (UF) is then generated and in one example comprises the SP6 RNA polymerase promoter with a 5′ acrydite, a 30-atom spacer, followed by the sequence. This is conjugated to form a bead: UF complex ( FIG. 2 ).
The efficiency of conjugation is measured by measuring the binding of α-UFO which is a phosphorylated, internally labeled complement to the first 13 bases of the UFO.
The resulting bead has a configuration shown in FIG. 3 .
Successfully conjugated bead preps are made in bulk, 5×10 10 beads (usually 5×10 6 beads/ul, so 5×10 9 beads/ml=about 10 ml of bead stock).
Specific targets are produced by a two step ligation protocol in which a Universal Bridging Oligo (UBO) is first bound to the 5′ end of each target and then the resulting “sticky-ended” target is ligated to the bead: UFO:α-UFO defined as above.
The UBO has the following characteristics. The first six bases 5′ will be complementary to the last six bases of the UFO and the final five bases will be random. The resulting complex is shown in FIG. 4 .
Thus, a small (e.g. 1024) library is created. The key to this system working is the randomness of this library as well as the workable size. The size of this variable domain is kept at five to be both manageable as well as easily removed by gel filtration at the end of the first hybridization step.
The target DNA is synthesized with a 5′ phosphate, a number of bases specific to the experiment, and a terminal 17 bases complementary to the T3 RNA polymerase promoter. As an example, a target of sequence GCAACCATTATC [SEQ ID NO:5] is synthesized with a 5′ PO 4 and a terminal T3 polymerase signal sequence of TCCCTTTAGTGAGGGTT [SEQ ID NO:6] for the following final construct:
To assess the efficiency of the ligation, the relative amounts of bound 13-mer and 24-mer would be ascertained by quantitative capillary electrophoresis on an ABI 3700 analyzed with Genescan software. Populations of particles from successful ligations would be sorted by flow cytometry.
Example 4
Ligase-Mediated Customization
Phosphorylated target DNA and bridge DNA is mixed with tagged microspheres, T4 DNA ligase, and ATP. After brief reaction at room temperature, bridge and unincorporated targets are removed by heat and separation from the microspheres. A diagram of ligase-mediated customization is shown in FIG. 4 .
Example 5
Ligation-Mediated Customization Efficiency
Customized beads (tag+target; M1 or left-most peak of FIG. 5 ) and tagged beads (Tag only/no target; M2 or right-most peak) were stained with a small amount of OLIGREEN (registered trademark). Beads were run on Becton Dickinson FacsCalibur flow cytometer. Ligation efficiency is measured by testing the ratio of M2 (tagged+target)/M1 (tag only). For this Example, M2/M1 is approximately 2.5, indicative of a successful ligation. M2/M1 values of <1.7 generally represent ligation efficiency of less than 80% of target DNA modified. The results are shown in FIG. 5 .
Example 6
Test of Optimal Overhang Length for Ligase-Mediated Conjugation to Tagged Microspheres
Bridge oligonucleotides differing by only the number of 5′ bases in direct base pairing with target were tested by OLIGREEN (registered trademark) ligation assay (see FIG. 6 ). In this Figure, M1 or Marker 1 is the mean fluorescence of the tagged microsphere. M2 is the mean fluorescence of the tagged microsphere post-ligation of target. The quantity M2/M1 measures the relative gain in fluorescence and thus the amount of bound DNA. In this Example, five and six base overlaps have greater ligation efficiency than four base overlap. The results are shown in FIG. 6 .
Example 7
Universal Binding Analogs for General Use Bridges in Ligation-Mediated Conjugation of Tagged Microspheres
All bridges had a common sequence of 5′- CXXXXXT [SEQ ID NO:8] CAT AGC TGT CCT-3′ [SEQ ID NO:9]. The 3′ italicized 12 bases were common to all bridges and hybridized to the 3′ 12 bases of the immobilized tag. The underlined sequence CXXXXXT [SEQ ID NO:8} represents the variable 5′ overhang which hybridized to the target sequence. The Xs represent nucleotide positions which were variable in this test between the actual base and inosines, which are general binding base analogs. FIG. 7A represents the substituted bridge. FIGS. 7B-E represent increasing numbers of inosines in the bridges. A box in the left side of each figure gives the tested sequence of the 5′ overhang. In each experiment, 1×10 5 beads with immobilized tags were reacted with 2.0 nMols of target oligonucleotide and appropriate bridge as well as 20 units T4 DNA ligase, 1 mM ATP, 10 mM MgCl 2 . Reactions were carried out at room temperature for 15 minutes. Unligated DNAs were removed by two 0.2 M NaOH washes. Beads with ligase mediated conjugated products were assayed by OLIGREEN (registered trademark) binding assay using Becton Dickinson FacsCalibur. Ligation efficiency is calculated as the sample fluorescence post binding (M2) divided by the control mean fluorescence (M1). At least 200 events for each data point were collected. The results are shown in FIG. 7 .
Example 8
Use of Ligase-Mediated Customized Silica Microspheres in Solid Phase PCR
This Experiment is divided into three sections. (A) A 187 by DNA fragment generated by PCR with the following landmarks. (B) A tagged microsphere is customized with the phosphorylated forward primer. The FAM labeled α-tag probe as well as the Cy5 complement to the target are used to assess the efficiency of the conjugation. Background levels of binding are determined for all labeled probes. (C) PCR is performed using immobilized forward primer. Success is determined by stripping non-covalently bound strand and reprobing with either the original reverse primer or the internally labeled complement. The results are shown in FIG. 8 .
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.
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The anchoring system generally comprises a solid support and a chemical linking moiety useful for ether formation with another chemical moiety on a nucleic acid molecule. The present invention further contemplates methods for anchoring a nucleic acid molecule to a solid support via a covalent linkage. The anchoring system of the present invention is useful inter alia in construction of nucleic acid arrays, to purify nucleic acid molecules and to anchor nucleic acid molecules so that they can be used as templates for in vitro transcription and/or translation experiments and to participate in amplification reactions. The present invention is particularly adaptable for use with microspheres and the preparation of microsphere suspension arrays and optical fiber arrays. The anchoring system permits the generation of an anchored oligonucleotide for use as a universal nucleic acid conjugation substrate for any nucleic acid molecule or population of nucleic acid molecules. The present invention further provides a kit useful for anchoring nucleic acid molecules or comprising nucleic acid molecules already anchored to a solid support.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electromagnetically actuable proportional hydraulic valves and, more particularly, to electromagnetically actuable proportional hydraulic valves having a magnetic part comprising an electrically triggerable coil, a stationary core protruding into the interior of the coil, an armature guided displaceably and acted upon by the coil, which armature is coupled with a closing member, and a valve part provided with at least one inflow conduit, at least one return conduit, at least one work conduit and at least one valve seat, the valve seat being in operative communication with the closing member so as to control a pressure-fluid communication between the work conduit and the return conduit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Among other purposes, electromagnetically actuatable proportional hydraulic valves are used to regulate the pressure in hydraulic circuits, for instance in automatic transmissions of motor vehicles. One such proportional valve is already known as an example from German Utility Model DE-GM 94 10 219. This proportional valve has a magnetic part whose armature acts on a closing member of a valve part and with it forms a flat seat valve. Flat seat valves are distinguished in particular by their insensitivity to errors of alignment between the armature and the closing member; however, because of flow conditions of the closing member, they do tend to vibrate, which over the course of operation can cause leaks and wear. If no counteracting provisions are taken at the closing member, its function is furthermore sharply dependent on the temperature, that is, on the viscosity and hence the viscous friction, of the pressure fluid. This can lead to irregular pressure/current characteristic curves of the proportional valve. Both effects are undesirable, since they impair the functional properties of a hydraulic circuit connected to these valves.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electromagnetically actuable proportion hydraulic valve of the above-described kind, which has improved stability when subjected to temperature variations and under flow conditions that tend to produce vibrations.
This object and others, which will be made more apparent hereinafter, are attained in an electromagnetically actuatable proportional hydraulic valve, having a magnetic part comprising an electrically triggerable coil, a stationary core protruding into the interior of the coil, an armature guided displaceably and acted upon by the coil, which is coupled with a closing member and a valve part provided with at least one inflow conduit, at least one return conduit, at least one work conduit and at least one valve seat, the valve seat being in operative communication with the closing member in order to control a pressure-fluid communication between the work conduit and the return conduit.
According to the invention the closing member, at least in the region of its end toward the valve seat, has a substantially conical sealing body, whose smaller end face is facing toward the valve seat, and the sealing body has at least one flow separation edge on its end remote from the valve seat.
By comparison, the electromagnetically actuable proportional hydraulic valve according to the invention has the advantage that it behaves substantially in a more stable manner in the face of temperature factors and flow-dictated inducements to vibrations. The pressure/current characteristic curves of the proportional valve have a more constant and steadier course as a result, thus minimizing the expense for programming triggering for the proportional valve. The sealing properties and wear behavior of the proportional valve of the invention are improved. Sensors to detect and compensate for temperature factors and hydraulic circuits can be dispensed with. Further advantages or advantageous refinements of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description.
Two exemplary embodiments with particularly advantageous closing members are defined by the dependent claims. In one embodiment the sealing body has a cup-shaped cross section, with a curved face end oriented toward the valve seat. In this embodiment the closing member is distinguished by its simple form and economical manufacture. In other embodiments the armature acts on the closing member by means of a tappet and the sealing body is connected to a guide region that cooperates with a guide member of the housing by means of a connecting portion. In these other embodiments the closing member is especially insensitive to errors of alignment, because its guidance is uncoupled from the armature. In the other dependent claims, features that are advantageous from a production standpoint are disclosed, along with especially suitable usage areas for the proportional valves of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Two exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and described in further detail below.
FIGS. 1 and 2 each show one of the exemplary embodiments in longitudinal section;
in FIGS. 3 and 4, the closing member 60 is shown as an individual part, enlarged.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The proportional valves 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 each comprise a magnetic part 12 and a valve part 14 , joined integrally to it, that is disposed coaxially with the magnetic part 12 . The magnetic part 12 includes a coil 18 , wound around a coil body 16 ; the coil can be triggered electrically by means of lines 20 and contacts 22 . The lines 20 are injected into a plastic part 24 , which is integrally joined to the coil body 16 and on whose free end a plug housing 26 that receives the contacts 22 is provided.
The coil 18 is hollow-cylindrical, and in its end toward the valve part 14 , it receives a core 28 in stationary fashion; the core protrudes in some portions into the interior of the coil 18 . This core 28 has a central longitudinal bore 30 , which on its end located in the inside of the coil 18 discharges in a sink 32 . A guide sleeve 34 with an encompassing collar 34 a is braced on the bottom of the sink 32 . The guide sleeve 34 has a neck 34 b, oriented toward the valve part 14 and extending into the inside of the longitudinal bore 30 of the core 28 ; the inner wall of the neck on the end of the guide sleeve 34 toward the valve part forms an axial guide for a tappet 36 . This tappet is solidly connected to an armature 38 , which is located on the end of the coil 18 remote from the valve part 14 .
The armature 38 is in the shape of a T, with a head 38 a that covers the end face of the coil 18 and a shaft 38 b that protrudes into the coil 18 . The shaft 38 b ends in a protrusion 38 c, which can plunge into the sink 32 of the core 28 .
To enable a relative motion of the armature 38 relative to the coil 18 , a secondary air gap 40 exists between the shaft 38 b and the coil body 16 . A working air gap 41 , which allows a reciprocating motion of the armature 38 , can be seen between the end faces, toward one another, of the armature 38 and core 28 .
For restoring and centering the armature 38 , a spring disk 39 on the end of the proportional valve 10 remote from the valve part 14 is used. In the region of its outer circumference, this spring disk 39 is fastened between a step of a housing 42 of the magnetic part 12 and a cap 44 that closes off this housing 42 from the outside. The cap 44 and the housing 42 are calked together. A recess 46 is provided in the center of the spring disk 39 , and it is also calked together with a corresponding protrusion 38 d of the armature 38 . The housing 42 of the magnetic part 12 is created essentially by spray-coating the individual components that form the magnetic part 12 with plastic. A metal sleeve 48 that surrounds the coil 18 is injected into this housing 42 to form a flux guide element.
The housing 42 of the proportional valve 10 merges with the housing 43 of the valve part 14 . In the latter, an inflow conduit 50 , return conduit 52 and work conduit 54 are formed. While the work conduit 54 extends along the longitudinal axis of the proportional valve 10 , the inlet 50 and the return conduit 52 are embodied as radial conduits. They are sealed off from one another and from the outside by means of ring seals 56 . To embody a baffle 57 , the inflow conduit 50 is graduated a single time in its inside diameter in the flow direction and is located remote from the magnetic part 12 and discharges flush into the consumer conduit 50 . By comparison, the return conduit 52 located toward the valve part 14 is embodied as a continuous recess, that is, a recess that penetrates the work conduit 54 .
At the transition region from the work conduit 54 to the return conduit 52 , a perforated baffle 55 is injected into the valve part 14 . For the sake of wear protection, this baffle is made of high-alloy material, for instance, and it has a sharp-edged valve seat 58 . A closing member 60 actuated by the armature 38 cooperates with this valve seat. The proportional valve 10 can therefore also be called a single-edge regulating valve.
In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the closing member 60 is made of a cylindrical guide region 60 a toward the magnetic part, a connecting portion 60 b adjoining the guide region, and a sealing body 60 c that cooperates with the perforated baffle 55 . The guide region 60 a and the connecting portion 60 b have a cylindrical cross section; the sealing body 60 c is conical, and for fluidic reasons is curved outward in domelike fashion on the face end toward the valve part. In cross section, the connecting portion 60 b has the form of an annular groove, with walls that for instance extend perpendicular to one another. The result at the transition point from the sealing body 60 c to the connecting portion 60 b is a flow separation edge 60 d, which markedly reduces the temperature sensitivity of the proportional valve 10 . To that end, the flow separation edge 60 d is dimensioned in such a way that the diameter d of the connecting portion 60 b is at a ratio of less than or equal to 0.9 to the diameter D of the flow separation edge 60 d. Furthermore, the length L of the connecting portion 60 b is greater than or equal to half of the difference between the diameter D of the flow separation edge 60 d and the diameter d of the connecting portion 60 b. Both of these requirements can be expressed mathematically by the following relationships F 1 and F 2 :
F 1 : d/D≦ 0.9;
F 2 : L ≧( D−d )/2.
Furthermore, the closing member 60 is equipped with a central blind bore 62 , whose opening is toward the magnetic part 12 . The tappet 36 connected to the armature protrudes into this blind bore 62 , and a radial clearance exists between the tappet 36 and the blind bore 62 . This radial clearance makes it possible to compensate for errors of alignment among the closing member 60 , valve seat 58 and tappet 36 . The tappet thus serves as a centering or stop means for the closing member 60 in the primary axis; the actual guidance of the closing member 60 is done at the circumference of the guide region 60 a, which cooperates with a guide 64 on the housing. The position of this guide is dictated by the injection molding tool for the housing/valve unit and is therefore very precisely aligned with the valve seat 58 formed by the opening of the perforated baffle 55 .
The exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 4 differs from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 described above in having a simpler and therefore less expensive embodiment of the closing member 60 . This closing member comprises only a cup-shaped sealing body 70 with a conical outer contour, and a face end toward the valve part that is likewise curved in domelike fashion outward. This closing member 60 does not have any connecting portion 60 b or guide region 60 a. Unlike the first exemplary embodiment, the sealing body 70 is solidly connected to the tappet 36 , for instance being press-fitted onto the end toward the valve part of the tappet 36 . The upper edge of the sealing body 70 , located remote from the valve seat 58 , forms the flow separation edge 60 d, whose production, in contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, requires no separate work steps. This flow separation edge 60 d in its dimenions matches those of the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 and in the same way meets the mathematical relationships F 1 and F 2 explained in the context of that embodiment; given the lack of the connecting portion 60 b in the second exemplary embodiment, d now designates the diameter of the tappet 36 .
The guidance of the closing member 60 is effected via the guides of the tappet 36 and armature 38 ; separate guides 64 as in the first exemplary embodiment are not necessary.
The mode of operation of such proportional valves 10 is known per se. In the basic position shown in each case for the proportional valve 10 , the coil 18 receives no electrical current, so that the armature 38 is in a neutral position determined by the spring disk 39 . In this neutral position, the dynamic pressure of the inflowing pressure acting on the closing member 60 causes the valve seat 58 to be open, so that the consumer conduit 54 is pressure-relieved to the return conduit 52 .
Supplying current to the coil 18 , because of the armature motion in the direction of the valve part 14 , causes a throttling action at the valve seat 58 , so that a pressure level results in the consumer conduit 54 that can be adjusted by the supply of current to the coil 18 or in other words by the stroke of the armature 38 . At maximum, this pressure level can be adjusted to a value that is determined by the supply pressure, minus the pressure loss at the baffle 57 on the inlet side.
Because of the conical shape of the sealing bodies 60 c, 70 , the centering of the closing member 60 in the flow of pressure fluid is improved. The flow separation edge 60 d embodied in accordance with the relationships F 1 and F 2 has the effect that the flow of pressure fluid along the closing member 60 already ruptures again early, which reduces the effect of temperature on the pressure/current characteristic curves of the proportional valve 10 . As a result, these characteristic curves have a steady course over wide temperature and current ranges.
It is understood that alterations or additions to the exemplary embodiment described are possible without departing from the fundamental concept of the invention. This fundamental concept in particular comprises relieving conventionally known flat seat valves with conical seat valves that are insensitive to flow and temperature, so as to create proportional valves 10 with especially stable functional properties regarding tightness, temperature sensitivity, wear resistance and the course of the characteristic curves, without entailing additional expense in terms of production cost. To that end, according to the invention, closing members 60 with conical sealing bodies 60 c, 70 are proposed which have a flow separation edge 60 d.
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An electromagnetically actuable proportional hydraulic valve ( 10 ) is described, which is distinguished in particular by a constant, low-wear operating performance. This is attained by means of a closing member ( 60 ) having an approximately conical sealing body ( 60 c, 70 ) with a curved dome-like face end oriented toward the valve seat ( 58 ). The sealing body ( 60 c, 70 ) together with the valve seat ( 58 ) forms a conical seat valve. The sealing body of the closing member ( 60 ) is provided with a flow separation edge ( 60 d ), which improves the temperature sensitivity of the proportional valve ( 10 ).
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/355,511, filed on Jan. 31, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,246.
The present invention relates to an adjuster mechanism for a brake.
As brake pads or a brake disc wear a gap between the brake pads and brake disc increases. Due to the increase in the gap between the brake pads and the brake disc a brake actuator must travel farther to engage the brake. In other words, there is more slack when the brake is applied, which causes the brakes to become less effective. In order to compensate for slack, a slack adjustment mechanism moves the brake pads closer to the brake disc prior to brake engagement. This adjustment assures a consistent amount of actuator travel in spite of brake pad wear.
Conventional brake adjuster mechanisms use relatively complex mechanical assemblies to perform this function. Force from the brake actuator is commonly utilized to drive the adjuster mechanism, which may reduce brake effectiveness and efficiency.
In addition, the adjuster mechanism may shift while the brake is not being applied. Shifting may cause undesirable brake pad wear, or further increase slack in the brake system, which may reduce the brake performance.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an adjuster mechanism which is not effective when the brake is not being utilized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The slack adjustment system according to the present invention provides an adjustment mechanism which utilizes a biasing member to adjust slack in a braking system. The biasing member operates independently of the pressure applied by a brake actuator. A locking mechanism is utilized to secure the adjustment mechanism in place when adjustment is not desired. Additionally, the locking mechanism controls the desired amount of slack.
The locking mechanism selectively engages an adjustment gear, or any rotational member engaged with the gear, to prevent the gear from being rotated and undesirably adjusting the gap between the brake pad and the brake disc. The locking mechanism prevents adjustment when the brake is not applied. The locking mechanism includes a latch interfitting with the gear to prevent rotation when engaged with the gear. The latch disengages from the gear after a predetermined amount of movement of the latch. Release of the locking mechanism allows the gear to rotate. The biasing member is mounted to engage and rotate the gear when the locking member is not preventing movement. The biasing member is of a type which applies a rotational force independent of the amount of pressure applied by the brake actuator. The biasing member may be a spring, electric motor, air powered motor or the like.
The present invention therefore provides a method of automatically adjusting slack independent of the pressure applied to the brake system. In addition, a locking device prevents undesirable adjustment of slack in the brake system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
FIG. 1 is a sectional side-view of a brake assembly with one embodiment of a slack adjustment system according to the present invention;
FIG. 2A is a sectional plan-view of a brake assembly;
FIG. 2B is a perspective view of one embodiment of the slack adjustment system with the latch engaged on a rotational member;
FIG. 3 is a sectional plan-view of the slack adjustment system according to the present invention showing a gear moved forward by a distance equal to the desired amount of slack, with the latch still engaged with the rotational member;
FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view of the slack adjustment system according to the present invention showing all components in the brake fully applied position;
FIG. 5 is a sectional plan-view of the slack adjustment system according to the present invention shown in the disengaged position;
FIG. 6 is a sectional end-view of the rotational member and gear-train showing the preferred directions of rotation;
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the slack adjustment system of the present invention in a non-braking position;
FIG. 7B is a side view of the FIG. 7A embodiment of the slack adjustment system of the present invention in a non-braking position;
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the FIG. 7A embodiment of the slack adjustment system of the present invention in a partial braking position;
FIG. 8B is a side view of the slack adjustment system of FIG. 8A ;
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the slack adjustment system of the FIG. 7A embodiment of the present invention in a full braking position;
FIG. 9B is a side view of the slack adjustment system of FIG. 9A ;
FIG. 10A shows another embodiment of the slack adjustment system where a locking mechanism is located adjacent a roller;
FIG. 10B shows the FIG. 10A embodiment of the slack adjustment system with a lever and roller having a cam mounted on the end of the roller;
FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the slack adjustment system where the locking mechanism has a latch;
FIG. 12A shows a frame for the brake assembly with the latch and the spring;
FIG. 12B shows a frame for the brake assembly with the latch and the first gear;
FIG. 12C shows a frame for the brake assembly with the latch and the screw within the frame;
FIG. 13A shows the cam engaging the latch when no pressure is applied to the lever;
FIG. 13B shows the lever rotating the cam to drive the latch away from the first gear;
FIG. 13C shows the latch and cam when a sufficient amount slack is in the system to disengage the latch from the first gear;
FIG. 13D shows the cam and latch when the roller is fully rotated;
FIG. 14 shows the latch and gear when a sufficient amount slack is in the system to disengage the latch from the first gear; and
FIG. 15 shows a biasing member engaging the first gear.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 illustrates a disc brake assembly 10 that utilizes a slack adjustment system 12 of the present invention. The disc brake assembly 10 has a frame 11 , which encloses the internal components and bears the loads generated by them. As a driver operates a brake (not shown) an input load (illustrated by arrow L) is transferred to a lever 14 , through an opening 16 in the frame 11 . The lever 14 is rotatably supported by the frame 11 through a bearing 18 . Applying the input load L rotates the lever 14 about a lever axis 20 . That is, the lever 14 rotates clockwise about the lever axis 20 , as illustrated in FIG. 1 .
A cylindrical roller 22 is recessed within the base of the lever 14 . The roller 22 is eccentrically centered relative the center of rotation of the lever 14 . That is, the roller 22 rotates about a roller axis 24 that is offset from the lever axis 20 . When the input load L causes the lever 14 to rotate about the lever axis 20 the roller 22 rotates about the roller axis 24 . Because the roller axis 24 is offset from the lever axis 20 the roller 22 moves in an arc relative to the lever axis 20 (the position 15 illustrated in phantom shows the extreme of travel available to the lever 14 ).
FIG. 2A shows a first thrust assembly 26 and a second thrust assembly 28 . The eccentric movement of the roller 22 engages the first thrust assembly 26 and the second thrust assembly 28 and applies a load causing the first and second thrust assemblies 26 and 28 to move perpendicularly away from the lever 14 , guided by a housing 61 that is attached to frame 11 by fasteners 34 , (only one shown in FIG. 1 ). This motion defines a first thrust axis 27 perpendicular to the lever axis 20 and roller axis 24 along which the first thrust assembly 26 moves. The axial movement of the first thrust assembly 26 along the first thrust axis 27 engages the brake pad 30 by way of a first thrust plate 62 . Similarly, axial movement of the second thrust assembly 28 along a second thrust axis 32 engages the brake pad 30 by way of a second thrust plate 60 . The brake pad 30 then engages the brake disc 29 .
When the driver releases the brake, the input load L is reduced and a first return spring 31 and second return spring 33 drive the first and second thrust assemblies 26 and 28 to the original positions. The lever 14 and roller 22 also return to the original positions. The first and second return springs 31 and 33 restrain the first thrust assembly 26 , second thrust assembly 28 , roller 22 and lever 14 in the original positions when no input load L is being applied.
As a result of use, brake pad 30 wears away and a gap between the brake pad 30 and the brake disc 29 becomes greater over time. The first and second thrust assemblies 26 and 28 must then travel farther to cause the brake pad 30 to engage the brake disc 29 . To eliminate the need for the brake pad 30 to travel further the first and second thrust assemblies 26 and 28 are lengthened to maintain a constant distance between the brake pad 30 and brake disc 29 over time. The first thrust assembly 26 consists of internally threaded first nut 63 and externally threaded first screw 64 . The first nut 63 is rotationally constrained by the housing 61 , such that when the first screw 64 is rotated, the length of the first thrust assembly 26 along the thrust axis 27 is altered. The second thrust assembly 28 has a similar screw and nut arrangement where the second thrust assembly 28 consists of internally threaded second nut 65 and an externally threaded second screw 67 (shown in FIG. 2B ). The lengths of the first thrust assembly 26 and second thrust assembly 28 are synchronized by a rotational member 48 , which is permanently engaged with the first and second screws 64 and 67 by way of a gear 68 . If no constraint was in place the rotational member 48 might cause rotation of the first and second screws 64 and 67 lengthening the first and second thrust assemblies 26 and 28 until the brake pad 30 and brake disc 29 were touching.
FIG. 2B shows the slack adjustment system 12 with a locking mechanism 42 that selectively engages the gear 68 to prevent the first screw 64 and second screw 67 from being rotated and undesirably adjusting the gap between the brake pad 30 and the brake disc 29 . The locking mechanism 42 includes a latch 54 mounted to a link 56 , which may be a rod or the like, which is fixed to move with lever 14 . The latch 54 may engage the gear 68 on rotational member 48 preventing rotation of the rotational member 48 . The latch 54 engages the gear 68 when the brake is not applied, and when the brake is applied but the first thrust assembly 26 and second thrust assembly 28 have moved by less than the pre-defined slack such that no adjustment is required.
When the brake is not applied, or during normal braking movement, as shown in FIG. 3 , the locking mechanism 42 is engaged and the rotational member 48 cannot rotate to lengthen the first thrust assembly 26 and second thrust assembly 28 . The axial force applied to first screw 64 and second screw 67 by rotation of lever 14 axially drives the first thrust assembly 26 and second thrust assembly 28 along the first and second thrust axes 27 and 32 toward the brake disc 29 . The locking mechanism 42 and latch 54 driven by the lever 14 via a link 56 , move relative to the gear 68 on the outside of the rotational member 48 (shown in FIG. 3 to be moving along an axis parallel to the first thrust axis 27 , but alternatively could be moved radially away from the first thrust axis 27 by re-arranging the connecting link 56 ). The link 56 may be rotatably connected to the lever 14 such that when lever 14 is driven forward link 56 rotates to maintain the relative position between latch 54 and gear 68 at an equivalent height.
The point at which the latch 54 disengages from the gear 68 is determined by the geometry of the link 56 . The geometry is designed such that when a pre-defined slack between the brake pad 30 and disc 29 has been taken up, the latch 54 disengages from the gear 68 . Simultaneously, load starts to be applied to the first thrust assembly 26 and second thrust assembly 28 via the brake pad 30 that engages the brake disc 29 . This load produces a friction torque between the first nut 63 and first screw 64 , and the second nut 65 and the second screw 67 , preventing any relative rotation and, hence, adjustment when the brake is applied, shown in FIG. 4 . When the brake is released, all components are returned to their original positions by the return springs 31 and 33 . The latch 54 engages gear 68 again and no adjustment of the length of the first thrust assembly 26 and second thrust assembly 28 takes place.
As the brake pad 30 wears, the slack between the brake pad 30 and the brake disc 29 increases, and the first thrust assembly 26 and second thrust assembly 28 must move a greater distance along the thrust axis 27 in order to engage the brake pad 30 with the brake disc 29 . To compensate for the wear on the brake pad 30 , the first and second screws 64 and 67 are adjusted to increase the overall length of the thrust assembly 26 , resulting in a constant distance being maintained between the brake pad 30 and brake disc 29 .
Referring to FIG. 5 , the adjuster system 12 of the present invention is utilized to adjust the slack in the brake assembly 10 . When the locking mechanism 42 is released, as shown, the rotational member 48 and first and second screws 64 and 67 can rotate. The rotational member 48 includes a biasing member 44 and the gear 68 mounted in the housing 61 . The biasing member 44 causes the gear 68 to rotate about a biasing axis 46 . The biasing axis 46 is preferably parallel to and offset from the first thrust axis 27 , but could be in any position or angle inside or outside the frame 11 where the rotational member 48 can still be engaged directly or indirectly to the first and second screws 64 and 67 . The biasing member 44 is preferably a coil spring but may take other forms such as an electric motor, air motor, or the like. The gear 68 is mounted about the biasing member 44 and is driven by the biasing member 44 in a first rotational direction 50 about the biasing axis 46 . The gear 68 engages with the first and second screws 64 and 67 preferably by gear teeth, but other means of engagement may be used. The first and second screws 64 and 67 rotate about the thrust axes 27 and 32 in a second rotational direction 52 . That is, rotational member 48 rotates in a clockwise direction, which rotates the first and second screws 64 and 67 in a counter-clockwise direction, as illustrated in FIG. 6 . Rotation of the first and second screws 64 and 67 causes the first and second nuts 63 and 65 to move toward the brake pad 30 , thereby lengthening the thrust assemblies 26 and 28 , and decreasing the slack.
FIGS. 7A and 7B show an alternate embodiment. The lever 14 is in a position when no load is being applied. Rotational member 48 is prevented from rotation by latch 54 that engages a first gear 66 on the first screw 64 . First gear 66 meshes with the gear 68 on the rotation member 48 . Latch 54 prevents rotation of first gear 66 and in turn prevents rotation of gear 68 . A second gear meshes with gear 68 , as shown in FIG. 1 , in a similar manner as the first gear 66 . The second gear 70 is prevented from rotation by gear 68 that also acts to synchronize the first gear 66 with the second gear 70 ensuring that the first thrust assembly 26 and second thrust assembly 28 are adjusted the same length.
FIGS. 8A and 8B show the lever 14 when the brake is applied and the thrust assembly 26 has moved through the pre-defined slack. The latch 54 disengages with first gear 66 . The gear 68 is free to rotate from the torque created by the biasing member 44 . As gear 68 rotates this cause the first gear 66 to rotate, thus rotating the first screw 64 . The first gear 66 is driven in the counter-clockwise direction 52 , lengthening the thrust assembly 26 and reducing the slack. A similar rotation occurs on for the second screw 67 lengthening the second thrust assembly 28 (not shown).
FIG. 9A and 9B show the lever 14 , rotational member 48 , latch 54 , and the first gear 66 on the first screw 64 during a full brake position. The latch 54 has disengaged from the first gear 66 . However, when the brake pad 30 and brake disc 29 are in contact load is applied through the first thrust assembly 26 . The load prevents rotation of the first nut 63 and first screw 64 hence no adjustment occurs. Likewise the second thrust assembly is prevented from rotation. The preferred directions of rotation are shown in FIG. 6 .
When the brake is released, if there is still excess slack when all load is released from the thrust assembly 26 , the rotational member 48 and first screw 64 will be rotated further as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B . The first screw 64 will continue to rotate until the travel of the thrust assembly 26 becomes equal to the predefined slack. The second screw 67 (not shown) will also rotate. At this point the latch 54 then re-engages with the first gear 66 preventing any further rotation.
FIG. 10A shows another embodiment slack adjustment system 100 where a locking mechanism 102 is located adjacent the roller 22 . The roller 22 is recessed within the base of the lever 14 . As a driver operates a brake (not shown) an input load (illustrated by arrow L) is transferred to a lever 14 . Applying the input load L rotates the lever 14 causing the roller 22 to rotate (illustrated by arrow R). FIG. 10B shows the lever 14 and roller 22 with a cam 108 mounted on the end of the roller 22 . The cam 108 rotates with the roller 22 .
Referring to FIG. 11 , the locking mechanism 102 includes a latch 110 that engages the first gear 66 . A spring 114 drives the latch 110 into the first gear 66 to maintain engagement between the first gear 66 and the latch 110 .
FIG. 12A shows the latch 110 and the spring 114 within a frame 11 for the brake assembly 10 . The spring 114 is within a screw 118 that is threaded into the frame 11 . The screw 118 can be rotated to adjust the force the spring 114 applies to the latch 110 . FIG. 12B shows the latch 110 within the frame 11 and contacting the first gear 66 . The cam 108 and screw 118 are not shown so the engagement between the latch 110 and first gear 66 can be seen. FIG. 12C shows the locking mechanism 102 including the latch 110 and screw 118 within the frame 11 with the cam 108 and first gear 66 .
FIG. 13A shows the cam 108 engaging the latch 110 when no pressure is applied to the lever 14 . Rotating the lever 14 rotates the cam 108 driving the latch 110 away from the first gear 66 as shown in FIG. 13B . If there is only a minimal amount of slack in the brake system 10 then the roller 22 will not rotate far enough to disengage the latch 110 from the first gear 66 . Tooth 111 on the latch 110 sits between teeth on the gear 66 , preventing rotation, and hence preventing undesired adjustment. As the slack in the brake system increases the roller 22 must be rotated farther to engage the brakes. The farther the roller 22 rotates the more the cam 108 drives the latch 110 away from the first gear 66 . FIG. 13C shows the latch 110 and cam 108 when undesirable slack is in the system and the roller 22 rotates a sufficient amount to disengage the latch 110 from the first gear 66 . As shown a tooth 111 no longer engage between gear teeth on the gear 66 , and no longer preventing the gear 66 from rotating. The position of the first gear 66 and latch 110 at this point are shown in FIG. 14 . When the latch 110 is disengaged the first gear 66 can rotate freely to lengthen the thrust assemblies 26 and 28 adjusting the slack.
FIG. 13D shows the cam 108 and latch 110 when the roller is fully rotated. The cam 108 is designed such that once the latch 110 has disengaged from the gear 66 the cam 108 will not move the latch 110 further away from the first gear 66 . Thus, the amount of slack in the brake system 10 is controlled by the distance that the cam 108 pushes the latch 110 away from the first gear 66 .
A biasing member 120 (not shown) engages the first gear 66 through a gear 122 (shown in FIG. 15 ). The biasing member 120 is preferably an air motor but may take other forms such as a spring, electric motor, or the like. The biasing member 120 rotates the first gear 66 when the latch 110 is disengaged. Rotation of the first gear 66 causes the thrust assemblies 26 and 28 to lengthen and decreases the slack in the brake system 10 . The force used to adjust the slack adjustment system is 100 is independent of the load L applied to the lever. The biasing member 120 provides the load used to rotate the first gear 66 . By providing an independent source to bias the slack adjustment system 100 the load L applied to the lever is not used, increasing the efficiency of the slack adjustment system 100 .
The foregoing description is only illustrative of the principles of the invention. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, so that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specially described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
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A slack adjustment system for a disk brake includes a biasing member to adjust slack in a brake system. The biasing member operates independently of pressure applied to a brake actuator. A locking member prevents adjustment when adjustment is not necessary. Release of the locking member allows the biasing member to adjust a resting position of brake pads independent of driver applied brake pressure.
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BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for automatically removing an inserted-and-beat-up weft on weaving machines.
A general aim common to all producers of weaving appliances is to increase their useful performance. This aim can be realized in several ways, among them by minimizing the time required to repair weft defects; i.e., incorrectly-inserted wefts. For this purpose, automatic devices for weft-defect removal can be used.
For removing an incorrectly-inserted weft, many solutions are known The most widely used solution utilizes the fact that incorrectly-inserted wefts remain connected with the supply on a metering member after pick and beat-up procedures have been carried out. In the next step, after a short reverse motion of the weaving machine and loosening of the incorrectly-inserted weft from the interlacing by the warp threads, another weft, still connected with the incorrectly-inserted weft, is picked to the shed end side. By pulling this weft, the incorrectly-inserted weft is removed.
Several drawbacks are inherent to this solution. The need to keep the incorrectly-inserted weft in connection with the supply on the metering member imposes heavy demands on the reaction speed of the locking device, which prevents the inserted weft from being separated. Another major drawback consists in the described device failing to remove wefts that have suffered rupture during the pick so that one weft part is woven-in on the entering side of the weaving machine, and the other part is woven-in on the shed end side.
Eliminating the drawbacks of the known solutions is an object of the present device. The object of the present invention is realized in a device for automatically removing inserted-and-beat-up wefts. The device comprises a rotary stripping brush including on an exterior periphery agitation hairs for urging an inserted-and-beat-up weft away from a grip of a shed. The rotary stripping brush further includes gaseous feed jets on an exterior periphery of the brush for urging, in cooperation with the agitation hairs, the inserted-and-beat-up weft away from the grip of the shed.
Amongst the advantages of the present device, it becomes unnecessary to ensure that the weft to be unravelled is unseparated from the supply on the metering member; further, the possibility exists to remove several (more than one) preceding wefts; and, finally, it permits removal even of wefts that have suffered rupture during machine operation. Owing to these advantages, the present device is superior to the known devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Other advantages and features of the device according to the invention are described in the following description and shown in the accompanying drawing FIGS. 1-4. FIGS. 1-3 represent sequential stages of an unravelling cycle for automatic weft removal. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, the present device consists of a body 1 of a rotary stripping brush 2 fitted with agitation hairs 3 and with feed jets 4. Preferably, the exterior of the body 1 is cylindrical. Preferably, the hairs 3 extend generally radially outwardly with respect to the cylindrical exterior periphery of the body 1. The rotary stripping brush 2 is situated under the lower strand of a shed 5 in whose grip is situated a weft 6 to be unravelled The shed 5 is followed by a woven fabric 7 supported by a bar 8. On the opposite side, warp threads constituting the shed 5 pass through a reed 9 on which is located an auxiliary jet 10.
The first stage of the unravelling cycle consists in stopping the machine in response to a signal from a stop-motion sensor (not shown), and in loosening (i.e., releasing) the inserted, beat-up, and separated weft 6 by the reverse motion of non-illustrated heald shafts.
Then, the stripping brush 2 is displaced to its operative position shown in FIG. 1, i.e., under the lower strand of the open shed 5 next to the bar 8 supporting the woven fabric 7. The stripping brush is caused to rotate and, at the same time, pressurized fluid is fed into the body 1. A suitable means for feeding the pressurized fluid into the body 1 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 929,734 to Walder. The pressurized fluid flows out through the feed jets 4 in a direction tangential to the surface of the body 1 of the rotary stripping brush 2.
FIG. 2 shows the second stage of the unravelling cycle in which the hairs 3 of the stripping brush 2 have freed the weft 6 to be unravelled from the grip of the shed 5 and have fed it to a certain distance from the interlacing point.
FIG. 3 shows the third stage of the unravelling cycle in which the hairs 3 of the stripping brush 2 are lowered under the lower strand of the shed 5, and the weft 6 subject to unravelling is fed, by fluid flowing out of the feed jets 4, into the picking channel of the reed 9. There, the weft 6 is exposed to a stream of pressure means flowing out of the auxiliary jets 10, and thus displaced outside the shed 5.
For facility and perfection of the loosening operation on the weft 6 which is to be unravelled, it is preferable to situate the hairs 3 on the body 1 of the stripping brush 2 in a helical configuration, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 4. (The feed jets 4 are not illustrated in FIG. 4.)
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.
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A device for removing an inserted-and-beat-up weft on weaving machines employs a rotary stripping brush with agitation hairs and also tangentially-oriented feed jets situated on an exterior periphery of the brush.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention concerns an automatic shut-off valve for a wet barrel hydrant and is particularly directed to a valve structure which, when the hydrant is destroyed or disabled, closes off the uncontrolled flow of water therefrom in a manner which minimizes water hammer in the system lines.
In mild climates where ground freezing temperatures are rare and of short duration, the underground fire protection system of a municipality may employ fire hydrants having a manual shut-off valve located above ground. In this situation the hydrant itself holds water at the system pressure which may be in the range of 50 to 150 pounds per square inch. These hydrants are called wet barrel hydrants because a full head of water is always contained within them.
On occasion fire hydrants are damaged from impact by motor vehicles and frequently hydrants are sheared completely off the hydrant riser. To contain the resulting geyser as well as to conserve water in the system, automatic shut-off valves are provided in wet barrel hydrants and these have been constructed along the principles taught in the Greenberg Pat. No. 2,054,561, issued Sept. 15, 1936. There a breakable rod is recessed into the inside wall of the hydrant structure to hold in the non-operative position a flapper type check valve under spring bias. Should the hydrant be sheared from its support, the rod breaks to release the flapper type check valve which is urged by the spring into the out rushing water path and thus will slam the flapper against the valve seat very rapidly to halt the water flow. The abrupt closing of the automatic shut-off valve produces an enormous water hammer in the system and is known to have caused breakage in smaller lines connected in the system.
An important object of this invention is to provide an automatic hydrant shut-off valve structure which closes relatively slowly and serves to reduce almost entirely water hammer in the system.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hydrant shut-off valve of the type described which is mounted to the associated hydrant with a pressure proof but weakened connection providing a plane of preferential sheering when the hydrant receives destructive lateral impact.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hydrant shut-off valve of the type described which includes provisions for a "witness stream" visible to passers-by to signify the damaged fire hydrant.
Another object of the invention is to provide a "wet" hydrant shut-off or check valve of the type described which is readily installed and placed in operative condition both for new system installations and as a replacement in existing fire protection systems.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hydrant automatic check valve and connection assembly which breaks-away upon high impact and thereby reduces damage to the hydrant body.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description considered with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a wet barrel hydrant connected to the automatic hydrant shut-off valve of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged, partial vertical sectional view along the longitudinal center line of the structure in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view in the direction of the arrows 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view in the direction of the arrows 4--4 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 2 but illustrates the sequence of movement occuring when the shut-off valve becomes operative, and
FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view in the direction of the arrows 6--6 of FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A preferred form of the improved automatic shut-off valve 10 incorporating the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings in association with a wet barrel hydrant 11 and a hydrant riser 12 shown for fragmentarily but which represents a portion of a water distribution system for fire fighting. The fire hydrant 11 is equipped with a manual shut-off valve (not shown) located within the hydrant body above the level of grade G. Thus when the fire protection system is pressurized, the water level and hydrostatic pressure will extend into the hydrant body. This arrangement is known in the trade as a wet barrel hydrant.
Referring to FIG. 2, the improved, automatic shut-off valve 10 includes a valve body 13 having water inlet 14 and outlet 16 thereby to define a flow passageway through the valve. The valve body 13 is provided with wall structure 17 defining a chamber 18 or housing arranged laterally of the flow passageway, the chamber 18 being open to the valve body 13.
The shut-off valve 10 also includes a structure 19 for effecting a weakened connection with the hydrant 11, a valve flapper of closure member 21 with its associated O-ring seal 25 and valve seat 22, and a dash-pot mechanism 23 disposed in the chamber 18.
Considering now the structure of the valve body 13 in more detail, reference should be had to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 where it will be observed that one satisfactory construction of the valve body is to make it as a steel weldment including upper 24 and lower 26 plates welded to curved side wall structure 27 all of which unite to the end wall structure 28 which receives the tubular wall structure 17 of the lateral chamber 18 and which is closed by an end cap 29. An alternative form of construction is by casting as is well known in this field.
The bottom plate 26 of the valve body is equipped to serve as a connecting flange and to be bolted to a flange 31 of the riser FIGS. 2 and 4. To this end there is provided four threaded apertures 32 and two threaded apertures 33 capped with seal plates 34 arranged adjacent to the chamber 18. By this arrangement the valve structure may be bolted to the riser flange 31 with conventional fasteners without obtaining access to the inside of the valve body.
The top plate 24 is equipped with a central collar 37 which is welded to a standard flange 38 drilled in the standard bolt pattern.
In mating the hydrant 11 with the shut-off valve 10, a break-away, connecting structure 19 is used. This serves to define the plane of shear breakage should the hydrant be struck, acts to preserve both the structure of the hydrant and that of the underlying shut-off valve and causes actuation of the shut-off valve. More specifically, referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6 a "sandwich" flange 19 is provided with bolt holes drilled in the standard bolt spacings. A number of the holes in the flange 19 are counter-bored (FIG. 6) a depth permitting receipt of a jam-nut 41 and as compared to a standard bolt is weak in shear strength. The counter-bore is filled with caulking compound 43 for corrosion integrity. The jam-nut 41 and bolt 42 connect the sandwich flange 19 with the flange of the hydrant 11. The end of the break-away bolt is provided with a standard nut and washer 44 so as to join the hydrant, sandwich flange 19 and the top flange 38 of the valve body. The other three of the six bolt holes of the sandwich flange 19 are provided with break-away bolts 42 without the jam-nuts 41 illustrated in FIG. 6. Thus upon strong horizontal impact, shear occurs along the mating faces between the break-away flange and the valve body. The six break-away bolts shear because of the load permitting the hydrant to break-away from the valve body along the face of the break-away flange.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the valve closure member 21 is pivotaly mounted to one side to the valve body by means of a shaft 46 and lugs 47. A spring 48 of the hairpin type acting between the top plate 24 and valve flapper 21 serves to bias the latter towards the flow passageway. In the passive condition of the assembly 10, a bar 49 fixedly secured to the sandwich flange 19 and extending downwardly therefrom engages the valve flapper 21 holding it in a cocked position, against the bias of the spring 48, and out of the flow passageway.
The dash-pot mechanism 23 is mounted within the lateral chamber 18 and is united in a sliding connection at its outer end with the end cap 29 by means of a spaced pair of slotted ears 53 and cooperating sliding pin 54 received through a central lug 56 in the body of the unit. This arrangement permits the dash-pot mechanism to shift towards the flow passageway the distance of the slot 57 (compare FIGS. 2 and 5) in response to action of the spring 48 upon the valve flapper, the holding bar 49 being disengaged (FIG. 5) so as to place the dash-pot mechanism into a condition for operation.
The mechanism 23 comprises a cylinder 58 with an internal piston 59 equipped with a piston rod 61 connected by a clevis 62 to a lug 63 on one side of the valve flapper 21. In one preferred arrangement of the dash-pot, the piston chamber 64 on both sides of the piston is open to ambient water pressure within the valve body. Thus the piston chamber 64 can be charged through an orifice 66 in an end cap 67 of the cylinder. During charging, air and the like is discharged from the cylinder through an orifice 68 on the opposite side of the piston 59. The ratio of orifice area to piston area determines the restrictive rate of movement of the piston when drawn along the cylinder by the force of water acting upon the valve flapper 21, (FIG. 5), once the dash-pot mechanism has been shifted into active position by action of the spring 48.
The structure described above is an improved automatic shut-off valve for a wet barrel hydrant which controls the closure of the valve flapper 21 by means of a dash-pot member once the valve closure member has been released from the holding by 49. The closure of the valve is controlled by the resistance of the dash-pot acting against the water pressure on the valve flapper and through suitable selection of the orifice 66 area in the dash-pot, closures rates sufficient to eliminate virtually all water hammer damage to the system lines can be achieved.
Referring to FIG. 5 in more detail, a condition is indicated in solid lines where the hydrant 11 and break-away connection 19 have been knocked from the installed position upon the top flange 38 of the valve body shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 5 the hydrant carries with it the break-away flange which includes the holding bar 49. Here it should be understood that the break-away bolts 42 have sheared between flanges 19 and 38 from the impact force applied to the hydrant. The spring 48 urges the valve closure member 21 into the position shown in full lines in FIG. 5 and also pulls the dash-pot member into the position there indicated and there permitted by the slotted assembly 53. At this condition the dash-pot assembly becomes active in response to water pressure against the valve closure member and resists rapid closure of the valve flapper as water is discharged from the orifice 66 of the cylinder in response to piston movement. Ultimately the valve flapper will reach the condition of complete closure against the valve seat 22 where the O-ring 25 assists in effecting positive and complete seal. A witness hole 69 in the valve member 21 permits a stream of water to spurt forth from the valve so that passers-by will recognize the overturned hydrant and notify the authorities to come out and repair the condition.
Another function of the witness hole 69 is in charging or cocking of the shut-off valve with free standing water in the valve. Then a hook or eye bolt (not shown) is threaded into the witness hole. This eye bolt may be engaged with a hook like unit at the end of a pole (not shown) so that the valve closure 21 member may be pushed down to urge the piston 59 deep into the cylinder 58. This procedure is repeated a number of times to expel all air from the cylinder 23 and then the eye bolt is removed from the hole 69. The sandwich flange, with the holding rod 49, bolted to the hydrant may be mounted upon the top flange 38 of the valve for maintaining the closure member in the position shown in FIG. 2. The water pressure in the system may then be turned on so as to pressurize both the valve and hydrant.
It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that changes may be made in the details of the preferred embodiment disclosed above without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore the present invention shall not be limited except as defined in the claims which follow.
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A wet barrel hydrant check valve has a body containing a dash-pot assembly connected to a flapper valve, spring biased towards the closed condition. A sandwich flange fixed to the hydrant has a member holding the flapper out of the flow passageway, the flange being joined in a break-away connection to the valve body so that upon hydrant upset, as by vehicle impact, the hydrant and holding member are dismounted from the valve body, releasing the flapper into the flow path of escaping water for dash-pot controlled, gradual closure of the valve minimizing water hammer in the line.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional room air conditioner systems normally employ a large double shafted motor to drive the inside (evaporator) coil fan or blower and simultaneously to drive the outside (condenser) coil fan or blower; or, less usually, two individual motors, each separately mounted: one motor driving the indoor coil fan and the other motor driving the outdoor coil fan.
There are many advantages to utilizing a unitary housing double-motor unit. As discussed below, it will be evident that some of the advantages are inherent in the flexibility of utilizing two separate motors while other of the advantages occur as a result of utilizing a unitary housing for the two separate motors.
The use of two separate motors in a unitary housing results in a saving of space, reduced noise levels, and a saving in energy. These advantages come about in a number of ways depending on the mode in which the air conditioning unit is being used and the ambient conditions under which the unit is operating.
The use of two motors permits choosing a motor which is particularly suitable for operating its associated fan. It is often advantageous to be able to vary the inside (evaporator) coil fan speed when operating the air conditioner in its usual cooling mode. Thus, when maximum cooling is not necessary, the evaporator coil fan can be slowed down, resulting in a savings in energy and in quieter operation. For some applications a smaller motor can be utilized for the inside coil fan, accomplishing a still further energy savings. If a single speed single motor with a double shaft is utilized, this variation in the speed of the evaporator coil fan is normally accomplished by utilizing a gear box when condenser fan speed must be maintained. When two motors are used, this can be accomplished by utilizing a six-pole or four-pole multi-speed motor for the evaporator coil fan and a relatively simple four-pole or six-pole single speed motor for the condenser coil fan. An arrangement incorporating two motors, each of about half the power output utilized when a single double shafted motor is employed, will take up approximately the same room as a single multi-speed motor or somewhat less room than the larger double-shafted motor with associated gear box and use less energy. Additionally, the gear-box/double-shafted motor arrangement is heavier, more expensive and noisier.
The use of two motors is also advantageous when the air conditioner unit is provided with an auxiliary electrical heating coil element for use in warming the air in a room. In this mode of operation one need only activate the inside fan, as the compressor, and therefore the condenser coil, is not being used. This, results in a savings in energy necessary to drive the fan motors as well as in a lower noise level for the unit.
In applications wherein the outside ambient temperature is extremely high, providing an air conditioning unit with an outside (condenser) coil fan of higher speed while providing the inside (evaporator) coil with a fan of lower speed can give an air conditioning unit sufficient flexibility to provide some cooling where the unit may otherwise stall from the load. A high speed outside (condenser) coil fan will increase the apparent efficiency of the compressor while a slower inside (evaporator) coil fan will simultaneously reduce the load on the compressor. Under less severe conditions this mode of operation results in more efficient operation of the unit then would otherwise be accomplished. Additionally, more comfortable cooling is provided as the unit will operate for longer periods of time at low speed thereby accomplishing extended humidity control.
A related advantage to operating an air conditioning unit in a mode wherein the outside (condenser) coil fan is operated at a higher speed is, under "normal" ambient conditions, the reduced surface area required for the outdoor (condenser) coil surface to obtain the same efficiency of operation for the compressor. This conserves materials which would otherwise be required to make a larger condenser coil surface and reduces head pressures and therefore the load or energy consumed in the compressor circuit.
As both motors are mounted in a unitary housing, aside other considerations, there is a cost reduction in materials and manpower utilized in assemblying an air conditioner unit, over using two separately mounted motors, in that both units are mounted simultaneously and require only one set of brackets, bolts, straps, or other means normally employed for mounting motors. In fact, little or no retooling costs are incurred in substituting a double-motor construction, according to the present invention, for the single motor double-shafted construction now normally utilized in air conditioners.
Some cost savings can also be realized when utilizing a single envelope construction by assemblying both motors using a single central bearing.
The double motor system described herein has been found to run cooler than the larger single motor double shafted system often utilized in the prior art, thereby contributing to the increased efficiency of this system. It may, in fact, be possible for certain combinations to utilize lower tool horsepower than was previously required by the single motor, by utilizing a lower powered indoor (evaporator) fan motor, as noted above.
It has also been found that a system according to the present invention will operate under the low line voltages normally encountered in regions where high ambient temperatures are prevalent. Prior systems utilizing a double-shafted motor have been found to stall under these conditions. Thus an air conditioner unit, according to the present invention, will not only operate more efficiency than the usual units with a double-shafted single motor, but will operate under conditions under which the usual unit will not operate at all.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The present invention combines the advantages of a double-shafted single motor which drives both the inside coil blower and the outside coil blower or fan, with the advantages of two separate motors, by providing a fan motor unit comprising a unitary housing within which are formed two separate motors. The construction may either utilize a single envelope or two separate motor housings. The motor combination is otherwise substantially conventional.
In a preferred embodiment, one of the two motors is a single speed motor, e.g. four-pole motor, to drive the outdoor coil fan and the other is a multi-speed motor, e.g. six-pole motor, to drive the indoor coil fan or blower. Both are mounted in a single envelope and may share a common central bearing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a fan motor unit according to the present invention showing two separate motors formed in a single housing adapted to be mounted with one set of mounting lugs;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fan motor unit according to the present invention showing a single clamp mounting for the unit;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fan motor unit according to the present invention showing throughbolt mounting to a bracket or wall; and
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a fan motor unit similar to that shown in FIG. 1, but utilizing two separate motor housings bolted together in place of a single envelope.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, schematically shown is a fan motor unit 10 having a four-pole motor 12 and a six pole motor 14 formed within a common envelope or housing 16. Each motor 12, 14 has a separate armature 18, 20. Other than a four-pole/six-pole combination described here may be substituted depending on considerations such as physical or load requirements of the unit, energy usage, and cost factors.
The four-pole motor armature 18 has an outer bearing 22, and shares a central bearing 24 with the six-pole motor armature 20. The six-pole motor armature is also supported on outer bearing 28. Thus, each motor 12, 14 is an independent unit which may be controlled by separate respective motor controls of any usual type, without being affected by the other. Except that both motors 12, 14 are formed in a common motor housing or envelope 16, their construction may be substantially conventional. The motors 12, 14 may even be formed with separate central bearings, analogous to the embodiment of FIG. 4, at 124, 126.
The fan motor unit 110 of FIG. 4 has substantially the same construction as the fan unit 10 of FIG. 1, except that two motor casings 116, 116 are secured together such as by bolts 144, 144 to form the unitary housing and two separate central bearings 124, 126, are generally required.
For the preferred embodiment shown herein, a shaft 30, driven by armature 18 of the four-pole motor 12, is associated with any usual outdoor coil fan 32 shown schematically in FIG. 1. Similarly, six-pole motor armature 20 drives a shaft 34 which in turn drives an indoor coil blower or fan 36, also shown schematically in FIG. 1. Operation of the embodiment of FIG. 4 is substantially identical to that of the FIG. 1 embodiment.
Because both motors 12, 14 are formed in a unitary housing or envelope 16, 116 they are simultaneously mounted with the mounting of the common housing or envelope 16, 116. Mounting may be done by any usual method such as by a series of mounting lugs 38 secured to the housing 16, 116. Other methods of mountings include the use of a mounting clamp or strap 40 as schematically shown in FIG. 2 or the use of through bolts 42 to bolt the housing to a suitable wall or bracket 44, as schematically shown in FIG. 3.
The physical mounting and driving connections for a fan motor unit according to the present invention are substantially the same as the prior art double-shafted motor over which it is an improvement. Thus it can easily replace the usally employed double-shafted motor without the very considerable expenses associated with retooling.
Presented below in Tables "A" and "B" are data obtained by comparing an air conditioner system utilizing a usual double-shafted 1/3 HP motor with a system utilizing two 1/6 HP motors in accordance with the present invention.
The data in Table A was obtained under standard rating conditions AHAM STD RAC-1 (American National Standard Z234.1): the data in Table B was obtained under high ambient temperatures --as set forth in the table: 90 degrees F. dry bulb "inside"; 125 degrees F. dry bulb "outside"--to simulate the type of ambient conditions under which an air conditioner according to the present invention is especially suitable for operation.
As can be seen from Table A, the two units operate with about the same efficiency at standard rating conditions, with a small increase in efficiency indicated for the double-motor system. However, as Table B indicates, an efficiency of 15.3% can be realized by the double-motor system under the high ambient temperature conditions of these tests.
TABLE A__________________________________________________________________________ 1/3 HP Single 1/6 HP Each For Motor Design Dual Motor Design__________________________________________________________________________Std. Rating Cond. (Hi Spd.) 80° DB/67° WB Inside 95° OutsideVolts 240 240Amps - Comp/Motor/Total 13.5 2.4 15.8 13.6 1.1+1.1 15.6Watts - Comp/Motor/Total 2900 540 3530 2870 245+250 3370Inside Fan RPM 1250 1130Outside Fan RPM 1250 1335Discharge PSIG 313 294Suction PSIG 67.0 69__________________________________________________________________________
TABLE B__________________________________________________________________________ 1/3 HP Single Motor Design__________________________________________________________________________High Amb. Op. Cond. (Lo. Spd.) 90° DB Inside 125° DB OutsideVolts (Low Volt Operation) 210 210Amps - Comp/Motor/Total 21.1 1.85 23.1 18.0 .62+1.0 19.9Watts - Comp/Motor/Total 4290 355 4650 3620 120+200 3940Inside Fan RPM 965 750Outside Fan RPM 965 1300Discharge PSIG. 480 417Suction PSIG 79 70.5Discharge Gas F° 243° 227° ##STR1## Note: Additional saving is experienced at lower operating voltages. (At 198 Vol supply voltage, the single motor design tripped on Compressor Overload du to high pressures and current. The dual motor design continued to functio and did not trip on overload until the voltage was dropped to 184 Volts).
The note in Table B with respect to observations made when attempting to compare the two systems under reduced line voltage conditions reports a difference between the two systems of particular practical importance. The type of ambient temperatures which are reflected in Table B are those prevalent in desert regions of the world. In many of these regions reduced line voltages are prevalent, especially at the end of a long distribution line. An air conditioning unit, according to the present invention, not only has an efficiency advantage over the usual double-shafted single motor system, but will operate under conditions which are encountered in certain applications and under which condition the single motor system will not operate.
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A fan motor unit for use in combination with a room air conditioner has two separate motors formed in a unitary housing for separately driving the evaporator and the condenser coil fans. By tailoring the characteristics of each motor to the requirements of each motor's respective fans, a reduction in total energy consumed by the unit can be realized.
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/481,374, filed Sep. 9, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,587,902, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/845,427, filed Jul. 28, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,826,896, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/355,275, filed Feb. 4, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a bow, such as a compound bow, having weights on the bowstring to enhance the bow's performance. It is known in the art that placing some weight at proper positions on the bowstring can enhance the performance of the bows. Previously, multiple metal weights have been individually clamped or crimped onto the bowstring. Prior methods of placement can be imprecise, and in some cases, individual weights can migrate or even become disengaged from the bowstring, for example as the bow is fired.
[0003] There remains a need for bowstring weights that are functional, aesthetic and safer than previous designs.
[0004] All US patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0005] Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.
[0006] A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is also provided for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. §1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An archery bow comprises at least a riser portion, a first limb connected at a first end of the riser portion, a second limb connected at a second end of the riser portion, and a bowstring extending between the first limb and the second limb. The bowstring has a first end and a second end. At least one bowstring weight has a center of mass attached to the bowstring at a location that is less than ⅓ of the distance between the first end and the second end when the bow is in an undrawn state.
[0008] In at least one embodiment, the bowstring weight has an internal bore, and the bowstring passes through the internal bore. In at least one embodiment, the bowstring weight is attached to the bowstring by an adhesive.
[0009] In at least one embodiment, the bowstring weight comprises a polymer material. In at least one embodiment, the bowstring weight consists of a polymer material.
[0010] The weight preferably comprises a continuous structure surrounding the bowstring, which will not become detached. Preferably, the weight retains the same shape and shape configuration prior to and after being installed on a bowstring.
[0011] In at least one embodiment, the bowstring weight has a plurality of shapes selected from a group consisting of cubes, rectangular prisms, cylinders and spheres.
[0012] In at least one embodiment, the bowstring weight has a wave-like profile, wherein the wave-like profile is comprised of a plurality of alternating first sections and second sections, wherein the first section and the section are of distinguishable shapes.
[0013] In at least one embodiment, the bow further comprises a bowstring bulge, wherein the bowstring weight engages with the bowstring bulge.
[0014] In at least one embodiment, the weight comprises a cylindrical member made from a polymer material. The polymer material is resilient enough to have the bowstring pulled through the internal bore, but rigid enough to provide resistance to bending along the length of the bowstring weight. In at least one embodiment, the cylindrical member has an internal bore through the axis of the cylindrical member and a wave-like outer profile, wherein the wave-like profile is comprised of a plurality of alternating first sections and second sections of a material. In at least one embodiment, the first section has a smooth concave shape and the second section has a substantially cylindrical shape.
[0015] In at least one embodiment, the weight is injection molded.
[0016] In at least one embodiment, the weight has a total weight between about 0.1 grams and 10 grams. In at least one embodiment, the bowstring weight has a total weight between about 0.5 grams and 5 grams. In at least one embodiment, the weight has a total weight between about 2 grams and 4 grams. In at least one embodiment, the weight has a total weight of about 3 grams.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0017] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention installed on a compound bow.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a partial view of the bowstring of FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2 .
[0020] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.
[0023] For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a compound bow 10 such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,368,006 and 6,443,139, both incorporated herein by reference. Although the present invention can be used with any suitable type of archery bow (including, but not limited to, single-cam bows, CPS bows and/or cam-and-a-half bows, dual-cam bows and/or twin-cam bows, crossbows, etc.), a bow 10 is shown in FIG. 1 as a single-cam compound bow.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1 , the bow 10 generally comprises a riser 12 , a first limb 14 , a second limb 16 , rotatable members 18 and 20 , a cam assembly 22 , a first cable 24 , and a second cable 28 . The inner ends of limbs 14 , 16 are connected at opposite ends of the riser 12 . Rotatable member 18 is rotatably supported on an axle 30 near the outer end of first limb 14 , and rotatable member 20 is rotatably supported on an axle 31 near the outer end of second limb 16 . Each rotatable member can comprise a cam, a pulley or any other suitable rotatable member. In the embodiment shown, rotatable member 20 comprises a cam assembly 22 .
[0026] The first cable 24 has a first section 25 (typically referred to as “the bowstring”) and a second section 26 (typically referred to as “the control cable” in a one-cam bow). The first cable 24 extends from rotatable member 20 , is trained around rotatable member 18 and extends back to terminate on the rotatable member 20 . In particular, bowstring 25 can be considered the portion of the first cable 24 that an archer grasps and draws, which extends between the first and second rotatable members 20 , 22 . The control cable 26 portion extends between the first and second rotatable members but is not grasped by an archer. The second cable 28 (typically referred to as “the power cable”) is anchored at one end to an outer portion of the first limb 14 , for example being attached to the limb 14 itself, the axle 30 , or in some embodiments, a portion of the rotatable member 20 , for example as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/248,467, filed Oct. 9, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The second cable 28 is anchored at the other end to the cam assembly 22 . When the archer draws the bowstring 25 back, the rotatable member of cam assembly 22 rotates and bowstring 25 is fed out from rotatable member 20 . The control cable 26 is fed out from a rotatable member 18 , 20 to give the bowstring 25 more cable length as the archer approaches full draw. As the bowstring 25 is fed out from the rotatable member(s) 18 , 20 , the power cable 28 is taken up in the cam assembly 22 . The increased tension in the first cable 24 and the second cable 28 during draw shortens the distance between the rotatable members 18 , 20 , causing flexure of limbs 14 , 16 . Thus, energy is stored in the limbs of the bow, and when the bowstring is released, this stored energy is transferred to an arrow to accelerate it forward. While the above disclosure describes a single-cam compound bow, various other configurations such as CPS bows and/or cam-and-a-half bows, dual-cam bows and/or twin-cam bows, crossbows, and the like may be used.
[0027] As described above, the bowstring 25 , which is a portion of the first cable 24 , extends between the first and second rotatable members 18 , 20 . As shown in FIG. 1 , bowstring 25 has a length spanning between bowstring support points 32 , 33 . The support points 32 , 33 comprise the points where the bowstring 25 first contacts each of the first and second rotatable members 18 , 20 in the undrawn state, which can also be considered the last point of the bowstring 25 that is supported by either rotatable member 18 , 20 .
[0028] At least one bowstring weight 40 is attached to the bowstring 25 . In some embodiments, such as the one shown in FIG. 1 , two bowstring weights are used, one at each end of the bow. Each bowstring weight 40 is attached at a distance l away from the bowstring support point 32 , 33 . Distance l is defined as the shortest distance from the center of mass of the bowstring weight 40 to the nearest bowstring support point 32 , 33 . In some embodiments, l is less than ⅓ of the overall length L of the bowstring 25 . In a preferred embodiment, l is less than ⅕ of the overall length L of the bowstring 25 .
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a partial view of the bowstring 25 with a bowstring weight 40 attached to the bowstring's serving 50 , which is additional thread that is wrapped around the bowstring 25 to prevent abrasion.
[0030] In some embodiments, the bowstring weight 40 comprises an internal cavity 41 , for example spanning axially through the bowstring weight 40 , as shown in FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, the cavity 41 comprises an internal bore. The bowstring 25 is fed through the internal cavity 41 . The bowstring weight 40 thus has a single cavity that extends over the axial length of the bowstring weight. In at least one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape and size of the internal cavity 41 is constant. In some embodiments, end portions of the internal cavity 41 may flare slightly. Thus, in some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape and size of the internal cavity 41 may be constant over a majority of the length of the bowstring weight (e.g. 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95% of the length or more).
[0031] In some embodiments, the internal cavity 41 forms a friction fit with the serving 50 that substantially maintains the bowstring weight 40 at a specific location on the bowstring 25 . In some embodiments, the bowstring weight 40 can be sized to frictionally engage the bowstring 25 directly, and the serving 50 can be omitted. In some embodiments, a friction fit can be supplemented with a suitable adhesive, such as cyanoacrylate. In some other embodiments, any suitable attachment method can be used, such as crimping, an adhesive, a separate fastener or the like.
[0032] In some embodiments, the bowstring weight 40 is a molded or injection molded single piece. In some embodiments, a bowstring weight 40 consists of a single piece of material. In at least one embodiment, the bowstring weight 40 is entirely formed of a single type of material. In various embodiments, the bowstring weight 40 can comprise any suitable material(s), preferably polymers, such as rubber, neoprene, nylon, PVC, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, PVB, silicone, elastomers and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, this material has a desired density that correlates with a desired weight of the bowstring weight 40 . In some embodiments, the material is resilient enough to have the bowstring pulled through the internal bore 41 , but rigid enough to provide resistance to bending along the length of the bowstring weight 40 .
[0033] The weight of the bowstring weight 40 may be varied by changing the length l weight and the diameter d weight of the bowstring weight 40 , such that the volume of material used in the bowstring weight increases or decreases. In at least one embodiment, the total weight of the bowstring weight 40 is between about 0.1 grams and 10 grams. In some embodiments, the total weight of the bowstring weight 40 is between about 2 grams and about 5 grams. In some preferred embodiments, the total weight of the bowstring weight 40 is approximately 2.6 grams. A person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the preferred weight of the bowstring weight 40 can change based upon the specific characteristics of the bow.
[0034] The bowstring weight 40 may have any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the bowstring weight 40 is a cube, a rectangular prism, a cylinder, or a sphere. In some embodiments, the bowstring weight 40 has an outer wave-like profile 60 along the length of the bowstring weight, as shown in FIG. 2 . This wave-like profile is created by having at least one first portion 62 and one second portion 64 alternatively arranged longitudinally along the bowstring, wherein the first portion 62 and the second portion 64 have distinguishable shapes. For example, the first portion 62 has a smooth concave shape and the second portion 64 has a substantially cylindrical shape. By using a wave-like profile, the total weight of the bowstring weight 40 can be visually determined by counting the total number of the first portion 62 and the second portion 64 , which each correspond to a given weight.
[0035] The bowstring weight 40 can also be modified to achieve a desired weight. For example, a bowstring weight 40 may be provided having several segments, such as first portions 62 and second portions 64 . If less weight is needed, a user can remove various segments, for example by cutting the bowstring weight 40 .
[0036] In some embodiments, the bowstring 25 can be provided with a spacer 70 to increase the size of the bowstring 25 and help provide for a friction fit between the bowstring weight 40 and the spacer 70 . In some embodiments, a spacer 70 can be used over the serving 50 . The spacer 70 can comprise any suitable material and may be of any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the bowstring spacer 70 may comprise a tubular structure made of any suitable materials, such as a polymer, metal or fabric. In some embodiments, the spacer 70 comprises an additional wrap of serving material, which can be installed over a base layer of serving 50 .
[0037] In some embodiments, the bowstring spacer 70 may engage the internal cavity 41 to facilitate the bowstring weight 40 remaining in a fixed location along the bowstring 25 .
[0038] In some embodiments, the shape of a bowstring weight 70 remains substantially identical prior to installation on a bowstring 25 and after installation on a bowstring 25 .
[0039] The bowstring weight 40 can be used with any suitable archery bows, such as compound bows.
[0040] The invention is also directed to methods of forming a bowstring weight 40 as described herein, as well as methods of making a bow comprising a bowstring weight 40 as described herein. For example, a portion of an archery bow can be provided that comprises all parts of an archery bow except for a bowstring. A bowstring can also be provided. The bowstring weight 40 can be provided and installed on the bowstring, for example by pulling the bowstring 25 through the cavity 41 of the weight 40 . The bowstring can then be installed on the bow portion.
[0041] A location of the weight 40 on the bowstring can further be adjusted after the bowstring 25 is installed on the bow.
[0042] The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this field of art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.
[0043] Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent claim if such multiple dependant format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all pervious claims). In jurisdiction where multiple dependant claims formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependant claim below.
[0044] This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.
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A weight for an archery bowstring comprises a tubular shape defining an internal cavity. The weight can comprise a single piece of material. The weight desirably frictionally engages a bowstring and has the same shape before and after installation. The weight comprises a continuous structure surrounding the bowstring that will not become detached.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/488,422 entitled “Sterically Stabilized Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Chromophores and Devices Incorporating the Same” filed on Jan. 20, 2000 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/122,806 entitled “Class of High Hyperpolarizability Organic Chromophores and Process for Synthesizing the Same” filed on Jul. 27, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,186. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/546,930 entitled “Sterically Stabilized Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Chromophores With Improved Stability and Devices Incorporating the Same” filed on Apr. 11, 2000 and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/551,685 entitled “Sterically Stabilized Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Chromophores With Improved Stability and Devices Incorporating the Same” filed on Apr. 18, 2000. The disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] This invention was made with support from the government of the United States of America under Contracts F49620-97-C-0064, F49620-97-1-0307, F49620-97-1-0491, F49620-98-C-0059, F49620-98-C-0077, F49620-99-0040 awarded by the United States Air Force. The government of the United States of America has certain rights in this invention as provided by these contracts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to nonlinear optical chromophores and, more particularly, pertains to second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) polyene-based chromophores sterically stabilized with a dioxine ring and NLO chromophores containing bithiophene derivatives, and devices incorporating the same.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Organic second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) materials have recently received increasing attention for applications involving signal processing and telecommunications. Macroscopic nonlinearity of a NLO material is mainly determined by its active component, NLO chromophore which is typically a quasi-linear electron push-pull conjugated molecule having an electron donor group at one end and an electron acceptor group at the other end. Chromophore intermolecular electrostatic interactions prevent the simple scaling of molecular optical nonlinearity into macroscopic optical nonlinearity. Such interactions strongly attenuate the efficient induction of acentric chromophore order (hence, electrooptic activity) by electric field poling or self-assembly methods. Chromophores with P values many times those of the well-known Disperse Red 19 dye are thus required to obtain electrooptic coefficients comparable to or higher than those of the leading commercial material crystalline lithium niobate.
[0007] The value of β for a chromophore can be increased by using a diene moiety in place of thiophene in the conventional phenylethenylenethiophene π-conjugated bridge. Moreover, this enhancement in β can be accomplished without an increase in the wavelength of the charge-transfer absorption λ max . However, the resulting phenylpolyene bridge has poor thermal stability unless the polyene structure is locked by a ring structure.
[0008] Another effective way of increasing molecular nonlinearity is to extend the bridge with a bithiophene. Traditionally, the bithiophene is incorporated with introducing any side groups on the 3,4-positions of the two thiophene rings. However, the resulting chromophores generally have poor solubility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A synthetic methodology of a dioxine-locked aminophenylpolyenal donor-bridge, according to the present invention, is described herein. This methodology broadens the scope of polyene-bridged chromophores without sacrificing thermal stability or optical transparency. This synthetic approach facilitates the development of NLO materials possessing EO coefficients as high as 95 pm/V at 1.06 pm and 68 pm/V at 1.3 μm as determined by the attenuated total reflection (ATR) technique.
[0010] A variety of different molecular structures are possible f o r the chromophores of the present invention. An exemplary preferred chromophore according to the present invention includes an aminophenyl electron donor group and a dioxine-containing bridge structure. In a preferred embodiment, the bridge structure also includes at least one bulky side group.
[0011] Another exemplary preferred chromophore according to the present invention includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a ring-locked bridge structure between the electron donor group and the electron acceptor group. The bridge structure comprises a dioxine unit and a bithiophene unit. In a preferred embodiment, the bithiophene structure also includes at least one bulky side group.
[0012] Another exemplary preferred chromophore according to the present invention includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group, and a bridge structure there between, with the bridge structure including a bithiophene unit. In a preferred embodiment, the bridge structure further includes an isophorone-derived cyclohexene unit.
[0013] The NLO materials of the present invention are suitable for a wide range of devices. Functions performed by these devices include, but are not limited to: electrical to optical signal transduction; radio wave to millimeter wave electromagnetic radiation (signal) detection; radio wave to millimeter wave signal generation (broadcasting); optical and millimeter wave beam steering; and signal processing such as analog to digital conversion, ultrafast switching of signals at nodes of optical networks, and highly precise phase control of optical and millimeter wave signals. These materials are suitable for arrays which can be used for optical controlled phased array radars and large steerable antenna systems as well as for electro-optical oscillators which can be used at high frequencies with high spectral purity. Exemplary devices and applications for the NLO materials of the present invention include, but are not limited to: optical phase modulators, Mach-Zehnder intensity modulators, polarization modulators, single side band modulators, modulator cascades, nested modulators, modulator arrays, flexible modulators, electrically controlled optical switches, electrically controlled optical couplers, electrically controlled optical attenuators, optically controlled optical switches, electrically tunable filters, electrically tunable polymer gratings, multiplexers, de-multiplexers, optical cross-connects, optical waveguides for harmonic frequency generation, optical waveguides for sum frequency generation, optical waveguides for difference frequency generation, photonic RF phase shifters, RF quadrature amplification modulators, photonic oscillators based on polymer intensity modulators, time stretching/compression based on polymer intensity modulators, optically controlled phased arrays based on polymer modulators, optical gyroscopes using polymer phase shifters, RF photonic links using polymer modulators, intensity modulators for active mode-locking, optical phase modulators for active mode-locking, optical amplifier gain stabilization based on polymer non-linear optical waveguide devices, and wavelength selectivity/stabilization using polymer non-linear optical waveguide devices.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent upon reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof, and wherein:
[0015] [0015]FIG. 1 illustrates the structures and absorption wavelengths of exemplary CWC chromophores containing dioxine and/or bithiophene according to the present invention;
[0016] [0016]FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary donor-bridge structure for the chromophores of the present invention;
[0017] [0017]FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary bridge structure for the chromophores of the present invention;
[0018] [0018]FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary chromophore structure according to the present invention;
[0019] [0019]FIG. 1D illustrates exemplary electron acceptors for the chromophores of the present invention;
[0020] [0020]FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary preferred synthetic scheme of a dioxin-derivatized chromophore (CWC-2) according to the present invention;
[0021] [0021]FIG. 3 shows electro-optic coefficient @1.3 μm of poled CWC-2/APC thin films of different chromophore loading density;
[0022] [0022]FIG. 4 is a plot of electro-optic coefficient of poled CWC-3/APC thin films as a function of chromophore loading density;
[0023] [0023]FIG. 5A is a top view of a poling structure for push-pull poling Mach-Zehnder modulators incorporating a chromophore material of the present invention;
[0024] [0024]FIG. 5B is a top view of a three-layered Mach-Zehnder modulator incorporating a chromophore material of the present invention;
[0025] [0025]FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary preferred Mach Zehnder modulator incorporating a chromophore material of the present invention;
[0026] [0026]FIG. 7 illustrates the use of a chromophore material of the present invention (in the form of microstrip lines) in a microwave phase shifter of the type employed in optically controlled phased array radars;
[0027] [0027]FIG. 8 illustrates an electro-optic device hermetically packaged within a container according to the present invention; and
[0028] [0028]FIG. 9 illustrates an electro-optic device hermetically sealed with a protective coating according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The following is a detailed description of the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention. This 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.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, the chemical structures and λ max s of representative CWC-series chromophores are shown. These chromophores incorporate side-chain derivatized bithiophene and/or dioxin unit into the conjugate bridge of the electron push-pull structure. The long side chains on the bithiophene force the two thiophenes to take a nonplanar configuration and thus greatly reduce inter-chromophore electrostatic interaction. As a result, these chromophores are very soluble in organic solvents such as acetone, chloroform, dichloroethane and can be easily processed into optical quality guest-host polymer films. After corona poling, the films show very high electro-optic activities as measured by attenuated total reflection method (see FIGS. 3 and 4).
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1A, an exemplary donor-bridge structure for the chromophores of the present invention is shown. An exemplary preferred chromophore according to the present invention includes an aminophenyl electron donor group and a dioxine-containing bridge structure. In a preferred embodiment, the bridge structure also includes at least one bulky side group. With reference to FIG. 1A, R=H, F, or any perhalogenated, halogenated or non-halogenated aliphatic or aromatic group with 1-30 carbon atoms functionalized with zero or more of the following functional groups: hydroxy, ether, ester, amino, silyl, and siloxy, and R groups at different positions are not necessarily the same.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1B, an exemplary bridge structure for the chromophores of the present invention is shown. An exemplary preferred chromophore according to the present invention includes a dioxine unit and a bithiophene unit. In a preferred embodiment, the bithiophene structure also includes at least one bulky side group. With reference to FIG. 1B, A is selected from CH 2 and O, and R=H, F, or any perhalogenated, halogenated or non-halogenated aliphatic or aromatic group with 1-30 carbon atoms functionalized with zero or more of the following functional groups: hydroxy, ether, ester, amino, silyl, and siloxy, and R groups at different positions are not necessarily the same.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1C, an exemplary chromophore structure according to the present invention is shown. For the illustrated chromophore, A is selected from CH 2 and O, B is an electron acceptor, R=H, F, or any perhalogenated, halogenated or non-halogenated aliphatic or aromatic group with 1-30 carbon atoms functionalized with zero or more of the following functional groups: hydroxy, ether, ester, amino, silyl, and siloxy, and R groups at different positions are not necessarily the same.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1D, exemplary electron acceptors for the chromophores of the present invention are shown, wherein R=H, F, or any perhalogenated, halogenated or non-halogenated aliphatic or aromatic group with 1-30 carbon atoms functionalized with zero or more of the following functional groups: hydroxy, ether, ester, amino, silyl, and siloxy, and R groups at different positions are not necessarily the same.
[0035] The synthesis of CWC-1 is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/488,422 entitled “Sterically Stabilized Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Chromophores and Devices Incorporating the Same” filed on Jan. 20, 2000 which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, the synthetic scheme of a dioxin-derivatized chromophore CWC-2 is illustrated. The detailed procedures are as follows:
[0037] 6-Chloromethyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxin-4-one.
[0038] A solution of 2,2,6-trimethyl-1,3-dioxin-4-one (16.0 g, 0.11 mol) in THF (50 ml) was added dropwise over 20 min to a solution of lithium diisopropylamide (75 ml, 2.0 M solution in heptane/THF/ethylbenzene, 0.15 mol) at the temperature of −78° C. During the addition, a fine yellow suspension formed. Subsequently, the enolate solution was stirred at −78° C. for another 1 h and then cannulated to a solution of hexachloroethane (39 g, 0.16 mol) in THF (200 ml) at −50° C. over 30 min. The resulting reaction mixture was then allowed to warm slowly to −25° C., and poured into ice-cold aqueous 10% hydrochloric acid (200 ml). The organic layer extracted with ether was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford 15.9 g of yellow oil. The product was used without further purification. 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , ppm): δ5.57 (s, 1H), 4.00 (s, 2H), 1.96 (s, 6H)
[0039] 6-Diethylphosphonomethyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxin-4-one.
[0040] A mixture of 6-chloromethyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxin-4-one (11 g, 0.062 mol) and potassium tert-butoxide (21 g, 0.187 mol) in dimethylformamide (200 ml) was stirred in the ice-bath. During the process, the resulting solution turned to purple after approximately 1 hour. After another 3 hours, the reaction mixture was treated cautiously with concentrated hydrochloric acid until the purple color disappeared. The resulting mixture was filtered, and the collected solids were washed with THF. The combined organic portions were purified by column chromatography to afford 12.6 g (73%) of 6-diethylphosphonomethyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxin-4-one. 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , ppm): δ5.40 (d, 1H), 4.20 (m, 4H), 2.87 (d, 2H), 1.72 (s, 6H), 1.43 (t, 6H)
[0041] 6-[E-(N,N-di(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl-amino)phenylenel]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxin-4-one. It was prepared by the well known Hornor-Emmons reaction. The product was obtained as a yellow oil with a yield of 83%. 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , ppm): δ7.35 (d, 2H), 6.90 (d, 1H), 6.73 (d, 1H), 6.65 (d, 2H), 6.00 (s, 1H), 3.79 (t, 4H), 3.56 (t, 4H), 1.75(s, 6H), 0.91 (s, 18H), 0.03 (s, 12H).
[0042] 5-{6-[E-(N,N-di(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl-amino)phenylene]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxin-4-vinyl}-5′-bromo-3,3′-dihexyl-2,2′-biothiophene.
[0043] Yield: 15%. 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , ppm): δ7.35 (d, 2H), 6.92 (d, 1H), 6.87 (s, 1H), 6.81 (s, 1H), 6.77 (d, 1H), 6.63 (d, 2H), 6.03 (s, 1H), 3.79 (t, 4H) 3.53 (t, 4H), 3.38 (q, 4H), 2.51 (t, 2H), 2.47 (t, 2H), 1.74(s, 6H), 1.56 (m, 4H), 1.24 (m, 12H), 1.17 (t, 6H), 0.94 (s, 18H), 0.87 (t, 6H), 0.03 (s, 12H).
[0044] 5-{6-[E-(N,N-di(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl-amino)phenylene]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxin-4-vinyl}-5′-formyl-3,3′-dihexyl-2,2′-biothiophene.
[0045] Following the procedure disclosed in the parent application for the preparation of 5-[E-4-(N,N-Diethylamino)phenylene]-5′-formyl-3,3′-dihexyl-2,2′-bithiophene a dark-red viscous oil was obtained in 81% yield. 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , ppm): δ9.91 (s, 1H), 7.67 (s, 1H), 7.33 (d, 2H), 6.96 (d, 1H), 6.93 (s, 1H), 6.84 (s, 1H), 6.69 (d, 2H), 6.15 (s, 1H), 6.04 (s, 1H), 3.84 (t, 4H), 3.50 (t, 4H), 3.36 (q, 4H), 2.61 (t, 2H), 2.50 (t, 2H), 1.76(s, 6H), 1.58 (m, 4H), 1.24 (m, 12H), 1.21 (t, 6H), 0.91 (s, 18H), 0.87 (t, 6H), 0.01 (s, 12H).
[0046] 2-Dicyanomethylen-3-cyano-4-{5-{6-[E-(N,N-di(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl-amino)phenylenel-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxin-4-vinyl-3,3′-dihexyl-2,2′-bithien-5′]-E-vinyl}-5,5′-dimethyl-2,5-dihydrofuran (Chromophore CWC-2).
[0047] Prepared in a similar manner to TCF chromophores in the parent application. Yield: 49%. 1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 , ppm): δ7.87 (d, 2H), 7.51 (s, 1H), 7.31 (d, 1H), 6.95 (d, 1H), 6.87 (s, 1H), 6.85 (d, 1H), 6.73 (d, 1H), 6.57(d, 2H), 6.17 (s, 1H), 6.10 (s, 1H), 3.87 (t, 4H), 3.54 (t, 4H), 3.39 (q, 4H), 2.64 (t, 2H), 2.51 (t, 2H), 1.78 (s, 6H), 1.76(s, 6H), 1.51 (m, 4H), 1.27 (m, 12H), 1.24 (t, 6H), 0.89 (s, 18H), 0.83 (t, 6H), 0.01 (s, 12H).
[0048] Referring to FIG. 3, electro-optic coefficients of corona-poled CWC-2-doped amorphous polycarbonate (APC) films are given together with their refractive indices. The polycarbonate, poly[bisphenol A Carbonate-co-4,4′-(3,3,5-trimethylcyclo hexylidene) diphenol carbonate], was purchased from Aldrich Chemical Company. CWC-2 and APC of different wt. ratio were mixed and dissolved in dichloroethane to make 10 wt/vol. % solutions. The solutions were spin cast onto indium-tin oxide coated glass substrates and dried in vacuum to give films of −2.5 μm thickness. Films were then corona-poled at 150° C. for 30 minutes and their EO coefficients (r 33 ) were measured by attenuated total reflection method at 1.3 μm. The r 33 values obtained are among the highest ever reported.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 4, the electro-optic coefficient of dioxine-derived chromophore, CWC-3, was investigated in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) composite thin films. Films of loading densities from 10 to 25% were studied. The results from electro-optic measurements show a remarkably large r 33 value of 95 pm/V (1064 nm) at a loading density of 20 wt %. Its r 33 value decreases at loading densities higher than 20 wt %. This r 33 ˜loading density relationship is typical for chromophores of large dipole moments and large molecular nonlinearities.
[0050] The organic chromophores of the present invention exhibit exceptional molecular optical nonlinearity, thermal stability, and low optical absorption at communication wavelengths. The chromophore materials of the present invention are suitable for processing into hardened polymers for electro-optic devices. These materials can be employed not only in conventional electro-optic modulator device configurations but also in devices employing a constant bias field which permits the full potential of the materials to be demonstrated.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 5A, a poling structure is shown for push-pull poling Mach-Zehnder modulators 500 that incorporate a chromophore material of the present invention. A ground plane 502 and ridged optical waveguides 504 are formed as shown employing standard fabrication procedures to make the three-layered Mach-Zehnder modulators 500 . By way of example, the total thickness of each device is 7.5 μm. Au metal is deposited on top of the upper cladding layer and patterned to make an electrode structure for the electrode poling. In the illustrated exemplary device, this electrode structure comprises a first poling electrode 506 and a second poling electrode 508 formed as shown. Preferably, the sample is enclosed in a box where nitrogen or argon is purged to keep the atmosphere oxygen-free to prevent an air breakdown between two closely spaced electrodes. The temperature of the sample is raised to about 145° C., which is close to the glass transition temperature of the electro-optic polymer material. Then, a high electric field of about 80-100 V/μm is applied across the polymer layers to pole the E/O polymer in order to enhance the electro-optic effect. The two arms of the Mach-Zehnder modulator are polled in opposite directions providing for reversed optical nonlinearities. After poling, the poling electrodes 506 , 508 are etched away or otherwise removed. Referring to FIG. 5B, the upper seed layer for micro-strip electrodes is deposited and then electroplating is used to increase the electrode thickness to ˜3 to 5 μm. The finished modulator 500 has just one “single-armed” driving electrode 510 formed as shown with, for example, L=20 mm, W1=8 μm, W2=28 μm. The optical end facets of the polymer chip are formed, for example, by dicing with a nickel blade. Then the wafer is diced again along alignment marks to separate individual devices. It has been observed that this modulator configuration has a chirp parameter close to zero, simplifies the RF driver design, and improves modulator DC bias stability. Moreover, the push-pull modulator 500 allows for a 100% reduction in the driving voltage.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary preferred Mach Zehnder modulator 600 incorporating a chromophore material of the present invention is illustrated. The illustrated modulator 600 includes a Si substrate 602 , an Epoxylite (3 μm) layer 604 , a PU-chromophore (1.5 μm) layer 606 , a NOA73 (3.5 μm) layer 608 , a waveguide 610 and an electrode 612 configured as shown with light indicated by arrows 614 , 616 .
[0053] Referring to FIG. 7, the materials of the present invention are shown in the form of microstrip lines in an exemplary preferred microwave phase shifter 700 of the type employed in optically controlled phase array radars. The illustrated microwave phase shifter 700 includes microstrip lines 702 , 704 , a DC control electrode 706 , a DC source 708 , a photodetector 710 and an optical waveguide 712 configured as shown with light indicated by arrow 714 .
[0054] Referring to FIG. 8, an electro-optic device 800 is shown hermetically packaged within a container 802 according to the present invention. The electro-optic device 800 includes an upper cladding 804 , an input fiber 806 , a waveguide 808 , a lower cladding 810 , a substrate 812 and an output fiber 814 configured as shown with the container 802 positioned thereabout. For the sake of clarity, electrodes and other conventional structures are not shown. In an exemplary preferred embodiment, the electro-optic device 800 is hermetically packaged in a gas-tight container 802 (e.g., a metal casing) which is vacuumed or, alternatively, vacuumed and then filled with an inert gas including one or more of: nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon. The principles of the present invention are applicable to any polymeric electro-optic device which operates in an (artificially created) oxygen-free environment.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 9, an electro-optic device 900 is shown hermetically sealed with a protective coating 902 according to the present invention. The electro-optic device 900 includes an upper cladding 904 , a waveguide 906 , a lower cladding 908 and a substrate 910 configured as shown with the protective coating 902 positioned thereabout. For the sake of clarity, electrodes and other conventional structures are not shown. The protective coating 902 comprises a material with a low oxygen permeativity which prevents oxygen from entering into the device environment. In an exemplary preferred embodiment, the electro-optic device is hermetically sealed with a UV curable polymer such as UV-15 or epoxy polymer. The principles of the present invention are applicable to sealing polymeric electro-optic devices with any coating material which has a sufficiently low oxygen premeditative to prevent oxygen from entering into the device environment.
[0056] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
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Second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) polyene-based chromophores sterically stabilized with a dioxine ring and NLO chromophores containing bithiophene derivatives, and devices incorporating the same, are disclosed. An exemplary preferred chromophore includes an aminophenyl electron donor group and a dioxine-containing bridge structure. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes a ring-locked bridge structure with a dioxine unit and a bithiophene unit. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes a bridge structure with a bithiophene unit and an isophorone-derived cyclohexene unit.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims all rights of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-341549 filed on Nov. 25, 2002, (pending).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus used in a copying machine, printer, facsimile machine, and combinations of these machines. Specifically, an image forming apparatus is provided which uses an exposing device composed of light emitting diodes arranged in the axial direction of a photo conductor and a lens array provided in correspondence to said light emitting diodes and performs gradational representation of each of the dots composing the image by varying the amount of light emission of said light emitting diodes. The granularity (graininess) of the printed image is improved and the roughness and irregularity in density in the printed image, or rough image, is prevented.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] Recently, there has been a demand for personalized small-sized, inexpensive image forming apparatuses used in copying machines, printers, facsimile machines, and combinations of these machines. The present invention provides exposing devices with light emitting diodes (hereafter referred to as LEDs) arranged in arrays instead of exposing devices with laser diodes and polygon mirrors as known in the prior art. This is because the exposing device using LEDs can be composed in smaller size compared with using laser diodes and polygon mirrors, and furthermore can be composed into a simple and inexpensive construction without the necessity of using precision moving elements such as an expensive polygon mirror, motor, and complicated control circuit.
[0004] Also, in an electrophotographic image forming machine, copying with finer resolutions of 600 dpi, 1200 dpi, etc. is done for higher image quality. At the same time, varying of light emitting period is done in order to obtain multi-step gradational representation of each of the dots composing the image, in which, for example, each picture element itself is divided in 16 matrixes, each matrix corresponding to a dot, and each dot is varied in 16 steps of magnitude to produce 256 levels of halftone. With an exposing device using light emitting diodes, the light emitting period can be easily controlled, so that multi-step gradational representation can be easily done. However, since the size of a picture element is about 40 um square for a resolution of 600 dpi, or about 20 μm square for a resolution of 1200 dpi, if the light emitting period of each dot is to be controlled in order to produce each dot itself with 16-step gradation as mentioned above, the magnitude of the dot becomes smaller.
[0005] If the magnitude of the dot is reduced, the reproducibility of the dot becomes unstable, and some dots may not be reproduced. The dot of reduced light emitting period is influenced by the rise characteristic of light emission, and the reproducibility is different depending on the variation in the sensitivity of the photo conductor drum. Irregularity occurs in the density distribution in the latent image on the photo conductor drum, and in the amount of toner developed thereon damaging the regular distribution of image density on the drum. As a result, the granularity (graininess) of the printed image tends to increase. This occurs particularly when the exposing device accurately focuses the light ray emitted from the diode on the photo conductor. Although it might be thought that the reproducibility of image is improved by tight-focusing, the regularity in image density is damaged due to the reason mentioned above when the magnitude of dot is considerably reduced, and the graininess of the printed image increases.
[0006] An image forming apparatus to deal with the increase of graininess like this is disclosed in Japanese patent Laid-Open publication No. 2002-55498 (hereafter referred to as patent literature 1 ). The apparatus disclosed in the patent literature 1 relates to an image forming apparatus, in which the deterioration in image, such as the occurrence of increased graininess, caused by the deviation of image focusing location in the exposure system used in the electrophotographic process, by the variation in image density, and by the decrease in the reproducibility of thin lines and letters, are prevented. A sample halftone image is formed in the printer part, and the image is read to determine the value of granularity (graininess) from the brightness of the image signal by the fast Fourier transform method. The deviation of the focusing location of image is determined based on the value of granularity. The image processing method for generating the image data to be supplied to the printer part is determined in accordance with the deviation. When the deviation is between ±50˜150 μm, flattening type dither method is used. When the deviation exceeds ±150 μm, the amount of light emission is increased. Thus, the amount of light emission in electrophotographic process is adjusted based on the deviation.
[0007] However, the apparatus disclosed in the patent literature 1 must include a means for determine the graininess as a numerical value by forming a sample halftone image in the printer part, a means for determining the deviation of the focusing location of image in the exposure system based on the determined numerical value of granularity, a means for deciding the method of compensation in accordance with the amount of the deviation, and an image processing means for compensating for the deviation. Therefore, the apparatus becomes inevitably complicated and expensive.
[0008] The present invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus which can decrease by simple and inexpensive construction the granularity (graininess) of the printed image caused by the irregularity in image density induced by the unstable reproducibility of small dots.
[0009] The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having an exposing device which images the light ray from the light emitting diode array on a photo conductor through a lens array. The gradational representation of each of the dots composing the image is performed by changing the amount of the light emission of the dots composing the image. The exposing device is provided with a defocusing means for imaging the light ray out of focus on a photo conductor when the percentage of luminous dots changed in the amount of light emission among all of the dots composing the image to be formed.
[0010] When the magnitude of a dot is reduced in the process of performing the gradational representation of image as mentioned before, the reproducibility of the dot becomes unstable, and some dots may not be reproduced. That is, the dot of which the light emitting period is decreased is influenced by the rise characteristic of light emission, Differences in the reproducibility of a dot may also depend on variations in the sensitivity of the photo conductor. Irregularity occurs in the density distribution in the latent image on the photo conductor drum, and in the amount of toner developed thereon damaging the regular distribution of toner image density on the drum. As a result, the granularity (graininess) of the printed image tends to increase. This occurs particularly when the exposing device accurately focuses the light ray emitted from the diode on the photo conductor. Although it might be thought that the reproducibility of image is improved by tight-focusing, the regularity in image density is damaged due to the reason mentioned above and graininess increases. In the present invention, a defocusing means is provided to defocus the exposing device to bring each dot out-of-focus when the percentage of luminous dots changed in the amount of light emission is larger than a certain value to prevent irregular density distribution in the latent image on the photo conductor drum. The toner image is then developed on the drum without irregularity in its concentration and the graininess of the printed image is decreased. An image forming apparatus can be provided with a reduction in the graininess caused by the irregularity of image density distribution arising from the unstable or irregular reproducibility of a dot having a reduced magnitude.
[0011] When the percentage of the number of the luminous dots changed in the amount of light emission among the dots composing the image is 60 or larger, the occurrence of irregular density distribution in the latent image on the photo conductor is prevented and the toner image is developed on the drum without irregularity in its concentration. By this, an image forming apparatus, with which the graininess caused by the irregularity in the image density distribution owing to the unstable reproducibility of dot because of reduced magnitude of the dot is decreased, can be provided.
[0012] Further, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a photo conductor or conductors corresponding to a plurality of colors or to each of a plurality of colors, and an exposing device or devices corresponding to the photo conductor or to each of the photo conductors. The device or devices imaging the light ray or rays from the light emitting diode array or arrays on the photo conductor conductors through a lens array or arrays, gradational representation of each of the dots composing the image being performed by changing the amount of the light emission of the light emitting diode. The exposing device or devices each is provided with a means of defocusing the image on a photo conductor with the light ray corresponding to the color of high brightness among a plurality of colors.
[0013] When used in mono-color, a color of high reflection brightness hardly induces poor image quality such as “gradation jump”. Therefore, by providing the defocusing means to bring the light ray corresponding to the color of high reflection brightness out-of-focus, the minute portions of the image (improvement in granularity) can be possible when the color is used together with other colors.
[0014] If yellow is brought out-of-focus when it is imaged on the photo conductor, the representation of minute portions of the image can be possible and improvement in granularity is possible when it is used together with other colors because yellow is the highest in reflection brightness among mono-colors and it hardly induces poor image quality such as “gradation jump” visually recognizable when used in mono-color.
[0015] The defocusing means can be a means to shift the exposing device, means to shift the light emitting diode array or means to shift the lens array. The exposing device can be defocused by any such defocusing means.
[0016] The exposing device can be used among a plurality of the image forming apparatuses, and by making the exposing device adjusted by the defocusing means in each of the image forming apparatuses, it can be used as an image forming apparatus used for different percentages of the number of the luminous dot changed in the amount of light emission.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] [0017]FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of the configuration of the color image forming apparatus for implementing the present invention.
[0018] [0018]FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the exposing device used in the present invention.
[0019] [0019]FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relation between the accuracy of focusing and granularity with the percentage of the number of the dots changed in the amount of light emissions.
[0020] [0020]FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relation between the accuracy of focus location when yellow and magenta is mixed and the granularity of printed image.
[0021] [0021]FIG. 5A is a conceptual illustration when the amount of light emission of the dots composing the image is changed for representing the image with gradation.
[0022] [0022]FIG. 5B is a conceptual illustration when the number of the dots is changed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be detailed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is intended, however, that unless particularly specified, dimensions, materials, relative positions and so forth of the constituent parts in the embodiments shall be interpreted as illustrative only not as limitative of the scope of the present invention.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a color image forming apparatus, 2 is a developing device, 3 is a photo conductor, 4 is an exposing device, 5 is a transfer belt, 6 is a developer container, 7 is a paper feeder cassette accommodating recording mediums, 8 is a charging device for electrically charging the photo conductor, 9 is a transfer device for transferring the toner image on the photo conductor onto the recording device by applying transfer bias voltage, and 10 is a fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording medium. Among them, each of the developing devices 2 , photo conductors 3 , exposing devices 4 , developer containers 6 , charging devices 8 for electrically charging the photo conductors, and the transfer devices 9 for transferring the toner image on the photo conductors by applying transfer bias voltage, is provided as a process unit corresponding to each color of yellow, cyan, magenta, black, etc. used in the color image forming apparatus. Referring to FIG. 2, 4 is an exposing device using light emitting diodes, 20 is the imaging surface of the photo conductor, 21 is a fiber lens array, 22 is a light emitting diode array on the circuit board 22 , 24 is a driver IC of the light emitting diode array, and 25 is an adjusting pin for adjusting the focusing location of the exposing device 4 .
[0025] One embodiment of the invention is the color image forming apparatus. The developer is supplied from the developer container 6 to the developing device 2 in each of the process units corresponding to each color of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. The toner in each developer is electrically charged by agitation. Upon receiving from a control circuit the print signal based on the image signal corresponding to each color, first the photo conductor 3 of each process unit is electrically charged by the charging device 8 , then the image signal is sent to the exposing device 4 of each process unit to form the latent image corresponding to each color on each photo conductor 3 . Each of the latent images is developed by each developing device 2 to form a toner image.
[0026] When each toner image has been formed on each photo conductor 3 , a recording medium is taken out from the paper feeder cassette 7 and transferred on the transfer belt so that the timing that the recording medium comes to the image transfer position matches with the timing that the image comes to the image transfer position. Transfer bias voltage is applied by the transfer device 9 provided at the transfer position of each color to transfer each toner image on the recording medium. The toner image of each color is transferred sequentially to the recording medium, and when the recording medium comes to the fixing device the image is fixed and discharged.
[0027] The exposing device 4 is composed, as shown in FIG. 2, so that the light emitted from the light emitting diodes driven by the driver IC 24 formed on the circuit board 23 is imaged through the fiber lens array 21 on the imaging surface of the photo conductor 20 . The optical distance from the light emitting array 22 to the fiber lens array 21 is normally the same as that from the fiber lens array 21 to the imaging surface of the photo conductor 20 , and the degree of focusing on the imaging surface of the photo conductor 20 can be adjusted by shifting the exposing device 4 in the directions shown by double arrow 26 through rotating the adjusting pin 25 .
[0028] In the image forming apparatus, each of the picture elements of the image is divided into, for example, 16 square cells (i.e., 4 by 4), each cell being allotted with a dot. The magnitude of each dot is varied in 16 steps of {fraction (0/15)}-{fraction (15/15)} by varying the amount of light emission of the exposing device as mentioned so that a gradational representation of image is possible. By this treatment, each picture element consisting of, for example 16 cells can produce different color varieties equal to the square of the number of cells. For example, 256-level gray scale, and screen tint, etc. are possible. When each dot itself is represented with a step gradation, for example one of 16 possible gradations, by controlling the light emitting period of each dot, the dot magnitude of a small amount of light emission becomes even smaller.
[0029] Therefore, when a very small dot such as the dot of the light exposure of {fraction (1/15)}, for example, exists separately, the reproducibility of the dot is unstable because of the influence of the rise characteristic of light emission of the light emitting diode array composing the exposing device 4 and the variation in sensitivity of the photo conductor 3 , and some dots may not be reproduced. Irregularity occurs in the density distribution in the latent image on the photo conductor 3 , and in the amount of toner developed thereon damaging the regular distribution of toner image density on the drum. As a result, the granularity (graininess) of the printed image increases. This occurs particularly when the light emitted from the exposing device 4 accurately focuses the light ray emitted from the diode on the photo conductor 3 . Although it might be thought that the reproducibility of image is improved by tight-focusing, the regularity of image density is damaged and graininess is increased when the magnitude of dot is considerably reduced.
[0030] [0030]FIG. 3 shows the relation between the degree of focusing and graininess. In FIG. 3, the abscissa represents the amount of out-of-focus on the imaging surface 20 of the photo conductor in μm in the exposing device 4 shown in FIG. 2, and the ordinate shows the granularity of the printed image. That the percentage of the luminous dots changed in its light emitting amount is 100 means that, for example, dots of magnitude of {fraction (7/15)} are allotted to all of 16 cells as shown in FIG. 5A. That the percentage is 50 means that dots of magnitude of {fraction (7/15)} are allotted to 8 cells among 16 cells, similarly percentage of 30 means that dots of magnitude of {fraction (7/15)} are allotted to 5 cells among 16 cells. The line of 60% in FIG. 3 shows the case dots of magnitude of {fraction (7/15)} are allotted to 10 cells among 16 cells. The granularity shown in FIG. 3 is determined by the method in which first a sample image of halftone is formed, the image signal of the sample image is read, and the graininess is grasped as a numerical value from the brightness of the image signal by use of fast Fourier transform as described in the patent literature 1 .
[0031] It is preferred that the distance from the light emitting point of the light emitting diode 22 to the imaging surface 20 of the photo conductor is 9 to 18 mm, and the distance from the lens array 21 to the imaging surface 20 is 2.4 to 5.0 mm. The graph showing the relation between the accuracy of focusing and granularity shown as FIG. 3 is the result of measurement, for example, the distance from the light emitting point of the light emitting diode 22 to the imaging surface 20 was 15.1 mm and the distance from the lens array 21 to the imaging surface 20 was 4.1 mm.
[0032] When the percentage of the luminous dots changed in the amount of light emission is between 60˜100, the granularity is at minimum when the defocus is about 100 μm. When the percentage is 30, the granularity simply increases as the amount of defocus increases. This is because each of the dots become defocused uniformly by an amount of about 100 μm. As a result the occurrence of irregularity of density in the latent image on the photo conductor drum is prevented resulting in regular distribution of toner image density on the drum. Also, the granularity (graininess) of the printed image decreases. When defocused largely over 100 μm, the latent image is not formed, and granularity increases. When the percentage is as small as 30, the percentage of isolated dots increases and banding, or irregularity of strike pattern, occurs , so that graininess deteriorates as the defocusing is increased.
[0033] In the present invention, when the image forming apparatus is assembled, the percentage of the number of the luminous dots changed in the amount of light emission is tracked so that when the percentage is 60 or larger, the adjusting pin 25 of the exposing device 4 shown in FIG. 2 is adjusted to defocus the imaging of dot on the imaging surface 20 of the photo conductor. For example, if the distance from the light emitting point of the light emitting diode array 22 to the imaging surface 20 of the photo conductor is 15.1 mm and the distance from the lens array to the imaging surface 20 is 4.1 mm as mentioned above, by defocusing the imaging of dot on the imaging surface 20 by about 100 μm, the occurrence of irregularity of density in the latent image on the photo conductor drum is prevented resulting in regular distribution of toner image density on the drum. As a result, the granularity (graininess) of the printed image decreases. Accordingly, an image forming apparatus, with which the graininess of the printed image caused by the irregularity in print density induced by the unstableness of dot reproducibility can be provided.
[0034] Although, in the embodiment, it is explained that the adjusting pin 25 is used as a defocusing means and the exposing device 4 is shifted in the direction to or from the imaging surface 20 of the photo conductor, any other composition of defocusing means is satisfactory as far as the degree of defocusing of the light beam emitted from the light emitting diode array 22 can be adjusted. For example, a means to shift only the circuit board 23 on which the light emitting diode array 22 is provided or a means to shift only the fiber lens array 21 or further a means to shift the photo conductor is acceptable for a defocusing means.
[0035] [0035]FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relation between the accuracy of focusing and granularity when yellow and magenta are mixed and measured from the light emitting point of the light emitting diode array 22 to the imaging surface 20 of the photo conductor was 15.1 mm and the distance from the lens array to the imaging surface 20 was 4.1 mm. Yellow is high in reflection brightness, and poor image quality such as “gradation jump” is hardly recognizable when used in mono-color. So when yellow is mixed with other colors, the percentage of the luminous dots changed in the amount of light emission increases. Therefore, granularity is at minimum when the amount of defocusing is near about ±100 μm. Similarly the percentage of the luminous dots changed in the amount of light emission in FIG. 3 is 100.
[0036] In the present invention, defocusing is done in the exposing device 4 corresponding to yellow in the image forming apparatus 1 when the percentage of the luminous dots changed in the amount of light emission, which luminous dots compose the image data to be treated, is above 60. The amount of the defocusing is determined to be about ±100 μm.
[0037] By determining when yellow is mixed with other colors, the representation of minute portions of the image is possible by defocusing, because yellow is high in reflection brightness and poor image quality, such as “gradation jump”, is hardly recognizable when used in mono-color. When the percentage of the dots not emitting light (dots of which the amount of light emission is 0) is 40 or lower, that is, when the percentage of the number of the dots actually existing as dots is above 60, the occurrence of irregularity of density in the latent image on the photo conductor drum is prevented resulting in regular distribution of toner image density on the drum. Therefore, an improved image forming apparatus can be provided by defocusing when the percentage of the dots not emitting light is 40 or lower.
[0038] Although the embodiment has each photo conductor 3 corresponding to each of the colors, similar effect can be obtained by providing a photo conductor for a total color or a photo conductor corresponds to a plurality of colors.
[0039] A further embodiment is the case where the defocusing is adjusted when the exposing device is assembled to the image forming apparatus. By making it possible to adjust defocusing when assembling, a common exposing device 4 can be used for an apparatus which is the percentage of the luminous dots changed in the amount of light emission is different, allowing for the use of common parts. In yet another embodiment, the defocusing means is accessible to the use such that the user can adjust the defocusing through the defocusing means while operating the apparatus. Specifically, the desired printing result can be obtained by making it possible to manipulate the defocusing means by a button provided to the housing of the apparatus or an external device connected to the apparatus. Alternatively, it would be possible to automatically adjust the defocusing in accordance with the deviation in the characteristic of the exposing device. For example, in accordance with deviation caused by the warping, etc. of the circuit board arising from the prolonged use of the exposing device 4 , or in accordance with the environmental conditions obtained from the temperature sensor, humidity sensor, etc.
[0040] According to the present invention, the defocusing means is provided, and the exposing device is defocused to bring each dot out-of-focus when the percentage of the luminous dots changed in the amount of light emission is larger than a certain value in order to prevent the occurrence of irregular density distribution in the latent image on the photo conductor drum. The toner image is developed on the drum without irregularity in its concentration and the graininess of the printed image is decreased. An image forming apparatus, with which the graininess caused by the irregularity of the image density distribution owing to the unstable reproducibility of dot because of reduced magnitude of the dot is decreased, can be provided.
[0041] Further, according to the present invention, by providing a defocusing means and defocusing the color of high reflection brightness, the representation of minute portions of the image (improvement in granularity) is possible when the color is used together with other colors because with colors of high reflection brightness, poor image quality such as “gradation jump” is hardly recognizable when it is used in mono-color.
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When intending gradational representation of each of the dots composing the image by changing the amount of light emission of each of the dots composing an image by changing the amount of light emission of said light emitting diode, the magnitude of each of the dots becomes reduced resulting in unstable reproducibility of dot. This causes damage in the regularity of the distribution of image density and the graininess of the printed image increases. The invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus which can decrease granularity (graininess) by simple and inexpensive construction by defocusing on the photo conductor the light ray passing through the lens array of the exposing device in the image forming apparatus in accordance with the percentage of the luminous dots changed in the amount of light emission among the dots composing the image. This prevents the occurrence of irregular density distribution in the latent image on the photo conductor drum. As a result, the graininess of the printed image is decreased.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to compositions and methods useful for reducing the formation and growth of deposits on surfaces in contact with aqueous media. More particularly, the present invention is directed to multi-component compositions and to methods of using those compositions to reduce the occurrence of deposits of water-borne matter, for example, silt and microorganisms, on surfaces in contact with aqueous systems. The compositions and methods of the present invention find application in any environment wherein a surface contacts an aqueous medium. Such environments include, for example, paper mills and paper processing operations and in once-through and recirculating water cooling systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Over the past approximately 20 years, high efficiency fill material in the form of thin sheets of PVC has been used as cooling tower fill media. See J. S. Gill et al., "Fouling of Film Forming Cooling Tower Fills--A Mechanistic Approach", Cooling Tower Institute Annual Meeting (Houston, Tex., 1994). Because of its greater heat transfer efficiency and lower weight it has been received favorably by the industry. A problem with this fill material is that it has a tendency to foul rapidly with water borne materials and develops significant deposits commonly containing microorganisms and silt. Studies have shown that the microorganisms provide a matrix or "glue" for further deposition of silt, primarily clay, especially when the makeup is from a fresh water surface supply. Id. It is common for biofilms in industrial water systems to collect or capture abiotic particles including clay particles. See E. J. Bower, "Theoretical Investigation of Particle Deposition in Biofilm Systems", Water Research, 21:1489-1498 (1987); W. J. Drury et al., "Interactions of 1 μm Latex Particles in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms", Water Research, 27:1119-1126 (1993); W. J. Drury et al., "Transport of 1 μm Latex Particles in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms", Biotechnol. Bioeng., 42:111-117 (1993); W. G. Characklis, "Microbial Fouling", in W. G. Characklis and K. C. Marshall (eds.), Biofilms, pp. 523-584 (John Wiley, New York, 1990). In the case of clay crystals, Marshall, in Interfaces in Microbial Ecology, (Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1976), presented electron microscopic evidence of clay-bacterial associations. He presented results indicating that the clay crystals associated in an edge-to-edge manner to carboxyl-type bacterial surfaces, with the positively-charged edges of the clay crystal attracted to the negatively charged bacterial surface. These observations were supported by J. S. Gill et al., supra, in which a complex scanning electron microscopic procedure was used to view bacterial-clay interactions on the PVC fill surface.
Different treatments have been proposed to control fouling of PVC fill material in recirculating cooling water. Pearson, et al., "Cleaning and Maintenance of Film Fill at Florida Power Corporation", Cooling Tower Institute Annual Meeting, 1992, Technical Paper No. TP92-09, utilized a 60% acrylic acid, 40% 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropylsulfonic acid (AA/AMPS copolymer) to control the fouling onto pvc fill material in a seawater fed system. Mortensen and Conley, "Film Fill Fouling in Counterflow Cooling Towers: Research Results", National Association of Corrosion Engineers Annual Meeting, 1994, Paper No. 457, recommended microbiological control with the use of microbiocides and with possible pretreatment of the makeup water using some type of clarification.
Others have documented that nonionic surfactants may affect the adhesion of bacteria to surfaces. L. R. Robertson, "Prevention of Microbial Adhesion", Biological Sciences Symposium, TAPPI Proceedings, Minneapolis, MN, Oct. 3-6, 1994, pp. 225-232; C. L. Wiatr, "Development of Biofilms", Biological Sciences Symposium, TAPPI Proceedings, Minneapolis, Minn., Oct. 3-6, 1994, pp. 225-232; B. L. Blainey and K. C. Marshall, "The Use of Block Copolymers to Inhibit Bacterial Adhesion and Biofilm Formation on Hydrophobic Surfaces in Marine Habitates", Biofouling, 4: 309-318 (1991); J. H. Paul and Jeffrey, "Evidence for Separate Adhesion Mechanisms for Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Surfaces in Vibrio proteolytica", Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 50: 431-437 (1985); W. K. Whitekettle, "Effects of Surface-Active Chemicals on Microbial Adhesion", Jour. Indust. Micrbiol., 7: 105-116 (1991); H. F. Ridgeway et al., "Bacterial Adhesion and Fouling of Reverse Osmosis Membranes", Journal AWWA, July, 1985, pp. 97-106; J. Olsson et al., "Surface Modification of Hydroxyapatite to Avoid Bacterial Adhesion", Colloid Polym. Sci., 269 (12): 1295-1302 (1991).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present inventors have discovered a method for reducing the formation of deposits of water-borne materials such as, for example, silt and microorganisms, on surfaces in contact with aqueous systems. The method comprises applying to the particular surface an amount of a multi-component composition comprising a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer and a biocide. Examples of the possible biocide component of the composition include glutaraldehyde, quaternary ammonium compounds, isothiazoline, carbamates, dibromonitrilopropionamide, and dodecylguanidine hydrochloride. The composition may also include a dispersant such as, for example, an acrylic acid/AMPS copolymer. The present invention is also directed to compositions useful in the present methods for reducing deposit formation on surfaces in contact with aqueous systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the recirculating water system that the present inventors used in conducting experiments related to the invention;
FIGS. 2 and 3 are graphs depicting the weight of deposit (mg deposit) per gram of PVC fill as a function of the experimental treatment used; and
FIG. 4 is a plot showing the linear regression of the relationship between ATP accumulation and deposit accumulation onto PVC fill material exposed to Monongahela River water for 8 weeks.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Studies were initiated to investigate the effect of surfactants on bacterial adhesion. The studies' purpose was to determine whether and to what extent surfactants might minimize bacterial adherence onto PVC material. The ultimate intent was to provide the first component of a treatment scheme to minimize fill fouling by minimizing the microbial component. The studies' results indicate that nonionic surfactants of the EO/PO configuration were effective in minimizing adherence in both lab systems and under field conditions.
PVC high efficiency cooling tower fill material has been shown to foul rapidly with water-borne silt and microorganisms. The fouling deposits formed are complex and difficult to either prevent or remove. The present inventors hypothesized that deposition with clay/microorganisms might be minimized if a combination of clay dispersant-nonionic surfactant-biocide was utilized. Results, detailed below, indicated that dispersant/surfactant combinations were ineffective for controlling the fouling deposition onto nonfouled PVC fill material when exposed to natural water-borne silts from a fresh water river. However, the same results indicated that an EO/PO block copolymer nonionic surfactant alone without the dispersant but in combination with a biocide is effective in reduction of deposition onto PVC material under the same conditions. The results also showed that there was no relationship between biofilm accumulation and total deposit accumulation.
The inventors hypothesized that surfactants in combination with clay dispersants and biocides might be effective in reducing total fouling accumulation. In this case, the dispersant could reduce the rate of particle deposition onto the biofouled surface, and the biocide would reduce the number of planktonic organisms and therefore the rate of biofilm formation. An experimental design was then implemented in order to test this hypothesis. The clay dispersant used was an acrylic acid/AMPS copolymer. The biocide used was glutaraldehyde. In addition to the EO/PO surfactants, an additional nonionic surfactant mixture in combination with the clay dispersant was also tested.
The site chosen for the experimental work was a power plant located on the Monongahela River in Pennsylvania. The plant uses the river as makeup water for its recirculating cooling water. Because it is a surface water source, it would be expected to carry a variable silt load, depending upon season and weather related run-off events. Examination of many samples of fouled PVC fill material from cooling towers in the United States by Calgon laboratories revealed that those plants receiving surface water makeup from fresh water rivers in the eastern/southeastern U.S. contained a significant clay component. Experiments were then designed to expose PVC material to a side stream of Monongahela River water during Summer and Fall months, when silt loading and biofouling would be expected to peak.
I. Materials and Methods
a. Apparatus and Testing Protocol
The recirculating water system (RWS) apparatus used for all experiments is shown in FIG. 1. The recirculating water system (RWS) (10) included a chamber (12) having a mini-tower (14) therein. The mini-tower (14) included a tower deck (16) and a portion below the tower deck including multiple slats (18) containing PVC fill pieces (20) as shown in the circled enlarged view of one slat in FIG. 1. The chamber (12) included a recirculating pump (22) to circulate water from 8-liter sump (24) through tubing (26). The RWS also included make-up pump (30) and blowdown (32) positioned at the 8-liter level of the sump. Recirculating water systems were installed at the power plant site. Each system contained 8 liters of Monongahela River water which was continuously added to provide a retention time of 48 hours. Water temperatures in the RWS averaged about 30° C. The flow of recirculated water over the mini-tower in the RWS was controlled by a screw clamp so that each RWS had a similar flow over the exposed fill pieces. PVC fill material was obtained from Munters Corporation (Fort Myers, Fla.). Fill pieces were cut, rinsed in ethanol then in Butterfield Buffer (pH 7.2) prior to installation.
b. Test Solutions and Treatments
All stock solutions were made up in deionized water and concentrations were based on a product weight, not on an active basis. The biocide used in this case was 45% active glutaraldehyde. Acrylic Acid/AMPS was a combination of acrylic acid (60%) and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropylsulfonic acid (40%). For this work, a 28% active solution was used. The nonionic surfactant blend was comprised of the following components: 14.55% nonyl-phenoxlpolyethanol, 14.55% polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer, 1.99% low molecular weight copolymer, and 0.49% 3-5 dimethyl-2H-1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione, 21% salt. The EO/PO surfactant was a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer obtained from BASF Corporation, Parsippany, N.J. Specifically, BASF's Pluronic P103 EO/PO surfactant was used in the present experiments. The BASF Pluronic surfactants are block copolymers of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) segments having the general structure: ##STR1## The Pluronic F68, F108, L62D, L64, and P103 surfactants are ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers of EO-PO-EO blocks, while the Pluronic 17R8, 25R2, 25R4, and 25R8 surfactants are PO-EO-PO blocks. The Pluronic P103 surfactant has a high EO content, a molecular weight of 5000, and a hydrophobic-lipophilic balance of 7-24 . Makeup to each recirculating water system was pumped continuously using a Masterflex pump (Cole Parmer, Niles, Ill.). Surfactant and dispersant solutions were made up in 20 liter Nalgene carboys by adding stock solutions to the makeup water. The biocide was added directly into the sump of each RWS at a concentration of 60 mg/L (product basis). The EO/PO surfactant and the nonionic surfactant blend products were added at a concentration of 10 mg/L (as product), and the acrylic acid/AMPS at a concentration of 30 mg/L (as the 28% product). A chemical analysis of the water collected from the sump of the RWS is shown in Table 1. Planktonic heterotrophic plate counts on water collected from the RWS averaged 2×10 6 cfu/ml for the first eight week experiment and approximately 1×10 5 cfu/ml for the second. The untreated RWS tended to have somewhat lower plate counts than the treated systems though not significantly so. Otherwise, treatments had no obvious effect on the counts.
TABLE 1______________________________________Chemical Analysis of Water Collected from Recirculating Water SystemsSupplied with Monongahela River Water.Analyte Concentration.sup.1,2______________________________________pH 7.3Alkalinity 44Conductivity 610HCO3 54Chloride 16Nitrite <10Nitrate 4.0Ortho Phosphate <4Sulfate 240Calcium 65Magnesium 16Sodium 38Potassium 3.5Iron <0.05______________________________________ .sup.1 All analyte concentrations in mg/L with the following exceptions: pH = units, alkalinity = mg/L as CaCO3, conductivity = umhos/cm. .sup.2 Results are for a single sample collected from the Recirculating Water System sump.
c. Biofilm and Deposit Sampling and Analysis
PVC fill pieces were collected and analyzed for biofilm parameters. FIG. 1 shows emplacement of fill pieces (20) in the RWS. Samples were collected after 8 weeks exposure to the treatment. After the exposure interval, 3 fill pieces, each taken from a different level in the mini-cooling tower, were removed and processed. For biofilm analysis, fill sample biofilms were analyzed for ATP by placing fill pieces into sterile glass tubes containing a homogenization solution and vortexed on a Vortex Genie Mixer (Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, Pa.) at a setting of 10 for 1 minute. For ATP determination an aliquot of this biofilm suspension was extracted in boiling Tris Buffer (2.43 grams per Liter) for 5 minutes, then combined with HEPES buffer (Turner Design, Sunnyvale, Calif.) and Luciferin/Luciferase (Turner Design, Sunnyvale, Calif.) to determine relative light output. Relative light units were then calibrated against a 4×10 -4 μg external ATP standard (Turner Design, Sunnyvale, Calif.).
Fill samples were also analyzed for deposit weight as follows. Each fill piece was removed from the RWS, dried at 105° C. overnight, cooled in a desiccator and weighed. It was then washed in a detergent solution, rinsed in deionized water and redried for several hours at 105° C. The fill piece was then weighed. The difference between weights was determined to be the deposit weight. Weights were calculated per gram of clean fill weight.
II. Experimental Results
a. Effect of Treatments on Deposit Formation
FIGS. 2 and 3 show the effect of treatments on deposit formation. Data shown in FIG. 2 were collected during an eight week exposure period in July and August, while data shown in FIG. 3 were collected during an eight week exposure in October and November. Each bar represents results for a separate RWS. AA/AMPS was the acrylic acid/AMPS copolymer, NSB the nonionic surfactant blend, EO/PO the EO/PO block copolymer treatment. All treated systems were also treated with the glutaraldehyde biocide. Analysis of variance of the data indicates that the EO/PO surfactant plus 45% glutaraldehyde biocide treatment provided a statistically significant reduction in fouling deposition (alpha 0.05). None of the other treatments provided a statistically significant reduction in deposit formation.
b. Effect of Treatments on Biofilm Formation
Tables 2 and 3 below show the effect of treatments on biofilm ATP concentrations. As in FIGS. 2 and 3, these data represent results from two separate experiments. Data shown in Table 2 were collected at the completion of an experiment run in July and August; data in Table 3 from an experiment performed in October and November. The data was highly variable and did not indicate that any of the treatments provided a significant reduction in biofilm ATP levels.
TABLE 2______________________________________Biofilm Formation Onto PVC Fill As a Function of Treatment inMonongahela River Water for 8 Weeks Exposure. Nanograms ATP/cm.sup.2Treatment.sup.1 Mean.sup.4 S.D..sup.4______________________________________AA/AMPS.sup.2 (30 ppm) 1.82 0.47AA/AMPS.sup.2 (30 ppm) 0.43 0.08AA/AMPS (30 ppm) + 0.41 0.24NSB.sup.3 (10 ppm)AA/AMPS (30 ppm) + 1.35 0.38NSB.sup.3 (10 ppm)Untreated 2.71 0.20Untreated 1.39 0.30______________________________________ .sup.1 45% active glutaraldehyde biocide was added on an intermittant basis each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 60 ppm to all treated systems .sup.2 Acrylic Acid/AMPS copolymer. .sup.3 Acrylic Acid/AMPS copolymer plus nonionic surfactant blend. .sup.4 N for all determinations was 3.
TABLE 3______________________________________Biofilm Formation Onto PVC Fill As a Function of Treatment inMonongahela River Water for 8 Weeks Exposure. Nanograms ATP/cm.sup.2Treatment.sup.1 Mean.sup.5 S.D..sup.5______________________________________EO/PO.sup.2 (10 ppm) 0.95 0.14EO/PO.sup.2 (10 ppm) 2.25 0.48EO/PO (10 ppm) + 0.81 0.04AA/AMPS.sup.3 (30 ppm)EO/PO (10 ppm) + 3.09 0.19AA/AMPS.sup.3 (30 ppm)NSB (10 ppm) + 0.61 0.13AA/AMPS.sup.4 (30 ppm)NSB (10 ppm) + 0.82 0.08AA/AMPS.sup.4 (30 ppm)Untreated 0.58 0.06Untreated 2.93 2.48______________________________________ .sup.1 45% active glutaraldehyde biocide was added on an intermittant basis each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 60 ppm to all treated systems .sup.2 The EO/PO surfactant Pluronic P103. .sup.3 EO/PO surfactant plus the acrylic acid/AMPS copolymer. .sup.4 The nonionic surfactant blend plus acrylic acid/AMPS copolymer. .sup.5 N for all determinations was 3.
c. Relationship Between Deposit and Biofilm Formation
FIG. 4 shows the linear regression of the relationship between ATP accumulation and deposit accumulation on fill material. The R square value of 0.023 indicates essentially no correlation between these two measured variables.
III. Discussion
The inventors' original hypothesis that a dispersant/surfactant/biocide combination would reduce the extent of deposit formation on fill surfaces cannot be supported by the above results. In the case where the acrylic acid/AMPS copolymer was combined with either the combination nonionic surfactant (FIGS. 2, 3) or the EO/PO surfactant (FIG. 3) and the glutaraldehyde biocide, there was not significant reduction in deposit accumulation. The contrary was true for the systems treated with the EO/PO surfactant plus biocide (FIG. 4). These results show a 69% reduction in deposit formation compared to the untreated control systems. It appears that the EO/PO surfactant may be exhibiting dispersant properties, since there was no measured reduction in microbial adhesion by the treatment. The data presented here demonstrate that treatment with the surfactant does in fact reduce silt accumulation onto the PVC surfaces.
Because biofilm formation is an integral aspect of fouling deposition, it is believed that a treatment program should also address this aspect. Eager et al., "Glutaraldehyde: Factors Important for Microbiological Efficacy", Third Conference on Progress In Chemical Disinfection, Apr. 3-5, 1986, Binghamton, N.Y. presented data indicating that much higher levels of glutaraldehyde are required to minimize or control biofilm formation (no effect level of 20 ppm active) than for planktonic bacteria. On a product basis, this will equate to about 44 mg/L (45% active glutaraldehyde). However, their data measured glucose uptake of bacteria in biofilms as a function of treatment. Dosage required to minimize bacterial adherence may be much higher. The results from this study show that the glutaraldehyde biocide, at the concentration/dosage used, was ineffective in reducing biofilm accumulation onto the PVC fill surfaces. Even though the dosage used may be considered adequate for control of planktonic bacteria, it appears that the accumulated biotic and abiotic components of the biofilm limited the efficacy of this product.
The EO/PO surfactant dosage in this study (10 mg/L) was below the level shown to be effective in earlier studies with surfactant alone for prevention of bacterial adhesion, which showed that between 30 and 50 mg/L were requires, and that this reduction in adhesion was beneficial for only the first approximately thirty days of exposure. Results of the present study support those conclusions. Biofilm ATP concentrations were unaffected by the treatment in the present inventors' studies, even with the supplemental biocide. It would appear that the effect of the EO/PO surfactant in reducing deposit accumulation is not due primarily to an effect on bacterial adhesion but rather to the control of clay deposition, either by dispersing that clay prior to association with the biofilms, or somehow reducing the efficiency with which it sticks to the biofilm surface.
Though this treatment has been shown to be effective for a very specific application, it would be expected to work equally well wherever there is a need to limit the buildup of silt/clay deposits on surfaces in industrial processes. Potentially this might include applications in the following industries/applications: paper process, recirculating and once through cooling, surface treatment, food and beverage processes, pasteurizers, preservation of water-based paints, and in the processing of clay slurries. In all these aforementioned examples, microorganisms are known to adhere firmly to surfaces and are recalcitrant to biocides. Clay particles, either introduced by the process or as a contaminant, could potentially stick to the conditioned surfaces.
In the paper process area, as paper mills increasingly utilize recycling for environmental and economic reasons, there is a greater need to control the rate of solids deposition. Slime formation in paper machine lines would be expected to provide sites for abiotic particle association, including silt and clay. This treatment could potentially minimize this problem. Treating the water used for washing felts in papermills is another possible application, since slime deposit on the felts commonly contain both microorganisms and inorganic components.
In water-based paints, which contain clay fillers and other inorganics, biocides are required as preservatives. The surfactant-biocide combination could potentially be more effective than biocide alone. In plastics or composites which contain clay fillers, this combination could serve as a processing aid to control deposits and microbial growth.
Spray washers used for metal cleaning and surface finishing may have resulting buildup of soil deposits and bacterial growth. Household and industrial washers may have a similar buildup. The surfactant-biocide combination may help to control this problem in each of these systems.
In the manufacture of ceramics and sanitary ware, clay and other inorganics are molded in a water-borne process, followed by heating and other final steps. Clay is also used as a filler in plastics or composites. In both cases, the use of the surfactant in combination with the biocide may serve as a processing aid to control deposition and microbial growth. These surfactants combined with appropriate biocides might be useful as dental antiplaque agents, where bacterial growth and inorganic deposits form on dental surfaces. Alternatively, these may be useful in denture adhesives, which are water-borne materials often containing inorganic fillers like clay. Finally, this technology may inhibit fouling of water craft, ships, or other structures which reside in water, where it is necessary to prevent attachment of organisms.
It would be expected that other biocides besides glutaraldehyde might work equally well in these applications, when used at concentrations adequate to kill biofilm bacteria. Such biocides might include quaternary ammonium compounds, isothiazoline, carbamates, DBNPA (dibromonitrilopropionamide), or dodecylguanidine hydrochloride (DGH). As well, nonionic surfactants of the EO/PO configuration other than Pluronic P103 would be expected to act in similar fashion.
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A method for reducing formation of deposits on a surface in contact with an aqueous system includes applying to the surface a composition comprising a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer and a biocide. The composition optionally may also include a dispersant.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an electrical air conditioner, and more particularly, to a condensate treating system of an air conditioner of heat pump type.
A self-contained air conditioner is well known which integrally includes an indoor and an outdoor heat exchangers. The air conditioner of this type has been primarily used for room air cooling purpose, i.e. for reducing the room temperature. Recently, an air conditioner is provided which permits a warming of room air through the switching of a refrigerant path.
An air conditioner of heat pump type described above includes a casing, the interior of which is separated into an indoor space in which an indoor heat exchanger is disposed and an outdoor space in which an outdoor heat exchanger is disposed. A motor is mounted on a partition wall and has a double shaft, one of which supports a sirocco fan disposed within the indoor space while the other shaft supports a propeller fan disposed within the outdoor space. The sirocco fan operates to deliver the air into the chamber again which has been once withdrawn from the chamber through the indoor heat exchanger while the propeller fan withdraws the outdoor air and directs it against the outdoor heat exchanger. When the arrangement is used for the purpose of reducing the room temperature, it is known to improve the efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger by introducing the condensate which has precipitated on the indoor exchanger into a region below the propeller fan so that it can be splattered or thrown toward the outdoor exchanger by means of a slinger ring disposed around the propeller fan. This achieves a cooling effect by reducing the temperature of the air being withdrawn and by the evaporation of the condensate which is sprayed onto the outdoor heat exchanger.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat. No. 2,491,382 issued to E. M. Wuesthoff on June 21, 1961 discloses a slinger ring which is disposed around the propeller fan for scooping the condensate which is maintained in a pool below the fan to be splattered toward the outdoor heat exchanger. The rotation of the propeller fan at a high rate produces a region within the pool where the condensate is cleared by the influence of the pneumatic or wind pressure. A guide plate is provided to prevent a flow of the condensate to such region. In this manner, the slinger ring is maintained in effective contact with the condensate in the pool, thus assuring a spraying of the condensate over the outdoor heat exchanger.
The described arrangement is directed to reducing the room temperature. However, when it is used for purpose of room air heating, the outdoor heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, and hence produces a condensate which may deposit on the outdoor heat exchanger in the form of frost under low temperatures. With a further reduction in the temperature of the atmosphere, the condensate will be immediately converted into frost. Hence, a defrosting is performed in known manner by interrupting the operation of the propeller fan. Upon melting, the condensate accumulates in a pool and becomes frozen as a result of its being cooled by the outdoor exchanger when the external air temperature is low or becomes frozen immediately and naturally at further reduced temperatures. This in turn cools the bottom portion of the outdoor heat exchanger, disadvantageously preventing a defrosting of such portion. If the room air heating operation is continued with an incomplete defrosting, there occurs a growth of the frost which freezes the fan to immobilize it. In particular, when the slinger ring is disposed in contact with the upper level of the condensate pool, the condensate may become frozen with the outer periphery of the ring entrapped therein. This can be avoided by providing a drain port for the pool at a lower position. However, the cooling effect which is achieved by the splattering of the condensate during the room air cooling operation is then reduced. It will thus be seen that the splattering of the condensate over the outdoor heat exchanger during the room air cooling operation is incompatible with the provision of a drain port for the condensate for purpose of preventing the freezing of the outdoor heat exchanger or propeller fan during the room air heating operation. The described prior art proposes no solution which is addressed to this problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an air conditioner of heat pump type which maintains a pool of condensate during the room air cooling operation and which drains the condensate to the exterior during the room air heating operation.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an air conditioner including a bottomplate member, an indoor heat exchanger disposed on the indoor side of the bottomplate member, an outdoor heat exchanger disposed on the outdoor side of the bottomplate member, a propeller fan disposed intermediate the both heat exchangers and rotatable about a horizontal shaft for directing an external air to the outdoor heat exchanger, and a slinger ring mounted on the propeller fan, the bottom member being formed so that condensate which is drained from either one of the heat exchangers is introduced into a region below the propeller fan. In accordance with the invention, the bottomplate member is formed with a drain port in a region thereof on a side of a vertical plane including the horizontal shaft of the propeller fan that is located advanced as viewed in the direction of rotation of the propeller fan and which is subject to a tangential pneumatic or wind pressure from the end of the blades of the fan. During the rotation of the propeller fan, condensate which is admitted into the region below the fan is driven by the slinger ring toward the outdoor heat exchanger while when the propeller fan remains at rest, the condensate in this region is externally led through the drain port.
The invention is based on the recognition that a water-free region is formed below the propeller fan as a result of rotation thereof where the condensate is locally expelled by the influence of pneumatic pressure, as described in the cited U.S. Patent, and the drain port is formed in this region. The condensate cannot move into the vicinity of the drain port during the rotation of the propeller fan, so that a pool of condensate can be maintained during the room air cooling operation, assuring that the condensate will be thrown toward the outdoor heat exchanger by means of the slinger ring. The propeller fan remains stationary during a defrosting in the room air heating operation, and hence the condensate can be reliably led externally through the drain port.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation partly in section, of an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view, partly cut-away, of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front view of the propeller fan and the condensate pool taken along the line 3--3 shown in FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, the air conditioner includes an external casing 11 of box-shaped configuration including side walls 13, 14, bottomplate 16 and top plate 20. Both front and rear ends of the casing remain open. A face panel 12 is fitted around the front end or the indoor opening of the casing 11. Both side walls 13, 14 are formed with ventilators 15 for admitting outdoor air. A drainage receiver 18 having a drain port 17 is mounted on a portion of the bottomplate 16 adjacent to the rear end or outdoor side thereof. The bottomplate 16 is provided with a pair of guide plates 19 along its opposite sides.
An internal bottomplate 21 is placed on top of the guide plates 19, and is formed with an upstanding edge 22 over it entire periphery, whereby the whole bottomplate 21 serves as a drainage receiver. A partition 23 is provided on the bottomplate 21 to divide the air conditioner into an indoor and an outdoor space. An indoor heat exchanger 24 is located adjacent to the front end of the indoor space on the bottomplate 21, and baffle plates 25 are located between the exchanger 24 and partition 23 so as to surround the former. A sirocco fan 26 is disposed between baffle plates 25 and partition 23, and is mounted on a rotary shaft 28 of a fan motor 27 which is mounted on the partition 23. When the sirocco fan 26 rotates, it withdraws the indoor air through an inlet port 29 formed in the panel 12 and through the indoor heat exchanger 24, and the air is discharged through an indoor outlet port 30, also formed in the panel 12, after passing through a passage which is defined by partition 23 and baffle plates 25.
The rotary shaft 28 of fan motor 27 also extends to the outdoor side, and carries a propeller fan 32 thereon which is provided with a slinger ring 31. Baffle plates 33 are disposed between partition 23 and propeller fan 32 for admitting the air from ventilators 15 into the propeller fan 32. Outdoor heat exchanger 34 is disposed on the internal bottomplate 21 adjacent to the front end of the outdoor space. When the fan motor 27 is driven to rotate the propeller fan 32, the outdoor air is admitted through ventilators 15 into the passage defined by partition 23 and baffle plate 33, and is withdrawn by propeller fan 32 to be discharged to the outdoor again after passing through outdoor heat exchanger 34. A compressor 35 is disposed on the internal bottomplate 21 within the passage defined by partition 23 and baffle plate 33. The two heat exchangers 24, 34 and the compressor 35 are connected into a closed loop to form a heat pump.
A recess 41 is formed in the bottomplate 21 below the indoor heat exchanger 24 for receiving the condensate, and communicates with a water receiver 42 located directly below the propeller fan 32 through a channel 43. Receiver 42 is formed with condensate removal means in the form of a drain port 44 in a water-free region A (see FIG. 2) which is formed during the rotation of the propeller fan 32 at a location on a side of a vertical plane including the rotary shaft 28 that opposes or is advanced as viewed in the direction of rotation of the fan and which is most strongly subject to a tangential wind pressure from the blade ends of the propeller fan 32. The drain port 44 is located slightly offset from the axis of the rotary shaft 28 and nearer the outdoor heat exchanger 34. It is located above the receiver 18 formed in the external casing 11. The drain port 44 has an opening edge which is slightly raised with respect to the remainder of the upper surface of the receiver 42, as shown in FIG. 3. It can be integrally molded with the internal bottomplate 21 as by press molding.
In operation, in a room air cooling operation, the indoor heat exchanger 24 operates as a cooling unit while the outdoor heat exchanger 34 as a condenser. When compressor 35 and fan motor 27 are set in motion, water droplets deposit on the indoor heat exchanger 24 as a result of moisture contained in the indoor air, the droplets are collected in the recess 41 and flow through channel 43 to the receiver 42 which is located directly below the propeller fan 32 disposed in the outdoor space. When the axial flow propeller fan 32 is set in motion, the resulting wind flows in a direction parallel to the rotary shaft 28, and simultaneously also flows in the same direction as that of the rotation of the fan. Specifically, a tangential flow is produced by the end of the fan blades. Water which has been conducted to receiver 42 is subjected to the dynamic wind pressure, with the consequence that a water-free region A is produced where the action of the forward and tangential wind pressure is at its maximum. Since the drain port 44 is formed within the region A, the condensate entering the receiver 42 cannot be drained wastefully, whereby the slinger ring 31 on the propeller fan 32 engages and splatters the condensate which is displaced to one side of the receiver 42, conveying it on the axial flow for distribution around the outdoor heat exchanger 34 to thereby enhance the cooling effect. The fan motor 27 is maintained in rotation during the room air cooling operation, independently from the on or off position of a room air temperature regulator, so that the distribution of the condensate over the outdoor heat exchanger 34 is continued, contributing to increasing the cooling capacity. When the room air cooling operation is interrupted, there is no wind pressure acting on the region A, whereby the condensate is drained through the port 44 to be discharged outside the air conditioner through the drain port 17. Consequently, when the room air cooling operation is interrupted, there is no residue of water in the receiver 42, and hence there occurs no freezing of condensate under reduced external temperatures, preventing an interference with the propeller fan or slinger ring 31, and a consequent locking of the fan motor 27. Though it may appear that the cooling efficiency is reduced at the outset of the room air cooling operation since then the outdoor heat exchanger 34 is only subjected to the wind fed from the propeller fan 32, the exchanger 34 can be effectively cooled by the wind from the fan 32 since its temperature is low under the starting condition. As the operation is continued, condensate is produced on the indoor heat exchanger 24. The condensate cannot be led through the drain port 44 so long as the propeller fan is maintained in rotation.
In a room air heating operation, a four-way valve (not shown) is operated to switch the refrigerant path so that the indoor heat exchanger 24 operates as a heat radiator and the outdoor heat exchanger 34 as a heat absorber. In this instance, the moisture contained in the external atmosphere may cause the deposition of water droplets on the outdoor exchanger 34 which may form a frost when the exterior temperature is low. Consequently, it is necessary to provide a periodic defrosting during the room air heating operation, and to drain the condensate which results from the defrosting immediately without splattering it over the outdoor exchanger 34. Defrosting usually takes place while the fan motor 27 remains at rest. Hence, the defrosted water droplets or condensate is not subject to any wind pressure from the propeller fan 32, but is immediately drained to the outside through the drain port 44. As a consequence, there occurs no frozen condensate which would lock the bottom of the outdoor heat exchanger 34 or the slinger ring 31 on the propeller fan 32 with the receiver 42 as experienced in the conventional arrangement, but instead a continued room air heating operation is assured.
As described, the drain port 44 is located in accordance with the invention in water-free region A in the receiver 42 which is most strongly subject to the wind pressure from the propeller fan 32. Since the region A has a relatively large area depending on the size and the rotational speed of the propeller fan, if may be located anywhere within region A and spaced from the lowest point on the slinger ring 31, by providing an edge of the opening of drain port 44 which is slightly raised, without reducing the gap h (see FIG. 3) between the slinger ring 31 and receiver 42. In this manner, outflow of the condensate through drain port 44 which might occur as a result of surface tension thereof can be prevented during the room air cooling operation. By experiments, it has been found that a preferred location for the drain port 44 is about 61 mm from the central plane of the propeller fan toward the outdoor exchanger and at a distance of 80 mm from the axis of the rotary shaft, as viewed in the direction of rotation of the propeller fan, when the propeller fan has six blades having a diameter of 385 mm, for example, and a windage of 1,300 m 3 /hr. In this instance, a drain port has a diameter of 10 mm and its edge is raised 3 mm above the upper surface of the receiver and the distance of the gap h is 6 mm.
In the above embodiment, recess 41, receiver 42 and channel 43 are provided to conduct the condensate to a position directly below the slinger ring 31. However it will be readily appreciated that such recess and associated channel can be dispensed with by using the entire inner bottomplate 21 as a condensate trough. Alternatively, the bottomplate 21 may be provided with receiver 42 alone, and a separate receiver provided below the indoor exchanger 24, with a condensate formed therein being conveyed to the receiver 42.
While the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.
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An air conditioner of heat pump type including a pair of indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, and a propeller fan interposed therebetween. The both heat exchangers and the propeller fan are mounted on a bottomplate member which also serves as a receptacle for a condensate. A slinger ring is disposed around the propeller fan for throwing the condensate toward the outdoor exchanger. Below the fan, the bottomplate member is formed with a drain port, which is positioned in a region which is free from a pool of water formed under the pneumatic pressure of the fan.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to an engine testing device, more specifically, to an improved portable engine testing apparatus having integral fluid, exhaust and electrical systems.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Engine delivery systems are used to facilitate testing of an engine in an engine dynamometer room. In order to maximize usage of the dynamometer room, it has been desirable to increase the number of engines that can be tested during each shift of operation of the manufacturing facility. When maximizing the number of engines that can be tested during each shift, it is also necessary to maintain reliability of each test. Standardizing the testing process through improved test fixtures is an aspect of improving reliability of the test results.
Conventional engine delivery systems employ a wheeled pallet system that allows an operator to dress the engine in a holding area and then hook up the fluid lines to a vertically arranged fluid manifold. The pallet is then moved to the dynamometer room where the exhaust pipes are connected to the engine exhaust manifold and the electrical system is connected to the engine. The engine is then ready to be tested.
It has become desirable to improve the engine delivery system by integrating a coolant system and an exhaust system with the wheeled pallet assembly. It is further desirable to centerize the electrical connectors and an electrical panel in order to streamline the electrical system on the pallet assembly. Also, it is desirable to provide an improved engine mounting system that allows an engine to be easily and quickly secured to the engine pallet. The aforementioned components should improve reliability of the test data by consistently delivering an engine to a dynamometer which in turn, will test the engine's performance. Such a system should also minimize the number of connections that need to be made in the dynamometer room in order to minimize the test cycle time and set up the engine prior to starting the test. The improved system should also increase the number of engines that can be tested each shift.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an engine delivery system is comprised of a metal frame having a base and an upwardly extending member. Connected to the base is an engine coolant system for delivering fluid to and from the engine, and an exhaust recovery system that includes an adjustable member for engaging the exhaust manifold of the engine. An engine support system secures the engine to be tested to the base. An electrical system includes a pivoting overhead boom that provides a central collecting point for the wires that are connected to a plurality of sensors.
These and other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention will be further understood by examining the preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings and by studying the detailed description and the claims found below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the present invention, showing an engine mounted to a pallet, the exhaust assembly, the coolant system and the electrical system;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the left side of the engine delivery system, illustrating the front engine mount, the exhaust system and a cut out of the manifold showing the inlet and outlet flow chambers;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the right side of the engine delivery system, illustrating the exhaust system, the electrical system and the engine mounting system;
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating the bell housing disconnected from the cradle;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the adjustable exhaust connector that transfers exhausts from the engine exhaust manifold to the exhaust collection cavity; and
FIG. 6 is a partial side elevational view illustrating the boom in a raised position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, an engine delivery system 10 is comprised of a pallet 12 , a coolant system 14 , an exhaust system 16 , an electrical system 18 , an engine mounting system 20 , and an engine 22 . The pallet 12 includes a machined steel base plate 24 with wheel assemblies 26 secured to the underside of the base plate, and a vertically extending frame member 28 . A recess 30 is machined in the base plate 24 and delivers spilled fluid to a drain hole 32 . A removable pan 34 is connected to the underside of the base plate and is located underneath the drain hole 32 for collecting fluids.
The coolant system 14 provides engine coolant to the engine water jacket and removes the heated coolant from the engine and off of the pallet 12 . The coolant system 14 includes a fluid manifold 36 made of corrosion resistant material and has an internal partition 38 which internally separates a first chamber 40 from a second chamber 42 . The first chamber is connected to the outlet connector 44 and the second chamber is connected to the inlet connector 46 . The connectors preferably are of quick-disconnect type style to allow an operator to easily connect the coolant system 14 to the corresponding coolant system within the dynamometer room. A pipe 48 is connected to the second chamber which in turn is connected at one end to an upwardly extending pipe 50 . The pipes are preferably made of corrosion resistant tube steel. Hose 52 supplies coolant to the engine block and hose 54 together with control valve 56 act as an override if the thermostat fails.
Coolant is removed from the engine block through outlet hose 58 to return pipe or column 60 which in turn is in fluid connection with first chamber 40 . A pressure safety valve 62 is located at a distal end of the return pipe 60 .
A support member 64 extends between pipes 50 and 60 and has a pair of braces 66 extending downward therefrom which are fixed to the base plate 24 .
The exhaust system 16 includes an exhaust collection cavity 68 that is spaced apart from the base plate 12 by spacers 70 in order to increase heat dissipation from the collection cavity. The collection cavity is a closed member that is preferably made of steel with three holes 124 extending through the top surface 72 for receiving a pair of adjustable exhaust connectors 74 and an exhaust outlet 76 . The exhaust outlet 76 is preferably of a quick-disconnect type in order to allow an operator to easily connect an exhaust line which extends to a scrubber. The exhaust connectors 74 and exhaust outlets 76 are secured via suitable fasteners 78 to the top surface 72 .
With reference to FIG. 5, the adjustable exhaust connector 74 includes a column 80 that is preferably made of stainless steel that has an internal bore 82 machined therein. The outside surface of the column 80 has a flat 84 that is operable to receive a clamp 86 having a rod 88 extending through a guide 89 . Connected to an upper end of the rod 88 is an upper clamp member 90 with a bore 92 that is operable to receive a corrosion resistant rigid hollow sleeve 94 . A shoulder 96 is fixed to the upper end of the column 80 and a retainer plate 98 is secured by fasteners 100 to the shoulder 96 . The retainer plate 98 has a reduced internal diameter 110 . Retainer members 112 , such as screws, are located in the bottom of the sleeve 94 to act as a stop against the underside of retainer plate 98 so that the sleeve 94 does not separate from column 80 . A spring 114 is disposed between the upper clamp member 90 and a head 116 which includes an articulating coupling 118 . The coupling 118 pivots in order to provide alignment to the centerline of the engine's exhaust manifold. Further, once the spring 114 is loaded by clamp 86 , a constant force biases the coupling 118 against the exhaust manifold 120 to create a seal.
The lower end of the column 80 has a lip 122 that is received within the hole 124 of the top surface 72 of the exhaust collection cavity 68 . A sensor 126 may be inserted into the column 80 for measuring temperature, gas characteristics, etc. The sensor is connected to the boom which is part of the electrical system 18 .
With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 , the electrical system 18 includes a boom 128 that is pivotally connected by pin 129 to the frame 28 . The boom 128 can be selectively positioned and held upright by a lock 130 or pin that extends through member 132 and boom 128 . A plurality of connectors 132 and associated harnesses are connected to the boom 128 . Each harness 134 is in turn connected to various sensors 126 that are positioned throughout the engine and testing apparatus. To assist in the flexibility of the engine delivery system 10 , the connectors 132 and associated harnesses can be easily replaced. The boom 128 is preferably made of channel aluminum to allow wires to be routed within the channel to pipe 136 and to electrical panel 138 . The panel 138 is preferably water tight and is secured to the frame 28 and has a door 140 and a control panel for arranging the electrical components. It will be appreciated that the boom 128 could be adjustable side to side instead of the adjustable mode disclosed and further the boom could be located off to the side of the frame.
With reference to FIGS. 1 through 4, the engine mounting system 20 includes a front engine mount 142 and a rear engine mount 144 . The front engine mount 142 includes a bell housing 146 that covers a simulated fly wheel that has a female spline 147 with capabilities of receiving a male spline for engine starting and testing purposes. The mount 142 also includes a bearing assembly 148 if required. The bell housing 146 is preferably made of machined steel and includes a retaining flange 150 with holes 152 . A cradle 154 has a channel 156 that is configured to receive the retaining flange 150 and pins 158 lock the bell housing 146 to the cradle 154 as shown in FIG. 2 . The cradle 154 sits on top of a shock mount 160 which is in turn secured to a base plate 24 . The pins 158 are connected to the shock mount 160 so that they do not get lost. The shock mount 160 dampens the vibration during extended runs of the engine being tested.
Each rear engine mount 144 includes a support column 162 that is affixed to the base 24 and an upwardly extending member 164 fixed to the column 162 . A pin 166 secures flange 168 of the engine to the column 162 .
Handles 170 are located on the frame 28 and on the bell housing 146 and allow the operator to move the engine delivery system 10 to the preferred location.
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other variations to the preferred embodiments to the present invention, beyond those mentioned above, are possible. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the protection sought and to be afforded hereby should be deemed to extend to the subject matter defined by the claims below, including all fair equivalents thereof
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An apparatus for delivering an engine to a dynamometer is provided with an exhaust system, coolant system, electrical system, and an engine mounting system. The systems decrease the time required to dress an engine while increasing test reliability and the number of engines that can be tested in an engine test room.
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BACKGROUND
[0001] Generally, a retail establishment may increase the effectiveness of its marketing efforts by directing tailored marketing at customers. Marketing activities may be tailored specifically for a customer based on the customer's socioeconomic status, demographic characteristics, or other such classifications.
[0002] Typical consumers may exhibit purchasing behavior that follows trends that, over time, portray a reasonably-accurate representation of the consumer's lifestyle, socioeconomic status, and other data pertinent to the consumers. However, it may be costly, inefficient, and troublesome to gather customer-related demographic, socioeconomic, and like data using traditional means.
[0003] What is needed, therefore, is a system for analyzing a customer's purchasing trends to ascertain the customer's socioeconomic status, demographic characteristics, or like classifications and using the results of that analysis to direct a marketing messaging strategy that is tailored for the customer in light of the customer's socioeconomic status, demographic characteristics, or like classification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a marketing messaging system according to one embodiment;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of tailoring marketing messaging for a customer; and
[0007] FIGS. 3A-3B are illustrations of graphical user interfaces displayed on a mobile computing device, presenting marketing messaging for a customer in accordance with various embodiments.
[0008] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the concepts disclosed herein, and it is to be understood that modifications to the various disclosed embodiments may be made, and other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0010] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it should be appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0011] Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may be embodied as an apparatus, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware-comprised embodiment, an entirely software-comprised embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” or “system.” Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium.
[0012] Any combination of one or more computer-usable or computer-readable media may be utilized. For example, a computer-readable medium may include one or more of a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM) device, a read-only memory (ROM) device, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) device, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), an optical storage device, and a magnetic storage device. Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. Such code may be compiled from source code to computer-readable assembly language or machine code suitable for the device or computer on which the code will be executed
[0013] Embodiments may also be implemented in cloud computing environments. In this description and the following claims, “cloud computing” may be defined as a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned via virtualization and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction and then scaled accordingly. A cloud model can be composed of various characteristics (e.g., on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service), service models (e.g., Software as a Service (“SaaS”), Platform as a Service (“PaaS”), and Infrastructure as a Service (“IaaS”)), and deployment models (e.g., private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud).
[0014] The flowchart and block diagrams in the attached figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise methods and systems that allow a retailer to: make a record of purchase habits of retail customers, analyze those purchase habits, identify any significant changes or events in the customers' lives, and present a marketing messaging strategy that is tailored for the customer in response to the identified changes. Tracking customer purchasing habits may be accomplished by assigning a unique identification number to each customer and inputting the unique identification number at each retail transaction completed. By customizing marketing messages for a customer, the retailer may enhance the effectiveness of its marketing efforts and increase the likelihood that the customer will shop more at the retailer's stores. The customized marketing messages for a customer may be presented via an installed application on the customer's mobile computing device, commonly known as a smartphone app. Alternatively, marketing messaging may be presented to a customer on a webpage, in printed marketing materials, electronic mail, or the like.
[0016] With reference to FIG. 1 , marketing messaging system 100 comprises transaction database 110 for maintaining a record of purchases made by retail customers. The transaction database 110 may associate certain retail purchase transactions with a customer. In particular, a transaction is linked within transaction database 110 to a unique customer identification number (“CIN”). Such transactions may be linked to customers at the time of sale by the customer or a retail sales associate inputting identifying indicia of the customer into a point of sale (“POS”) terminal 120 . Identifying indicia that may be entered into the POS terminal 120 at the time of transaction may include the CIN, the customer's name, the customer's telephone number, the customer's credit or debit card number, or like identifying indicia. In alternative embodiments, customers carry a keychain tag or card that has identifying indicia printed or encoded thereon, such as a barcode of the CIN, an RFID tag carrying the CIN, membership card, payment card, or the like. The tag or card may be input at the POS terminal 120 by a reader. In alternative embodiments, the identity of a customer is ascertained through mobile app pairing techniques, communication via audible or inaudible sounds between the POS 120 and customer smartphone, geo-fencing via a mobile app, facial recognition, biometric identification, or the like.
[0017] In alternative embodiments, transactions may be input to transaction database 110 at any time after completion of the transaction by inputting a code on a receipt for that transaction. The code could be represented by a hyperlink, a unique numerical code, a one- or two-dimensional barcode on the receipt, or other means. In embodiments, the code for that transaction may be input by a customer scanning the receipt, or particularly the barcode thereon, with a smartphone. In alternate embodiments, the code on the receipt is submitted on a webpage by a customer. Upon inputting the code, application server 160 transmits the customer's identifying indicia with a transaction identifier to the transaction database 110 , which associates the transaction with that customer.
[0018] Upon input of a customer's CIN or other identifying indicia during a transaction, data related to that transaction is transmitted to transaction database 110 . The data may include product(s) purchased, including universal product codes (“UPC”) or other product codes, service(s) purchased, the price paid for each product or service, the CIN, the date and time, and other relevant information about the transaction. Such data is aggregated and stored in transaction database 110 . User account database 130 stores transaction data, demographic data, or other relevant information for one or more customers. Such data may be aggregated from multiple point of sale terminals 120 through transaction database 110 and may represent a collection of most or all data that the retailer has about the customer.
[0019] User account database 130 is adapted to provide transaction history data to purchase habit tracking module 140 . Purchase habit tracking module 140 is adapted to receive user data from user account database 130 and analyze said data to detect purchasing habits, trends, and patterns. As described in more detail herein, purchase habit tracking module 140 can identify a customer's lifestyle changes by detecting changes in customer's purchasing habits. Lifestyle changes may include occurrences that alter the customer's demographic, economic, domestic, employment, educational, or other socioeconomic status indicators. Examples of lifestyle changes may include, but are not limited to: graduation from secondary education (commonly known as high school) or higher education, getting a new job, losing a job, receiving a promotion and/or pay increase, getting married, birth or adoption of a child, death of a family member, and getting divorced. As explained in further detail herein, by observing changes in purchasing habits, purchase habit tracking module 140 is able to deduce that the customer has undergone a lifestyle change. Purchase habit tracking module 140 is adapted to transmit an alert to marketing message module 150 . The alert may indicate merely the fact that the customer experienced a lifestyle change or may provide information as to the type or nature of the detected lifestyle change.
[0020] Marketing message module 150 is adapted to receive alerts regarding a customer's lifestyle change from purchase habit tracking module 140 and determine a course of action to increase marketing effectiveness with respect to the customer. As one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure would understand, knowledge about the demographic status of a customer can inform marketing efforts and help a retailer to more effectively target the customer with marketing schemes that may be more favorably received by the customer or otherwise carry a stronger impact to the customer. Accordingly, marketing message module 150 can direct a tailored marketing scheme for the customer based on any lifestyle change alerts received from purchase habit tracking module 140 . Instructions or specific details regarding the tailored marketing scheme may be transmitted to application server 160 , which may provide specific formatting, graphical user interfaces, and messaging to the customer through customer's smartphone app 170 as directed by marketing message module 150 . Computer-readable instructions regarding the formatting, marketing assets, graphical user interfaces, messaging, and data may be transmitted from application server 160 to customer smartphone app 170 through network 180 . As used herein, the term “network” can refer to any communication network including, but not limited to: a wireless network, a cellular network, an intranet, the Internet, or combinations thereof.
[0021] In operation, marketing messaging system 100 is adapted to identify significant changes in a customer's life, especially those that may indicate how the customer may respond to various marketing schemes, and to adjust the marketing messaging for that customer. Specifically, such marketing messaging may be presented to the customer on the customer's smartphone app 170 . Referring now to FIG. 2 , embodiments of the present disclosure comprise method 200 . At operation 210 , the retail purchases made by a customer are recorded in transaction database 110 . Purchases may be aggregated from in-store purchases and purchases made on the retailer's website. The transaction database 110 may record data including the product(s) or type of product(s) purchased, the types of services purchased, the time and date of purchase, the cost of each item purchased, the store in which the transaction was completed, the geographic location of the transaction, if any manufacturer or retail coupons were presented by the customer, the customer's method of payment, and any other relevant data. Collected transaction data relevant to the customer is aggregated in user account database 130 with any relevant additional information about that customer.
[0022] Purchase habit tracking module 140 is adapted to query user account database 130 to receive and analyze user data. At operation 220 , purchase habit tracking module 140 analyzes the customer's purchasing patterns. At operation 230 , purchase habit tracking module 140 identifies trends and recognize changes in purchasing habits. Such changes may signal that the customer has recently undergone a change in lifestyle. Purchase habit tracking module 140 can analyze the type of product or service sold to the customer as described in further detail below to generate assumptions regarding the customer's demographic, socioeconomic, or like classification. Several additional examples are presented below.
[0023] In one case, a customer may regularly purchase a relatively inexpensive food item (for example, ramen noodles). If, after a passage of time, that customer began purchasing less of that inexpensive item and began purchasing higher cost items instead (for example, organic foods or relatively expensive cuts of meat), purchase habit tracking module 140 may ascertain that the customer has recently received a pay increase or the like. Purchase habit tracking module 140 may analyze the customer's retail transactions to identify any trends. If the customer's overall transaction dollar spending exhibits an upward or downward trend, purchase habit tracking module 140 may ascertain that the customer has recently received a corresponding pay increase or decrease. In another case, a customer may begin to regularly purchase relatively inexpensive food items after having established a pattern of purchasing higher-cost food items. In this case, purchase habit tracking module 140 may ascertain that the customer has recently experienced a loss or reduction of disposable income.
[0024] In another case, a customer may regularly shop at a particular retail store branch. If the customer began regularly shopping at a different store branch, purchase habit tracking module 140 may ascertain that the customer has moved into a new residence. If the new store is in a more affluent area with a relatively higher cost of living, purchase habit tracking module 140 may further ascertain that the customer has experienced an increase in disposable income.
[0025] In another case, a customer may begin to establish a pattern of purchasing items that a homeowner would typically purchase, such as a lawnmower, gardening supplies, house paint, and the like. In this case, purchase habit tracking module 140 may ascertain that the customer has recently become a homeowner. In another case, a customer may begin regularly purchasing diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, pacifiers, infant clothing, or other products typically associated with newborn babies. Purchase habit tracking module 140 may ascertain that the customer has recently become a parent or caretaker of a baby.
[0026] In another case, a customer may have exhibited a purchasing habit that is correlated with a specific gender. For example, the customer may have repeatedly purchased deodorant and shaving razors branded for men. If the customer began additionally regularly purchasing products typically marketed to women, such as certain jewelry items or hygiene products, purchase habit tracking module 140 may ascertain that the customer has recently entered into a relationship. Alternatively, if the customer had previously established purchasing habits that included products marketed to both men and women, and subsequently created a new pattern of only purchasing products marketed to women, tracking module 140 may ascertain that the customer has recently become single.
[0027] In another case, a customer may have hired a different accountant than the customer previously engaged. If the different accountant has offices located in a city that is geographically remote from where the customer's previous accountant worked, purchase habit tracking module 140 may ascertain that the customer has recently moved to the new city. It is to be understood that the foregoing examples are provided for illustration of possible applications of embodiments of the present disclosure and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.
[0028] Purchase habit tracking module 140 may be configured to employ machine-learning techniques known in the art to optimize the identification of significant life events. In embodiments of the present disclosure, socioeconomic, demographic, and like data regarding a test group of customers may be acquired directly from the customers, for example through voluntary surveys administered to the customers. Purchase histories of those customers may then be analyzed and patterns identified and correlated to specific lifestyle changes. By identifying purchasing patterns that have higher degrees of correlation to specific demographic and socioeconomic classifications of the customers, purchase habit tracking module 140 can be adapted to look for such identified patterns or behaviors and correlate the patterns with the known socioeconomic or demographic condition linked to that pattern or behavior.
[0029] Upon determining that the customer has undergone a lifestyle change as described above, purchase habit tracking module 140 transmits an alert to marketing message module 150 . At operation 240 , marketing message module 150 modifies the marketing messaging presented to the customer to take advantage of the specific data regarding the customer's demographic, socioeconomic, or like characteristics. Examples of how the marketing messaging may be tailored for the customer include emphasizing certain slogans, altering graphical elements in marketing materials, or by other means known in the art. For example, if a customer has recently received a pay raise, marketing message module 150 may alter the marketing messaging from an emphasis of the retailer's low prices to a focus of high-end products sold by the retailer. Likewise, the marketing messaging may be tailored by changing the aesthetic nature of the marketing material to appear more upscale in a way that may appeal to a higher-income demographic. As another example, if a customer has recently become a parent, the marketing message module 150 may provide market messaging tailored to new parents and emphasize marketing messages that may appeal to new parents. Generally, marketing messaging may comprise aesthetic changes to the underlying design scheme in ways that help the customer feel more comfortable using the smartphone app 170 and more likely to empathize with the presentation thereof.
[0030] Marketing messaging may be provided in connection with customers' use of smartphone app 170 , such as browsing product descriptions, viewing electronic receipts of retail transactions, or viewing other media from the retailer. Operations of method 200 may be accomplished dynamically, wherein retail transactions involving a specific customer are analyzed as they are completed, or in batches by reviewing multiple transactions involving that customer at one time.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3A , in one embodiment, marketing messaging presented to the customer on smartphone 300 may comprise slogan 310 and large logo 315 . As depicted in FIG. 3A , logo 310 is displayed in a conspicuous position directly beneath the store name 320 . Further, large logo 315 is displayed on-screen. The graphical elements and layout on the display of smartphone 300 may be presented according to predetermined design parameters associated with a customer's socioeconomic status. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 3A , purchase habit tracking module 140 may have ascertained that the customer fell in a low-income socioeconomic stratum. As a result, marketing message module 150 emphasized slogan 310 , thereby highlighting the retailer's low prices.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 3B , a customer may have exhibited shopping patterns that demonstrate a salary increase. Purchase habit tracking module 140 may have ascertained that this customer now falls in a high-income socioeconomic group. Accordingly, marketing message module 150 presented the graphical elements and layout shown on the display of smartphone 350 . Stock photography 355 may be chosen as being effective for that demographic, as well as a de-emphasis on low prices as reflected in the less-conspicuous slogan 360 in a less prominent screen location. Likewise, logo 365 is presented in a smaller size displayed at the top of the screen with store name 370 . It is to be understood that various graphical elements, layouts, color themes, stock photography, slogan placement and/or emphasis level, and the like may be used to provide marketing messaging according to the analysis of purchase habit tracking module 140 . These design considerations may be made to increase the effectiveness of marketing messaging to specific demographic, socioeconomic, or other classifications of customers.
[0033] In embodiments of the present disclosure, purchase habit tracking module 140 is adapted to select one best-fit class into which a customer may be categorized. The selection may be made from a group of potential classifications, such as four classifications found in an embodiment: new mother, business person, new relationship, and new homeowner. In this embodiment, each of the foregoing classifications is associated with a set of media assets comprising stock photographs, logos, color schemes, layouts, and the like. When one of the classifications is detected by purchase habit tracking module 140 , the corresponding set of assets is selected by marketing message module 150 and thereafter displayed on customer's smartphone app 170 for electronic receipts, in conjunction with user menus, while the customer is browsing the retailer's website, in e-mails from the retailer to the customer, or the like. In alternative embodiments, any number of classifications may be included in the analysis. It is conceivable that a customer may simultaneously fall under multiple demographic classifications. In such cases, the marketing message module 150 may be configured to provide a combination of the assets respectively associated with each demographic group. Alternatively, marketing message module 150 may be configured to associate a distinct asset group with such mixed classifications. Customer smartphone app 170 may store the various media assets locally on the customer's mobile device. Alternatively, the assets are stored remotely and transmitted to smartphone app 170 through network 180 , as appropriate.
[0034] Although the present disclosure is described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, including embodiments that do not provide all of the benefits and features set forth herein, which are also within the scope of this disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
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A process and method for tailoring marketing messaging to retail customers is disclosed. Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a system adapted to identify significant lifestyle changes in a customer's life by recording and analyzing the customer's purchasing behavior and to adjust marketing messaging directed at the customer in accordance with the identified lifestyle change. The marketing messaging system may search a customer's purchase history for known correlations between shopping behavior and demographic, socioeconomic, and other similar classifications of retail customers. By identifying changes in shopping patterns, the system of the present disclosure can tailor marketing messaging for the recipient consumer, thereby increasing marketing effectiveness.
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[0001] The present invention relates to a new process for the industrial synthesis of (3aS)-5,5-dioxo-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine of formula (I):
[0002] and addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The compound of formula (I) and salts thereof have powerful activity facilitating the activation caused by glutamic acid at the level of the AMPA receptors, making them useful in the treatment and prevention of pathologies associated with malfunction of glutamatergic neurotransmission, such as disorders of memory and cognition associated with ageing and with syndromes of anxiety and depression, deficiencies of memory in progressive neurodegenerative diseases and also the sequelae of acute neurodegenerative diseases.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0004] The compound of formula (I), its use in therapeutics and a preparation method have been described in patent specification EP 0 692 484.
[0005] In view of the pharmaceutical interest in this compound and of the fact that only the (S) isomer has facilitatory activity on the AMPA flux, it has been of prime importance to be able to prepare it by an effective synthesis process that allows the (S) isomer to be obtained selectively in a good yield and with excellent purity and that can be readily applied on an industrial scale.
[0006] Two methods for the preparation of the compound of formula (I) are known. However, those processes cannot be used on an industrial scale:
[0007] Patent specification EP 0 692 484 describes preparation of the compound of formula (I) by non-enantioselective reduction of 5,5-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine using sodium borohydride, followed by separation of the resulting racemic mixture by preparative HPLC chromatography on a chiral phase.
[0008] However, this means of separation is not viable on an industrial scale because of its very low productivity.
[0009] The publication Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 1996, 6, 3003 describes preparation of the compound of formula (I) by reduction of 5,5-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo-[2,1-c][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine using a chiral complex of lithium aluminium hydride. However, the low enantioselectivity of the reduction necessitates laborious enrichment in order to obtain the compound of formula (I) in its optically pure form.
[0010] The Applicant has now developed a process for the industrial synthesis of the compound of formula (I) by enantioselective catalytic hydrogenation of 5,5-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine, allowing the (S) isomer to be obtained directly in an excellent yield and with excellent chemical and enantiomeric purity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for the industrial synthesis of the compound of formula (I), which process is characterised in that 5,5-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine of formula (II):
[0012] is hydrogenated in the presence of the catalyst (R)-BINAP RuCl 2 (R,R)-DPEN of formula (III):
[0013] in a quantity of from 0.4 to 2 mmol per mol of compound of formula (II),
[0014] in a mixture of toluene and isopropanol wherein the proportion of toluene is from 10 to 90% by volume, preferably from 70 to 80% by volume,
[0015] under hydrogen pressure of from 4 to 25 bar, preferably from 10 to 15 bar,
[0016] at a temperature of from 40 to 90° C., preferably from 65 to 75° C.,
[0017] and in the presence of a base such as, for example, potassium or sodium tert-butoxide dissolved in an alcoholic solvent such as, for example, tert-butanol or isopropanol, in an amount of from 0.8 to 1.5 mol per mol of compound of formula (I), preferably from 1 to 1.2 mol per mol of compound of formula (I),
[0018] to yield directly, after isolation and then recrystallisation, the compound of formula (I) having an enantiomeric excess of more than 80%.
[0019] The Example hereinbelow illustrates the invention but does not limit it in any way.
[0020] The chemical purity of the compound of formula (I) was determined by HPLC chromatography on a HYPERSIL BDS C18 column, using a mixture of water/acetonitrile 25/75 as eluant.
[0021] (Detector: 210 nm ; oven: 30° C.; flow rate 1 ml/min)
[0022] The enantiomeric purity of the compound of formula (I) was determined by HPLC chromatography on a CHIRALPACK AS (Daicel) column, using a mixture of ethanol/heptane 70/30 as eluant.
[0023] (Detector: 212 nm; oven: 25° C.; flow rate 1 ml/min)
[0024] Abbreviations:
[0025] BINAP: 2,2′-(bis(diphenylphosphino))-1,1′-binaphthyl
[0026] DPEN: diphenylethylenediamine
EXAMPLE
(3aS)-5,5Dioxo-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine
[0027] The reaction is carried out in an autoclave.
[0028] To 40 g of 5,5-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine dissolved in 450 ml of toluene previously degassed using nitrogen there are added 90.5 mg of catalyst (R)-BINAP RuCl 2 (R,R)-DPEN of formula (III) and then a solution, previously heated to 50° C., of potassium tert-butoxide (20.2 g) in isopropanol (150 ml).
[0029] After purging with nitrogen, the mixture is heated to 70° C., with stirring, and then 15 bar of hydrogen pressure are applied for 20 hours, whilst still stirring.
[0030] After decompression and purging with nitrogen, the reaction mixture is dried, and the residue obtained is then recrystallised from acetone.
[0031] The compound of formula (I) is thereby obtained directly in a quantitative yield, having a chemical purity of more than 90% and an enantiomeric excess of 83%.
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Process for the industrial synthesis of (3aS)-5,5-dioxo-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo-[2,1-c][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine of formula (I):
by enantioselective catalytic hydrogenation of 5,5-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo-[2,1-c][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine.
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CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2003/011040, filed on Aug. 29, 2003, and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2002-253227, filed on Aug. 30, 2002, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions which are useful for the treatment of liver diseases. The present invention further relates to methods for the treatment of liver diseases, such as hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and the like. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions which are useful for enhancing the correction of a Fischer ratio with a branched chain amino acid preparation and methods for enhancing that correction.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background
[0005] It is known that, in patients with liver cirrhosis, the blood Fischer ratio (branched chain amino acid mol (isoleucine+leucine+valine)/aromatic amino acid mol (phenylalanine+tyrosine)) and serum albumin concentration decrease; the serum albumin concentration and Fischer ratio show a positive correlation (see, Japan Medical Journal , vol. 3101, p. 3 (1983)); and a lower serum albumin concentration is associated with aggravation of disease state (see, JJPEN , vol. 17, p. 208 (1995)).
[0006] Branched chain amino acid preparations are pharmaceutical agents developed for the purpose of correcting the Fischer ratio, increasing the serum albumin concentration, and improving various conditions of liver cirrhosis, by orally supplementing three kinds of branched chain amino acids of isoleucine, leucine, and valine at an appropriate ratio.
[0007] It is known that branched chain amino acids can be used as an energy substrate even under conditions where carbohydrates are not easily utilized as an energy substrate, such as liver failure and the like (see, Chronic Disease , vol. 4, p. 411 (1993)). Therefore, a part of the branched chain amino acid orally supplemented for improving serum albumin concentration in liver cirrhosis is considered to be consumed as an energy substrate, which suggests a possibility that a serum albumin concentration-improving effect does not necessarily result in a sufficient treatment effect.
[0008] Thus, there remains a need for improved methods for the treatment of liver diseases. There also remains a need for pharmaceutical compositions which can be used in such methods. There also remains a need for methods for enhancing the correction of the Fischer ratio with a branched chain amino acid preparation and for pharmaceutical compositions which are useful for such enhancement of the correction of the Fischer ratio with a branched chain amino acid preparation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide novel pharmaceutical compositions which are effective for the treatment of liver diseases.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide novel methods of treating liver diseases.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide novel pharmaceutical compositions which are effective for enhancing the correction of the Fischer ratio with a branched chain amino acid preparation.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide novel method the Fischer ratio with a branched chain amino acid preparation.
[0013] These and other objects, which will become apparent during the following detailed description, have been achieved by the inventors' discovery that compositions which containing four kinds of amino acids, namely isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine as active ingredients, have a Fischer ratio-increasing effect, based on which the treatment of hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and the like can be achieved via maintenance and improvement of albumin level in blood.
[0014] Thus, the present invention provides the following:
[0015] (1) A therapeutic agent for liver diseases, which comprises isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine as active ingredients.
[0016] (2) The therapeutic agent of the above-mentioned (1), wherein a mass ratio of the total mass of isoleucine, leucine and valine: the mass of alanine is 1:0.05 to10.
[0017] (3) The therapeutic agent of the above-mentioned (1) or (2), wherein the mass ratio of isoleucine:leucine:valine is 1:1.9 to 2.2:1.1 to 1.3.
[0018] (4) The therapeutic agent of any of the above-mentioned (1) to (3), wherein the dose of the active ingredients per day is 1.0 g to 50.0 g.
[0019] (5) The therapeutic agent of any of the above-mentioned (1) to (4), which is in the form of at least one kind of preparation selected from tablet, granule, powder, capsule, and injectable liquid, and which comprises isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine individually or any combination thereof.
[0020] (6) The therapeutic agent of any of the above-mentioned (1) to (5), which comprises all of isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine in one kind of preparation selected from tablet, granule, powder, capsule, and injectable liquid.
[0021] (7) The therapeutic agent of any of the above-mentioned (1) to (5), which comprises a preparation comprising isoleucine, leucine, and valine and a preparation comprising alanine in combination.
[0022] (8) The therapeutic agent of any of the above-mentioned (1) to (7), wherein the liver disease is any of hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
[0023] (9) A pharmaceutical composition for the correction of a Fischer ratio, which comprises isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine as active ingredients.
[0024] (10) An enhancer of an effect of a branched chain amino acid preparation to correct a Fischer ratio, which comprises alanine as an active ingredient, wherein the branched chain amino acid preparation comprises isoleucine, leucine, and valine as active ingredients.
[0025] (11) The enhancer of the above-mentioned (10), which is administered such that a mass ratio of the total daily dose of isoleucine, leucine, and valine in the branched chain amino acid preparation: daily dose of alanine in the enhancer becomes 1: 0.05 to 10.
[0026] (12) The enhancer of the above-mentioned (10) or (11), wherein the mass ratio of isoleucine:leucine:valine is 1:1.9 to 2.2:1.1 to 1.3 in the branched chain amino acid preparation.
[0027] (13) A method of treating a liver disease, which comprises administering effective amounts of isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine as active ingredients to a patient.
[0028] (14) The treatment method of the above-mentioned (13), wherein a mass ratio of the total daily dose of isoleucine, leucine and valine: daily dose of alanine is 1:0.05 to 10.
[0029] (15) The treatment method of the above-mentioned (13) or (14), wherein the mass ratio of single dose of isoleucine: single dose of leucine: single dose of valine is 1:1.9 to 2.2:1.1 to 1.3.
[0030] (16) The treatment method of any of the above-mentioned (13) to (15), wherein a daily dose of the active ingredients is 1.0 g to 50.0 g.
[0031] (17) The treatment method of any of the above-mentioned (13) to (16), which comprises administering isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine individually or in any combination thereof.
[0032] (18) The treatment method of the above-mentioned (17), which comprises simultaneously administering isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine.
[0033] (19) The treatment method of any of the above-mentioned (13) to (18), wherein the liver disease is any of hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
[0034] (20) A method of enhancing an effect of correcting a Fischer ratio that a branched chain amino acid preparation has, which comprises administering an effective amount of alanine as an active ingredient to a patient, wherein the branched chain amino acid preparation comprises isoleucine, leucine, and valine as active ingredients.
[0035] (21) The method of the above-mentioned (20), which comprises administering such that a mass ratio of the total daily dose of isoleucine, leucine, and valine in the branched chain amino acid preparation: daily dose of alanine becomes 1:0.05 to 10.
[0036] (22) The method of the above-mentioned (20) or (21), wherein the mass ratio of isoleucine:leucine:valine is 1:1.9 to 2.2:1.1 to 1.3 in the branched chain amino acid preparation.
[0037] (23) Use of isoleucine, leucine, valine and/or alanine for the production of a therapeutic agent for liver diseases, which comprises isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine as active ingredients.
[0038] (24) The use of the above-mentioned (23), wherein the therapeutic agent for liver diseases, which comprises isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine as active ingredients, has a mass ratio of the total mass of isoleucine, leucine and valine: the mass of alanine of 1:0.05 to 10.
[0039] (25) The use of the above-mentioned (23) or (24), wherein the therapeutic agent for liver diseases, which comprises isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine as active ingredients, has a mass ratio of isoleucine:leucine:valine of 1:1.9 to 2.2:1.1 to 1.3.
[0040] (26) The use of any of the above-mentioned (23) to (25), wherein a daily dose of the active ingredients of the therapeutic agent for liver diseases, which comprises isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine as active ingredients, is 1.0 g to 50.0 g.
[0041] (27) The use of any of the above-mentioned (23) to (26), wherein the liver disease is any of hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
[0042] (28) Use of alanine for the production of an enhancer of an effect of correcting a Fischer ratio that a branched chain amino acid preparation has, wherein the branched chain amino acid preparation comprises isoleucine, leucine, and valine as active ingredients.
[0043] (29) The use of the above-mentioned (28), wherein a ratio of the total mass of isoleucine, leucine, and valine in the branched chain amino acid preparation: the mass of alanine in the enhancer is 1:0.05 to 10.
[0044] (30) The enhancer of the above-mentioned (28) or (29), wherein a mass ratio of isoleucine:leucine:valine is 1:1.9 to 2.2:1.1 to 1.3 in the branched chain amino acid preparation.
[0045] (31) A commercial package, comprising the therapeutic agent of any of the above-mentioned (1) to (8) and a written matter associated therewith, the written matter stating that the therapeutic agent can or should be used for treating a liver disease.
[0046] (32) A commercial package, comprising the pharmaceutical composition of the above-mentioned (9) and a written matter associated therewith, the written matter stating that the pharmaceutical composition can or should be used for correcting a Fischer ratio.
[0047] (33) A commercial package, comprising the enhancer of any of the above-mentioned (10) to (12) and a written matter associated therewith, the written matter stating that the enhancer can or should be used for enhancing the effect of correcting a Fischer ratio that a branched chain amino acid has.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0049] FIG. 1 shows the Fischer ratio of plasma at one week after the start of feeding a experimental diet to rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic liver failure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0050] The present invention is explained in detail in the following.
[0051] The pharmaceutical agent of the present invention can be used particularly in the form of a pharmaceutical product (including pharmaceutical composition, drug for liver disease, nutritional supplement, etc.), or a form used for food and drink (including health food, dietary supplement, etc.).
[0052] The therapeutic agent for liver diseases of the present invention can be applied to liver diseases such as hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and the like. Particularly, it is effective for liver diseases associated with reduction of the Fischer ratio, and extremely effective for liver diseases associated with reduction of the Fischer ratio in which the use of carbohydrates as energy substrate is difficult.
[0053] The alanine to be used in the present invention is known to suppress an increase of lactic dehydrogenase extracellular overflow due to a D-galactosamine loading in rat primary culture hepatocytes, but other amino acids are known not to have such effect (see, Hepatology , vol. 24, p. 185 (1996)). Furthermore, alanine improves liver failure in D-galactosamine-induced liver failure rat model and raises the level of ATP that becomes lower in liver failure. However, glucose does not provide such effect, and alanine is described as being effective as an energy substrate for the liver in liver failure (see, Hepatology , vol. 24, p. 1211 (1996)). In addition, it has been reported that alanine is effective for the treatment of hepatitis such as viral hepatitis, drug-induced hepatitis, fulminant hepatitis, and the like (see, JP-A-5-221858).
[0054] Since alanine is used as an energy substrate for the liver in liver failure including liver cirrhosis, and branched chain amino acids are considered to be a main donor of amino groups for alanine synthesis, alanine is considered to be synthesized from a part of the branched chain amino acids used in orally supplements for increasing the Fischer ratio and improving the serum albumin concentration in liver cirrhosis, and therefore, a serum albumin concentration-improving effect may not be able to provide a sufficient treatment effect.
[0055] Increased doses of branched chain amino acids in an attempt to improve the serum albumin concentration lead to excessive administration of a particular amino acid, thus possibly causing imbalance of amino acids. In the meantime, the effect of improving serum albumin by the combined use of branched chain amino acid and alanine is not clear.
[0056] The present invention has first confirmed that the combined use of branched chain amino acids and alanine remarkably improves the Fischer ratio, and a serum albumin concentration-improving effect is expected.
[0057] The therapeutic agent for liver diseases of the present invention is particularly effective for the treatment, improvement and/or prophylaxis in patients with liver diseases, who showed an insufficient effect on the increase of Fischer ratio and improvement of serum albumin concentration with conventional branched chain amino acid preparations. As shown in the Example to be described below, the use of isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine as active ingredients can afford the object effect. Since the active ingredients are amino acids, moreover, the agent is superior in safety and can be used conveniently even in the form of a food or drink (health food, etc.).
[0058] When the pharmaceutical composition and food of the present invention are used for the treatment or prophylaxis in liver disease patients, they can be administered orally. While the dose varies depending on the condition and age of patients subject to administration and administration method, it generally includes isoleucine in an amount of 0.2 to 30.0 g, leucine in an amount of 0.2 g to 30.0 g, valine in an amount of 0.2 to 30.0 g, and alanine in an amount of 0.2 to 50.0 g for one day. In the case of an ordinary adult, it preferably includes isoleucine in an amount of 1.0 to 10.0 g, leucine in an amount of 1.0 to 10.0 g, valine in an amount of 1.0 to 10.0 g, and alanine in an amount of 1.0 to 30.0 g, more preferably isoleucine in an amount of 2.5 to 3.0 g, leucine in an amount of 5.0 to 6.0 g, valine in an amount of 3.0 to 4.0 g, and alanine 3.0 to 20.0 g, for one day.
[0059] In addition, the total dose of the active ingredients for one day is 1.0 g to 50.0 g, more preferably 3.0 g to 30.0 g.
[0060] A preferable mixing composition in the ratio of the total mass of isoleucine, leucine and valine: the mass of alanine is 1:0.05 to 10, preferably 1:0.2 to5.
[0061] The mass ratio of isoleucine:leucine:valine is 1:1.9 to 2.2:1.1 to 1.3.
[0062] The enhancer of the branched chain amino acid effect of correcting the Fischer ratio of the present invention, which contains alanine as an active ingredient, is used in combination with a branched chain amino acid preparation containing isoleucine, leucine, and valine as active ingredients. In this case, the daily dose of alanine, which is the active ingredient, is as mentioned above. The enhancer of the present invention is administered such that the total amount of isoleucine, leucine, and valine, contained in the branched chain amino acid preparation, and alanine is 1.0 g to 50.0 g, preferably 3.0 g to 30.0 g, for one day. In this case, the daily dose of isoleucine, leucine, and valine is as mentioned above.
[0063] In the present invention, the “mass ratio” means a ratio of the mass of each component in the preparation. For example, when respective active ingredients of isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine are contained in a single preparation, it means a ratio of individual contents, and when each of the active ingredients, or any combination thereof is/are contained in plural preparations, it means a ratio of the mass of each active ingredient contained in each preparation. In the present invention, the “ratio of dose” shows a ratio of a single dose of each active ingredient or a daily dose per one subject of administration (i.e., patient). For example, when each active ingredient of isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine is contained in a single preparation and administered to a subject of administration, the mass ratio corresponds to the dose ratio. When respective active ingredients are used separately or in any combination thereof in plural preparations, it is a ratio of the total amount of each active ingredient in each preparation administered at one time or in one day.
[0064] In the therapeutic agent for liver diseases of the present invention, optical isomers of the aforementioned amino acids to be used as active ingredients are free of any particular limitation, but the use of L-form is desirable.
[0065] Isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine, which are the active ingredients in the present invention, may be contained in a preparation individually or in any combination, or all may be contained in one kind of preparation. For administration after individual processing into preparations, the administration route and the administration dosage form thereof may be the same or different, and the timing of the administration may be simultaneous or separate, which can be appropriately determined based on the kind of pharmaceutical agents to be concurrently used and the effect thereof. For example, a branched chain amino acid preparation containing isoleucine, leucine, and valine as active ingredients is available. An embodiment using the branched chain amino acid preparation and alanine in combination is within the scope of the present invention.
[0066] In the present invention, an enhancer contains alanine as an active ingredient and potentiates the effect of correcting the Fischer ratio that the branched chain amino acid preparation has, by a combined use with the branched chain amino acid preparation containing isoleucine, leucine, and valine as active ingredients.
[0067] The administration method of the enhancer of the effect of correcting the Fischer ratio of the present invention, which contains alanine as an active ingredient, may be any as long as it can be used concurrently with a branched chain amino acid preparation. For example, it may be administered as a branched chain amino acid preparation containing an enhancer, or may be administered by a different administration method or the same administration method, as a preparation permitting individual administration. The timing of the administration is also determined appropriately.
[0068] The pharmaceutical composition and food of the present invention can be formulated into a preparation by a conventional method. As the form of the preparation, tablet, granule, powder, capsule, injectable liquid, and the like can be mentioned. As a carrier for preparation, for example, lactose, glucose, D-mannitol, starch, crystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, kaolin, gelatin, and the like can be mentioned, which may be mixed for use according to the form of the preparation.
[0069] These preparations can be administered by any administration method such as oral administration, injection, or topical administration, and the like.
[0070] Other features of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following descriptions of exemplary embodiments which are given for illustration of the invention and are not intended to be limiting thereof.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0071] 0.05% aq. sodium phenobarbital was given to 7-week-old male SD rats, and 0.5 ml/kg carbon tetrachloride as a 50% olive oil solution was subcutaneously administered to the back twice a week for 25 weeks to prepare rats with chronic liver failure. 0.05% aq. sodium phenobarbital was given, carbon tetrachloride was continuously administered in the same manner as in the preparation of chronic liver failure rats in Example 1, and a experimental diet (see the following Table 1) was freely given. Blood was taken from subclavian vein one week after the start of the experimental diet, and after deproteinization, the amino acids in the plasma was analyzed by automatic amino acid analysis and the plasma Fischer ratio was determined. The results are shown in FIG. 1 .
[0072] The Fischer ratio in FIG. 1 shows a branched chain amino acid (isoleucine+leucine+valine)/aromatic amino acid (phenylalanine+tyrosine) ratio, wherein the black bars show normal group, control group, BCAA (branched chain amino acid diet group), and BCAA+Ala (branched chain amino acid+alanine diet group).
TABLE 1 (g/100 g experimental diet) Normal group Control group BCAA BCAA + Ala Casein 21.7 21.7 20.0 20.0 L-isoleucine 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.6 L-leucine 0.0 0.0 1.2 1.2 L-valine 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.7 L-alanine 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.5 L-methionine 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 Cornstarch 63.8 63.8 63.0 60.5 Corn oil 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 Choline 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 chloride Cellulose 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 Vitamin 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 mixture* Mineral 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 mixture** *Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd. **Harper mixture
[0073] As shown in FIG. 1 , BCAA+alanine group showed an improved plasma Fischer ratio as compared to the BCAA group. It is postulated that, in the liver in liver failure, because alanine which is effectively used as an energy substrate was added, the branched chain amino acids in the experimental diet was prevented from being utilized as an energy substrate for the liver, and therefore, the branched chain amino acid level in blood increased, and the plasma Fischer ratio was improved, which is considered to be not simply an effect of the increased amounts of amino acidXenergy substrate.
Industrial Applicability
[0074] From the foregoing description, it is clear that the therapeutic agent for liver diseases, comprising isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine as active ingredients, which is provided by the present invention, is effective for general liver diseases such as hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and the like. Furthermore, since the therapeutic agent comprises amino acid as an active ingredient, it is highly safe and hardly causes side effects, and therefore, is advantageous as a pharmaceutical product.
[0075] 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.
[0076] All patents and other references mentioned above are incorporated in full herein by this reference, the same as if set forth at length.
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Pharmaceutical compositions which contain isoleucine, leucine, valine, and alanine as active ingredients, are useful for treating liver diseases such as hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and the like via maintenance and improvement of albumin level in blood. In preferred embodiments, the mass ratio of isoleucine:leucine:valine is 1:1.9 to 2.2:1.1 to 1.3; the mass ratio of the total mass of isoleucine, leucine and valine: alanine is 1:0.05 to 10; and a daily dose per person contains isoleucine in an amount of 0.2-30.0 g, leucine in an amount of 0.2-30.0 g, valine in an amount of 0.2-30.0 g, and alanine in an amount of 0.2-50.0 g.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/840,055, filed Apr. 24, 2000, entitled “Live Component System,” which claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/199,133 to DEGROOTE et al., filed on Apr. 24, 2000, entitled “Live Component System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to the field of Web application development. More specifically, to the development of interactive live components for inclusion on web pages.
[0003] Displaying and storing mathematics electronically has been of interest to the academic and publishing industries for years. Solutions to this problem including: TeX; LaTeX; and MS Equation; allow a user to specify, through a series of commands, how to display a mathematical equation.
[0004] Calculating mathematics electronically has also been of interest to the engineering, financial and consumer markets for many years. Solutions to this problem have included handheld calculators, custom programs, and generalized calculation programs.
[0005] Handheld calculators such as those manufactured by Hewlett Packard Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif. and Texas Instruments of Dallas, Tex. allow a user to punch a series of key commands to perform a calculation. Some calculators are programmable, wherein the calculation sequences may be automated. Unfortunately, these programs will only run the specific calculator or simulators and are constrained by the small display often associated with a handheld calculator.
[0006] Custom programs, written by programmers, allow very application specific calculations and displays to be performed by a user. These programs require the combined skill of a programmer and one skilled in the calculation or algorithm being programmed.
[0007] Generalized calculation programs often include programs that make it easy for a person to customize a specific class of calculations such as financial and math calculations. An example of a program like this includes Excel by Microsoft Inc. of Redmond, Wash.
[0008] Another type of generalized calculation program is designed to perform math calculations using symbolic computational systems. This type of program allows a user to describe a mathematics equation symbolically and may generate symbolic and/or numeric results. Some examples of programs like these include: MathCAD by Mathsoft, Inc. of Cambridge, Mass.; MatLAB by The Mathworks, Inc. of Natick, Mass.; Maple by Waterloo Maple Inc. of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; and Mathmatica by Wolfram Research, Inc. of Champlaign, Ill. None of these programs can generate live calculations that can operate on a generic browser or operate on non-numeric data types with string based or web enhanced live calculations.
[0009] With the advent of the World Wide Web, several viewers have been developed that allow non-live mathematics to be displayed. Methods for achieving live calculations have included custom programming on either the server side of the web connection or as an applet or script file on the client side. These solutions require that the web developer be a skilled programmer, putting this kind of function out of reach for many developers.
[0010] An area that has not been solved, is how to easily produce live components that can not only perform calculations, but can also link web pages and embedded systems. Such a generalized program should allow nonprogrammers to design interactive systems containing live components that may include generic computers running web browsers, embedded systems comprising dedicated hardware, network hardware, and server hardware.
[0011] What is needed is a system that can generate live components for use on target systems, wherein the target systems may include browsers and embedded systems. Preferably, this system will be capable of operating on a multitude of data types (numeric and non-numeric), be useable by non-programmer developers, and produce code that is efficient, small, and fast.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] One advantage of the invention is that it generates live components for use on target systems, wherein the target systems may include browsers and embedded systems.
[0013] Another advantage of this invention is that is capable of operating on a multitude of data types including both numeric and non-numeric data types.
[0014] Yet a further advantage of this invention is that it may be useable by non-programmer application developers.
[0015] Yet another advantage of this invention is that it may scale the live components, to produce efficient code that is small and fast.
[0016] Yet another advantage of this invention is that it's live component description file may use standard file formats such as XML.
[0017] To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, in accordance with all of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, an apparatus for generating a live component comprising a resource library, a live component editor for allowing a user to edit the live component utilizing resources from the resource library, a library of pre-built application modules, a viewer generator for creating a live component viewer from the pre-built application modules directed by the live component editor, and a component description generator for creating a live component description file directed by the live component editor. The live component editor may include a live component simulator capable of simulating the live component.
[0018] In yet a further aspect of the invention, the live component may be downloaded from a server to a local system, wherein algorithms in the live component are executed on the local system. The pre-built application modules and live component viewer may include computer executable instructions such as compiled code, assembled code, and interpreted script.
[0019] In yet a further aspect of the invention, the live component description file may includes live component viewer instructions. The live component viewer instructions may include XML, data links, mathML, mathML extensions. The live MathML extensions may comprises a bi-directional equals operator, an edit attribute indicating if a value is editable, and a display attribute indicating a name and format for a display.
[0020] A further aspect of the invention, the resource library may include rules, definitions, default values, and resources.
[0021] In yet a further aspect of the invention, a method for generating a live component comprising the steps of: opening an initial live component with a live component editor; iteratively updating the live component by; selecting an operand for modification; selecting a step from the group of steps consisting of: modifying the properties of the selected operand; and inserting an additional operation, selected from a library of pre-built application modules that operates on the operand using predetermined rules that correspond to the additional operation; saving the modified live component by: creating a live component viewer using the pre-built application modules directed by the rules based editor; and creating a live component description file directed by the rules based editor. The initial live component may be a default live component. The method may further include downloading the live component from a server to a local system, wherein algorithms in the live component are executed on the local system.
[0022] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a live component system.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a live component pre-built module developer's environment for an embodiment of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the relationships between a web site developer's platform, a web site and a browser.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a Live Component editor utilizing XML.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating live component viewer(s) usage in a browser.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an MathML element subclass hierarchy.
[0029] FIG. 7A shows an example equation.
[0030] FIG. 7B shows a MathML representation of a example equation.
[0031] FIG. 7C shows an internal representation of a example equation as per the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 8A shows an example equation containing a variable.
[0033] FIG. 8B shows a MathML representation of a example equation containing a variable.
[0034] FIG. 8C shows an internal representation of a example equation containing a variable as per the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 9A shows a screen shot of an example equation.
[0036] FIG. 9B shows a screen shot of an example equation containing a variable.
[0037] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the propagation of an event through a live MathML component document object hierarchy.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the propagation of an event through a live MathML component document object hierarchy that contains a variable linking two equations together.
[0039] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a portion of the operation subclass hierarchy as per an aspect of the current invention implemented in JAVA.
[0040] FIG. 13 is a conversion subclass hierarchy diagram.
[0041] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an XML parser.
[0042] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of an XML parser creating an XML document.
[0043] FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of an XML parser reading an XML node.
[0044] FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of an XML parser creating an XML node.
[0045] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing examples of layout object alignment positions and layout object measurement values.
[0046] FIG. 19A shows an alignment coordinate system
[0047] FIG. 19B shows relative constraints objects as per an aspect of the invention.
[0048] FIG. 20 shows an exemplary example of superscript alignment.
[0049] FIG. 21 shows an exemplary example of a nested relative layout manager.
[0050] FIG. 22 is a flow diagram of the layout manager laying out a layout object.
[0051] FIG. 23 a flow diagram showing an algorithm to set a component location.
[0052] FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a class table and class usage.
[0053] FIG. 25 is a screen shot of a property panel.
[0054] FIG. 26 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention which generates custom XML viewer and related files.
[0055] FIG. 27 is a flow diagram of a build procedure used to create an embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing components included in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0057] FIG. 29 is a block diagram of an example resource tree as used by an embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] FIG. 30 is a resource hierarchy diagram as per an embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing embodiments of the present invention interacting over a network.
[0060] FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing typed compound borders.
[0061] FIG. 33 is a class hierarchy diagram of value classes that may be used to represent a value in a live component.
[0062] FIG. 34 is a diagram of components that subclasses of a value class may contain.
[0063] FIG. 35 is an expansion of FIG. 11 showing multiple equations sharing a variable.
[0064] FIG. 36 shows a development environment containing an embedded system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0065] We will now make reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a live component system. This live component system block diagram illustrates an embodiment of the present invention including component authoring, publishing and end use. An author 100 uses a component application generator 102 to create “live” components that may be made part of a web page 120 which may then be accessed by a user 140 through a browser 130 . The author 100 inputs data into a rules based live components editor 104 that uses rules, definitions, and resources 106 to output component descriptions to a component description generator 110 and a viewer generator 112 . Rules may specify information for creating live components. These rules may be specified globally for a live component, or for any subcomponent of a live component. Examples of rules may include operations, parameters, display information, types of values, hierarchy structures, decorations, and where various operators may be located in the layout. A decoration may define additional non-functional visual aspects of a live component. The component description generator 110 may generate a component description which may be XML that may be output to a web page 120 . The viewer generator 112 may accept input from the rules, definitions, and resources 106 , the rules based editor 104 , and pre-built application modules 108 . The viewer generator 112 then creates viewer module(s) which may be included in a web page(s) 120 . Now the user 140 may view the web page 120 with its live components through a browser 130 .
[0066] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a live component pre-built module developer's environment for an embodiment of the invention. The purpose of the developer's environment is to create files for distribution to a web designer ( 270 and 280 ). The developer's environment may include editor source code 200 , viewer source code 210 , a source editor 230 , a compiler 240 , and a JAR file creator 250 . The editor source code 200 further includes editor specific code 202 and common code 204 . The editor specific code may include an XML editor and a property editor. The common code 204 may include dynamically loaded classes 206 and utility classes 208 that may be shared with the viewer. The dynamically loaded classes 206 may include conversions, displays, XML specific tag functions, operations, values, resources, and Java functions. The utility classes 208 may include an XML parser and layout manager.
[0067] A source editor 230 accepts as input the common code 204 from the editor source code 200 and generates edited common code 214 to be included as part of the viewer source code 210 . The edited common code may have functionality of common code 214 removed or new functionality added. For example, the ability to edit a live component may be removed from edited common code 214 . The edited common code 214 may further include edited dynamically loaded classes 216 and edited utility classes 218 . The viewer source code 210 may also include XML viewer code 212 .
[0068] A compiler 240 may compile source code into executable modules and accepts as input editor source code 200 and viewer source code 210 . The executable modules compiled by the compiler 240 are output to a .JAR creator 250 which assembles the collection of executable modules into an editor .JAR file 270 and a viewer .JAR file 280 . The editor .JAR file 270 includes editor executables 272 that may further include a compiled XML editor 274 , dynamically loaded classes 276 , and utilities 278 . The viewer .JAR file 280 includes viewer executables 282 that may further include a compiled XML viewer 284 , dynamically loaded classes 286 , and utilities 288 . The editor .JAR file 270 and the viewer .JAR file 280 may be distributed to web designers for use in creating live components.
[0069] FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates the relationships between a web site developer's platform 300 , a web site 310 and browser 320 as per an embodiment of the present invention. The diagram represents an XML specific implementation of the present invention (as per FIG. 1 ). The web developer's platform 300 includes a viewer .JAR file 301 which may include a collection of viewer executable files. The viewer .JAR file 301 is preferably input to an XML editor 302 (an XML specific version of 104 ), which may edit XML files 303 and outputs applet .JAR files 304 . The web developer's platform 300 may also include an HTML editor 305 which may edit HTML files 306 intended for use on a web site 310 . The web site 310 is preferably housed on a web server and includes XML files 311 , applet .JAR files 312 , and HTML files 313 which may be read and displayed by a browser 320 . The HTML files 313 define the HTML frame 321 which may contain applets 322 . The applets 322 may be contained in the applet .JAR files 312 and use data contained in the XML files 311 and the applet .JAR files 312 . The applets may also be JAVA beans.
[0070] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a XML editor as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. The XML editor 410 preferably accepts input from: a user 400 ; resources 401 ; a viewer .JAR file 402 ; and tag classes 403 . The XML editor 410 preferably processes the inputs and generates for output .JAR file(s) 460 and XML files(s) 470 . A user 400 observes a display and utilizing a keyboard and mouse generates events that may be handled by an event handler 430 . The event handler 430 preferably interprets the events to determine which display object 420 needs action. The display objects 420 may include a document display panel 421 , a properties panel 422 , buttons 423 , menus 424 , and status bars 425 . When a display object is modified an action may be generated. Actions 411 may include file I/O actions 412 , editing actions 413 , and display actions 414 . Some actions may require parsing XML from resources 401 by XML parser 450 . Some actions may cause XML document objects 440 to be modified.
[0071] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating live component viewer(s) usage in a browser. Jar file(s) 500 , XML file(s) 501 and HTML file(s) 502 may contain the content required to generate a live web page on the browser 510 . The browser 510 generates an HTML display frame 511 that may contain the live components as described by the files 500 , 501 , and 502 . The live components may be applet(s) 512 . Each applet may contain an XML parser 513 which preferably parses the XML files(s) 502 into XML document objects 514 when the applet 512 is initialized. The XML document object may be an internal representation of an XML object(s). A document display panel 515 displays the XML document object(s) 514 to a user 518 based on instructions coming from the event handler 516 . The event handler generates the instructions from events that are input from a user 518 . Events may include mouse input, and keyboard inputs such as value changes.
[0072] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a MathML element subclass hierarchy as per an aspect of the current invention implemented in JAVA. MathML is a specific example of an XML type that may be implemented by the present invention, and JAVA is an example of a specific language that may be used to implement the present invention. One skilled in the art will be able to see that different programming languages other than JAVA and different description languages including other types of XML may also be used. This hierarchy at its highest levels contains JAVA classes representing XML related modules. For example the highest level modules include an XML viewer 600 , and XML editor 610 and an XML Node 620 .
[0073] The XML viewer 600 class contains the code to implement a generic XML viewer. Subclasses of the XML viewer 600 may add code to implement additional functionality. For example, a MathML viewer 601 may implement additional functionality for a MathML specific viewer. The XML editor 610 class contains the code to implement a generic XML editor. Subclasses of the XML editor 610 may add code to implement additional functionality. For example, a MathML editor 611 may implement additional functionality for a MathML specific editor.
[0074] The XML node 620 class contains the code to implement a generic XML node. An XML node may be any point on an XML hierarchy as is known by those skilled in the art familiar with XML and other related concepts. Subclasses of the XML node 620 may include code to implement additional functionality. For example, additional functionality may be added to the XML element 621 , XML document 631 , and XML comment 641 classes. The XML element 621 may be further subclassed adding more additional functionality with each level in the hierarchy as shown in elements 622 , 623 , 624 , 625 , 626 , 627 , and 628 . In the presently illustrated example, a MathML element 622 is subclassed into a display class 623 which is further subclassed to add more display specific functionality. Also illustrated is a MathML document 632 which is a subclass of XML document 631 . Some examples of display functionality that may be added to display classes include new image displays based on value ranges such stop lights, meter gauges, and switch displays.
[0075] An example equation 700 that will be used to illustrate the internal structures that may be used by an aspect of the current invention is shown in FIG. 7A . As those skilled in the art will recognize, FIG. 7B shows a MathML representation 710 of the example equation 700 . FIG. 7C shows an internal representation of the MathML 710 shown in FIG. 7B as per the present invention. An XML document 720 includes a MathML element 730 that further includes other objects that together represent the equation 700 . The objects include a MathML elements 740 and 753 , a Tag 756 , and a display value 760 .
[0076] XML tags are command elements that may be one of three types: a start tag, an end tag, or an empty element tag. Start and end tags come in pairs and may contain child elements between them. An empty element tag contains no children.
[0077] Tag 756 is a string object that contains the MathML tag string “rein”, which indicates that the MathML element 730 represents the MathML relation operation. The MathML element 753 further contains the tag “eq” which indicates that the specific type of relation operation is an equals operation.
[0078] The display value 760 may include a tag object 761 , an attributes object 764 and a data object 768 . The tag 761 contains a “cn” string which indicates that it implements a MathML numeric constant display function. The data field 768 contains the result of the equals operation. The attribute object 763 may contain attributes which further specify the operation the display value 760 . The current example contains a result attribute 764 set to “true” which sets the display value 760 as the result side of the equals operation, and an editable attribute 766 set to “false” which sets the display value 760 to not accept changes by the user.
[0079] The MathML element 740 may be the source of the equals operation contained in the MathMLElement 730 and contains a Tag 746 and two display values 741 and 748 . The Tag 746 indicates that the MathMLElement should perform an addition operation on the two display values 741 and 748 . The display values 741 and 748 each include tags 742 and 749 indicating that they implement the MathML “cn” function, and further include data fields 744 and 751 containing the values “5” and “7” which may be added by the addition operation contained in the MathMLElement 704 (further detailed by Operation plus 1026 ). The result of the addition operation may then be stored in the result display value 760 .
[0080] MathML and most XML markup languages do not currently support live interactivity. One aspect of this invention that differs from MathML is that MathML extensions may be incorporated to add “live” functionality. In MathML, the “eq” tag would instruct a viewer to display an “=” sign. The current invention adds live functionality. The “=” sign may have several functions: assignment from left to right; an assignment from right to left; bi-directional assignment; and no assignment. In addition, the “=” sign may return a result from the equals operation. Such a result may, in the case of an assignment, return the most recently assigned value; or, in the case of no assignment, may return a boolean value indicating if the two operands are equal or not. The result may also be returned to higher levels of the hierarchy. Also, the result and editable attributes may be extensions to standard MathML to support live functionality.
[0081] FIG. 8A shows an example equation 800 containing a variable. This equation is similar to the equation 700 , except that the 7 is replaced by a variable X 1 . FIG. 8B shows a MathML representation 810 of the example equation 800 . The main difference between FIG. 7B and FIG. 8B is that the “<cn>7</cn>” line is replaced with a “ci” element and its children which is a MathML description of the X 1 variable.
[0082] FIG. 8C shows an internal representation of the MathML 810 shown in FIG. 8B as per the present invention. The main difference between FIG. 7C and FIG. 8C is that the display value 748 is replaced by display name 830 . Display name 830 contains a “ci” tag 832 and a MathML element 833 . A “ci” tag is a MathML representation for a variable. The MathML element 833 contains a “msub” tag 839 and two display values 834 and 841 . The display values 834 and 841 each include “mi” tags 835 and 842 indicating that data values 837 and 844 are MathML presentation items. The “msub” tag is the MathML representation for a subscript, so that data object 844 will display as a subscript to data object 837 .
[0083] FIG. 9A shows a screen shot of an example equation being generated.
[0084] FIG. 9B shows a screen shot of an example equation containing a variable being generated.
[0085] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the propagation of an event through a live MathML component document object hierarchy. Example equation 700 from FIGS. 7 A, 7 B, and 7 C are illustrated. One purpose of event propagation may be to recalculate an equation when an element of an equation changes. In the presently illustrated example, the data in text field 1024 is modified to a value of “5”. The value “5” is converted by a conversion object 1023 from a displayed representation to an internal representation that may be operated on and stored in value object 1022 . Any value object that has changed may notify other objects that may be listening of the change. In this example, value object 1022 notifies MathML element 740 that it has changed and MathML element 740 notifies plus operation object 1026 to recalculate and store its result in value 1025 . Now that value object 1025 has changed, it notifies its listener MathML element 730 that it has changed. MathML element 730 then notifies equals operation object 1040 to recalculate and store its logical result in value object 1010 . Because the result 764 ( FIG. 7C ) was set to true, the numerical result is stored in value object 1051 . The conversion object 1052 then converts the value stored in value object 1051 from an internal representation to a display representation and stores that result in text field 1053 .
[0086] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the propagation of an event through a live MathML component document object hierarchy that contains a variable linking two equations together. A MathML element 1100 represents the equation “5+X=12” and a MathML element 1150 represents the equation “X=7”. The two equations are linked by the variable “X”, and the MathML elements are linked internally by the two values 1153 and 1121 . When an element of an equation changes, the equation is recalculated by an event which propagates through the equation hierarchy. In the presently illustrated example, the data in text field 1161 is modified to a value of “7”. The value “7” is converted by a conversion object 1160 from a displayed representation to an internal representation in value object 1159 . Now that value object 1159 has changed it notifies its listeners (MathML element 1150 ) that it has changed. MathML element 1150 then notifies equals operation object 1157 to recalculate and store its logical result in value object 1151 . In the present example, display value 1152 contains a result attribute set to true (not shown), the numerical result is stored in value object 1153 . Now that value object 1153 has changed it notifies its listeners (value object 1121 ) that it has changed. Value object 1121 in turn notifies its listeners (MathML element 1110 ) of the change. MathML element 1110 then notifies plus operation 1117 to recalculate and store its numerical result in value object 1111 . Now that value object 1111 has changed it notifies its listeners (MathML element 1100 ) that it has changed. MathML element 1100 then notifies equals operation 1125 to recalculate and store its logical result in value object 1101 . In the present example, the display value 1130 contains a result attribute set to true (not shown), the numerical result is stored in value object 1131 . The conversion object 1132 then converts the value stored in value object 1131 from an internal representation to a display representation and stores that result in text field 1134 .
[0087] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a portion of the operation subclass hierarchy as per an aspect of the current invention implemented in JAVA. The top level Operation class 1200 contains Java methods common to all operations, and methods which must be included in operation subclasses (abstract methods). The common methods may include class instance constructors and methods to return operations given the operation name and type. A method to return operations (getOperation( )) may create new operations or return cached operations. The abstract methods may include a method to compute an operation (compute( )) and a method to return the type of operation (getTypeName( )). The method to compute the result of the operation may contain two arguments, a vector object of operand values to perform the operation on and a result value to store the result of the operation in.
[0088] The abstract methods may be implemented by subclasses of the operation class 1200 which may be categorized by the type of value the specific operation returns. Two categories of subclasses are shown, a real operators category 1210 and an integer operators category 1220 , each containing a subclass of the operation class 1200 . The Operation_real 1211 subclass implements those operations which return real values, represented internally in the present invention by the Java data type “double”. The Operation_real subclass implements the getTypeName( ) method which returns the string “real”. The Operation_integer 1221 subclass implements those operations which return integer values, represented internally in the present invention by the Java data type “long”. The Operation_integer subclass implements the getTypeName( ) method which returns the string “long”.
[0089] The Operation_real subclass 1211 is further subclassed by a OperationTwoOperands subclass 1212 which implements the compute( ) method required by the operation class 1200 and contains a new abstract compute( ) method which takes two double arguments and returns a double result. The new compute( ) method is called by the compute( ) method implemented by the OperationTwoOperands subclass 1212 . The new compute method may be implemented by subclasses of OperationTwoOperands 1212 .
[0090] The OperationTwoOperands subclass 1212 is further subclassed by a Operation_times subclass 1213 and a Operations_power subclass 1214 . The Operation_times subclass 1213 implements the compute( ) method required by the OperationTwoOperands subclass 1212 and calculates the product of the two double arguments and returns the double result. The Operation_power subclass 1214 implements the compute( ) method required by the OperationTwoOperands subclass 1212 and returns the double result of raising the double value 1 to the power of double value 2 .
[0091] The Operation_integer subclass 1221 is further subclassed by a OperationTwoOperands 1222 subclass which implements the compute( ) method required by the operation class 1200 and contains a new abstract compute( ) method which takes two integer arguments and returns an integer result. The new compute( ) method is called by the compute( ) method implemented by the OperationTwoOperands subclass 1222 . The new compute method may be implemented by subclasses of OperationTwoOperands 1222 .
[0092] The OperationTwoOperands subclass 1222 is further subclassed by a Operation_times subclass 1223 and a Operations_minus subclass 1224 . The Operation_times subclass 1223 implements the compute( ) method required by the OperationTwoOperands subclass 1222 and calculates the product of the two integer arguments and returns the integer result. The Operation_minus subclass 1224 implements the compute( ) method required by the OperationTwoOperands subclass 1222 and returns the integer result of subtracting the integer value 2 from the integer value 1 .
[0093] Other operations specific to different areas of interest such as other specialized XML types may be implemented in this hierarchy and may include: real time operations such as timers; math operations such as trigonometric functions; input and output functions such as get, put, mail and fax; algorithmic functions such as loops; and time and date functions such as days until.
[0094] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a portion of the conversion subclass hierarchy as per an aspect of the current invention implemented in JAVA. The top level Conversion class 1300 contains Java methods common to all conversions, and methods which must be included in conversion subclasses (abstract methods). The common methods may include a method to return conversions given the conversion name, type and format. The method to return conversion may create new conversions or return cached conversions.
[0095] One subclass of the conversion class 1300 is shown. The Conversion_string subclass 1310 may contain a method to get a new Conversion_string instance given a type and a display format name, and abstract methods to convert a String to a Value (toValue( )) and to convert a Value to a String (fromValue( )).
[0096] Conversion_string 1310 is further subclassed by Conversion_double 1320 which implements the abstract methods of Conversion_string 1310 and defines the abstract method toValue( ) and fromValue( ) which operate on Java double values instead of Value objects. The toValue( ) and fromValue( ) methods implemented by Conversion_string 1310 in turn call the new abstract toValue( ) and fromValue( ) methods which may be implemented by subclasses of Conversion_double 1320 .
[0097] Conversion_double 1320 is further subclassed by Conversion_Binary 1330 which implements the abstract methods of Conversion_double 1320 and defines the abstract method toValue( ) and fromValue( ) which convert Java double values to and from Java Strings. The Strings contain a String representation of the binary value of the Java double value.
[0098] Conversion_double 1320 is further subclassed by Conversion_FloatingPoint 1340 which implements the abstract methods of Conversion_double 1320 and defines the abstract method toValue( ) and fromValue( ) which convert Java double values to and from Java Strings. The Strings contain a floating point representation of the Java double value.
[0099] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an XML parser. This parser may be part of the development environment and part of the live component that may run on a client. An important aspect of the parser allows the live component to preferably be scaled to a minimum size. Only those parts of the parser that are needed on the client side are included, determined by the specific XML tags used by the live components. The input to the parser 1430 may include the XML 1400 to be parsed, parsing resources 1410 , and tag classes 1420 . The parsing resources may include translations from XML tags to the name of the tag classes 1420 needed to load an XML node. The parser 1430 contains a document creator 1434 which parses each node of the XML and creates an XML document 1440 . The document creator 1434 calls a comment creator 1431 , an element creator 1432 , and an attribute processor 1433 as needed for each node in the parsed XML. The comment creator 1431 creates an XML node which holds an XML comment. This preserves comments from the XML structure so that the XML may be recreated later. The element creator 1432 recognizes XML elements in the XML 1400 and converts them into XML element objects which are then included in the XML document object 1440 . The attribute processor 1433 recognizes attributes in XML 1400 and converts them into XML node attributes which are then included in the XML elements of the XML document object 1440 .
[0100] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of an XML parser creating an XML document. The XML parser is a basic aspect of the present invention that allows the XML to be parsed into its basic elements and converted into an internal representation of the live component. Step S 1502 may get an XML string such as MathML and prepares it to be parsed. Step S 1504 creates an empty XML document object that may be used to store parsed XML. Next, a decision loop starts with step S 1506 which determines if any nodes in the XML need to be parsed. If false the algorithm ends. If there are XML nodes that need to be parsed, then the next XML node is read at step S 1508 and then added to the XML document object at step S 1510 . Finally the loop returns back to step S 1506 where a determination is made again if any more nodes need parsing.
[0101] The flow diagram in FIG. 16 is an expansion of step S 1508 showing how an XML parser may read an XML node. Step S 1602 gets a token from the prepared XML obtained in step S 1502 . Next, step S 1604 decides if the token is a tag. A non-tag may start with either “<!” (comment) or “<?” (processing instruction). If the token was determined to be a non-tag node at step S 1604 , then step S 1612 determines what type of non tag node to create. Then step S 1614 creates the non-tag node as determined in step S 1612 . If the token is a tag node, then processing proceeds to step S 1606 where the tag name and tag attributes are extracted from the XML. Step S 1608 then determines from the extracted tag name and tag attributes what type of XML node to create. Step S 1610 then creates the XML node as determined by step S 1608 . The created node is returned so that step S 1510 may add the XML node to the XML document object.
[0102] FIG. 17 is an expansion of step S 1610 showing a flow diagram of how an XML parser may create an XML node. Step S 1701 creates a new empty XML node. Step S 1702 selects the new node's resources from the parsing resources 1410 . The selected resources may be based on the type of node created (as per S 1608 ). Step S 1704 then processes the node's attributes and configures the XML node appropriately. Next, step S 1706 decides if the current node contains any child nodes. If there are no child nodes the current node is returned so that S 1510 may add the XML node to the XML document object. If there are child nodes step S 1708 then reads the next XML node. Step S 1708 may be a recursive call to step S 1508 ( FIG. 16 ). Next, step S 1710 adds the newly read child XML node to the current XML node. Finally the loop returns back to step S 1706 where a determination is made again if there are any more child nodes.
[0103] Now we will discuss another important aspect of the present invention, the layout manager. The layout manager may freely position objects relative to other objects while many other layout managers layout objects explicitly based on a grid. Relative positioning allows for finer positioning without having to explicitly specify an object's position. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing examples of layout object alignment positions and layout object measurement values. A layout object 1800 may be positioned by the layout manager and may contain a displayed character string 1810 , which is shown with layout object alignment positions and layout object measurement values. The alignment positions are places on the layout object 1800 that the layout manager may use to position components and may include the bottom 1824 , top 1822 , left 1825 , or right 1827 edges of the layout object 1800 ; the base 1823 of the layout object; or the horizontal position of a particular character 1826 in the character string 1810 . The base 1823 position may be the base from the character string 1810 's font. The layout object measurement values are aspects of the layout object 1800 that the layout manager may measure to assist with the layout and may include the layout object 1800 width 1820 , or height 1831 , or the character string 1810 's font width 1821 , ascent 1828 , descent 1829 , or height 1830 .
[0104] FIG. 19A shows an alignment coordinate system which may be used by the layout manager to position objects.
[0105] FIG. 19B shows relative constraints objects as per an aspect of the invention. Each layout object 1800 being laid out by the layout manager may have a relative constraints object 1910 associated with it which describes how the layout object 1800 should be positioned. The relative constraints objects 1910 may contain a component name 1917 which may contain the name of the layout object 1800 ; X constraints 1911 which may further contain X alignment 1912 constraints and X baseline 1913 constraints; and Y constraints 1914 which may further contain Y alignment 1915 constraints and Y Baseline 1916 constraints. The X alignment 1912 , Y alignment 1915 , X baseline 1914 , and Y baseline 1916 constraints are all Relative alignment constraint objects 1920 . The X alignment 1912 specifies a X position on another layout object, X baseline 1913 specifies a X position on the current layout object 1800 , Y alignment 1915 specifies a Y position on another layout object, and Y baseline 1916 specifies a Y position on the current layout object 1800 .
[0106] Each Relative Alignment 1920 constraint object may contain measure type 1921 , fraction 1922 , component name 1923 , component 1924 , character 1925 , and relative to 1926 objects. Component name 1923 and component 1924 may specify another layout component and a name that the layout manager will align the layout component 1800 to. Measure type 1921 may specify a type of measurement (as described in FIG. 18 above) and a fraction 1922 that may specify a multiplier to scale the measurement made by the layout manager. The relative to object 1926 may specify an alignment position (also described in FIG. 18 above) that the layout manager may use as a reference point when the measurement is made. Character 1925 may specify a character in the character string whose X position may be used as an alignment point if the alignment type is character 1826 .
[0107] FIG. 20 shows an exemplary example of layout manager object alignment. A layout object 2004 contains layout objects 2002 and 2003 . Layout object 2003 (containing a “3”) is being positioned as a superscript of layout object 2002 (containing a “2”). Layout object 2002 may have been positioned previously or may not be positioned. The layout manager positions layout object 2003 relative to layout object 2002 using the relative constraint object 2000 . The X baseline object 2060 contains a “Relative To” object 2061 which specifies the LEFT edge of the layout object 2003 as its X alignment position. The X alignment object 2050 contains a “Relative To” object 2052 and a component name 2051 which indicates that the RIGHT edge of the layout object named “2” (layout object 2002 ) should be used as the X alignment position. Layout object 2003 is positioned so that its X alignment position is aligned with layout object 2002 's X alignment position. The Y baseline object 2030 contains a “Relative To” object 2033 , a fraction 2032 , and a “Measure Type” object 2031 which specifies layout object 2003 's Y alignment position as the middle of its ASCENT measurement (BASE position +−0.5*ASCENT size). The Y alignment object 2020 contains a “Relative To” object 2024 , a component name 2023 , a fraction 2022 , and a “Measure Type” object 2021 which specifies that the top of the ASCENT measurement (BASE position +−1.0*ASCENT size) of a layout object named “2” (layout object 2002 ) should be used as the Y alignment position. Layout object 2003 is positioned so that its Y alignment position is aligned with layout object 2002 's Y alignment position.
[0108] FIG. 21 shows an exemplary example of a nested relative layout manager. A layout object 2100 contains layout objects 2004 , 2105 , and 2108 . Layout object 2004 (the layout of which is described above in FIG. 20 ) is being positioned to the left of layout object 2105 (containing a “=”). The layout of layout object 2108 is not described in this example. The layout manager positions layout object 2004 relative to layout object 2105 using the relative constraint object 2100 .
[0109] The X baseline object 2160 contains a “Relative To” object 2161 which specifies the RIGHT edge of the layout object 2004 as its X alignment position. The X alignment object 2150 contains a “Relative To” object 2152 and a component name 2151 which indicates that the LEFT edge should be used as the X alignment position of the layout object named “=” (layout object 2105 ). Layout object 2004 is positioned so that its X alignment position is aligned with layout object 2105 's X alignment position (the RIGHT of 2004 is aligned with the LEFT of 2105 ).
[0110] The Y baseline object 2130 contains a “Relative To” object 2131 which specifies layout object 2004 's Y alignment position as its BASE position. A nested layout object may specify an additional relative constraints object (not shown) which may indicate another layout object within itself to make measurements from. In the present example the layout object 2004 contains an additional relative constraints object to indicate that its BASE position is the BASE position of layout object 2002 . The Y alignment object 2120 contains a “Relative To” object 2122 and a component name 2121 which specifies that the BASE position should be used as the alignment position of a layout object named “=” (layout object 2105 ). Layout object 2004 is positioned so that its Y alignment position is aligned with layout object 2105 's Y alignment position (the BASE of 2004 and 2002 are aligned with the BASE of 2105 ).
[0111] FIG. 22 is a flow diagram of the layout manager laying out a layout object. Step S 2200 resets the position of each component in the layout to a known position. Step S 2202 then sets each component to its preferred size. If a component uses a layout manager such as the relative layout manager it may be laid out in step S 2202 (by recursively calling the present algorithm) so that its preferred size may be determined. Step S 2204 may set the location of each component relative to the other components. Step S 2206 normalizes the component locations so components with the smallest X and Y coordinates are positioned at zero. Step S 2208 then calculates the size of the layout based on the normalized positions and the maximum X and Y coordinate positions. Step S 2212 then calculates the character and base offsets of the layout, which may be used by layout managers at higher levels in a nested layout manager hierarchy.
[0112] FIG. 23 is an expansion of step S 2204 showing a flow diagram of an embodiment of an algorithm to set a component location. Step S 2302 determines whether the component is visible. If the component is not visible its position is not set and the algorithm returns. If the component is visible then step S 2304 updates the relative alignment constraints 1920 for the component, which may find a component with the name specified in 1923 and may save a pointer to the component in 1924 . Step S 2306 may set the location of the alignment component by recursively calling the present algorithm. Next, step S 2308 calculates the location of the current component by adding the offset on the alignment component to the current component's location and subtracting the offset on the current component. Step S 2310 then moves the component to the new location.
[0113] FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a class table and class usage. A class table 2400 may be used to build a table of all the classes that may be used or referenced in an object hierarchy. The class table class 2400 contains a class table 2410 to hold the list of classes and several methods that may assist in building the class table. These methods may include a load class in use method 2421 , an add skip package method 2422 , a load class name method 2423 , a remove interfaces method 2424 , and an add load package method 2425 . An object 2440 may have super classes and interfaces 2430 and subclasses 2450 . Any subclasses 2450 may have further subclasses 2460 . Each object may implement the ClassUsage interface which may indicate that the class contains load classes in use methods ( 2441 , 2451 , and 2461 ), and remove interfaces methods ( 2442 , 2452 , 2462 ). The load classes in use method 2441 may pass a sub object 2450 to the load class in used method 2421 . The load class in use method 2421 may then call the sub object 2450 's load classes in use 2451 and remove interfaces 2452 methods. The remove interfaces method 2452 may then call the remove interface method 2424 . This process may continue recursively as each object in the object hierarchy may pass its sub objects to the load class in use method 2421 . In this way all of the classes used in an object hierarchy may be added to the class table. The remove interfaces methods ( 2442 , 2452 , 2462 ) and remove interface method 2424 may specify interfaces implemented by objects that should not be included in the class table. The add skip package method 2422 may specify package names of classes that should be skipped and not added to the class table. The add load package method 2425 may specify package names of classes that should be loaded into the class table. The load class name method 2423 may specify explicit class names that should be added to the class table.
[0114] FIG. 25 is a screen shot showing a property panel 2500 .
[0115] FIG. 26 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention which generates custom XML viewers and related files. An XML viewer generator 2610 may generate an XML file 2650 , an HTML file 2660 , and a viewer applet 2670 . The XML viewer generator 2610 may accept an existing XML file 2600 as input and may contain, or be used in conjunction with, an XML editor. The XML viewer generator 2610 may further accept XML Viewer Generator Resources 2640 as input to direct the creation of the viewer applet 2670 . The XML viewer generator resources 2640 may contain parsing and style resources 2641 , tag classes 2642 , and custom components 2643 . The parsing and style resources 2641 may contain resources trees (described below in FIG. 29 ) which may direct XML parsing, and applet viewer formatting and style. The tag classes 2642 may contain modules, which may be JAVA, to handle the creation of components of the viewer applet 2670 specific to a particular XML tag in the XML file 2650 . The custom components 2643 may contain JAVA classes for possible inclusion in the viewer applet 2670 . Custom components 2643 may contain classes which may internally represent and display XML nodes (described above in FIG. 6 ), may further contain conversion classes (described above in FIG. 13 ), and operation classes (described above in FIG. 12 ). The XML viewer generator resources 2640 may be manually or automatically created, and may be created from a DTD 2620 and an XSL file 2630 . The viewer applet 2670 may display the XML file 2600 with “live” or “static” components. Multiple XML viewers may be combined into a single viewer. Components of the viewer applet 2670 may also be integrated with other software such as a browser or other applet viewer.
[0116] FIG. 27 is a flow diagram of a build procedure used to create an embodiment of the present invention. In S 2702 the editor source code 200 is built. Next in S 2704 the source editor 230 is run which creates the viewer source code 210 . In S 2706 the viewer source code 210 is built and in S 2708 the viewer .JAR file 280 is created. In S 2710 the editor .JAR file 270 is created. Next, in S 2712 the install application is created, and in S 2714 the install application is published.
[0117] FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing components included in an embodiment of the present invention. Objects and extensions to JAVA that may be independently used 2800 may contain a layout manager 2810 (described above in FIGS. 18 through 23 ), an XML editor/viewer 2820 , a resource tree 2830 ( FIG. 29 ), an XML parser 2840 ( FIGS. 14 through 17 ), component borders 2850 ( FIG. 32 ), a class usage table 2860 ( FIG. 24 ), and a property panel 2870 . The XML editor/viewer 2810 may further contain an operations library 2821 ( FIG. 12 ), a conversions library 2822 ( FIG. 13 ), a displays library 2823 ( FIG. 6 ), a values library 2824 ( FIG. 33 ), and a styles library 2825 . The components borders 2850 may further contain a typed compound border 2851 ( FIG. 32 ), and a URL border 2852 .
[0118] FIG. 29 is a block diagram of an example resource tree as used by an embodiment of the present invention. A resource tree is shown that contains examples of various properties that may be used by an exponent operation (Tag_power). The directory structure of the example resource tree is shown in 2900 . The top-level resources directory 2900 contains a subdirectory 2910 named “_math” and a subdirectory 2950 named “_real”. The subdirectory 2910 further contains a subdirectory 2930 named “_real” that further contains a subdirectory 2940 named “_string”. The subdirectory 2950 further contains a subdirectory 2960 named “_string”. Each directory and subdirectory in the present example contain three properties files, contents.properties ( 2901 , 2920 , 2931 , 2941 , 2951 , 2961 ), Tag.properties ( 2902 , 2921 , 2932 , 2942 , 2952 , 2962 ), and Tag_power.properties ( 2903 , 2922 , 2933 , 2943 , 2953 , 2963 ).
[0119] Properties files at each level of the resource tree may inherit properties from their sibling, parent, and cousin properties files. A sibling properties file may be a properties file at the same directory level with the last section of the name removed. In the present example the Tag_power.properties file 2943 has a sibling properties file Tag.properties 2942 . A parent properties file may be a properties file in the parent directory level with the same name. In the present example the Tag_power.properties file 2943 has a parent properties file Tag_power.properties 2933 . A cousin properties file may be a properties file in the directory level with the same directory path with the highest level directory level removed. In the present example the Tag_power.properties file 2943 has a cousin properties file Tag_power.properties 2963 .
[0120] The contents.properties files may contain a list of directories and files contained in the same directory. Contents.properties file 2951 may contain properties 2981 which may include a “directories” property set to the name of the “_string” subdirectory and a “files” property set to the names of the Tag.properties and Tag_power.properties files. The contents.properties file 2951 may be used to determine the files contained in the directory structure 2950 without the need for potentially slow or unnecessary network requests. Tag.properties file 2962 is an example of some properties 2971 that may be in a properties file. These properties may include formatNames listing the names of allowable display formats, and formatDefault indicating the default display format.
[0121] FIG. 30 is a resource hierarchy diagram as per an embodiment of the present invention. The diagram shows one branch of a resource hierarchy. Each level of the hierarchy may more finely describe a particular XML node and may contain resources to control and display that node. The highest level of the resource hierarchy is the XML type 3002 , which may indicate the particular type of XML (MathML, ChemicalML, MusicML, SpeechML, etc.) contained in that branch of the hierarchy. A style 3004 level of the hierarchy may indicate a particular display style (Math, Java, Fortran, hierarchy) for the current XML type 3002 . A value type 3006 level of the hierarchy indicates the type of data (such as real, string, integer.) represented by an XML node. A display type 3008 level of the hierarchy indicates the type of data (such as string, integer, vector) used to display an XML node. A display format 3010 level of the hierarchy indicates the display format of a displayed XML node. Various formats may be implemented, such as different ways to represent a binary value including Intel format, Motorola format, Hexadecimal format, octal format, or binary format.
[0122] FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing embodiments of the present invention interacting over a network. Live components may exist on various nodes of a network. It is a feature of the live components that they may reference each other by data links. Data links may include locations to either receive or transmit data. The location may be identified by any network addressing scheme such as URL's. This data may include values such as numeric values, text values, and link values. These values may be a dynamically calculated per an algorithm performed by the live component. For example, a link's values may change dynamically based on the algorithm performed by the live component.
[0123] Also, live components may be downloaded to different nodes by reference. For example, a web page may include a live component which gets loaded on the browser of a site connected to the web page. In the present illustration, computer 3102 , computer 3100 , internet appliance 3104 and internet appliance 3106 are nodes on the network 3100 . Live components may run on a computer or an internet appliance. Live components may be used to control or report the status of an internet appliance.
[0124] FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing typed compound borders. A typed compound border may be a border on a component 3200 . The typed compound border may contain other typed compound borders in a nested border hierarchy. The typed compound borders may be assigned a border type including error border type 3210 , real border type 3208 , selection border type 3206 , hierarchy border type 3204 , and cursor border type 3202 . The border hierarchy may be restricted to one compound border of a particular type and the hierarchy may further be restricted to a particular border type order. When a new compound border is inserted in a border hierarchy it may be inserted into the hierarchy in a position that adheres to the restricted order, and may also replace an existing border if one already exists in the border hierarchy of the same border type. Real border types may represent a border around an element of a live component and may include bracket borders (such as square brackets, parenthesis brackets, and squiggle brackets), beveled borders, etched borders, lined borders, titled borders and URL borders. Selection border types may represent currently selected elements in a live component hierarchy (typically used to designate which elements a command will apply to). Hierarchy borders may be used to indicate visually the hierarchy of a live component which otherwise may not be visible. Cursor border types may be used to indicate the current insertion point while editing a live component.
[0125] FIG. 33 is a class hierarchy diagram of the value classes that may be used to represent a value object(s) in a live component hierarchy. A value object holds a data value which may be of various types including logical, integer, real, string, vector, URL, error tracking, and infinite precision. A value class 3302 may contain modules that may be included in all subclasses of value class 3302 . The value class 3302 may be sub classed by a logical value 3304 , an integer value 3306 , a real value 3308 , a string value 3310 , a vector value 3312 , and other values 3314 . Each subclass may contain an internal representation of a value in a live component and other methods specific to the type of data being represented.
[0126] FIG. 34 is a diagram of some components that all subclasses of value class 3302 may contain. These components may include a value 3402 used to hold a value's internal representation (Boolean, long, double, String, Vector, etc.), a parent document name 3410 indicating the XML document the value is contained in, a listener list 3411 containing any object that may be notified when the value changes, a name invalid 3412 flag indicating the value's name is not valid and must be updated, an override 3413 and override name 3414 containing another value and its name if the current value has been overridden (is a variable), a references table 3415 containing a list of other values that are overridden by this value (linked variables), a URL 3416 indicating that this values internal representation should be obtained from a network, and a visit flag 3418 indicating that this value is currently being accessed or computed.
[0127] FIG. 35 is an expansion of FIG. 11 showing multiple equations sharing a variable. The display value 1152 contains an attribute “source” set to “true” which indicates that it is the source of the variable's value. The display value 1120 does not contain a “source” attribute so its value is overridden by the variable. The value 1153 is the value of the variable and contains the value name 3572 (“X” as specified by text field 1155 ) and a reference table 3573 which lists all references to the variable “X”. In the present example the reference table 3573 contains an entry for Value 1121 . Value 1121 contains an override name 3532 which holds the name of the override value (“X”) and the override 3533 which points at value 1153 . Text field 1123 specifies the value of override name 3532 . A MathML document 3510 contains the MathML element 1150 and also a variable table 3560 that contains a list of all of the variables defined in the document. In the present example the variable table 3560 contains one entry for the value 1153 indexed by its name “X”. When the override name 3532 is set the variable table 3560 is scanned for a value of the same name and that value is placed in override 3533 . Also when the variable name 3572 is set the value is added to the variable table 3560 and any references to the value 3572 listed in the reference table 3573 have their override name 3532 and override 3533 changed.
[0128] FIG. 36 shows a development environment containing an embedded system. An embedded target 3610 may contain a controller 3612 , executable code 3614 , and I/O 3616 . The controller target 3640 may contain a browser 3642 that further contains an HTML file 3642 , an applet 3644 , and I/O 3642 . The development environment 3600 contains a GUI editor 3620 , simulation classes 3622 , and execution classes 3624 which together are used to create and simulate algorithms and executable code 3614 . The development environment 3600 further contains a GUI editor 3630 , simulation classes 3632 , and execution classes 3634 which together are used to create and simulate an applet 3644 . The interaction of the embedded target 3610 and the controller target 3640 may be simulated in the development environment 3600 . When the desired operation of the algorithms represented in the GUI editor 3620 and the controller live components represented in the GUI editor 3630 is reached, the developers environment 3600 creates the executable code 3614 and the applet 3644 which may be transferred to the embedded target 3610 and the controller target 3640 .
[0129] The present invention may have numerous potential applications. Applications may include but are not limited to interactive electronic texts; live web pages; live URL linking; mathematics; command and telemetry; live documents; timesheets; financial reports; mathematics calculations; simulations; embedded systems; command and control; embedded code generation; system modeling; extending XML to include live components; MathML; MusicML; ChemicalML; business to business application linking; automated data transfer; local calculations; intelligent data entry; and generation and distribution of electronic documents with encapsulated viewer(s).
[0130] Although the present invention has been fully described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the present invention discusses creating live equations for use on web applications. One skilled in the art will recognize that live equations may be used on any type of computing device, whether or not is connected to a network. Therefore, unless such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as being included therein.
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Disclosed is a rules based editor configured to edit an equation related element where the rules based editor may use at least one rule related to a pre-built application module that is included in a viewer module. The viewer module may include rendering and equation evaluation instructions. The edited equation related element may be configured to be included in a component description file. The combination of the viewer module and the component description file may be configured to be used to display a version of the equation related element that is analytically related to an input value.
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This patent application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/535,692 filed Mar. 27, 2000, now abandoned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to processes for cleaning or removing residue from the interior surfaces of a vacuum chamber used for fabricating electronic devices. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of fluorine gas in such a process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Processes for fabricating electronic devices containing semiconductors generally include steps in which layers or features of material are deposited or patterned (i.e., etched) within a vacuum chamber, generally called a semiconductor process chamber. The chemical byproducts and unused reagents of such deposition or etch processes are mostly exhausted from the chamber by an exhaust pump, but some residue unavoidably deposits on the chamber wall and on other surfaces within the chamber. Such residue must be cleaned or removed periodically in order to maintain consistent process conditions and to prevent the residue from flaking off and contaminating the electronic device being fabricated.
A conventional method of cleaning residue from the interior surfaces of the chamber is to supply to the chamber interior a gas mixture containing radicals produced by the plasma decomposition of fluorine-containing gas compounds. The plasma may be produced inside the chamber or in a remote plasma source. In particular, such fluorine-containing gas compounds conventionally are used to remove residue containing silicon, silicon oxide, or silicon nitride. Such residue commonly is produced by processes for depositing silicon, silicon oxide, or silicon nitride on a substrate, or by processes for sputter etching or reactive ion etching of such materials on a substrate.
One disadvantage of cleaning processes using such fluorine-containing gas compounds is that such gases are believed to contribute to global warming if they are released to the earth's atmosphere after use. Government regulations are expected to impose increasing restrictions on the use of global warming gases, so there is a need to develop alternative gas chemistries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a process for cleaning or removing residue from the interior of a semiconductor process chamber using molecular fluorine gas (F 2 ) as the principal precursor reagent. Molecular fluorine gas has the advantage of not being a global warming gas, unlike other fluorine-containing gas compounds conventionally used for chamber cleaning such as NF 3 , C 2 F 6 and SF 6 .
I discovered that fluorine atoms and radicals produced by plasma decomposition of molecular fluorine gas effectively remove silicon, silicon oxide, and silicon nitride residues. In addition, I discovered that molecular fluorine gas effectively removes silicon residues without any plasma.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The chamber cleaning processes of the invention were tested in a conventional, commercially available vacuum chamber for performing CVD processes for depositing films on large substrates or workpieces such as the glass substrates used for fabricating thin film transistor (TFT) flat panel displays.
In the commercial production of such displays, it often is desirable to deposit different films in succession while the substrate remains in the chamber. Therefore, a process for cleaning the interior of the chamber preferably should be capable of removing all the residues created by all of the different deposition processes performed in the chamber.
I discovered that a mixture of atomic fluorine (F) and molecular fluorine gas (F 2 ) produced by plasma decomposition of molecular fluorine gas (F 2 ) would successfully clean any of the three films commonly deposited in a plasma CVD chamber for fabricating TFT displays or other silicon-based semiconductor devices—silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and amorphous silicon films—as well as the residue produced by the processes for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of any of these three films. This was tested using a conventional microwave remote plasma source chamber (RPSC) to supply a mixture of atomic and molecular fluorine to the conventional CVD chamber that was to be cleaned.
Processes for sputter etching or reactive ion etching of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and silicon films generally deposit some of the material of the film being etched onto interior surfaces of the etch process chamber. Therefore, the cleaning processes of my invention should be effective for cleaning etch process chambers as well as CVD process chambers.
Experimental Results
Essentially pure molecular fluorine gas was supplied to a plasma chamber distinct from the CVD chamber to be cleaned. Such a chamber commonly is identified as a “remote” plasma chamber. The molecular fluorine within the remote chamber was excited to a plasma state by microwave energy coupled to the remote chamber from a microwave electrical power supply. The exhaust port of the remote microwave plasma chamber was connected to a gas inlet port of the CVD chamber to be cleaned, so that a mixture of atomic fluorine and molecular fluorine produced in the remote plasma chamber was pumped into the CVD chamber. An exhaust pump connected to the CVD chamber established a pressure in the range of 250 to 600 mT in the CVD chamber during cleaning.
First, the amount of microwave power required to decompose the molecular fluorine into atomic fluorine was determined. Fluorine gas was supplied to a conventional microwave remote plasma chamber at flow rates of 1000 sccm and 2000 sccm. Microwave energy at a frequency of 2.4 GHz was coupled to the remote chamber at power levels ranging from 2000 to 4000 watts. The ratio of atomic fluorine to molecular fluorine was measured at the chamber exhaust port. The measured ratio was about 3 to 2 (i.e., 60% atomic fluorine and 40% molecular fluorine) at any power from 2500 W to 4000 W. This data indicates that 2500 W would be sufficient. Nevertheless, 4000 W of microwave power was used in the cleaning process tests described below.
To test the cleaning processes, three different plasma CVD processes were separately performed in the CVD chamber. The three plasma CVD processes were: (1) depositing 1 micron of SiN x using a gas mixture provided by 110 sccm SiH 4 , 550 sccm NH 3 and 3500 sccm N 2 ; (2) depositing 1 micron of SiO x (primarily SiO 2 ) using 330 sccm SiH 4 and 8000 sccm N 2 O; and (3) depositing 0.25 micron of amorphous silicon (a-Si) using 50 sccm SiH 4 and 1400 sccm H 2 . In all cases the specified film thickness was deposited on a 40×50 cm glass substrate. Each of the three CVD processes produced a different residue on the walls of the chamber.
After performing each CVD process, I compared the time required to clean the resulting residue from the chamber walls using a conventional process using plasma decomposition of NF 3 , and using the process of the present invention using plasma decomposition of molecular fluorine gas (F 2 ).
The residue produced by the SiN x CVD process was cleaned in the same time by either 3000 sccm F 2 or 2000 sccm NF 3 . Therefore, the present invention was just as effective as the conventional NF 3 process.
The cleaning rate was a linear function of the flow rate of F 2 into the remote plasma chamber. Reducing the F 2 flow rate to 2000 sccm and 1000 sccm, respectively, reduced the cleaning rate (i.e., increased the cleaning time) by 36% and 72%, respectively.
Adding nitrogen or hydrogen gas to the molecular fluorine gas supplied to the remote plasma chamber did not affect the cleaning rate. Specifically, with a F 2 flow rate of 1000 sccm, adding either 200 sccm H 2 or 500 to 1000 sccm N 2 did not affect the cleaning rate.
Supplying to the remote plasma chamber a gas mixture having equal molecular molar concentrations of F 2 and NF 3 resulted in a cleaning time halfway between the cleaning times using the same total flow rate of either F 2 or NF 3 alone. This result indicates that the two reagents are linearly additive, and that the cleaning process using F 2 will work with a cleaning gas mixture including at least a 50% molecular molar concentration of F 2 . Nevertheless, to maximize the benefits of the invention, the molar concentration of F 2 in the reagent gas mixture preferably should be at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, and most preferably at least 90%. Mixing the molecular fluorine with a nonreactive carrier gas such as helium should not affect the process other than to reduce the etch rate in proportion to the reduction in the flow rate of molecular fluorine.
The residue produced by the SiO x CVD process was cleaned by either 3000 sccm F 2 or 2000 sccm NF 3 at about the same rate as the residue produced by the SiN x CVD process. Therefore, the present invention was just as effective as the conventional NF 3 process. Reducing the flow rate of F 2 to 2000 sccm reduced the cleaning rate (i.e., increased the cleaning time) by 28%.
While the F 2 process of the present invention required a higher gas flow rate than the conventional NF 3 process, F 2 gas is not considered a global warming gas. Therefore, the present invention is an improvement over the NF 3 process.
The residue produced by the amorphous silicon CVD process was cleaned in 59 seconds by 1000 sccm F 2 at 370 mT chamber pressure (within the CVD chamber), and it was cleaned in 32 seconds by 2000 sccm F 2 at 570 mT chamber pressure. The comparative cleaning rate using NF 3 was not tested.
I also tested whether the cleaning rate could be increased by producing a plasma within the CVD chamber whose walls were to be cleaned. The metal gas distribution plate (or “anode” electrode), through which the gases from the remote microwave plasma chamber are dispensed into the CVD chamber, was connected to an RF power supply (the “anode” power supply). The walls of the chamber and all other metal components of the chamber were electrically grounded. The RF power excited the gases within the CVD chamber to a plasma state.
The effect of adding anode power was tested by first producing residue on the walls of the CVD chamber by depositing 1 micron of SiO x on a substrate within the CVD chamber using the SiO x CVD process described above. Then, the residue was cleaned by either of two processes: (1) the previously described process in which pure molecular fluorine was supplied to the remote microwave plasma chamber with no anode power in the CVD chamber, or (2) an otherwise identical cleaning process with 400 watts of 13.56 MHz RF power applied to the gas distribution plate of the CVD chamber. The anode power increased the cleaning rate (reduced the cleaning time) by 21%.
Conventional Hardware for Implementing the Cleaning Process
The cleaning process of the invention is useful for cleaning any kind of vacuum chamber whose interior surfaces accumulate residue as a result of deposition or patterning processes performed within the chamber. The design and operation of conventional CVD and etch chambers are described in the following commonly-assigned U.S. patents, the entire content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in this patent specification: U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,263 issued Aug. 8, 1989 to Chang et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,113 issued Mar. 19, 1991 to Wang et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,585 issued Nov. 22, 1994 to Robertson et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,205 issued Dec. 1, 1998 to White et al.
The cleaning process of the invention requires some apparatus for dissociating at least a portion of the molecular fluorine (F 2 ) reagent to produce atomic fluorine. In all the tests described above, this dissociation was accomplished by means of a conventional remote microwave plasma source, i.e., a remote plasma chamber coupled to receive energy from a microwave electrical power supply. Remote microwave plasma sources are described in more detail in the following US patents, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated into this patent specification: U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,359 issued Jul. 14, 1998 to Brown et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,778 issued Aug. 4, 1998 to Shang et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,812,403 issued Sep. 22, 1998 to Fong et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,359 shows a remote microwave plasma source used in combination with RF power applied to the susceptor of a magnetically enhanced reactive ion etching (MERIE) chamber.
Alternatively, any other conventional means can be used to dissociate at least a portion of the molecular fluorine reagent to produce atomic fluorine.
For example, the remote plasma source could be excited by (i.e., coupled to receive energy from) a source of electromagnetic energy other than a microwave power supply. More specifically, an RF electrical power supply can be inductively or capacitively coupled to the remote plasma chamber. An experimental test fixture in which 14 MHz RF power was capacitively coupled to a remote plasma source in order to decompose molecular fluorine to atomic fluorine is described in D. L. Flamm et al., “Reaction of fluorine atoms with SiO 2 ”, J. Appl. Phys., vol. 50, no. 10, pages 6211-6213 (October 1979), the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this patent specification. However, expected advantages of excitation by microwave frequencies (over 1 GHz) over RF frequencies (less than 1 GHz) is that the higher frequencies typically can sustain a plasma at higher chamber pressures, and higher frequencies may require less power to dissociate a given percentage of the molecular fluorine.
As another example, instead of using a remote plasma source, the molecular fluorine gas can be supplied directly to the process chamber that is to be cleaned, and at least a portion of the gas can be dissociated by producing a plasma within the process chamber (“in situ” plasma) by any conventional plasma excitation means such as microwave power or inductively or capacitively coupled RF power. U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,526 issued Apr. 15, 1997 to Watatani et al. describes a conventional electron cyclotron resonance apparatus for coupling microwave power via a microwave waveguide to a plasma chamber. Commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,903 issued Oct. 3, 1995 to Redeker et al. discloses an RF power supply inductively coupled to a CVD or etch vacuum chamber to produce an in situ plasma for cleaning the chamber. An RF power supply capacitively coupled to a semiconductor process chamber for producing an in situ plasma for cleaning the chamber is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,821 issued May 27, 1997 to Doi and in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,960,488 issued Oct. 2, 1990 to Law et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,400 issued May 26, 1998 to Ye et al. The entire contents of each of the patents listed in this paragraph is incorporated by reference into this patent specification.
A disadvantage of using an in situ plasma instead of a remote plasma source is that an in situ plasma can increase corrosion of the chamber components by ion bombardment. However, in situ plasma has the advantage of avoiding the expense of a remote plasma chamber.
Cleaning Process without Plasma
I also tested whether molecular fluorine (F 2 ) gas would remove from a surface any of the three films discussed above—silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxide (SiO x ), and amorphous silicon (a-Si)—without producing any plasma during the cleaning process. Instead of using a plasma to decompose the F 2 , the temperature of the surface to be cleaned was elevated sufficiently to cause the F 2 to react with the film to be removed from the surface.
For these tests, rather than cleaning actual residue from a chamber wall, I tested whether the fluorine gas would remove any of these three films from a heated substrate mounted within the chamber. Specifically, I mounted on a susceptor three 80×80 mm glass substrates respectively coated with these three films. The susceptor was heated to 450° C. in an attempt to cause the F 2 to react with the film to be removed from the substrate. The fluorine did not etch the silicon nitride or silicon oxide, but it did remove the amorphous silicon. Using a fluorine gas flow rate of 1000 sccm, the amorphous silicon was etched at a rate of 5000 Å/min. Alternatively, the amorphous silicon can be etched from chamber surfaces with gas mixtures containing at least fifty percent, preferably at least seventy percent, molecular fluorine.
This demonstrates that molecular fluorine gas, without plasma excitation (i.e., without plasma-assisted decomposition of the F 2 ), can clean amorphous silicon. Amorphous silicon would be the principal residue produced on a chamber wall by a thermal or plasma-enhanced process for depositing silicon on a substrate, or by a process for removing silicon from a substrate by sputter etching or reactive ion etching. Therefore, this thermal (non-plasma) cleaning process should be effective for cleaning residue from the interior surfaces of chambers used for any of such silicon deposition or silicon etch processes.
Although the thermal cleaning process was tested only at a susceptor temperature of 450° C., it is predictable that the temperature of the surface from which the silicon is to be cleaned need not be so high. It is a matter of routine experimentation to determine the minimum temperature to which the surface to be cleaned must be elevated in order to cause the F 2 gas to react with and remove any silicon material on such surface.
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A process for removing residue from the interior of a semiconductor process chamber using molecular fluorine gas (F 2 ) as the principal precursor reagent. In one embodiment a portion of the molecular fluorine is decomposed in a plasma to produce atomic fluorine, and the resulting mixture of atomic fluorine and molecular fluorine is supplied to the chamber whose interior is to be cleaned. In another embodiment the molecular fluorine gas cleans the semiconductor process chamber without any plasma excitation. Molecular fluorine gas has the advantage of not being a global warming gas, unlike fluorine-containing gas compounds conventionally used for chamber cleaning such as NF 3 , C 2 F 6 and SF 6 .
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a co-pending application of the U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 11/746,556 and 11/746,582, both of which are entitled “Secure And Scalable Solid State Disk System” and are filed on even-date herewith. All of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to memory systems and more specifically to a secure and scalable solid state disk system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Flash based solid state disk (SSD) has slowly gained momentum and acceptance from industrial application, defense application, corporate application to server application and general user application. The major driving force behind the transition is due to advances in flash technology development and the intrinsic benefits from the flash components. The advantages of flash based SSD over tradition hard disk drive (HDD) are:
1. Lower power consumption.
2. Lighter weight.
3. Lower heat dissipation.
4. No noise.
5. No mechanical parts.
But SSD has its disadvantages that have been the hurdles for replacing HDD:
1. Higher cost.
2. Lower density.
3. Lower performance.
Further, a conventional SSD tends to manage a group of flash memory, in the order of 4, 8, 16, 32 or more components. It presents a great design challenge in the areas:
1. Pin-outs to manage too many flash device interfaces.
2. Wear-leveling across too many flash components.
3. Manufacturability and testability on SSD system.
4. Time lag in supporting and taking advantage of new flash technology.
5. Time to market.
6. Cost saving from new flash technology.
Traditional HDD comes without security built-in. If a host system with a HDD is stolen, the content of the HDD can easily be accessed and misappropriated. Even though there is a software solution to provide the whole disk encryption, it suffers several problems in real life application:
1. Performance penalty due to software encryption and decryption.
2. Additional driver installation required.
3. Still leaving room for attack if the password authentication utility is resided in the HDD.
If SSD is to become mainstreamed to transition from a niche product to a more general user application, it has to address the hurdles mentioned above, in addition to adding values such as security, scalability and others.
A conventional Secure Digital (SD) flash card block diagram is shown in FIG. 1 . The block diagram comprises a physical interface 11 , a SD card controller 12 and flash memory 13 . The physical interface 11 connects to a host system through interface bus 14 . A SD card, Compact Flash (CF) card and USB drive are the simplest form of a solid state disk (SSD).
In a conventional storage system, such as the ones described in U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/707,871 (20050005044), U.S. Ser. No. 10/709,718 (20050005063), U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,098,119, and 6,883,083, 6,877,044, 6,421,760, 6,138,176, 6,134,630, 6,549,981 and published application no. US 20030120865 a storage controller automatically configures disk drives at system boot-up or at runtime. It performs the basic storage identification and aggregation functionality. The prior art invention is best at detecting the drive insertion and removal during runtime. But it fails to recognize the asynchronous nature between the host system and the storage system during boot-up time. Since the storage controller functions as a virtualization controller, it takes time to identify, test and to configure the physical drives during host system boot-up. If there is not a mechanism to re-synchronize the host system and the storage system, the host system will simply time-out and fail to recognize and configure the virtual logical storage. As such, the conventional systems at best serve only as a secondary storage system, instead of a primary storage system. Another weakness of U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,119 is that the system requires each physical drive to have one or more preloaded “parameter settings” during initialization. It poses the limitation in auto-configuration.
Most of the conventional systems do not address the storage expandability and scalability either. Even though U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/707,871 (20050005044) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/709,718 (20050005063) do address the storage virtualization computer system with scalability, its focus is on the “external” storage virtualization controller coupling to a host entity that can be a host computer or a server. It fails to address the virtual storage boot-up problem mentioned above. It is still at best serving as a secondary storage based on its storage virtualization architecture.
Further, conventional systems fail to address the drive security in password authentication and hardware encryption that is vital in notebook computer primary drive application.
As in U.S. Pat. No. 7,003,623 as shown in FIG. 2 , a more straight forward SSD system comprises a SATA (Serial ATA) to flash memory controller 25 and a group of flash memory 13 . The SATA to flash memory controller 25 includes a SATA host interface 251 , and a plurality of flash device interfaces 252 . SATA host interface is for interfacing with the SATA host controller 21 of Host system 20 , while the flash device interfaces 252 are for interfacing with the flash memory 13 .
Each flash memory 13 has a total of about 15 to 23 signal pins to interface with the controller 25 . The SATA host interface 251 requires 4 signal pins to interface with the SATA host controller 21 . The SATA to flash memory controller 25 would require a total of at least 124 signal pins to manage 8 flash memory 13 ; or a total of 244 signal pins to manage 16 flash memory 13 .
As is seen in FIG. 2 , the controller 25 has to manage the error correction code (ECC), wear leveling, bad block re-mapping, free storage allocation, as well as many book keeping tasks inherent to flash memory based SSD. As it can be seen, the complexity increases proportionally to the number of flash memory components. It not only presents cost issue to the controller, but also creates manufacturability and testability on the conventional SSD system. In essence, this conventional approach is not very scalable, if the same controller is to be used for two or more different density designs. The pin count of the controller will have to accommodate at least 124 pins for four flash memory, or 244 pins for eight flash memory, or even 484 pins for sixteen flash memory chips. Therefore, this system is limited only on a small density application of SSD that is not very scalable and expandable.
Accordingly, what is desired is a system and method that addresses the above-identified issues. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A solid state disk system is disclosed. The system comprises a user token and a first level secure virtual storage controller, coupled to the host system. The system also includes a plurality of second level secure virtual storage controllers having an interface with and being compatible to the first level secure virtual storage controller and a plurality of third level secure virtual storage devices coupled to the plurality of second level secure virtual storage controllers.
A system and method in accordance with the present invention provides the following advantages.
1. The system and method introduces a secure virtual storage controller architecture.
2. The system and method introduces a scalable SSD system, based on the secure virtual storage controller architecture.
3. The system and method bases the building blocks on the most prevalent and popular flash card/drive to tap into the latest flash component technology in cost, density and performance.
4. The system and method uses the virtual storage processor to aggregate the density and performance.
5. The system and method uses more layers of virtual storage controller, if necessary, to expand the density and performance.
6. The system and method uses the crypto-engine in the virtual storage controller, if necessary, to conduct encryption/decryption on-the-fly between the upstream and downstream data traffic between the host and device.
7. The system and method utilizes a USB token for independent password authentication on SSD.
8. The system and method allows secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) to replace HDD with transparent user experience, from booting up, hibernation to general usage.
A system and method in accordance with the present invention could be utilized in flash based storage, disk storage systems, portable storage devices, corporate storage systems, PCs, servers, wireless storage, and multimedia storage systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a prior art block diagram of a SD Card.
FIG. 2 is a prior art block diagram of a host system interfacing with a conventional SSD system.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a host system and a USB token interfacing with a SATA based secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system based on a three-level architecture.
FIG. 4 is the block diagram of the secure virtual storage controller.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a host system and a USB token interfacing with a PATA based secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system based on a four-level architecture.
FIG. 6 is the flow chart for the initialization of the secure virtual storage controller.
FIG. 7 is the flow chart for the interrupt processor.
FIG. 8 is the flow chart for the host command processor.
FIG. 9 is the local command list in the local command processor of the secure virtual storage controller.
FIG. 10 is the flow chart for factory provision.
FIG. 11 is the flow chart for virtual storage processor configuration.
FIG. 12 is the flow chart for crypto-engine configuration.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram for the crypto-engine.
FIGS. 14A-D are flow charts for host system cold-boot, shut-down, hibernation and wake-up from hibernation.
FIG. 15 is the flow chart for USB token boot-up.
FIG. 16 is the flow chart for password authentication.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates generally to memory systems and more specifically to a secure and scalable solid state disk system. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a host system and a USB token interfacing with a SATA based secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system. The host system 30 , comprises a processor (not shown), memory (not shown), IO (not shown), a USB interface (not shown), and a SATA host controller 34 . It connects to a USB token 35 through a USB interface and works with the secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system 31 through a SATA host interface 321 .
A USB token 35 serves as an independent agent to provide password authentication utility before the SNS-SSD 31 can be accessed after host system 30 boots up. The utility can be a software utility residing on the USB token 35 or preferably a browser link to the web server on the USB token 35 . The browser link is preferable, as it is more universal and requires less system resources to work on cross platform devices.
The secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system 31 comprises a first-level secure virtual storage controller 32 and two second-level secure virtual storage controllers 33 , and eight third-level storage device SD cards 10 .
The first level of the secure virtual storage controller 32 comprises a SATA host interface 321 , a crypto-engine 323 and a multiple of SATA device interfaces 322 . The host side storage interface in this case is a serial ATA or SATA. The storage host interface can be any type of IO interface including SATA, Serial Attached SCSI (SAS), PCI Express, PATA, USB, Bluetooth, UWB or wireless interface. A more detailed description of the virtual storage controller 32 is shown in secure virtual storage controller 40 in FIG. 4 .
The second-level of the virtual storage controller 33 comprises a SATA host interface 331 , a crypto-engine 333 and a multiple of SD device interfaces 332 . Instead of interfacing directly with the flash memory, the virtual storage controller 33 chooses to interface with the third level storage device, a SD card 10 . The SD card 10 can be replaced with any flash based card or drive, including CF card, MMC, USB drive or Memory Stick, as long as pin-count, cost, and performance justify. In this case, each SD card 10 has six signal pins. It requires a total of 24 signal pins for four SD components with two flash memory components on each SD card, instead of 120 signal pins for eight flash memory components in the conventional approach. It amounts to a great cost saving in controller chip fabrication and a better manufacturability and testability.
Even though the first-level secure virtual storage controller 32 and the second-level secure virtual storage controller 33 may have different type of device interfaces, their architectures are substantially identical. As long as the storage device interface 322 is compatible with the storage host interface 331 , first-level secure virtual storage controller 32 can be cascaded and expanded with the second-level secure virtual storage controller 33 . The expansion is therefore exponential in density and performance. In its simplest form of architecture of secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system, the host system 30 can interface directly with one of the second level virtual storage controllers 33 . The minimal secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system is therefore with a total two levels comprising the second level storage controller 33 and the third level storage devices 10 .
The crypto-engine 323 in the first-level and crypto-engine 333 in the second-level can be enabled, disabled and configured independently, depending on the requirement. In most cases, only the top-level crypto-engine is required. All other crypto-engines in the subsequent levels are disabled. A more detailed description of the crypto-engine is shown in FIG. 13 .
On the host storage interface, a SATA host interface 331 is used to interface with the first level of virtual storage controller 32 . The storage interface in this case is a serial ATA or SATA. A more detailed description of the virtual storage controller 33 is shown in secure virtual storage controller 40 in FIG. 4 .
As shown in FIG. 4 , the secure virtual storage controller 40 comprises a storage host interface 41 , an interrupt processor 42 , a host command and data processor 43 , a CPU 44 , a program memory 45 , a RAM and buffer 46 , a DATA write processor 401 , a DATA read processor 402 , a pass-through command processor 403 , a get status and attribute processor 404 , a local command processor 405 , a crypto-engine 406 , a virtual storage processor 407 , and a plurality of storage device interfaces 408 .
The virtual storage controller architecture in the invention is cascadable and scalable as long as the storage interface is compatible. If more density is required, more second level virtual storage controllers can be added for expansion. Accordingly, more third level storage devices can be added for density expansion. Compared with the conventional approach, the secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system offers better storage density expansion in exponential order. By using the standard flash card such as SD card 10 as the flash memory building block, it brings along several benefits compared with the conventional SSD approach.
By using the standard flash card such as SD card 10 as the flash memory building block, it brings along several benefits compared with the conventional SSD approach:
1. Wear-leveling of flash memory is delegated locally to the SD card 10 . No grand scale wear-leveling across all flash components is required.
2. Manufacturability and testability are done at the storage device level on SD card. It is more manageable at the device level than at SSD system level.
3. There is no time lag in supporting and taking advantage of new flash technology, as the design and development is delegated to the standard SD controller 12 inside SD card 10 .
4. Time to market is much shorter. As soon as the SD card 10 is available in cost, density and performance, the secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system 31 can be deployed.
5. Cost saving from new flash technology again is brought along by the building block architecture of SD card 10 .
6. The performance benefit is from the virtual storage processor 32 and 33 . It not only provides virtual storage density aggregation, but also provides on-demand performance aggregation. The theoretical performance can be as high as the number of SD cards times the native SD card performance in parallel operation.
7. The security is handled by the hardware based crypto-engine 323 or 333 . The password authentication utility resides independently on a USB token 35 . The secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system has better performance and is more secure.
The storage host interface 41 is for interfacing with the upstream host system 30 or another upper-level of secure virtual storage controller. The storage device interface 408 is for interfacing with the downstream storage device 10 or another lower-level of secure virtual storage controller.
Another embodiment of the block diagram of the invention, secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system 39 with PATA interface, is shown in FIG. 5 . The host system 50 , comprises a processor (not shown), memory (not shown), IO (not shown), a USB interface (not shown), and a PATA host controller 54 . It connects to a USB token 35 through a USB interface and works with the secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system 39 with PATA interface through a PATA host interface 381 .
The secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system 39 with PATA interface comprises a first-level secure virtual storage controller 38 , a second-level secure virtual storage controllers 32 , and two third-level secure virtual storage controllers 33 , and eight fourth-level storage device SD cards 10 . As described above, the architecture of the invention is expandable and cascadable in density and performance.
As in FIG. 4 , the program memory 45 stores the firmware and virtual storage controller information, while the RAM and buffer 46 are used to store data packet and for caching operation.
The DATA write processor 401 interfaces with the virtual storage processor 407 through the crypto-engine that is doing the hardware encryption on-the-fly. The data is transferred from the buffer, encrypted and passed to virtual storage processor 407 .
The DATA read processor 402 interfaces with the virtual storage processor 407 through the crypto-engine that is doing the hardware decryption on-the-fly. The data is transferred from virtual storage processor 407 , decrypted and passed to the buffer.
The pass-through command processor 403 handles those commands that do not require any local processing. The pass-through command is sent directly downstream without encryption or translation.
The get status and attribute processor 404 returns proper status and/or attributes back to the upstream host system or the upper-level virtual storage controller. If the status or attribute require too much time for the local controller to return, it will normally assert busy status to the requesting upstream host system or the upper-level virtual storage controller. When the proper status or attribute is collected, the interrupt processor 42 and routine 70 are invoked. The interrupt processor 42 generates a soft reset 47 to CPU 44 to warm boot the secure virtual storage controller 40 . Consequentially, it interrupts the upstream system for service to interrogate the secure virtual storage controller 40 again, and the correct status or attribute is returned. It is a mechanism to synchronize the host and device when they are running at different pace, and the device needs more time to settle after request.
Every secure virtual storage controller 40 can be identified with a unique ID preprogrammed in the program memory 45 . FIG. 6 is the flow chart for the initialization of the secure virtual storage controller. When the secure virtual storage controller 40 is first initialized 60 after power on, it is checked if virtual storage controller is ready, via step 61 . If yes, the host command processor starts, via step 62 . Otherwise, the controller sends an identify command to the downstream storage device list, via step 63 . Once the downstream storage devices 10 are identified, these physical storage devices 10 are tested, via step 64 . The crypto-engine is then initialized, via step 65 . The virtual storage controller is set ready, via step 66 . The interrupt processor is then activated, via step 67 .
FIG. 7 is the flow chart for the interrupt processor. First, it is checked if the interrupt request is from the downstream virtual storage controller, via step 71 . If yes, the service is granted, via step 74 . Otherwise, an interrupt is generated, via step 72 , to the upstream host or an upper-level virtual storage controller for service to configure the secure virtual storage controller 40 again. A soft reset 47 is subsequently generated to the local CPU 44 to warm boot, via step 73 , the secure virtual storage controller 40 . It is a mechanism to synchronize the host and device when they are running at different pace, and the device needs more time to settle after power-on initialization.
It concludes the initialization of the secure virtual storage controller 40 .
The host command and data processor 43 queues up and buffers packet of command and data between the storage host interface 41 and crypto-engine 406 . The extracted command queue is turned over to host command processor routine 80 to process, in FIG. 8 . FIG. 8 is the flow chart for the host command processor. The host command and data processor 43 queues up and buffers packet of command and data between the storage host interface 41 and crypto-engine 406 . The extracted command queue is turned over to host command processor routine, via step 80 , to process. First, the command queue is analyzed, via step 81 . Next, it is determined if the command from the command queue is a pass-through command, via step 82 . If it is a DATA write command, via step 83 , a DATA write processor 401 is called up, via step 802 . Otherwise, if it is a DATA read command, via step 84 , a DATA read processor 402 is called up, via step 803 . Otherwise, if it is a pass-through command, via step 82 , a pass-through command processor 403 is called up, via step 801 . Otherwise, if it is a get status/attribute command, via step 85 , a get status/attribute processor 404 is called up, via step 804 . Otherwise, a local command processor 405 is called up, via step 805 .
The local command processor 405 deals with the local functions of crypto-engine 406 , virtual storage processor 407 and the local virtual storage controller 40 . As shown in FIG. 9 , the local command list 90 includes:
A. User provision command 91
i. Password utility command 94
1. Set password 941 2. Change password 942 3. Authenticate password 943 4. Set password hint 944 5. Get password hint 945 6. Get number of attempts 946 7. INIT & Partition Request 947
a. Set Encrypted Key 9471 b. Get Encrypted New Key 9472
ii. Storage partition command 95
8. Get virtual storage attributes 951 9. Init partition size 952 10. Format 953
B. Get local status 92 C. Factory provision command 93
i. Virtual storage processor configuration 96
11. Get virtual storage controller ID 961 12. Set virtual storage mode (JBOD, RAID, or others) 962
ii. Crypto-engine configuration 97
13. Set Crypto-mode 971 14. Enable Crypto-engine 972 15. Get Encrypted Key 973
iii. Password attribute configuration 98
16. Set Master password 981 17. Set Maximum number of attempt 982 18. Set Managed Mode flag 983 19. Set Default Password 984
iv. Test-mode command 99
User provision command 91 is for use by the utility in the field application, including the password authentication utility in USB token 35 . It includes password utility commands 94 and storage partition commands 95 . Factory provision command 93 is for use in the factory to configure the SSD. It includes virtual storage processor configuration 96 , crypto-engine configuration 97 , password attribute configuration 98 , and test-mode command 99 . Get local status command 92 is to return the corresponding status on the virtual storage controller.
Get virtual storage controller ID command 961 is to return the unique ID stored in the program memory 45 . Set virtual storage mode command 962 is to set the storage operation mode of JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks), RAID (Redundant Arrays of Independent Disks) or others, depending on the requirement of performance or power consumption. Set crypto-mode command 971 is to set the encryption mode of the engine. Enable crypto-engine command 972 is to enable the crypto-engine. Set managed mode flag 983 is to allow or disallow provision of SSD in the field. If the flag is set as unmanaged mode, then the USB token is what is needed to do re-provision and initialization of the SSD. If the flag is set as managed mode, then the user has to connect back to the managing server while doing the re-provision and initialization of the SSD. The flag can only be set in the factory. Test-mode command 99 is reserved for testing of SSD by the manufacturer.
Before the SSD is ready for use, it has to go through factory provision during the manufacturing process. The provision is done by connecting the secure-and-scalable solid state disk (SNS-SSD) system 31 to a host system 30 with a proper SATA host controller 34 and possibly with a USB token 35 , as shown in FIG. 3 . FIG. 10 is the flow chart for factory provision. It first waits for the secure virtual storage controller to be ready, via step 101 . Once the controller is ready, the factory default settings are loaded, via step 102 . It starts configuring the virtual storage processor, via step 103 . Afterwards, it starts configuring the crypto-engine, via step 104 . The crypto-engine is enabled, if it is necessary, via step 105 .
FIG. 11 is the flow chart for virtual storage processor configuration. As shown in FIG. 11 , the virtual storage mode is set, via step 111 , through one of the local commands, set virtual storage mode 962 . The virtual storage operation mode is set as JBOD, RAID or others. Accordingly, a virtual storage aggregation is done, via step 112 , based on the physical storage device list 64 (See FIG. 6 ). A virtual storage identification table is established. The virtual storage device list is established, via step 113 . A physical to logical address translation table is built up, via step 114 , by the virtual storage processor 407 (See FIG. 4 .). Afterwards, the virtual storage processor ready status is set, via step 115 .
FIG. 12 is the flow chart for crypto-engine configuration. The crypto-engine is then ready for configuration through one of the local commands, set crypto-mode command 971 is issued, via step 121 . Next, the set maximum number of attempts command 982 is issued, via step 122 . A get encrypted key command 973 is issued, via step 1220 . Correspondingly, a random key is generated (not shown) by the random number generator RNG 134 , in the crypto-engine 406 . The random key is encrypted and returned to the get encrypted key command 973 , via step 1220 . If a master password is required, via step 1221 , a get master password command process is initiated, via step 1222 , and a set master password command 981 is issued. The flag of managed mode of SSD is checked, via step 123 . If yes, the encrypted key is stored, via step 124 , in the managing server, if necessary. If not, the encrypted key is stored, via step 125 , in the USB token 35 . The master password is then sent to the crypto-engine through set master password command 981 , via step 126 . Consequentially, the encrypted master password is then stored in SSD, (not shown). A default password is also set through command 984 , via step 1260 . Consequentially, the encrypted default password is then stored in SSD, (not shown). The crypto-engine can be disabled or enabled. If it is enabled, it can be set to run at a particular encryption mode based on the requirement, via step 127 . Afterwards, the crypto-engine provision flag is set as ready, via step 128 .
FIG. 13 is a block diagram for the crypto-engine. The crypto-engine 406 includes a random number generator RNG 134 , a hash function HASH 131 , a first general encryption engine ENC 2 132 , a second data encryption engine ENC 3 133 , a storage upstream interface 135 and a storage downstream interface 136 . The detailed implementation of the crypto-engine can be found in the pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/643,101.
The host system 30 depends on the plugged in USB token 35 to conduct password authentication. Referring to FIG. 14A , after host system 30 cold boots, via step 140 . The USB token 35 cold boots, via step 141 , as well. The USB token starts operation, via step 142 .
Referring to FIG. 14B , after the host system 30 shuts down, via step 143 , the SSD shuts down, via step 144 , accordingly. The encryption key in the SSD will be lost, via step 145 , due to power outage. The SSD will stay encrypted, via step 146 , as long as the encryption key is not restored through password authentication utility loaded in the USB token 35 .
Referring to FIG. 14D , after the host system 30 hibernates, via step 1403 , the SSD hibernates, via step 1404 , accordingly. The encryption key in the SSD will be lost, via step 1405 , due to power outage. The SSD will stay encrypted, via step 1406 , as long as the encryption key is not restored through password authentication utility loaded in the USB token 35 .
Referring to FIG. 14C , after host system 30 wakes up from hibernation, via step 1400 , the USB token 35 cold boots, via step 1401 , as well, as in FIG. 14A . The USB token starts operation, via step 1402 .
FIG. 15 is the flow chart for USB token boot-up. As shown in FIG. 15 , once the USB token web server boots up, via step 151 , it waits for storage and crypto-engine provision to be ready, via step 152 . It then activates the password authentication utility, via step 153 . The detailed implementation of the password authentication utility can be found in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/643,101.
If the init and partition request is generated by the user through command 947 , via step 154 . Accordingly, the crypto-engine will get a new random key from the random number generator 134 (not shown). It is checked if the managed mode flag is on, via step 1541 . If not, the encrypted key is retrieved, via step 1543 , from the USB token 35 . Otherwise, the encrypted key is retrieved from the managing server, via step 1542 . The encrypted key is sent to the crypto-engine through set encrypted key command 9471 , via step 1544 . The crypto-engine then decrypts and retrieves the key (not shown). The encrypted master password is retrieved and decrypted by the crypto-engine (not shown). A new random key is then generated from the random number generator RNG 134 (not shown). The master password will be encrypted with the new key by the crypto-engine (not shown). The utility will then initiate a get encrypted new key command 9472 , via step 1545 . The encrypted new key is stored in the managing server or USB token 35 , if necessary via step 1546 and 1547 . The new user password is then requested from the user and configured, via step 1548 . Both master and user password are hashed with the newly generated key through HASH function 131 and stored on the SSD (not shown). The SSD partition is then configured, via step 1549 .
If the request is not for init and partition, it is checked if an authenticate password request is generated, via step 155 . If so, password authentication starts, via step 1550 . Otherwise, it is checked if a change password request is generated, via step 156 . If so, change password utility starts, via step 157 . Otherwise, it loops back to check for new password utility request, via step 154 .
FIG. 16 is the flow chart for password authentication. First, it is checked if the password is authenticated, via step 161 . If so, the crypto-engine key is retrieved and loaded into the crypto-engine and the gate is turned on, via step 164 . Afterwards, the USB token is dismounted, via step 165 . The SSD is then mounted, via step 166 . The control is then passed on to SSD, via step 167 . If the password is not authenticated, it is checked if the maximum number of attempts (MNOA) is exceeded, via step 162 . If so, the counter measure against brute-force attack is activated, via step 163 . Otherwise, the number of attempts (NOA) count is incremented, via step 168 . It then exits, via step 169 , back to the password utility loop 154 of FIG. 15 .
Although the secure and scalable solid state disk system in accordance with the present invention will function with any of a secure digital (SD) card, multimedia card (MMC), compact flash (CF) card, universal serial bus (USB) device, memory stick (MS), ExpressCard, LBA-NAND, ONFI, eMMC, and eSD; one of ordinary skill in the art readily recognizes that the disk system would function with other similar memory devices and still be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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A solid state disk system is disclosed. The system comprises a user token and at least one level secure virtual storage controller, coupled to the host system. The system includes a plurality of virtual storage devices coupled to at least one secure virtual storage controller. A system and method in accordance with the present invention could be utilized in flash based storage, disk storage systems, portable storage devices, corporate storage systems, PCs, servers, wireless storage, and multimedia storage systems.
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This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 453,542 filed on Dec. 20, 1989, now abandoned.
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to subject matter to the following application filed concurrently herewith and assigned to a common assignee:
Application Ser. No. 454,100 now abandoned filed by Cree, et. al. entitled "Enterprise Specific Search Terms Architecture".
The foregoing co-pending application is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to expanding user access to a library of shared documents, and more particularly, to dynamically altering tables used for generating enterprise specific search terms for accessing documents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electronic office systems frequently provide for the sharing of information. One technique for meeting this need is through the use of data repositories called electronic libraries. These electronic or shared libraries are capable of being accessed not only by users of a common network, but also other users of networks of interconnected pieces of equipment and programs. A user (end user) may be any person, device, program, or computer system that utilizes the systems for data processing and information exchange. With the increase in the number of users able to retrieve and store information in these libraries, the problem of retrieving information once it has been stored has increased. Enterprises storing and retrieving information in these shared libraries require quick and rapid access. An enterprise may be any economic organization. An enterprise may be a conglomerate, a company, a set of departments within a company, or a single department within a company. One prior art method for handling the exchange of information between an enterprise and a shared library is the Document Interchange Architecture (DIA).
DIA is a program-to-program communication architecture which defines the protocols and data structures, which when followed or used by programmers, enables programs to interchange information such as documents and messages in a consistent and predictable manner. DIA is independent of the type of information that is stored in a shared library and provides a defined set of parameters that describes the contents of information being transmitted such as the name under which the information is filed, the authors, the subject of the information, the date the information was filed, and keywords. These DIA architected descriptors enable a document to be searched in the library by an enterprise or other end user.
However, the current definition of DIA does not allow an enterprise or end user to add unique descriptors to information stored in the shared library beyond DIA architected descriptors. As a result, an enterprise such as a bank is limited to searching the shared library using such DIA architected descriptors as author, subject matter, or date filed. The enterprise cannot issue searches using search terms with the semantics of "Bank Account ID" or "Loan Identifier". In the same way, a manufacturing enterprise cannot access the library using search terms with the semantics of "Parts" or "Inventory".
Consequently, what is needed is a method to allow an enterprise to define the syntax and semantics of search terms that are specific to that enterprise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method for dynamically altering search term tables used for building enterprise specific search term indices. The search term tables are the means of providing the document interchange system with such enterprise specific search term information as rules validation, synonym provisions, and standardization information. This invention discloses a method for installing search term tables into a shared library, means for retrieving copies of those tables from the library, means for removing (un-installing) the tables from the libraries and means for associating the table with a particular enterprise. This is accomplished through the creation of new commands, namely, the INSTALL, FETCH, and UNINSTALL commands. Utilization of these commands enable an enterprise to quickly add its unique descriptors to a shared library.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a document management system where this invention may be practiced.
FIG. 2 is a basic document model created for each document filed in the library of the system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the Interchange Document Profile stored in the Profile Content Object.
FIG. 4 is a document interchange INSTALL command with its available operands for installing the parser and builder tables shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 4A is the preferred response when the INSTALL command is successfully executed.
FIG. 5 is a document interchange FETCH command with its available operands for providing an end user with means for retrieving the parser and builder tables for viewing or for updating.
FIG. 5A is the preferred response when the FETCH command is successfully executed.
FIG. 6 is a document interchange UNINSTALL command with its available operands for deleting parser and builder tables.
FIG. 6A is the preferred response when the UNINSTALL command is successfully executed.
FIG. 7 shows a parser table encoded using the Formatted Data Object Content Architecture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a document management system for exchanging documents stored in a shared library between the shared library and end users. A user 20 may store and retrieve documents from a shared library 28. A user (end user) may be any person, device, program, or computer system that utilizes the system for data processing or information exchange. The library 28 is capable of being accessed simultaneously by other users and therefore represents a common repository or shared resource. Unlike the shared library 28, a user's personal or private documents are stored in a local resource 24. This local storage resource 24 is usually not shared with other users. A user 20 accesses his local storage 24 through the manager/requestor 22. The manager/requestor 22 also interfaces with the library server 26 which controls user's access to the shared library 28. When a user files a document in the document library 28, the library server 26 constructs parameters or descriptors that describe the contents of the information being stored in the library.
Referring to FIG. 2, a basic document model is shown for information stored in the library 28 shown in FIG. 1. This document model is created by the library server 26 and is stored with each document. While it is not necessary to implement the basic document model explicitly to support DIA library service architecture, there is the requirement that a design be mapped to these models, or to a subset of them.
The User Profile Object 36 (UPO) is not part of the DIA document model, but is instead an object referred to by the DIA document model. The User Profile Object 36 is created when the users represented are logged members of an Office System network. It identifies a user and contains information about the user such as aliases, services authorized to the user, default accounting information, and other user-specific information.
The Document Model Object 30 is the heart of the DIA document model and is logically the first object created when a document is filed for the first time in a document library. It contains information concerning ownership and attributes of a particular document. More specifically, it contains document instance attributes, such as whether the document is editable or not-editable; the maximum number of versions; and the action to be taken if the user has attempted to edit a document that cannot be edited. In addition, the Document Model Object 30 may contain any of the following information;
1) Document level locking information indicating the user who has checked a document out of the library for updating;
2) Indications that a document contents have been removed from direct control of the library server;
3) Directions to a library administrator to remove parts or restore parts of a document to library service control;
4) Time and date information removed from direct control of the library server;
5) Location of information removed from direct control of the library server; and
6) Optional information for archival purposes.
The Access Control Model Object 32 (ACMO) is created when a document is filed for the first time into a DIA library. The principal purpose of the Access Control Model Object 32 is to consolidate information to be used in determining non-owner access to the document. It contains access control information such as whether the document is capable of being accessed by any one (public), whether access is permitted to a limited number of explicitly specified users (private), or whether the information is shared with others. The Access Control Model Object 32 also contains information that governs the retention and disposal of the document.
The Document History Log Object 34 (DHLO) is optionally created when a document is filed in the library and the user wishes to record various activities on the document. For example, a user may wish to record the number of times the document was read and by whom.
The Document Relation Object 42 (DRO) is created when a document is first filed in the library. Its purpose is to describe the logical relationships between a document and other related or grouped documents. For example, the DIA architecture allows folder documents to be created that contain other documents. When such a relationship exists, then each document contained within the folder has a pointer entry called a Library Assigned Document Name (LADN) in the Document Relation Object 42.
The Version Control Object 40 (VCO) is created when a document is first filed into the library and contains information for several objects that may comprise a single named version of a document. It provides space for version naming, version level locks, and other version related level process controls.
The Profile Content Object 44 (PCO) is created when a document is first filed into the library and a user wishes to create sub-objects for performance or other reasons. The Profile Content Object 44 is the repository for profile information related to the sub-objects.
The Document Content Object 46 (DCO) is created when a document is first filed into the library and provides storage for the document contents. In addition, the Document Content Object 46 provides storage for saving information concerning the actual size of the document in various units of measurement.
The Search Index Object 48 (SIO) contains entries used in searching within a document. The entries are placed in the SIO 48 as a result of the following sequence of actions on other objects. The basic Document Model Object 30 is first created as part of processing a FILE command. The Library Server then scans the Profile Content Object 44, the Document Relation Object 42, and the Access Control Model Object 32 to find terms to be used to support a parametric SEARCH. As each search term is identified, an entry is made in the Search Index Object 48 whose name includes the parametric search term value and semantics. If no SIO 48 exists when the Library Server scans the aforementioned objects, one is created and the entries placed therein as if the Search Index Object 48 always existed.
The Reverse Search Index Object 38 (RSIO) exists to support the removal of Search Index Object 48 entries when a document is removed from the library by a DELETE command. Entries for parametric search terms are placed in the RSIO 38 at the same time they are being made in the Search Index Object 48.
Turning to FIG. 3, a method of adding enterprise specific search terms to a document stored in a shared library is disclosed. The Interchange Document Profile 50 (IDP) and tables 58, 60 are the required components for building the search indices 62 which will be stored with a document in the shared library. The IDP 50 contains the DIA-defined attributes 56, enterprise specific attributes 52, and private attributes for building the search index. The DIA attributes 56 are used to create the DIA architected term such as, the name under which the information is filed, the authors, the subject of the information, and the date the information was filed in the document history log. The enterprise defined attributes 52 are placed in the enterprise specific sub-profiles in the IDP 50. They are used along with the parser table 58 and builder table 60 to generate such enterprise specific terms as "Bank Account ID" or "Loan Identifier", for example, if the enterprise was a bank. The parser table 58 and builder table 60 must be present before the search indices 62 can be generated. These tables represent the formatting information required to parse or build DIA search date streams. Private attributes for other functions may follow the DIA and enterprise defined attributes. These private attributes are placed in private sub-profiles 54.
Ease of use in generating Enterprise Specific Search Terms (ESST) was provided by making the parser 58 and builder 60 tables easy to process, in an architected format to meet the DIA format, table driven, and dynamically tailored to meet an enterprise requirements. This was accomplished by using Formatted Date Object Content Architecture (FDOCA) encoding for the tables. FDOCA is an IBM defined object content architecture that allows users to express information about the structure and meaning of data. FDOCA makes it possible to have data processing type data and their descriptors in one file.
Turning to FIG 7, an example of an Enterprise Specific Search Term Parser Table is shown. A 4 by 11 array of 3-digit numbers is shown representing data. In addition, a descriptor for the data is shown indicating that the data type is some kind of numeric and that there are several dimensions. The descriptor indicates that a first extent per dimension is 4 and a second extend per dimension is 11. There is also a descriptor entry for type parameter which is indicated as having a length of 3 bytes. As indicated by this example, FDOCA makes it possible to have both data processing type data and their descriptors in the same table.
The tables must indicate the extra library services desired. If the tables do not indicate the extra library services, then that service will not be provided. Without the ESST tables, the Enterprise Specific Search Terms sub-profiles 52 in FIG. 3, will be skipped and stored as byte perfect without being included in the search indices 62.
The library server 26, FIG. 2, checks for the presence of the Enterprise Specific Search Terms (ESST) tables before building the search indices 62 shown in FIG. 3. If the tables have not been properly installed, no search indices will be built. If the tables have been properly installed, the library server will build the search indices for the ESST based on the validation rules, synonym provisions, and standardization information found in the parser table 58 and the builder table 60. This invention permits an enterprise's end user to load validation tables based on unique enterprise end user requirements. Therefore, an enterprise's end user is given the capability to change to the validation rules per the enterprise requirements, while maintaining an interchangeable DIA defined syntax and format.
Turning to FIG. 4, this invention provides a new document interchange management command for installing parser and builder tables. The INSTALL command is used to install a library control object into a DIA library. As used in this invention, a library control object is synonymous with the parser/builder tables used for creating search terms specific to an enterprise. The library control object can only be installed by an authorized library administrator. Using this command, the library administrator can perform all of the following functions: 1) identify the type of the control object; 2) establish any associations with the object; 3) identify the library where the object is to be installed; 4) indicate whether the object is newly installed; 5) indicate if the object is to be merged with an existing object; or 6) determine if the object is to be a replacement for an existing object.
Returning again to FIG. 4, the operand field of the INSTALL command indicates the various options available to the system administrator. The IDENTIFIED-DATA (IDD) operand is required and specifies the object to be installed. The OBJECT-KEY operand is also required and identifies the enterprise that is associated with the object specified in the IDD operand. The OBJECT-TYPE is also a required operand and identifies the document type of the object. The OBJECT-KEY and the OBJECT-TYPE operands are used to uniquely identify the object installed in the library. Only one OBJECT-TYPE operand may be supplied by the library administrator.
Two optional operand values are allowed in the INSTALL command. The TARGET-SERVICE operand, if present, specifies the library name where the object is to be installed. The INSTALL-OPTION operand specifies whether the object is newly installed, to be merged with an existing object, or to replace an existing object. The default state of this operand is that the object is newly installed.
When the INSTALL command is used to install a library control object (parser/builder table) in the library, successful completion of the command is indicated with the return of an ACKNOWLEDGE command as shown in FIG. 4A. Successful completion status is returned in the EXCEPTION-CODE operand of the DIA ACKNOWLEDGE command.
Once an object is installed in a DIA library, an end user is permitted to retrieve a copy for viewing or updating. This is accomplished through use of the FETCH command shown in FIG. 5. The end user retrieving the object must have at least "read" authority to the object. While the end user may retrieve and view a copy of the original object, only the authorized library administrator is permitted to retrieve and update the original object.
Referring again to FIG. 5, the available operands for the FETCH command will be examined. The OBJECT-KEY and OBJECT-TYPE are required operands. The OBJECT-KEY operand identifies an enterprise and only one can be supplied. The OBJECT-TYPE operand identifies the document type of the object. These required operands are used together to uniquely identify the object installed in the library. The TARGET-SERVICE and CHECKOUT-OPTION operands are optional. The TARGET-SERVICE operand specifies the library name where the object is to be found and defaults to the library server. The CHECKOUT-OPTION operand specifies whether the object is for viewing or for updating. The default of the CHECKOUT-OPTION is for viewing only.
When a table is successfully retrieved from the target library, a DELIVER command is sent at the conclusion of processing by the library server. FIG. 5A illustrates sending of the FETCH command and ultimately, its successful completion as indicated by the DELIVER command. As required under DIA architecture provisions, the DELIVER Document Interchange Unit (DIU) contains the requested information.
When library control objects are no longer needed by a particular enterprise, they may be removed from the DIA library using the UNINSTALL command. The library control objects can only be deleted by an authorized library administrator and cannot be deleted by regular DIA library end users. The UNINSTALL command is shown in FIG. 6 along with its available operands. The OBJECT-KEY and OBJECT-TYPE are required operands. The OBJECT-KEY operand identifies an enterprise and only one can be supplied. The OBJECT-TYPE operand identifies the document type of the object and along with the OBJECT-KEY operand uniquely identifies the object installed in the library. Only one OBJECT-TYPE operand may be supplied.
When a table has been successfully deleted from the target library, the library server response with an ACKNOWLEDGE command. The sequence of the UNINSTALL and ACKNOWLEDGE commands is shown in FIG. 6A.
In summary, this invention provides a method of allowing parser and builder tables to be dynamically changed per enterprise requirements. Tables can be installed into a library and removed when they are no longer required. Copies of currently installed tables can be provided to any end user with proper read authority. This is accomplished through the creation of the INSTALL, FETCH, and UNINSTALL commands. The INSTALL command allows a table to be installed in a library by providing means for identifying the type of table, passing operands that define an association with an enterprise, and indicating whether the table is newly installed, a replacement for an existing table, or to be merged with an existing table. The FETCH command provides for the retrieval of a copy of a table from the library for viewing or updating. Finally, the UNINSTALL command provides for the deletion of a table from the library once it is no longer needed. In addition to the new commands, this invention provides two new operand fields for library control. These operands are used to uniquely identify the enterprise that is associated with a table. The OBJECT-KEY operand is used to identify the enterprise that is associated with the table and the OBJECT-TYPE operand is used to identify the type of the table. The commands along with their available operands facilitate the generation of tables necessary to generate enterprise specific terms for document interchange systems.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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This invention relates to a method of dynamically changing tables used for the generation of user specific index terms in a document interchange system. The tables supply such things as validation rules, synonym provisions, and standardization information and must be easily changed to reflect the changing needs of the user. This invention provides the INSTALL, FETCH, and UNINSTALL commands to meet this need. The INSTALL command permits quick installation to tables while the UNINSTALL command provides for their removal. Users are permitted to copy and view the tables through use of the FETCH command. The commands provide a method of altering tables to meet the vary needs of the user.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/981,924 filed Apr. 21, 2014 entitled SWIVELING TABLET MOUNT, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to sewing. In particular, the invention relates to particular styles of sewing that incorporate decorative stitching such as quilting. A quilt is a type of blanket typically having three layers: a decorative top layer, a middle layer of insulating material, and a backing layer. “Quilting” refers to the technique of joining these layers by stitches or ties.
Traditional quilting was done by hand and was very labor intensive. The invention of the sewing machine changed that. Quilting evolved from production of functional blankets by specialized artisans into a popular hobby enjoyed by many.
Modern quilts are typically made using a long-armed sewing machine, or stitcher, attached to a frame. The frame supports and holds the workpiece in place while the sewing machine moves along the frame with respect to the workpiece. A typical quilting apparatus illustrating the relationship between the workpiece, frame, and sewing machine is shown in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0190916.
A common way to quilt today is to use what is known as pantograph patterns. Pantographs are a way to “trace” a pre-printed stitch pattern with the machine in order to stitch that pattern onto the fabric. This allows very consistent work to be completed with a much lower skill level required versus traditional hand-guided stitching alone.
Such a method is normally accomplished by mounting a paper pattern on the rear of the table. A laser pointer is mounted to the stitcher head. The operator sets up the needle/thread at the front of the machine, and then uses handles provided at the rear of the machine head to control the head during stitching from the rear of the table. By “tracing” the paper pattern with the laser dot, the operator is able to reproduce the patterns from the paper template to the fabric being sewn. A user interface such as a tablet computer may be used to control certain aspects of the stitcher, for example controlling whether a needle is in the “up” or “down” position, stitching mode, etc.
While the normal user location is at the front of the machine, an additional user interface is sometimes needed at the rear as well when a quilter is quilting using the pantograph method. For some systems, this is accomplished by placing two, redundant user interface devices at the front and rear of the machine. Some systems accomplish this by making the front user interface device removable with a mount or dock at the rear of the machine.
Placing two redundant user interfaces at both the front and rear of the machine can generate extra, unnecessary expense. Both the user interfaces and the mounts used to hold them can be quite expensive. In the scenario where a user must remove and mount the user interface back and forth between the front and rear of the machine, an operator wastes time and effort.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a quilting machine, more specifically a long-armed stitching machine, or stitcher. The stitcher may include a sewing head that includes the sewing machine used to quilt fabric. The fabric may be stretched between two rollers of a frame below the stitcher. Typically, an operator can use handles at the front of the stitcher to guide the stitcher above the fabric to cause the needle and thread associated with the stitcher to stitch in a desired pattern. Alternatively, an operator at the rear portion of the stitcher may steer the head using handles such that a downwardly pointing laser associated with the head traces a pantograph pattern located in front of and below the fabric. By tracing the pantograph pattern with the laser, the operator may ensure that the needle and thread at the front portion of the head produces the same pattern that is in front of and below the fabric.
The stitcher head of the present invention may also include a swiveling tablet mount positioned and located on top of the sewing machine head. The tablet mount may be placed at a side portion of the stitcher head in alternative embodiments. In the preferred embodiment, the tablet mount is centrally-mounted such that it may be accessed from the front, side, or rear of the stitcher head in both of the aforementioned quilting methods. The tablet mount is configured to securely receive and secure a user interface device such as a tablet computer.
The mount may include flanges extending from each of its sides, as well as from its top or bottom that are preferably positioned and located to receive and secure a tablet. The mount may further be secured to a mounting adapter, or block. The mounting adapter may include a central shaft or mounting post that is housed with, and extends through, the mounting adapter. This shaft may act as a pivot about which the mounting adapter may rotate. The shaft preferably has a cut ramping profile that includes valleys at various possible user locations.
The mounting adapter further may include a pin that may engage any of the valleys positioned and located at the various possible user locations. A spring may be used to provide a downward force on the mounting adapter to assure that the pin of the mounting adapter engages with a valley of the central shaft. Thus, the mounting adapter and consequently the mount, are preferably only capable of stopping at the various possible user locations. This further may assure that there is not unnecessary movement of the tablet due to vibrations and other movements associated with operating the stitcher.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sewing machine head of a long-armed sewing machine including a centrally mounted swiveling tablet mount and tablet contained therein.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the swiveling tablet mount of FIG. 1 .
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting adapter of FIG. 2 .
FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a cross-section of the mounting adapter of FIG. 3 .
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a cross-section of the mounting adapter of FIGS. 3 and 4 .
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the central shaft of FIG. 2 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed generally toward a sewing machine further preferably including a centrally mounted swiveling tablet mount for use therewith. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sewing machine head 10 for use with a long-armed sewing machine, or long-armed stitcher. Various components of sewing machine head 10 are known in the art for use with a long-armed stitcher. Sewing machine head 10 may include a front portion 11 where a first set of handles 12 are preferably positioned and located for moving the sewing machine head 10 above a quilt such that needle and thread apparatus 13 may stitch a desired pantograph pattern in the quilt positioned and located below the sewing machine head 10 in a long-armed stitcher arrangement known in the art.
At rear portion 14 of the sewing machine head 10 , the sewing machine head further preferably comprises a second set of handles 15 that are positioned and located for moving the sewing machine head 10 in order to trace a pantograph pattern positioned below the sewing machine head 10 , thus ensuring that the needle and thread 13 located at the front portion 11 of the sewing machine head 10 reproduces the pantograph pattern. The pantograph pattern may be traced by means of a laser mounted to the rear portion 14 of the sewing machine head 10 , for example to handles 15 . Alternatively, it may be traced by a physical pointer, such as a rod or wire member, that is mounted in a similar manner. In yet another alternative embodiment, the pantograph pattern may be traced on a computer device or otherwise digitally traced.
The sewing machine head 10 preferably comprises a plurality of components known in the art. FIG. 1 illustrates a motor 16 , belt guard 17 , and rear hand wheel 18 . Other components known in the art that are commonly included in a sewing machine head 10 may also be included with sewing machine head 10 . For example, sewing machine head 10 may include cone holders, thread guides, and other known components in its various embodiments.
FIG. 1 further illustrates a centrally mounted swiveling tablet mount 20 for use with sewing machine head 10 . The swiveling tablet mount 20 may be used to releasably secure a tablet 25 , like the tablet illustrated in FIG. 1 . The tablet 25 is shown as a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 Android tablet in the illustrated embodiment. Yet, other embodiments are envisioned where an iPad or other tablet or electronic device may be used instead. The swiveling tablet mount 20 may be adapted to receive any display device that includes a user interface that may be programmable to control functional aspects of a sewing machine.
An electronic medium such as cord 28 may be used to supply power to the tablet 25 and the various electronic components contained within sewing machine head 10 . The sewing machine and tablet 25 communicate with one another via a Bluetooth connection in one embodiment, though other means of communication also are foreseen. By way of the Bluetooth connection, tablet 25 may be used to control various functions of sewing machine head 10 including stitch mode, stitch speed, etc. Swiveling tablet mount 20 is preferably positioned and located at a central portion of sewing machine head 10 such that it may be accessed and visible from the front portion 11 or rear portion 14 of sewing machine head 10 , as well as from either side of the sewing machine head 10 . The manner by which swiveling tablet mount 20 may rotate to be accessible from front and rear portions 11 , 14 is discussed herein below after describing the manner in which swiveling tablet mount 20 is constructed.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of swiveling tablet mount 20 and the components contained therein. A tablet holder 30 is preferably sized such that it can receive and engage a tablet such as tablet 25 . In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 , the tablet holder 30 is sized and positioned to receive a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 Android tablet, though other sizes and positions are further envisioned. The illustrated tablet holder 30 preferably includes latitudinal flange portions 40 extending outwardly from the side portions of the tablet holder 30 for securing a tablet therein. Longitudinal flange portions 50 and 60 , preferably extend outwardly from the upper and lower portions of tablet holder 30 , respectively, to further secure a tablet within tablet holder 30 .
Tablet holder 30 may be secured at its rear portion to a mounting adapter 70 . The mounting adapter 70 is preferably secured to the tablet holder 30 by a plurality of screws in the illustrated embodiment, though other attachment means known in the art are further envisioned. A pin 72 (illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 ) is preferably positioned and located in a central portion of the mounting adapter 70 , and it preferably extends inwardly into the mounting adapter, but may not extend all the way therethrough to the rear portion of the mounting adapter 70 . A nylon roller 75 is shown removed from the mounting adapter 70 . In operation, the nylon roller 75 may be removably attached to an end portion of the pin 75 within the mounting adapter 70 .
A central shaft 80 may be seen below the mounting adapter 70 . The central shaft 80 may be cooperatively engaged with sewing machine head 10 at its lower portion; this engagement may be spaced by washers or other means known of foreseeable in the art. Central shaft 80 may further be cooperatively engaged with a lower portion (illustrated in FIG. 4 ) of mounting adapter 70 at its upper portion in a process described in greater detail herein below. It is this latter engagement that allows the mounting adapter 70 , and consequently tablet holder 30 and tablet 25 (not illustrated in FIG. 2 ) to swivel about the central shaft 80 . The central shaft 80 preferably includes a cut ramping profile 82 which includes valleys 83 associated with the pin 72 and its nylon roller 75 when the central shaft 80 and mounting adapter 70 are cooperatively engaged. The pin 72 preferably rides within the cut ramping profile 82 when the central shaft 80 and mounting adapter 70 are cooperatively engaged in a process described in greater detail below.
Mounting adapter 70 may receive at its upper portion an attachment member 85 when the swiveling tablet mount 20 is assembled. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment member 85 is a screw-like member including a threaded portion but may be any suitable member known or foreseeable in the art for attachment with mounting adapter 70 . The attachment member 85 may extend through a spring 90 . The spring 90 is preferably received by and contained within an upper portion (illustrated in FIG. 4 ) of the mounting adapter 70 when the swiveling tablet mount 20 is assembled. Screws 95 preferably hold a washer in place that may cause a downward force to be applied to spring 90 and thus to be applied to mounting adapter 70 such that pin 72 is forced toward valleys 83 in a process described in greater detail herein below. A plug 100 may be used to cap the upper portion of mounting adapter 70 and contain the attachment member 85 and spring 90 therein.
FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 illustrate mounting adapter 70 in greater detail. Upper portion 105 is illustrated in FIG. 3 , and upper portion 105 and lower portion 110 of the mounting adapter 70 is illustrated in FIG. 4 . As previously described, when the swiveling tablet mount 20 is fully constructed, the central shaft 80 and its associated components may be contained within lower portion 110 , while attachment member 85 and spring 90 may be contained within upper portion 105 . A sleeve bearing (not illustrated) may also be contained within mounting adapter 70 for receiving the aforementioned components. Upper portion 105 preferably has a circumference slightly greater than plug 100 , such that plug 100 may releasably be secured within upper portion 105 and secure various components therein.
FIGS. 4 and 5 further illustrate pin 72 and the manner in which it may extend into mounting adapter 70 . In doing so, when central shaft 80 (illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 6 ) is releasably secured within mounting adapter 70 , pin 72 is positioned and located to be received by and within cut ramping profile 82 . In this configuration, mounting adapter 70 may be swiveled about central shaft 80 by pin 72 being circumferentially contained but mobile within cut ramping profile 82 . Valleys 83 are preferably positioned at the various positions and/or locations where a user may access the tablet associated with swiveling tablet mount 20 . When spring 90 is exerting its downward force on mounting adapter 70 , the pin 72 also preferably has a downward force applied thereto, thus influencing the pin 72 to “auto-locate” to the valleys 83 . Therefore, the mounting adapter 70 is preferentially guided to positions where users would access a tablet associated therewith.
Other means of ensuring that the mounting adapter 70 may swivel about central shaft 80 and can be temporarily secured at various user locations are further envisioned. For example central shaft 80 may include apertures for selective engagement with spring-loaded detents associated with mounting adapter 70 or tablet holder 30 . Other swiveling and securing methods are further envisioned, so long as the tablet associated with the swiveling tablet mount 20 may be swiveled and secured at various preferred user positions.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.
The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. 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 claims which follow.
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The present invention relates to a quilting machine, or stitcher, further including a centrally located swiveling tablet mount for securing a tablet that is used in the quilting process. The mount is positioned such that a user may access the mount from either side of, or the rear or front of the stitcher. The mount is one capable of swiveling so that the user does not have to move the tablet between front and rear mounts of the stitcher or buy separate tablets for a front and rear mount.
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/568,373, filed May 5, 2004 and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/636,123 filed Dec. 15, 2004, and is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/583,105, filed Apr. 23, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,549, entitled “High Efficiency Light Source Using Solid-State Emitter And Down-Conversion Material,” which is the 371 National Phase of International Application No. PCT/US2005/015736, filed May 5, 2005, which was published in English under PCT Article 21(2) as WO 2005/107420 A2. The contents of all of these applications are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Solid state light emitting devices, including solid state lamps having light emitting diodes (LEDs) and resonant cavity LEDs (RCLEDs) are extremely useful, because they potentially offer lower fabrication costs and long term durability benefits over conventional incandescent and fluorescent lamps. Due to their long operation (burn) time and low power consumption, solid state light emitting devices frequently provide a functional cost benefit, even when their initial cost is greater than that of conventional lamps. Because large scale semiconductor manufacturing techniques may be used, many solid state lamps may be produced at extremely low cost.
In addition to applications such as indicator lights on home and consumer appliances, audio visual equipment, telecommunication devices and automotive instrument markings, LEDs have found considerable application in indoor and outdoor informational displays.
With the development of efficient LEDs that emit short wavelength (e.g., blue or ultraviolet (UV)) radiation, it has become feasible to produce LEDs that generate white light through down conversion (i.e., phosphor conversion) of a portion of the primary emission of the LED to longer wavelengths. Conversion of primary emissions of the LED to longer wavelengths is commonly referred to as down-conversion of the primary emission. An unconverted portion of the primary emission combines with the light of longer wavelength to produce white light.
Phosphor conversion of a portion of the primary emission of the LED chip is attained by placing a phosphor layer in an epoxy that is used to fill the reflector cup, which houses the LED chip within the LED lamp. The phosphor is in the form of a powder that is mixed into the epoxy prior to curing the epoxy. The uncured epoxy slurry containing the phosphor powder is then deposited onto the LED chip and is subsequently cured.
The phosphor particles within the cured epoxy generally are randomly oriented and interspersed throughout the epoxy. A portion of the primary radiation emitted by the LED chip passes through the epoxy without impinging on the phosphor particles, and another portion of the primary radiation emitted by the LED chip impinges on the phosphor particles, causing the phosphor particles to emit longer wavelength radiation. The combination of the primary short wavelength radiation and the phosphor-emitted radiation produces white light.
Current state of the art phosphor-converted white LED (pc-LED) technology is inefficient in the visible spectrum. The light output for a single pc-white LED is below that of typical household incandescent lamps, which are approximately 10 percent efficient in the visible spectrum. An LED device having a light output that is comparable to a typical incandescent lamp's power density necessitates a larger LED chip or a design having multiple LED chips. Moreover, a form of direct energy absorbing cooling must be incorporated to handle the temperature rise in the LED device itself. More particularly, the LED device becomes less efficient when heated to a temperature greater than 100° C., resulting in a declining return in the visible spectrum. The intrinsic phosphor conversion efficiency, for some phosphors, drops dramatically as the temperature increases above approximately 90° C. threshold.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,452,217 issued to Wojnarowski et al. is directed to a high power LED lamp or multiple LED lamp design for use in lighting products and a source of heat removal therefrom. It has LED die arranged in a multi-dimensional array. Each LED die has a semiconductor layer and phosphor material for creation of white light. A reflector gathers and focuses the light from each of the die to approximate a high power LED lamp. FIG. 12 of the patent illustrates a multi-sided array which emits light at angled ray trace paths. FIG. 19 of the patent illustrates the LED lamp head being angled.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,600,175 issued to Baretz et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0016938 filed by Baretz et al. are directed to solid state light emitting devices that produce white light. The '938 patent application publication is a continuation of the '175 patent. The solid state light emitting device generates a shorter wavelength radiation that is transmitted to a luminophoric medium for down conversion to yield white light. In FIGS. 2 and 6 of the patent, there is a spaced relationship between the LED and the luminophoric medium. In FIG. 6, for example, light is emitted from the solid state device 82 of shorter wavelength radiation, preferably in the wavelength range of blue to ultraviolet. When luminophoric medium 90 is impinged with the shorter wavelength radiation, it is excited to responsively emit radiation having a wavelength in the visible light spectrum in a range of wavelengths to produce light perceived as white.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,691 issued to Mueller-Mach et al. is directed to an LED device comprising a phosphor-converting substrate that converts a fraction of the primary light emitted by a light emitting structure of the LED into one or more wavelengths of light that combine with unconverted primary light to produce white light. As shown in FIG. 1 of the patent, LED 2 is disposed on substrate 10 which is a phosphor. As shown in FIG. 2 of the patent, reflective electrode 21 is disposed on the surface of the LED. Some primary light emitted by the LED impinges on reflective electrode 21, which reflects the primary light back through the LED and through the substrate. Some of the primary light propagating into the substrate is converted into yellow light and some is not converted. When the two types of light are emitted by the substrate, they combine to produce white light. Utilizing a reflective electrode improves the efficiency of the LED device by ensuring that the amount of primary light entering the substrate is maximized.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0030444 filed by Muller-Mach et al., which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,696,703 to Mueller-Mach et al., is directed to a thin film phosphor-converted LED structure. FIG. 2 of the application shows an LED structure 2 and a phosphor thin film 21 on a surface of LED 2. The LED generates blue light that impinges on phosphor film 21. Some light passes through phosphor 21 and some is absorbed and converted into yellow light which is emitted from phosphor 21. The blue and yellow light combine to form white light. In FIG. 3 of the application, a reflective pad 25 is on a surface of LED 2. Light from LED 2 is reflected by reflective pad 25 back through LED 2 and into phosphor 21. Light is then combined, as shown in FIG. 2 of the patent. FIG. 4 of the patent uses two phosphor films 31, 33 that are separated from LED 2 by substrate 13. Film 31 emits red light. Film 33 emits green light. Blue light emitted by LED 2 passes through films 31, 33, which combines with the red and green light to produce white light. In the embodiment of FIG. 5 of the application, LED device 50 includes a plurality of phosphor thin films 37 and 38. A dielectric mirror 36 is disposed between thin film 37 and substrate 13. The dielectric mirror 36 is fully transparent to the primary emission of light emitting structure 2, but is highly reflective at the wavelength of the emissions of the phosphor thin films 37 and 38.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0030060 filed by Okazaki is directed to a white semiconductor light-emitting device provided with an ultraviolet light-emitting element and a phosphor. The phosphor layer has a blue light-emitting phosphor and a yellow light-emitting phosphor, mixedly diffused. The light-emitting device 3 is inside reflective case 5. In FIGS. 2, 4, and 8 of the application, phosphor layer 6 is formed away from light-emitting element 3. In FIG. 2 of the application shows phosphor layer 6 formed inside sealing member 7, which is formed from a translucent resin. In FIGS. 4 and 8 of the application, the phosphor layer is formed on the surface of sealing member 7.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0218880, filed by Brukilacchio, is directed to an LED white light optical system. As shown in FIG. 1 of the application, optical system 100 includes LED optical source 110, optical filter 120, reflector 130, phosphor layer 135, concentrator 140, a first illumination region 150, a second illumination region 170, and thermal dissipater 190. Optical filter 120 includes a reflected CCT range and a transmitted CCT range. Optical energy that is within the reflected CCT range is prohibited from passing through optical filter 120 (e.g., via reflection). Optical energy that enters the optical filter front face 121 from the phosphor layer back face 137 that is in the reflected range of optical filter 120 is reflected back into phosphor layer 135. Optical energy that is in the transmitted CCT range of optical filter 120 transmits through filter 120 and interacts with reflector 130.
The reflector 130 is a reflective optical element positioned to reflect optical energy emitted from the LED optical source back face 112 back into LED optical source 110. The optical energy interacts with the optical material and a portion of the optical energy exits LED front face 111 and interacts with optical filter 120. The optical energy then continues into the phosphor layer, thereby providing a repeating telescoping circular process for the optical energy that emits from the phosphor layer back face 137. This repeating process captures optical energy that otherwise is lost. Concentrator 140 captures optical energy emitting out of the phosphor layer front face 136.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0003233 filed by Mueller-Mach et al., which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,501,102 to Mueller-Mach et al., are directed to a LED device that performs phosphor conversion on substantially all of the primary radiation emitted by the light emitting structure of the LED device to produce white light. The LED device includes at least one phosphor-converting element located to receive and absorb substantially all of the primary light emitted by the light-emitting structure. The phosphor-converting element emits secondary light at second and third wavelengths that combine to produce white light. Some embodiments use a reflective electrode on the surface of the light emitting structure and some do not. In embodiments that use a reflective electrode 21 (FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7 of the application), a substrate separates the light emitting structure from the phosphor layers. That is, the light emitting structure is on one side of the substrate and a phosphor layer is on the other side of the substrate. In embodiments that do not use a reflective electrode (FIGS. 4, 5 of the application), a phosphor layer is disposed on a surface of the light emitting structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,686,691 issued to Mueller et al. is directed to a tri-color lamp for the production of white light. The lamp employs a blue LED and a mixture of red and green phosphors for the production of white light. As shown in FIG. 3, lamp 20 includes LED 22 which is positioned in reflector cup 28. LED 22 emits light in a pattern indicated by lines 26 and a phosphor mixture 24 is positioned in the pattern. It may be seen that some unabsorbed light emitted by LED 22 reflects from walls of reflector cup 28 back to phosphor mixture 24. Reflector cup 28 may modify light pattern 26, if light is reflected into a space not previously covered by the initial light pattern. The walls of the reflector cup may be parabolic.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,252,254 and 6,580,097, both issued to Soules et al., are directed to an LED or laser diode coated with phosphors. The '097 patent is a division of the '254 patent. More particularly, the patents disclose a blue-emitting LED covered with a phosphor-containing covering. The phosphor-containing covering contains green-emitting phosphors and red-emitting phosphors. The green and red phosphors are excitable by the blue-emitting LED.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,949 issued to Marshall et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,136 issued to Marshall et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0067773 filed by Marshall et al. are directed to an LED/phosphor/LED hybrid lighting system. The '136 patent is a continuation of the '949 patent. The '773 patent application issued as the '136 patent. As shown in FIG. 1A, LED 10 includes an LED chip mounted in a reflective metal dish or reflector 12 filled with a transparent epoxy 13. FIG. 1B schematically depicts a typical phosphor-LED 14 which is substantially identical in construction to the LED of FIG. 1A, except that the epoxy 18 filling the reflector 16 contains grains 19 of one or more types of luminescent phosphor materials mixed homogeneously therein. The phosphor grains 19 convert a portion of the light emitted by LED chip 15 to light of a different spectral wavelength. The system permits different lighting system performance parameters to be addressed and optimized as deemed important by varying the color and number of the LEDs and/or the phosphor of the phosphor-LED.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,603,258, issued to Mueller-Mach et al., is directed to a light emitting diode device that produces white light by combining primary bluish-green light with phosphor-converted reddish light. The LED is mounted within a reflector cup that is filled with a phosphor-converting resin. Primary radiation emitted by the LED impinges on the phosphor-converting resin. Part of the primary radiation impinging on the resin is converted into reddish light. An unconverted portion of the primary radiation passes through the resin and combines with the reddish light to produce white light.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,862, issued to Srivastava et al., is directed to halophosphate luminescent materials co-activated with europium and manganese ions. FIG. 3 of the patent discloses an LED mounted in cup 120 having a reflective surface 140 adjacent the LED. The embodiment includes a transparent case 160 in which phosphor particles 200 are dispersed. Alternatively, the phosphor mixed with a binder may be applied as a coating over the LED surface. A portion of blue light emitted by the LED that is not absorbed by the phosphor and the broad-spectrum light emitted by the phosphor are combined to provide a white light source.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,069,440, 6,614,179, and 6,608,332, issued to Shimazu et al., are directed to a light emitting device comprising a phosphor which converts the wavelength of light emitted by a light emitting component and emits light. These patents also disclose a display device using multiple light emitting devices arranged in a matrix. These patents are related because they flow from the same parent application.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,580,224 issued to Ishii et al. is directed to a backlight for a color liquid crystal display device, a color liquid crystal display device, and an electroluminescent element for a backlight of a color liquid crystal display device.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0167014 filed by Schlereth et al., which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,734,467 to Schlereth et al., are directed to an LED white light source having a semiconductor LED based on GaN or InGaN which is at least partly surrounded by an encapsulation made of a transparent material. The transparent material contains a converter substance for at least partial wavelength conversion of the light emitted by the LED. The LED has a plurality of light-emitting zones by which a relatively broadband light emission spectrum is generated energetically above the emission spectrum of the converter substance.
A publication entitled “Optical simulation of light source devices composed of blue LEDs and YAG phosphor” by Yamada K., Y. Imai, and K Ishii, published in Journal of Light and Visual Environment 27(2): 70-74 (2003) discloses using light reflected from a phosphor as an effective way of obtaining high output from light sources composed of LEDs and phosphor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A light emitting apparatus comprises a radiation source for emitting multi-colored radiation. A diffuser material receives at least a portion of the multi-colored radiation emitted by the radiation source and converts the multi-colored radiation into forward transferred radiation and back transferred radiation. An optic device is coupled to the diffuser material and is adapted to receive the back transferred radiation and extract at least a portion of the back transferred radiation from the optic device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawing are the following Figures:
FIG. 1 is a graph of relative output versus wavelength showing reflected and transmitted spectral distribution of light for one type of phosphor (YAG:Ce);
FIG. 2 is a high efficiency light source that uses solid state emitter(s) and down conversion material, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2A is an alternative embodiment of a high efficiency light source that uses multiple colored light emitting sources and down conversion material;
FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a bottom portion of the high efficiency light source shown in FIG. 2A ;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a bottom portion of the high efficiency light source shown in FIG. 2 ;
FIG. 4 illustrates another high efficiency light source that uses multiple solid state emitters and down conversion material, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5A is yet another embodiment of a high efficiency light source that uses solid state emitter(s) and down conversion material, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the high efficiency light source shown in FIG. 5A ;
FIG. 6 is an illustration of still another high efficiency light source that uses solid state emitter(s) and down conversion material, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 depicts a reflector surrounding the high efficiency light source shown in FIG. 6 , for redirecting the rays emitted from the light source(s);
FIG. 7A illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the invention using multiple colored light emitting sources;
FIG. 7B illustrates a down conversion material dispersed in a down conversion material layer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7C illustrates a down conversion material dispersed in a down conversion material layer in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7D illustrates a down conversion material dispersed in a down conversion material layer in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 8A through 8E illustrate various geometric shapes for the optical element, or optical lens, disposed immediately above an exemplary light emitting source, in accordance with different exemplary embodiments of the present invention;
FIGS. 8F and 8G illustrate other embodiments of a reflector and an optic device;
FIG. 9A shows a device having multiple high-efficiency light sources that use solid state emitter(s) and down conversion material placed on a lightpipe for redirecting the light rays from the light sources, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 9A ;
FIG. 9C illustrates a cross-section view of another alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 9A that may include multiple colored light emitting sources;
FIG. 10A is an illustration of another device having multiple high efficiency light sources that use solid state emitter(s) and down conversion material disposed around edges of a lightpipe for redirecting the light rays from the light sources, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 10A ;
FIG. 11 is an illustration of yet another high efficiency light source arranged so that it is surrounded by a reflector and a high efficiency microlens diffuser, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11A is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 that may include multiple colored light emitting sources;
FIG. 12 is an illustration of still another high efficiency light source directing radiation towards a down conversion material and a reflector, where the down conversion material is disposed between the high efficiency light source and the reflector, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12A is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12 that may include multiple colored light emitting sources;
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram depicting a high powered light emitter radiating light towards a down conversion material by way of an optical element, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the exemplary radiation rays that may result when an exemplary radiation ray from a short-wavelength LED chip impinges on a layer of down conversion material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the exemplary radiation rays that may result when an exemplary radiation ray 2000 from a short-wavelength LED chip 2002 impinges on a layer of down conversion material 2004 which may be a phosphor layer. The impingement of exemplary short-wavelength radiation 2000 from a short-wavelength source such as an LED chip 2002 onto a down conversion material layer 2004 may produce radiation with four components: back transferred short-wavelength radiation 2006 reflected from the down conversion material layer 2004 ; forward transferred short-wavelength radiation 2008 transmitted through the down conversion material layer 2004 ; forward transferred down-converted radiation 2010 transmitted through the down conversion material 2004 ; and back transferred down-converted radiation 2012 reflected from the down conversion material 2004 . The four components may combine to produce white light.
Two of the four components 2010 and 2012 may each be comprised of two sub-components. One of the sub-components of forward transferred down-converted radiation may be emitted radiation 2014 ; i.e., down-converted radiation having a longer wavelength than the short-wavelength radiation that impinges onto the down conversion material layer 2004 . The emitted radiation sub-component 2014 of forward transferred down-converted radiation may be produced by short-wavelength radiation 2000 impinging on particles of the down conversion material 2004 as it is transmitted through the down conversion material 2004 . The second sub-component of forward transferred down-converted radiation may be forward scattered emitted radiation 2016 ; i.e., other down-converted radiation having a longer wavelength than the short-wavelength radiation 2000 that impinges onto the down conversion material layer 2004 . The forward scattered emitted radiation sub-component 2016 of forward transferred down-converted radiation 2010 may be produced by short-wavelength radiation 2000 impinging on particles of the down conversion material 2004 and that also bounces back and forth on the particles of the down conversion material 2004 before being transmitted through the down conversion material 2004 .
One of the sub-components of back transferred down-converted radiation 2012 may be emitted radiation 2020 ; i.e., down-converted radiation having a longer wavelength than the short-wavelength radiation 2000 that impinges onto the down conversion material layer 2004 . The emitted radiation sub-component 2018 of back transferred down-converted radiation 2012 may be produced by short-wavelength radiation 2000 impinging on particles of the down conversion material 2004 as it is reflected from the down conversion material 2004 . The second sub-component of back transferred down-converted radiation 2012 may be back scattered emitted radiation 2020 ; i.e., other down-converted radiation having a longer wavelength than the short-wavelength radiation 2000 that impinges onto the down conversion material layer 2004 . The back scattered emitted radiation sub-component 2020 of back transferred down-converted radiation 2012 may be produced by short-wavelength radiation 2000 impinging on particles of the down conversion material 2004 and that also bounces back and forth on the particles of down conversion material 2004 before being reflected from the down conversion material 2004 .
White light may be produced by the combinations of the various components discussed above. In the forward transferred direction (i.e., for radiation 2008 , 2014 , 2016 , 2010 that is transmitted through the down conversion material layer), white light may be produced by the combination of forward transferred short-wavelength radiation 2008 with either or both of the sub-components 2014 , 2016 of the forward transferred down-converted radiation 2010 . That is, white light may be produced in the forward transferred direction by the combination of forward transferred short-wavelength light 2008 with transmitted emitted radiation 2014 and/or with transmitted forward scattered emitted radiation 2016 .
In the back transferred direction (i.e., for radiation 2006 , 2018 , 2020 , 2012 that is reflected from the down conversion material layer), white light may be produced by the combination of back transferred short-wavelength radiation 2006 with either or both of the sub-components 2018 , 2020 of the back transferred down-converted radiation 2012 . That is, white light may be produced in the back transferred direction by the combination of back transferred short-wavelength light 2006 with reflected emitted radiation 2018 and/or with reflected back scattered emitted radiation 2020 .
The wavelength of the forward transferred short-wavelength radiation 2008 may be about the same as the wavelength of the radiation 2000 emitted by a radiation source such as an LED chip 2002 . The wavelength of the back transferred short wavelength radiation 2006 may be about the same as the wavelength of the radiation 2000 emitted by the radiation source 2002 . The wavelength of the forward transferred short-wavelength radiation 2008 may be about the same as the wavelength of the back transferred short-wavelength radiation 2006 . In an exemplary embodiment, the radiation source 2002 may emit radiation exhibiting a wavelength that is less than 550 nm, more particularly in a range of about 200 nm to less than 550 nm. Accordingly, the wavelength of the forward transferred short-wavelength radiation 2008 and the wavelength of the back transferred short-wavelength radiation 2006 may be less than 550 nm, more particularly in a range of about 200 nm to less than 550 nm.
The wavelength of the forward transferred down-converted radiation 2010 (including its sub-components 2014 , 2016 ) and the wavelength of the back transferred down-converted radiation 2012 (including its sub-components 2018 , 2020 ) may be any wavelength that is longer that the excitation spectrum of the down conversion material 2004 . In an exemplary embodiment, the excitation spectrum of the down conversion material 2004 may be in the range of about 300 nm to about 550 nm. In alternative embodiments, other down conversion materials may be used that have an excitation spectrum other than in the range of about 300 nm to about 550 nm. The excitation spectrum of the down conversion material 2004 should produce radiation having a wavelength that is longer than the wavelength of the radiation produced by the short-wavelength emitting radiation source 2002 . In an exemplary embodiment, the down conversion material 2004 may produce radiation in the range of from about 490 nm to about 750 nm.
However, if the LED chip 2002 does not emit short-wavelength radiation, or if the wavelength of radiation emitted by the LED chip is greater than the excitation spectrum of the down-conversion material, the down-conversion material layer 2004 behaves like a diffuser element. Therefore, only two components may be produced by the down conversion material 2004 : forward transferred radiation 2008 transmitted through the down-conversion material 2004 , and back transferred radiation 2006 reflected from the down-conversion material 2004 .
The inventors have discovered that the performance of phosphor converted LEDs is negatively affected when placing the down-conversion phosphor close to the LED die. Poor performance is mainly due to the fact that the phosphor medium surrounding the die behaves like an isotropic emitter, and some portion of the back transferred radiation towards the die circulates between the phosphor layer, the die, and the reflector cup. As a result, the back transferred radiation increases the junction temperature, thus reducing system efficacy and increasing the yellowing of the encapsulant. All of these factors reduce the light output over time.
The literature shows that 60 percent of the light impinging on the phosphor layer is back transferred, contributing to the described effects (Yamada, et al., 2003). Lab measurements of eight YAG:Ce phosphor plates proved that nearly 60% of the radiant energy is transferred back in the direction of the blue LED source. The absolute magnitude of the radiant energy reflected depends, among other factors, on the density of the phosphor coating. FIG. 1 shows the measured reflected spectral power distribution 2 of a blue LED with a YAG:Ce phosphor plate. FIG. 1 also shows the measured transmitted spectral power distribution 4 of the same arrangement. As shown, most of the light is reflected back and not transmitted forwardly.
Such effects are expected to be of a higher magnitude in RCLEDs, because their light output is much more collimated. Consequently, the packaging attempts to capture the transmitted, emitted, and reflected components to improve system efficiency. Additionally, the inventors have created packaging that allows the phosphor layer to be moved away from the die, preventing radiation feedback into the LED and RCLED. As a result, the packaging increases the efficiency of the device by allowing more of the radiation reflected off and emitted by the phosphor layer to exit the device. At the same time, radiation from the RCLED impinges on the phosphor layer uniformly to obtain a uniform white light source. In addition, the life of the LED and RCLED is improved
In traditional phosphor-converted white LEDs, where the phosphor is placed adjacent the die, more than 65% of the light generated by the phosphor is back-scattered and lost within the LED package. Based on these findings, a technique referred to as Scattered Photon Extraction™ (SPE™) has been developed. An aspect of the technique has been disclosed in pending International Application No. PCT/US2005/015736 filed on May 5, 2005 and published as WO 2005/107420 A2 on Nov. 17, 2005.
To increase the light output from a phosphor-converted white LED (pc-LED) and to achieve higher luminous efficacy, the down-conversion material (e.g., phosphor or quantum dots) is removed to a remote location and a properly tailored optic device is placed between the LED chip and the down-conversion material layer. Then, the back transferred light can be extracted to increase the overall light output and efficacy. This technique significantly increases the overall light output and luminous efficacy of a pc-white LED by extracting the phosphor emitted and back scattered reflected radiation, and the reflected short-wavelength radiation that otherwise would be lost.
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of the invention using the SPE™ concept. FIG. 2 illustrates a high efficiency light source that uses solid state emitter(s) and down conversion material, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment has a distributing optic, light transmissive, enclosure optic 10 , which has a cylindrical geometry. As shown, enclosure optic 10 includes phosphor layer 12 embedded in the middle section of the distributing optic. This configuration effectively splits the distributing optic into substantially two equal pieces, or portions. That is, the phosphor layer may be a strip that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of cylindrical optic 10 .
In one exemplary embodiment, phosphor layer 12 may be a YAG:Ce phosphor layer. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the phosphor layer may comprise other phosphors, quantum dots, quantum dot crystals, quantum dot nano crystals or other down conversion material. It will be understood that other embodiments of the present invention may include a phosphor layer that is similar to phosphor layer 12 . Unlike the embedded phosphor layer, shown in FIG. 2 , however, other embodiments may have a phosphor layer that is not embedded. Moreover, the phosphor layer need not be of uniform thickness, rather it may be of different thicknesses or different phosphor mixes to create a more uniform color output.
One or more LEDs or RCLEDs may be placed inside the cylindrical optic at a bottom portion, designated as 14 . In an alternative embodiment, one or more LEDs/RCLEDs may be placed at a location other than at the bottom portion of the cylindrical optic.
Short wavelength radiation 16 is emitted from the LEDs/RCLEDs. Short wavelength radiation is in the range of 250 nm to 500 nm. Because phosphor layer 12 is substantially in the middle of the cylindrical optic, short-wavelength radiation from the LEDs/RCLEDs causes short-wavelength radiation to impinge from either side of the cylindrical optic onto the phosphor layer 12 . The impingement of short-wavelength radiation onto the phosphor layer 12 may produce radiation with four components: short-wavelength radiation 18 , back transferred from the phosphor layer 12 ; short-wavelength radiation 20 , forward transferred through the phosphor layer 12 ; down-converted radiation 22 , back transferred from the phosphor layer 12 ; and down-converted radiation 24 , forward transferred through the phosphor layer 12 . These four components, which are produced on both sides of the phosphor layer 12 , combine and produce white light 26 . By using the light transmissive properties of the cylindrical optic 10 , the back transferred short-wavelength radiation from the phosphor layer 12 and the down-converted radiation back transferred from the phosphor layer 12 may be extracted. Therefore, the overall light output and efficacy of a phosphor-converted white LED device is significantly increased.
As an example, a high-flux blue (470 nm) illuminator LED (Shark series) emitter by Opto Technology may be used. The density of phosphor layer 12 may be in the range of 4-8 mg/cm 2 (other densities are also contemplated), the length of cylindrical optic 10 may be in the range of 2 to 4 inches, and the diameter of the cylindrical optic may be about 0.5 inches. As another example, a different package efficiency and uniformity may be achieved by changing the phosphor-layer density, and the length and diameter of the cylindrical optic. Better efficiency and uniformity of light along the circumference of the cylindrical optic may be achieved when the cylindrical optic is 2.25 inches long.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 may be formed from half-round acrylic rod segments that are cut from a fully-round acrylic rod and polished. Phosphor may be mixed with optically clear epoxy and then spread uniformly on the flat surface of each rod segment. The rod segments may then be attached together and put into an oven to cure the epoxy.
The overall emission loss for a 2.25 inch optical element (cylindrical optic) was found to be approximately 16%. The losses included: 6% light reflected back to the LED, 7% Fresnel loss, and 3% irrecoverable loss due to mounting hardware.
Approximately half of the losses may be attributed to the Fresnel loss, which occurs at the boundaries between media having different refractive indices. Fresnel losses may be reduced by using a coupling mechanism between the LEDs/RCLEDs and the cylindrical optic. In addition, losses may be recovered by using an anti-reflective coating on the LEDs/RCLEDs to prevent light from reflecting back to the LEDs/RCLEDs.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical optic, at the bottom portion, designated as 14 . As shown, cylindrical optic 10 includes two half-round acrylic rod segments 14 a and 14 b . Phosphor layer 12 is sandwiched between acrylic rod segment 14 a and acrylic rod segment 14 b . Each acrylic rod segment includes short wavelength radiation emitting sources 17 and 19 . Short wavelength radiation emitting sources 17 and 19 may each be a semiconductor short wavelength radiation emitting diode, such as a light emitting diode (LED), a laser diode (LD), or a resonant cavity LED (RCLED). It will be understood that one or more than two light emitting sources may be included in bottom portion 14 . As such, there may be an array of multiple light emitters disposed within acrylic rod segment 14 a and another array of multiple light emitters disposed within acrylic rod segment 14 b . These arrays may be arranged symmetrically with respect to each other, in a manner that is similar to light sources 17 and 19 , which are shown disposed symmetrically about phosphor layer 12 of FIG. 3 .
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate another embodiment of the present invention having the distributing optic, light transmissive enclosure 10 . FIG. 2A is an alternative embodiment of a high efficiency light source that uses multiple colored light emitting sources and down conversion material. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a bottom portion of the high efficiency light source shown in FIG. 2A .
In one exemplary embodiment, down conversion material 12 may be sandwiched between two diffuser layers 20 and 22 . The embodiment illustrated in these figures also uses the SPE™ technique. In this embodiment, and in all embodiments disclosed herein, the down conversion material 12 may comprise one or more phosphors such as YAG:Ce; YAG:ce phosphor plus Eu phosphor; YAG:Ce phosphor plus cadmium-selenide (CdSe); or other types of quantum dots created from other materials including lead (Pb) and Silicon (Si); and other phosphors that have been identified in a copending PCT application filed on Jun. 20, 2006. In other alternative embodiments, the phosphor layer may comprise other phosphors, quantum dots, quantum dot crystals, quantum dot nano crystals, or other down-conversion materials. In any embodiment or alternative embodiment, the down conversion region may be a down conversion crystal instead of a powdered material mixed into a binding medium.
One or both of the diffuser layers 20 , 22 may be a microlens layer or micro or nano scattering particles diffused in polymer or other material having the characteristics of beam control for the forward transferred and back transferred radiation. Both the phosphor layer 12 and the diffuser layers 20 and 22 may be embedded in the middle section of the distributing optic 10 , as if splitting the distributing optic 10 into substantially two equal pieces, or portions. That is, the phosphor layer 12 and the diffuser layers 20 , 22 may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the distributing optic 10 . In an alternative embodiment, neither the phosphor layer 12 nor the diffuser layers 20 , 22 need to be embedded. In an exemplary embodiment, the phosphor layer 12 may be bonded to the diffuser layers 20 , 22 . In an alternative embodiment, the phosphor layer 12 need not be bonded to the diffuser layers 20 , 22 .
Phosphor layer 12 and diffuser layers 20 , 22 need not have the rectangular shape illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B . In alternative embodiments, the diffuses layers 20 , 22 may be curved, round, square, triangular, or other shapes. In addition, their shapes may change along the longitudinal axis of the distributive optic 10 . Furthermore, the respective sizes (respective lengths or widths) of the phosphor layer 12 and the diffuser layers 20 , 22 need not be the same. For example, the length or width of the phosphor layer 12 may be different than one or both of the diffuser layers 20 , 22 .
In yet another alternative embodiment, a single diffuser layer may be disposed in between two phosphor layers. In still another alternative embodiment, a diffuser layer may be disposed in the distributing optic without any phosphor layer.
A radiation source 24 may comprise a plurality of light emitting sources that may emit multiple color radiation. That is, each of the plurality of light emitting sources may exhibit a spectrum that is different from a spectrum of at least one of the other light emitting sources. Each of the light emitting sources 24 may be one or more LEDs, or one or more LDs (laser diode), or one or more RCLEDs. Any of the embodiments described herein may be one or more of these types of diodes. The plurality of multiple colored light emitting sources 24 may be mounted on a board or substrate 14 so that the LEDs 24 are disposed within the confines of the distributing optic 10 when the distributing optic 10 is mounted on the board 14 . That is, the multi-colored LEDs 24 may be placed on board 14 so that they are inside the distributing optic 10 when the bottom of the distributing optic 10 is mounted on board 14 .
In this exemplary embodiment, and in all of the embodiments disclosed in this application, individual ones of the LEDs 24 may exhibit one or more of the colors red, green, and blue. For example, if three LEDs are used in this embodiment, one LED may emit red light, a second LED may emit green light, and the third LED may emit blue light. That is, each of the LEDs (sometimes referred to as chips) may produce its own respective narrow band of radiation, or may produce both narrow bands and wide bands of radiation. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the LEDs may display a color other than red, green, or blue. Although FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate three LEDs, alternative embodiments may use fewer or more LEDs. In addition, the number of LEDs placed on each side of the phosphor layer 12 may be the same or may be different. All of the embodiments of the device may mix multiple spectra to create white light or may create various shades of colors with uniform illumination and color without reducing the overall luminous efficiency.
The colors that may be displayed by the LEDs in any embodiment may depend upon the use to which the device is put. In some embodiments, multiple colors may be used. In other embodiments, only two colors may be used. In some embodiments more than one LED may emit a particular color. Even if the multiple colored light emitting sources 24 are capable of emitting a plurality of colors, all of the colors need not be emitted in every embodiment. Instead, only some of the colors may be emitted in a particular embodiment or the hue of a particular color may be modified in ways that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The use of LEDs emitting different colors and the use of techniques that may modify the hue of one or more colors may enable one to dynamically change the emitted colors based upon a user's needs.
As illustrated in FIG. 2B , some of the multiple colored light emitting sources 24 may be placed adjacent a first side 12 A of the phosphor layer 12 and others of the multi-colored LEDs 24 may be placed adjacent a second side 12 B of the phosphor layer 12 . Each of the multiple colored light emitting sources 24 may be placed at one or more predetermined distances from the phosphor layer 12 .
In an alternative embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B , the multiple colored radiation emitting sources 24 may be placed at a location other than on board 14 or may be placed at a location other than at the bottom of the distribution optic 10 . In another alternative embodiment, multi-colored LEDs may be placed adjacent both ends 15 , 16 of the distributing optic 10 . In yet other alternative embodiments, the phosphor layer 12 may be used without one or more of the diffuser layers 20 , 22 or one or more of the diffuser layers 20 , 22 may be used without phosphor layer 12 .
FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the invention using the SPE™ technique. It illustrates another high efficiency light source that may use multiple solid state emitters and down conversion material. This embodiment may be used in interior spaces where general ambient lighting is required. As shown, the device includes phosphor plate 50 (for example YAG:Ce or other phosphors, as enumerated previously). The device also includes multiple semiconductor short wavelength radiation emitting diodes 56 forming an array, such as LED/RCLED array 52 . The array 52 is mounted on substrate 54 that may be of aluminum material. In an exemplary embodiment, substrate 54 may be circular. In the exemplary configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 , the LEDs/RCLEDs are arranged in a spaced relation to each other and placed around the circular substrate.
The array of short wavelength radiation emitting diodes are placed on the substrate so that the radiation emitting surfaces of the diodes face toward phosphor layer plate 50 . In this manner, diodes 56 emit short wavelength radiation toward phosphor layer plate 50 . As the short wavelength radiation impinges on the phosphor layer plate, the four components of radiation discussed above may be produced: short wavelength back transferred radiation and back transferred down-converted radiation 60 ; and short wavelength forward transferred radiation and forward transferred down-converted radiation 64 . The short wavelength back transferred radiation and back transferred down converted radiation 60 produces white light 62 . The forward transferred short wavelength radiation and forward transferred down-converted radiation 64 produces white light 66 .
FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the invention using the SPE™ technique. It is another embodiment of a high efficiency light source that uses solid state emitter(s) and down conversion material. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the high efficiency light source shown in FIG. 5A . As shown, device 500 includes cup 502 , and one or more light emitters 501 disposed within cup 502 at a base of cup 502 . Also included are phosphor layers 503 and 504 . Phosphor layer 504 is disposed at the opposite end from the base of light emitter 501 and at a substantial center from the walls of cup 502 . Phosphor layer 503 is deposited on the inside of the walls of cup 502 . The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B may be used in interior spaces where general ambient lighting is required.
The device 500 includes cup 502 which may be a transparent cup having one LED/RCLED or multiple LEDs/RCLEDs emitting short wavelength radiation arranged in an array. The cup includes one phosphor layer 503 bonded to the inside transparent wall of cup 502 . The other phosphor layer 504 may be bonded only at the center area of the cup. Accordingly, most of the back transferred short wavelength radiation and back transferred down-converted radiation may exit directly from the transparent portion of the front surface. Narrow beams of emitted light from the LED/RCLED are preferred in this embodiment to minimize short wavelength radiation from the LED/RCLED directly exiting the transparent portion of the front surface without impinging on the phosphor layer. The cup may be made of glass or acrylic.
The inside portion of cup 502 may be filled with glass or acrylic material, thereby sandwiching phosphor layer 503 between cup 502 and the inside portion contained within cup 502 . Phosphor layer 504 may also be bonded onto the exterior surface of the glass or acrylic material. In an alternate embodiment, phosphor layer 504 may be placed within the glass or acrylic material, in a manner similar to that described for the phosphor layer sandwiched between two half-round acrylic rods, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
FIG. 6 illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention using the SPE™ technique. It illustrates another high efficiency light source that uses solid state emitter(s) and down conversion material. It illustrates an optic device making use of a down conversion material that is remote from a short wavelength radiation emitter. The down conversion material may be a phosphor. As shown, device 600 includes short wavelength radiation emitter 602 separated from phosphor layer 604 by optic device 606 which may be made of a substantially transparent medium that may be substantially light transmissive. In an exemplary embodiment, the substantially transparent medium may be air. In an alternative embodiment, the substantially transparent medium may be glass or acrylic. Phosphor (or quantum dot) layer 604 may be mounted or deposited on a portion of optic device 606 having substantially transparent and substantially light transmissive walls 610 and 612 . Phosphor (or quantum dot) layer 604 may include additional scattering particles (such as micro spheres) to improve mixing light of different wavelengths. Also, the phosphor (or quantum dot) layer 604 may be of single phosphor (or quantum dot) or multiple phosphors (or quantum dots) to produce different colored down-converted radiation that may be in several different spectral regions. Alternatively, a layer with scattering particles only may be placed above, or below, or above and below the down conversion material layer to improve color mixing.
In an exemplary embodiment, the portion of optic device 606 upon which phosphor layer 604 may be deposited may be an end 618 of optic device 606 . Radiation emitter 602 may be located at another portion of optic device 606 . In an exemplary embodiment, radiation emitter 602 may be located at another end 620 of optic device 606 . Each of walls 610 and 612 of optic device 606 may be a continuous wall, if optic device 606 has a circular cross-section.
Short wavelength radiation emitter 602 may be located between walls 610 and 612 . Both the short wavelength radiation emitter 602 and the optic device 606 may be positioned on a base 603 . Radiation rays 614 may comprise radiation transmitted through phosphor layer 604 including forward transferred short-wavelength radiation transmitted though the phosphor layer 604 and forward down-converted radiation transmitted through the phosphor layer 604 .
Exemplary radiation rays 615 may comprise back transferred short-wavelength radiation and back transferred down-converted reflected radiation that may be emitted and/or scattered back by phosphor layer 604 . Radiation rays 616 may comprise the radiation scattered back by phosphor layer 604 . Radiation rays 616 may comprise the radiation rays 615 that may be transmitted through the substantially transparent, substantially light transmissive walls 610 and 612 . Although exemplary arrows 615 show back transferred radiation being transferred around the middle of side walls 610 and 612 , it will be understood that back transferred radiation may be transferred through side walls 610 and 612 at multiple locations along the side walls 610 and 612 . The transfer of radiation outside the optic device 606 may be referred to as extraction of light. Accordingly, both radiation rays 615 and radiation rays 616 may include short-wavelength radiation reflected from the phosphor layer 604 and down-converted reflected radiation that may be emitted and/or scattered from the phosphor layer 604 . Radiation rays 616 may also include radiation from radiation emitter 602 . In an exemplary embodiment, some or all of radiation rays 615 and/or 616 may be seen as visible light.
The transfer (extraction) of radiation through side walls 610 and 612 to the outside of optic device 606 may occur because optic device 606 may be configured and designed with substantially transparent, substantially light transmissive walls 610 and 612 to extract radiation from inside optic device 606 to outside optic device 606 . In addition, various widths of optic device 606 may be varied in order to extract a desired amount of radiation out of the optic device 606 . The widths that may be varied are the width at the end 618 and the width at the end 620 . Similarly, widths of optic device between end 618 and end 620 may be varied. The variation of widths of optic device 606 between ends 618 and 620 may be effected by walls 610 and 612 being substantially straight, curved, or having both straight and curved portions.
The dimensions of the features of the optic device 606 discussed above may be varied depending upon the application to which the optic device 606 may be used. The dimensions of the features of optic device 606 may be varied, and set, by using the principles of ray tracing and the principles of total internal reflection (TIR). When principles of TIR are applied, reflectivity of radiation off of one or both of walls 610 and 612 may exceed 99.9%. The principles of TIR may be applied to all of the embodiments disclosed in this application.
In one embodiment of optic device 606 , for example, the dimensions of optic device 606 may be set in order to maximize the amount of the radiation from radiation source 602 that enters into optic device 606 . In another embodiment, the dimensions of optic device 606 may be set in order to maximize the amount of radiation from radiation source 602 that impinges upon down conversion material 604 . In yet another embodiment, the dimensions of optic device 606 may be set in order to maximize the amount of radiation that is back transferred from down conversion material 604 . In still another embodiment, the dimensions of optic device 606 may be set in order to maximize the amount of radiation that is extracted through walls 610 and 612 . In another embodiment, the dimensions of optic device 606 may be set in order to provide a device that, to the extent possible, simultaneously maximizes each of the radiation features discussed above: the amount of radiation entering into optic device 606 ; the amount the amount of radiation that impinges upon down conversion material 604 ; the amount of radiation that is back transferred from down conversion material 604 ; and the amount of radiation that is extracted through walls 610 and 612 . In still another embodiment, the dimensions of optic device 606 may be set so that any or all of the features discussed above are not maximized. The principles of ray tracing and the principles of TIR may be used in order to implement any of these embodiments.
The principles discussed with respect to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 may also be applied to all of the embodiments illustrated and discussed herein.
As indicated above, radiation source 602 may be an LED, an RCLED, or a laser diode (LD). If an LD is used as radiation source 602 , all of the radiation from the LD may directed to, and may impinge upon, the down conversion layer 604 . Accordingly, when an LD is used, the shape of the optic device 606 may be in the shape of a cylinder because substantially none of the back transferred radiation may bounce back toward the LD and substantially all of the back transferred radiation may be extracted through the sides of the cylinder.
FIG. 7 illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention using the SPE™ technique. FIG. 7 depicts a reflector at least partially surrounding the high efficiency light source shown in FIG. 6 , for redirecting the rays emitted from the light source(s). As shown, device 700 includes device 600 disposed within reflector 702 . Reflector 702 has a geometric shape of a parabola for illustration purposes. The invention is not so limited in that reflector 702 may have other geometrical shapes, such as a cone, a sphere, a hyperbola, an ellipse, a pyramid, or may be box-shaped, for example. Advantages of device 700 may include better control of the beam output distribution and better uniform output of the color. Whenever a reflector is illustrated in any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the shape of the reflector may be any of these shapes.
Substrate 603 may be used for mounting the short wavelength radiation emitting source ( 602 ), one end of optic 606 , and one end of reflector 702 , as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 .
Light rays 616 may impinge on reflector 702 which may redirect them forward as light rays 714 . Advantageously, the direction of light rays 714 are desirably generally in the same direction as radiation rays that may be transmitted through the phosphor layer. Consequently, the total light output of the device 700 may be a combination of radiation transmitted through the phosphor layer and light rays 714 . As indicated in the discussion of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 , the principles of TIR may also be applied to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 . Light that escapes from optic device 606 may be captured by reflector 702 . Some of the light captured by reflector 702 may be redirected by reflector 702 in the direction generally indicated by arrow 714 and some of the light may be redirected back into optic device 606 . The effects described herein of combining the principles of TIR with is the use of a reflector may apply to all embodiments illustrated in this application that use a reflector.
Similar to the other embodiments of the invention, short wavelength radiation emitting source 602 may be one or multiple semiconductor short wavelength radiation emitting diodes, such as an LED, LD or RCLED. The short wavelength radiation emitting diodes may be mounted in an array of diodes, similar to the array of light sources depicted as array 52 in FIG. 4 . In addition, phosphor layer 604 may be similar to phosphor layer 50 depicted in FIG. 4 .
FIG. 7A illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the invention using the SPE™ technique. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7A uses multiple colored radiation emitting sources. As shown, device 710 includes optic device 704 disposed within reflector 702 . Optic device 704 may have substantially transparent walls 707 and 708 . Down conversion material layer 706 and diffuser layer 705 may be mounted or deposited on a portion of optic device 704 that may be an end 714 of optic device 704 . Reflector 702 may be used to control the output beam distribution of the device 710 as well as to achieve uniform color output from the device 710 . Optic device 704 and reflector 702 may both be mounted onto substrate 703 . Substrate 703 may provide an electrical connection and/or heat dissipation for light sources. In an alternative embodiment, optic device 704 may be used without reflector 702 .
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7A may have multiple colored radiation emitting sources 701 . The nature of the multiple colored radiation emitting sources 701 may be the same as described elsewhere in this application with respect to other embodiments of this invention. The multiple colored radiation emitting sources 701 may be located on a portion of the optic device 704 that may be at an end 712 of the optic device 704 . As stated, down conversion material layer 706 and a diffuser layer 705 may be located at another end 714 of the optic device 704 . The characteristics of the down conversion material layer 706 , the characteristics of the diffuser layer 705 , and the number of layers comprising the down conversion material layer 706 and the diffuser layer 705 may be the same as described elsewhere in this application with respect to other embodiments of this invention. As described elsewhere in this application, for example, the down conversion material layer 706 may be a phosphor layer. The optic device 704 may be a substantially transparent medium or other medium described elsewhere in this application with respect to other embodiments of this invention. For example, optic device 704 may be made of glass, or acrylic, or polymer, or silicon or any other material that is substantially light transmissive.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that phosphor layer 706 may also affect light in the same way that a diffuser layer affects light by providing uniformity to the light. That is, phosphor layer 706 may also function as a diffuser. The additional diffuser layer 705 therefore may make the light more uniform than the light may be if a phosphor layer 706 is used alone. In other embodiments, the positions of the phosphor layer 706 and the diffuser layer 705 can be switched. That is, phosphor layer 706 may be located on top of the optic device 704 and diffuser layer 705 may be located on top of the phosphor layer 706 . In yet another embodiment, phosphor layer 706 may be used without diffuser layer 705 . In still another embodiment, diffuser layer 705 may be used without phosphor layer 706 . Regardless of whether a phosphor is used alone, a diffuser is used alone, or both a phosphor and a diffuser are used together, the purpose of using one or both of them may be to provide uniformity to the light and uniformity to any colors that may be emitted by the radiation emitting sources 701 .
FIGS. 7B-7D illustrate different ways of dispersing the down conversion material 706 used in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7A and with all of the other embodiments illustrated herein. As illustrated in FIG. 7B , down conversion materials such as phosphor may be uniformly dispersed within the down conversion material layer 706 .
As illustrated in FIG. 7C , the down conversion material layer 706 may comprise a plurality of down conversion materials. Each one of the plurality of down conversion materials may have different densities of down conversion materials depending on the distance from the center of the layer of down conversion material. For example, down conversion material layer 706 may have four segments, each of the segments have a different density. A first segment of down conversion material 706 A having a first density of down conversion material may be at the center of the down conversion material layer 706 . A second segment of down conversion material 706 B having a second density of down conversion material may surround the first segment of down conversion material 706 A. A third segment of down conversion material 706 C having a third density of down conversion material may surround the second segment of down conversion material 706 B. A fourth segment of down conversion material 706 D having a fourth density of down conversion material may surround the third segment of down conversion material 706 C. Although each of the aforesaid segments of down conversion material are shown as having a circular shape, each of the segments may each have different shapes. For example, they could be in the shape of a square, a triangle, or other polygonal shape or any shape other than polygonal. In addition, more or fewer segments of down conversion material may be used.
A different way of dispersing down conversion material is illustrated in FIG. 7D . As shown in FIG. 7D , specs or “sesame dots” (that is, small pieces) of down conversion material may be dispersed about the secondary optic device. For example, the specs of down conversion material may be deposited on top of the secondary optic device 708 or may be embedded within the top surface at end 714 of the secondary optic device 704 . The specs of down conversion material may be randomly dispersed or may be dispersed in a predetermined pattern.
The embodiments of a phosphor disclosed in FIGS. 7B to 7D along with other embodiments of phosphors discussed elsewhere in this application may be used to adjust phosphor density in order to obtain a desired color and hue. Such adjustments may be made with any embodiment disclosed in this application whether the embodiment is intended to produce white light or light of a particular color. For example, an embodiment may use a mixture of blue and yellow phosphors. An alternative embodiment may use a mixture of multiple kinds of phosphors such as quantum dots, quantum dot crystals, and quantum dot nano crystals. Still other embodiments may use a blue LED either with a single phosphor or a blue LED with multiple phosphors in order to obtain different tones of white light. Still other embodiments may use multiple color LEDs with a diffuser. Additional embodiments may use any combination of these features.
As indicated elsewhere in this application, respective ones of the radiation emitting sources 701 may emit blue light, green light, or red light in any combination. Different hues of each color may also be used. If one or more of the radiation emitting sources 701 emits blue light, and if the layer 706 is a phosphor, the blue light may be down converted as described elsewhere in this application resulting in the four components of radiation described elsewhere in this application. If one or more of the radiation emitting sources 701 emits blue light, and if the layer 706 is not a phosphor but is a different kind of diffuser material, the blue light impinging on the layer 706 may not be down converted. If one or more of the radiation emitting sources 701 emits red light or emits green light, or emits light of any color other than blue, such light may not be down converted whether layer 706 is a phosphor material or other diffuser material. If blue light, green light, and red light all impinge on layer 706 when a phosphor is used, white light may result depending upon the density of the phosphor.
Regardless of what colors are respectively emitted by the radiation emitting sources 701 , and regardless of whether a phosphor or another diffuser material is used, when light from the radiation emitting sources 701 impinges on the phosphor or other diffuser material, forward transferred radiation and back transferred radiation results. In the case of blue light impinging on a phosphor layer, the resulting components of radiation may be as described with respect to FIG. 14 . In the case of other colors impinging on a phosphor layer, the forward transferred light and the back transferred light may be the same color as the impinging light. For example, if red light impinges on phosphor layer 706 , the forward transferred light and the back transferred light may also be red light. The same result would obtain with green light, or any other color besides blue. The same results may obtain if a diffuser material other than phosphor is used.
FIGS. 8A through 8E depict different cross-section shapes of the optic element that may be used with the embodiments of the SPE™ technique described herein. Optic element 801 illustrated in FIG. 8A is of a conical geometry having a top surface 8012 . Alternative optic element 802 illustrated in FIG. 8B is of a spherical geometry having a top surface 8022 . Alternative optic element 803 illustrated in FIG. 8C is of a hyperbolic geometry having a top surface 8032 . Alternative optic element 804 illustrated in FIG. 8D may have conical walls and a concave top surface 8042 . Alternative optic element 805 illustrated in FIG. 8E may have conical walls and a convex top surface 8052 . Other geometrical shapes may include a parabolic or elliptical shape. In addition, the top of the wider surface of each optical element may be flat, or may have another geometrical shape.
Similar to the other embodiments, optic elements 801 through 805 may be made of a substantially transparent material, thereby functioning like an optical lens (similar to optic device 606 of FIG. 6 ).
Although not shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E , a reflector (similar to reflector 702 , shown in FIG. 7 ) may be positioned to surround each optical element 801 through 805 . Furthermore, each optical element 801 through 805 may include a down-conversion material layer and a diffuser layer (similar to phosphor layer 706 and diffuser layer 705 shown in FIG. 7A ). This phosphor layer and diffuser layer (not shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E ) may be deposited on top one of the respective top surfaces 8012 , 8022 , 8032 , 8042 , 8052 of each optical element, opposite to its respective light emitting source. Alternatively, this phosphor layer and diffuser layer (not shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E ) may be sandwiched within each optical element, near one of the respective top surfaces 8012 , 8022 , 8032 , 8042 , 8052 of the respective optical elements and opposite to its respective light emitting source. In other embodiments, as discussed with respect to FIG. 7A , the positions of the phosphor layer 706 and the diffuser layer (not shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E ) be switched. That is, phosphor layer 706 may be located on top of a respective one of the optic devices 801 , 802 , 803 , 804 , 805 and a diffuser layer (not shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E ) may be located on top of the phosphor layer 706 . In yet another embodiment, phosphor layer 706 may be used without a diffuser layer. In still another embodiment, a diffuser layer (not shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E ) may be used without phosphor layer 706 .
FIGS. 8F and 8G illustrate the embodiments of invention using the SPE™ technique includes respective radiation sources, respective reflectors, and an optic device that may exhibit one of the cross-section shapes 801 through 805 illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8E . In FIG. 8F , a reflector 806 and a secondary optic device 810 are both revolved objects with a common central axis (not shown). In FIG. 8G , a reflector 812 and an optic device 814 are both extruded along their respective long axis. The sectional view of reflectors 806 and 812 may have a cross-section shape of a parabola, or other geometrical shapes, such as a cone, a sphere, a hyperbola, an ellipse, a pyramid, or may be box-shaped, for example.
Referring next to FIGS. 9A and 9B , there is shown a two dimensional linear array of lenses, generally designated as 900 . As shown in FIG. 9A , an array of N×M high efficiency light source devices are arranged on top of a lightpipe 912 . Although lightpipe 912 is illustrated in FIG. 9A as having a rectangular shape, it will be understood that it may have a shape other than rectangular. Three of the exemplary light source devices are designated as 910 , 920 and 930 . The remaining light source devices in the N×M array may be identical to any one of the light source devices 910 , 920 , or 930 . In alternative embodiments, lightpipe 912 may have a circular shape or another shape. Also in alternative embodiments, the array of lenses may have a is radial placement or may be placed in other patterns.
As best shown in FIG. 9B , each of light source devices 910 , 920 , 930 may include radiation emitter 902 , lens 904 such as optic device 606 and a phosphor layer (not shown), which may be similar to phosphor layer 604 of FIG. 6 . Also included may be a reflector 906 , which may redirect transmitted and reflected light from radiation emitter 902 towards lightpipe 912 .
Lightpipe 912 , as shown, may include side 914 abutting light source devices 910 , 920 , and 930 , and another opposing side 916 further away from the light source devices. On top of opposing side 916 , there may be a microlens layer 918 . The microlens layer may be bonded to the deposited phosphor layer.
As best shown in FIG. 9C , one or more of the exemplary light source devices 910 , 920 and 930 may be similar to device 710 of FIG. 7A , including multiple colored light emitting sources, a lens such as optic device 704 , a down conversion material layer such as layer 706 , and a diffuser layer such as layer 705 . For example, in this alternative embodiment, light source device 910 may include multiple colored light emitting sources 902 , lens 904 such as optic device 704 , a down conversion material layer (not shown), which may be similar to down conversion material layer 706 of FIG. 7A , and a diffuser layer (not shown), which may be similar to diffuser layer 705 of FIG. 7A . Also included may be a reflector 906 , which may be similar to the reflector 702 of FIG. 7A . Each of the other light source devices may also have multiple colored light emitting sources, a lens such as the optic device disclosed with respect to FIG. 7A , a down conversion material layer and a diffuser layer similar to the elements contained in light source device 910 . In yet another embodiment, optic device 904 may not have a down conversion material layer deposited on it.
Lightpipe 912 , as shown in FIG. 9C , includes side 914 abutting exemplary light source devices 910 , 920 and 930 , and another opposing side 916 further away from the exemplary light source devices. On top of opposing side 916 , there may be deposited microlens layer 940 .
FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a high efficiency light source, generally designated as 1040 , in which individual light source devices may be spaced around the edges of a lightpipe 1042 . As shown in FIG. 10A , several light devices, such as exemplary light source devices 1046 , 1048 , 1050 , and 1052 , etc. may be placed around the edges of lightpipe 1042 .
A cross-section of exemplary high-efficient light source 1040 is shown in FIG. 10B . As shown in FIG. 10B , exemplary light source device 1046 may be configured to direct light into lightpipe 1042 . Lightpipe 1042 may include a first side 1062 of light pipe 1042 and a second side 1064 . A microlens layer 1066 may be placed adjacent first side 1062 of light pipe 1042 and another microlens layer 1068 may be placed adjacent second side 1064 of lightpipe 1042 . Although lightpipe 1042 is illustrated as having a polygonal shape, it may also have a circular shape or other shape.
In one embodiment of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B , each of the exemplary light source devices 1046 , 1048 , 1050 and 1052 may be similar to device 700 of FIG. 7 , including a short wavelength radiation emitter, a lens such as an optic device described herein, and a down conversion material layer. For example, exemplary light source device 1046 may be mounted onto edge 1060 of lightpipe 1042 . Exemplary light source device 1046 may include short wavelength radiation emitter 1054 , lens 1056 such as optic device 606 , and a down conversion material layer (not shown), which may be similar to down conversion material layer 604 of FIG. 6 or similar to down conversion material layer 706 of FIG. 7A . Also included may be reflector 1058 , which may redirect the back transferred radiation and forward transferred radiation from lens 1056 towards the edge 1060 of lightpipe 1042 , and into lightpipe 1042 . The reflector 1058 may be similar to reflector 702 of FIG. 7 . Additional light source devices may be placed along edge 1060 and along edge 1070 . Even more light source devices may be placed along the other two edges of lightpipe 1042 that are not shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B . All of the light source devices, other than light source device 1046 , may also have a similar short wavelength radiation emitter, a lens, and a down conversion material layer similar to the elements contained in light source device 1046 . It will be understood that even though FIG. 10A shows five light source devices along each of edges 1060 and 1070 , fewer or more light source devices may be used along each of edges 1060 and 1070 and along the edges that are not shown in FIG. 10A .
In another alternative embodiment, one or more of the exemplary light source devices 1046 , 1048 , 1050 and 1052 may be similar to device 710 of FIG. 7A , including multiple colored light emitting sources, a lens such as an optic device, a down conversion material layer, and a diffuser layer. In this alternative embodiment, exemplary light source device 1046 may include multiple colored light emitting source 1054 , lens 1056 such as optic device 704 , a down conversion material layer (not shown), which may be similar to down conversion material layer 706 of FIG. 7A , and a diffuser layer (not shown), which may be similar to diffuser layer 705 of FIG. 7A . Each of the exemplary light source devices shown in FIG. 10A may also have a reflector such as exemplary reflector 1058 , which may be similar to the reflector 702 of FIG. 7A . The reflector may re-direct light from the multiple colored light emitting sources and the back transferred light from respective down-conversion material or diffuser layer toward the edge 1060 of lightpipe 1042 , and into lightpipe 1042 . Each of the other light source devices may also have multiple colored light emitting sources, a lens, a down conversion material layer and a diffuser layer similar to the elements contained in light source device 1046 that may transmit their respective light into lightpipe 1042 through respective edges of lightpipe 1042 . In another embodiment, optic device 1056 may not have the diffuser layer. In yet another embodiment, optic device 1056 may not have a down conversion material layer deposited on it.
On top of sides 1062 and 1064 of Lightpipe 1042 , as shown in FIG. 10B , there may be deposited microlens layer 1066 and 1068 .
FIG. 11 illustrates still another exemplary embodiment of the invention. As shown, device 1110 includes a short wavelength radiation source 1100 , a lens 1102 which may be any of the optic devices described herein, and a phosphor layer 1104 . The phosphor layer may be deposited on top of lens 1102 , so that the phosphor layer is away from the short wavelength radiation source 1100 , in a manner that is similar to that shown in FIGS. 6 , 7 , 7 A, for example. The light source/lens/phosphor configuration may be at least partially surrounded by a reflector 1106 having a high-reflectance. In an exemplary embodiment the measured reflectance of reflector 1106 may be in the range of 90% to 97%. In addition, a high efficiency microlens diffuser 1108 may be placed across the top of reflector 1106 . In an exemplary embodiment, the microlens diffuser may exhibit greater than 95% efficiency. The reflectance of other reflectors described in this application may be the same as the reflectance of reflector 1106 . The efficiency of other diffusers described in this application may be the same as the efficiency of diffuser 1108 .
FIG. 11A illustrates another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 11A shows a device 1120 which may include multiple colored radiation emitting sources 1122 , an optic device 1124 , and a down conversion material layer 1126 . The optic device 1124 may be mounted adjacent the multiple colored radiation emitting sources 1122 . The down conversion material layer 1126 may be mounted or deposited on one portion or on one end 1129 of the optic device 1124 so that the down conversion material layer 1126 is away from the multiple colored radiation emitting devices 1122 . Although FIG. 11A illustrates three multiple colored radiation emitting sources 1122 , it will be understood that more or fewer multiple colored radiation emitting sources 1122 may be used for the reasons explained with respect to other embodiments illustrated in this application. The package comprising the array of multiple colored radiation emitting sources 1122 , the optic device 1124 , and the down conversion material layer 1126 may be at least partially surrounded by a reflector 1128 having a high reflectance. In an exemplary embodiment of this alternative embodiment, the measured reflectance of reflector 1128 may be in the range of 90% to 97%. A high efficiency microlens diffuser 1130 may be placed across end 1132 of reflector 1128 . End 1132 may be open if a diffuser is not placed across it. In an exemplary embodiment, microlens diffuser 1130 may exhibit greater than 95% efficiency. In an alternative embodiment of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11A , a diffuser may be used in place of down conversion material layer 1126 and diffuser layer 1130 may be eliminated. In another embodiment, the side walls of optic device 1124 may be painted white in order to improve color mixing.
FIG. 12 illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention. As shown, device 1210 includes short wavelength radiation source 1200 facing phosphor layer 1202 and reflector 1206 . A substantially transparent medium 1204 may fill the space between short wavelength radiation source 1200 and phosphor layer 1202 . In an exemplary embodiment, phosphor layer 1202 may be in the shape of a parabola, or other curved shape, similar to one of the geometric shapes previously enumerated. Reflector 1206 may be spaced away from the phosphor layer 1202 and the radiation source 1200 . A substantially transparent medium 1208 may be used to fill the space between the phosphor layer 1202 and the reflector 1206 . As shown, phosphor layer 1202 is disposed between the light source 1200 and reflector 1206 .
FIG. 12A illustrates still another exemplary embodiment of the invention. As shown, device 1220 in FIG. 12A has a radiation source comprising multiple colored light emitting sources 1222 facing down conversion material layer such as a phosphor layer 1202 and a reflector 1206 . Phosphor layer 1202 is disposed away from light emitting sources 1222 . A substantially transparent medium 1204 may be positioned between multiple colored light emitting sources 1222 and down conversion material layer 1202 . In an exemplary embodiment, the down conversion material layer 1202 may be in the shape of a parabola or other curved shape. Reflector 1206 may be spaced away from the down conversion material layer 1202 and the multi-colored LED array 1222 . A substantially transparent medium 1208 may be present between the down conversion material layer 1202 and the reflector 1206 . In this embodiment, the down conversion material layer 1202 is disposed between the light emitting sources 1222 and the reflector 1206 . In an alternative embodiment, a diffuser layer may be placed across an end 1224 of reflector 1206 . End 1224 may be open if a diffuser layer is not placed across it. In another alternative embodiment, a diffuser layer may be used instead of a down conversion material layer 1202 . If a diffuser layer is used instead of a down conversion material layer, a diffuser layer may not be placed across end 1224 .
While it is well known that the phosphor used in white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) backscatters more than half the light emitted, no one to date has shown that this light may be recovered as photons to increase the overall efficacy of a white light source. The inventors have experimentally verified a scattered photon extraction (SPE™) method provided by the various embodiments of the invention, that significantly increases the overall efficacy of a white light source. At low currents, the SPE™ package showed over 80 lm/W white light with chromaticity values very close to the blackbody locus.
Of the different methods available for creating white light, the phosphor-converted emission method is the most common. A first phosphor-converted white LED uses cerium doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Ce) phosphor in combination with a gallium nitride (GaN) based blue LED. In a typical white LED package, the phosphor is embedded inside an epoxy resin that surrounds the LED die. Some portion of the short-wavelength radiation emitted by the GaN LED is down-converted by the phosphor, and the combined light is perceived as white by the human eye. Although these products proved the white LED concept and have been used in certain niche illumination applications, they are not suited for general lighting applications because of their low overall light output and low efficacy.
To achieve higher luminous efficacy with white LEDs, improvements are needed at several stages: internal quantum efficiency, extraction efficiency, and phosphor-conversion efficiency. Some researchers have taken on the challenge of researching the materials and growth aspects of the semiconductor to improve internal quantum efficiency. Others are exploring shaped chips, photonic crystals, micron-scale LEDs, and other novel methods to improve light extraction efficiency. Still others are investigating new phosphors that have greater down-conversion efficiencies and better optical properties.
Although past literature acknowledges that a significant portion of the light is backscattered by the phosphor and lost within the LED due to absorption, to the best of the inventors' knowledge no one to date has attempted to improve performance by extracting these backscattered photons, by way of the SPE™ method, provided by the embodiments of the present invention, which significantly increases the overall light output and luminous efficacy of a phosphor-converted white LED by recovering the scattered photons.
To better understand the interaction between primary short-wavelength light and phosphor and to quantify the amount of forward and backward scattered light, several circular glass plates, 5 cm in diameter, were coated by the inventors with different densities of YAG:Ce phosphor ranging from 2 mg/cm 2 to 8 mg/cm 2 . These phosphor plates were placed between two side-by-side integrating spheres with the phosphor coating facing the right sphere. The phosphor material was excited by radiation from a 5 mm blue LED placed inside the right sphere 2.5 cm away from the glass plate. A spectrometer measured the light output from each sphere through the measurement ports. Light output measured from the left and right spheres indicated the amount of light transmitted through and reflected off the phosphor layer, respectively. The spectrometer data was analyzed to determine the amount of flux in the blue and yellow regions, corresponding to the radiant energy emitted by the LED and the converted energy from the YAG:Ce phosphor. Experimental results showed that the spectral power distributions for the transmitted and reflected radiations are different, especially the amount of blue-to-yellow ratio. The amount of transmitted and reflected radiations depends on the phosphor density, with lower densities resulting in higher percentages of transmitted radiation. Typically, the phosphor density may be controlled such that the transmitted blue and yellow light are in the correct proportion to produce white light of a suitable chromaticity, which typically places it on or close to the blackbody locus. From the gathered data, it was estimated that about 40% of the light is transmitted when creating a balanced white light, and the remaining 60% is reflected. Yamada et al. found similar results, as reported in K. Yamada, Y. Imai, K. Ishii, J. Light & Vis. Env. 27(2), 70 (2003). In a conventional white LED, a significant portion of this reflected light is absorbed by the components surrounding the die, one of the reasons for its low luminous efficacy.
A method by which most of the reflected light may be recovered is illustrated in FIG. 13 , which shows schematically an LED package with SPE™ implemented. Unlike a typical conventional white LED package, where the phosphor is spread around the die, in the SPE™ package of the invention the phosphor layer is moved away from the die, leaving a transparent medium between the die and the phosphor. An efficient geometrical shape for the package may be determined via ray tracing analysis. The geometry of the package plays an important role, and the geometry shown in FIG. 13 efficiently transfers the light exiting the GaN die to the phosphor layer and allows most of the backscattered light from the phosphor layer to escape the optic. Compared with the typical conventional package, more photons are recovered with this SPE™ package. Here again the phosphor density determines the chromaticity of the final white light.
It is worth noting that the SPE™ package requires a different phosphor density to create white light with chromaticity coordinates similar to the conventional white LED package. This difference is a result of the SPE™ package mixing transmitted and back-reflected light with dissimilar spectra, whereas the conventional package uses predominantly the transmitted light.
To verify that the SPE™ package shown in FIG. 13 provides higher light output and luminous efficacy, an experiment was conducted with twelve conventional high-flux LEDs, six 3 W blue and six 3 W white, obtained from the same manufacturer. A commercial optic that fit the profile requirements of the SPE™ package was found, and several were acquired for experimentation with the LEDs. Although this optical element did not have the desired geometry shown in FIG. 13 to extract most of the backscattered light, it was sufficient to verify the hypothesis. The top flat portion of the experiment's secondary optic was coated with a predetermined amount of YAG:Ce phosphor. The required phosphor density was determined in a separate experiment by systematically varying the amount of phosphor density, analyzing the resulting chromaticity, and selecting the density that produced a chromaticity close to that of the commercial white LED used in the experiment. To compare the performances of the two packaging concepts, the white LEDs were fitted with uncoated secondary optics. The light output and the spectrum of the commercial white LEDs were measured in an integrating sphere, and the current and the voltage required to power the LEDs were also measured. The same measurements were repeated for the SPE™ packages, which included blue LEDs fitted with phosphor-coated secondary optics, as shown in FIG. 13 .
The average luminous flux and the corresponding average efficacy for the SPE™ LED packages were found to be 90.7 lm and 36.3 lm/W, respectively. The average luminous flux and the corresponding average efficacy for the typical white LED packages were 56.5 lm and 22.6 lm/W, respectively. Therefore, the SPE™ LED packages on average had 61% more light output and 61% higher luminous efficacy. The variation of luminous flux and corresponding efficacy between similar LEDs was small, with a standard deviation of less than 4%. The SPE™ packages consistently had higher lumen output and higher efficacy compared with the typical conventional white LED packages.
The impact of current on light output and efficacy was also measured on two LED packages, one typical white LED and one SPE™ package. These two LEDs were subjected to the same light output measurement procedure, but their input current was decreased from 700 mA to 50 mA in several steps, and the corresponding photometric and electrical data were gathered. At very low currents, the SPE™ package exceeded 80 lm/W, compared to 54 lm/W for the conventional package.
With the SPE™ package, the backscattered photons are extracted before they are absorbed by the components within the LED. It is essential that the phosphor layer be placed farther away from the die, and the backscattered photons be extracted before they undergo multiple reflections within the package. Moving the phosphor away from the die has an additional benefit: the life of the white LED is also be improved, as demonstrated in an earlier paper (Narendran, N., Y. Gu, J. P. Freyssinier, H. Yu, and L. Deng. 2004. Solid-state lighting: Failure analysis of white LEDs. Journal of Crystal Growth 268 (3-4): 449-456).
An alternate method of the present invention to recover a portion of the back transferred radiation is to coat the sides of the secondary optics with a reflective material, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B . Although the efficacy may improve compared to a conventional white LED package, the gain is not as much, because the back transferred radiation bounces back and forth between the phosphor layer and the reflectors, and a good portion of this radiation is absorbed and lost as heat. A drawback of this method is by increasing the path length of the short-wavelength radiation traveling through the surrounding epoxy material, the epoxy degrades faster and thus shortens the useful life of the white LED.
It will be understood that the geometry of the SPE™ package shown in FIG. 13 is not limited to this specific shape. Alternate shapes may be used to recover the back transferred radiation more efficiently, while addressing other design concerns, such as color and life. As one example, in the configuration of FIG. 13 , the inventors discovered that a preferred size for the top surface diameter is about 20 mm and a preferred size for the height is about 11 mm.
In summary, the present invention recovers the back transferred radiation from the down conversion material layer or the diffuser layer. In addition, the overall light output and the corresponding luminous efficacy of the LED system may be increased significantly compared to its conventional package. At the same time, the optic device may mix multiple spectra to create white light and other shades of colors while with uniform illumination and color. Applications of embodiments of the invention include general illumination and backlighting.
Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed to include other variants and embodiments of the invention which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
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A light emitting apparatus has a radiation source for emitting multi-colored radiation. A diffuser material receives at least a portion of the multi-colored radiation emitted by the radiation source and converts the multi-colored radiation into forward transferred radiation and back transferred radiation. An optic device is coupled to the diffuser material and is adapted to receive the back transferred radiation and extract at least a portion of the back transferred radiation from the optic device.
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CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority on Finnish Application No. 20000873, Filed Apr. 12, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a method for measuring slide bearing pressure in a deflection-compensated roll with a fixed shell.
[0003] In paper and board machines, deflection-compensated rolls (TK) are in general used which are formed from a stationary support structure and a tubular shell arranged to rotate therearound, said shell being bearably carried on the ends to a support structure by end bearings. Between the shell and the support structure, hydraulically loaded loading elements are moreover provided, being supported to the support structure and acting on the inner face of the shell in a radial direction, wherewith the profile of the shell can be adjusted in the axial direction. A row of loading elements to be used for adjusting the profile of the shell is positioned in the nip plane and with said loading elements, the bending of the shell of the TK roll and the backing roll is compensated so that the force acting on the web in the nip plane is equal across the entire axial direction of the shell. To intensify the profiling, so-called loading elements forming a counterzone can in addition be used on the opposite side of the support structure in relation to the nip in the TK roll. The loading elements of the counterzone can be positioned in one row, whereby a row is in the nip plane, or in two rows, whereby the rows are located symmetrically on both sides of the nip plane. By means of the loading members of the counterzone the shell can also be loaded with a desired force, whereby the configuration of the shell is profiled to be as desired.
[0004] The TK rolls can be divided into rolls with a mobile shell and rolls with a fixed shell. In the present context the TK rolls with a mobile shell refer to rolls in which the end bearings can be moved in radial direction, that is, normally in the nip plane relative to the support structure, whereby also the shell moves together with the end bearings in the nip plane. Transferring of end bearings is normally carried out so that pressure spaces acting in the nip plane are arranged between the end bearings and the support structure. By conducting a pressure medium into said pressure spaces, the end bearings can be transferred in the nip plane. By means of said transfer of the end bearings relative to the support structure, the opening and closing of the nip can be carried out, as well as partial loading and relief of the TK roll against the backing roll.
[0005] The TK rolls with a fixed shell refer to rolls in which the shell is not, at least to a significant extent, moved in a radial direction relative to the support structure. On fixed-shell TK rolls, the opening and closing of the nip and the loading and relief of the TK roll against the backing roll are performed with hydraulically operating loading arms supported to the support structure of the TK roll. In fixed-shell rolls, mechanical rolling bearings or hydraulic slide bearings can be used as end bearings. In a fixed-shell roll provided with rolling bearings, the end bearings are locked in radial direction to the support structure and the shell is locked in radial direction to the end bearings. In a fixed-shell roll provided with hydraulic slide bearings, the shell is able to move slightly in a radial direction owing to the nature of the bearing.
[0006] In rolls with a mobile shell and a fixed shell, rolling bearings or slide bearings can be used for end bearings between the shell and the support structure.
[0007] The present invention can be embodied in fixed-shell TK rolls provided with hydraulic slide bearings, in which the slide bearing operation is carried out essentially without strokes.
[0008] In FI patent No. 76870 (Kleinewefers GmbH), a TK roll with a fixed shell is disclosed, in which the shell is bearably carried on the ends of a support structure with rolling bearings. Indicators are arranged in the area of the rolling bearings, the measurement values of which indicate loading of the end bearings in the nip plane. By means of a control device, pressures to be supplied to the loading shoes of the loading zone and the loading shoes of the backing zone are controlled, being dependent on parameters measured in operation and/or determined in advance, and depending on the measurements of the indicators so that the loading of the end bearings is approximately zero in the nip plane.
[0009] Instead of measuring the direct bearing force with the aid of indicators arranged in the area of the rolling bearings, the forces acting on the rolling bearings can be defined also indirectly. This can be carried out by measuring the forces acting on the support spots of the support structure of the backing roll, the forces acting on the support spots of the support structure of the TK roll and the forces caused by the loading devices on the shell of the TK roll. On the basis of said forces, the forces acting on the rolling bearings of the TK roll are calculated. In the loading spots in which the forces are generated with the hydraulic loading devices, the pressures of the hydraulic loading devices are measured and on the basis thereof and of the surface areas of the pressure chambers of the pistons of the hydraulic loading devices, the forces acting on the hydraulic loading devices are calculated. In the calculations, the masses acting in the support spots and the friction factors acting in different locations are moreover paid attention to. The bearing force calculated with this kind of method is naturally inaccurate.
[0010] FI patent No. 79177 discloses a deflection-compensated roll with a mobile shell provided with rolling bearings. Therein, the shell is bearably carried on both ends to the support structure with rolling bearings arranged on top of the annular parts. Between the annular parts and the support structure, hydraulic loading members are disposed. With the loading members, the shell can be transferred relative to the support structure for opening and closing the nip. By the loading members, the shell can also be loaded against the backing roll.
[0011] In the mobile-shell TK rolls, in which a transfer of the end bearings based on the rolling bearings is carried out with a hydraulics medium brought into the pressure spaces between the bearings and the support structure, the pressure of the pressure medium conducted into said pressure spaces can be measured. A certain nip profile requires the use of a bearing force of a given magnitude, whereby the pressure equivalent thereto is tried to be kept under the bearing. The bearing force is determined on the basis of the surface areas of the pressure spaces influencing the bearings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] With the method according to the invention, sufficiently precise information is achieved each time of the pressures acting on the slide bearings of the fixed-shell TK roll being carried with slide bearings, on the basis whereof the forces acting on the slide bearings can be calculated.
[0013] The slide bearing of a TK roll comprises main bearing elements acting in opposite directions in the nip plane and side bearing elements acting in a transverse direction relative to the nip plane. Immediately below the first main bearing element focussed on the nip, that is, the guiding main bearing element, a first control valve is positioned, which on the basis of the loading acting on the main bearing elements distributes the pressure medium between the main bearing elements. To that main bearing element on which a greater load is at each moment acting, a greater flow and pressure is fed and respectively, to an opposite main bearing element, a lesser flow and pressure is fed. The control of the side bearing elements is carried out in an equivalent manner with the aid of a second control valve. The control valves should be located right below the guiding bearing element so that their response to an external loading can be made as brief as possible.
[0014] The invention is described below in detail, referring to the example embodiments of the invention presented in the figures of the accompanying drawings, whereto the invention is not intended to be solely restricted.
[0015] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] [0016]FIG. 1 presents a schematic longitudinal section of one end of a fixed-shell, deflection-compensated roll provided with slide bearings, shown above the central axis.
[0017] [0017]FIG. 2 presents a schematic cross-section of the end of the roll of FIG. 1 at the hydraulic slide bearing.
[0018] [0018]FIG. 3 presents a schematic cross-section of an arrangement of measurement tubes used in measuring pressures of the slide bearings.
[0019] [0019]FIG. 4 presents a schematic longitudinal section of an arrangement of measurement tubes used in measuring pressures of the slide bearings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] [0020]FIG. 1 presents a schematic longitudinal section of one end of a fixed-shell, deflection-compensated roll 10 provided with slide bearings 13 shown above the central axis X-X. The roll 10 comprises a stationary support structure 11 and a shell 12 rotating therearound. The shell 12 is supported on the ends to the support structure 11 by means of hydraulic slide bearings 13 . Between the hydraulic slide bearings 13 , the shell 12 is moreover supported in the nip plane to the support structure 11 by means of hydraulic loading devices 14 . The end of the roll is closed with an end piece 15 supported in axial direction to the support structure 11 with a support member 16 . The support in axial direction may also be implemented in the other end of the roll only, whereby support members 16 are provided in axial direction on both sides of the end piece 15 of the roll. An individual supply duct 20 for pressure medium leads here to each loading device 14 , whereby each loading device 14 can be adjusted individually. The loading devices 14 may also be divided into groups so that one pressure medium supply duct 20 is inside the roll divided for a number of loading devices 14 so that each group forms one adjustment zone. In an extreme case, a group may extend onto the length of the entire nip, whereby the roll is provided with one zone and one supply duct 20 only. The control valves of the pressure medium ducts 20 leading to the loading devices 14 can be located in a separate control valve unit outside the roll (not shown in the figures) or they may be attached to the end part of the roll axle. On the other hand, the control valve 22 positioned in the pressure medium supply duct 21 leading to the slide bearings 13 may be located in the immediate adjacency to the slide bearings 13 .
[0021] The hydraulic end bearing shown in FIG. 2 is comprised of end bearing elements 13 a, 13 b acting in opposite directions in the main loading direction, that is, in the direction of the nip plane A-A, and of side bearing elements 13 c, 13 d acting transversely in opposite directions to the nip plane A-A. With the main bearing elements 13 a, 13 b, the position of the shell 12 is adjusted relative to the nip plane A-A. With the side bearing elements 13 c, 13 d, the shell 12 is kept in right position transversely to the nip plane A-A. With the main bearing elements 13 a, 13 b and the side bearing elements 13 c, 13 d, also the oscillations are attenuated in the direction of the nip plane A-A and respectively, in the transverse direction. A first main bearing element 13 a acting in the nip direction in the nip plane A-A is a so-called guiding bearing element and a second main bearing element 13 b acting in the opposite direction is a so-called slave bearing element. Respectively, a first side bearing element 13 c acting in transverse direction is a guiding bearing element and a second side bearing element 13 d acting in opposite direction is a slave bearing element.
[0022] The supply of pressure medium to the bearing elements 13 a, 13 b, 13 c, 13 d is carried out so that in a first supply line 21 a the pressure medium is supplied to a first control valve 22 a located immediately under the first main bearing element 13 a. Said first control valve 22 a distributes in turn the pressure medium to the first main bearing element 13 a and to the opposite second main bearing element 13 b. In addition, the pressure medium is supplied in a second supply line 21 b to a second control valve 22 b immediately under the first side bearing element 13 c, said valve distributing the pressure medium to the first side bearing element 13 c and the opposite second side bearing element 13 d. The control valves 22 a, 22 b distribute the pressure medium so that, irrespective of the external loading directed at the roll, a power balance is created between the bearing elements 13 a, 13 b; 13 c, 13 d being in opposite directions so that the shell 12 is kept in desired position relative to the bearing housing.
[0023] When loading is directed at the roll, e.g. in the direction of the nip at the first main bearing element 13 a, the first control valve 22 a increases the pressure and flow of the pressure medium supplied to the first main bearing element 13 a, and, respectively, decreases the pressure and flow of the pressure medium to the second main bearing element 13 b, whereby the shell 12 is kept stationary relative to the bearing housing.
[0024] In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 a measurement duct system 30 is shown, being conducted in a duct 31 formed in the support structure 11 into the roll at one end of the roll. Here, the measurement duct system comprises nine measurement ducts 30 , each being inside the roll connected to the object to be measured. The slide bearing on each roll end contains four bearing pressures, of which measurement data is desired and in addition, one measurement duct is used e.g. for measuring the pressure prevailing inside the roll. Each of the measurement ducts is connected inside the roll to a pressure space between a bearing element 13 a, 13 b, 13 c, 13 d and a control valve 22 a, 22 b in association with the bearing element, whereby the pressure acting on the pressure chamber under the piston of the bearing element can at all times be measured. FIG. 2 shows a measurement point M 1 in association with a first bearing element 13 a, a measurement point M 2 in association with a second main bearing element 13 b, a measurement point M 3 in association with a first side bearing element 13 c and a measurement point M 4 in association with a second side bearing element 13 d.
[0025] The measurement duct system is taken out of the roll through a flange structure 40 attached to an end of the roll. The measurement ducts are sealedly attached to the flange structure 40 and the flange structure is attached sealedly to the support structure of the roll in order not to release pressure medium and any overpressure possibly prevailing inside the roll. Outside the roll, the measurement ducts 30 can be connected to measurement connectors attached to an appropriate base. On the other end of the measurement connector, ducts leading to measurement sensors may in turn be connected (not shown in the figures).
[0026] The measurement duct system 30 can be comprised of individual measurement ducts arranged to pass in a space between the support structure 11 and the shell 12 . The measurement ducts or some portions thereof may also be implemented as borings made in the support structure 11 .
[0027] By means of the measurement arrangement of the invention, the pressure of each slide bearing element of the slide bearings on each end of the roll can be measured, on the basis whereof the force acting on said bearing element can be calculated. Bearing forces can be used for adjusting to a desired level the forces acting on the nip. In this manner, the rightfulness and controllability of the nip profile is brought to the same level as in slide-bearably carried rolls with a mobile shell.
[0028] The measured bearing forces may also be utilized in error diagnostics. When the forces acting on the slide bearings are moreover calculated in conventional fashion indirectly from other forces acting on the nip, a directly measured bearing force and an indirectly calculated bearing force are available. Hereby, calibration of parameters used in the calculation can be carried out so that the indirectly calculated bearing forces correspond to the directly measured bearing forces.
[0029] If the directly measured and the indirectly calculated calibrated bearing forces change thereafter as a function of time relative to each other, such conclusions may be drawn thereon that a valve or a sensor acting on the nip is faulty or requires calibration.
[0030] If, on the other hand, the thickness profile of a calendered web is deteriorating rapidly without any changes in the bearing force, the fault lies obviously in the thickness profile of the entering web, that is, before the calender.
[0031] On the basis of a measurement of the bearing force, also the condition of the rolls can be estimated. Variations in the bearing pressure synchronized with the speed of rotation of the TK roll are an obvious indication of a fault in the TK roll or in the backing roll, of non-roundedness, of resemblance to a banana, of a coating being damaged or of dirt accumulated e.g. on the surface of the roll. Pressure measurement and pressure oscillation can be used, in addition to other measurement data, e.g to prevent a more serious roll damage or e.g. disengaging of the coating. In a situation in which a measurement of bearing force indicates damage, the nip can be opened in order to prevent more serious damage.
[0032] In the embodiments of the figures, one main bearing element 13 a, 13 b is provided in the nip plane A-A in both directions, though each main bearing element 13 a, 13 b may, in fact, be comprised e.g. of two partial bearing elements. The partial bearing elements are in such instance located symmetrically on both sides of the nip level A-A.
[0033] The claims are presented below, within the scope of the inventive idea determined by which various details of the invention may vary and deviate from what is described above only in exemplary fashion.
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A deflection compensated roll has a stationary support structure and a shell rotatably arranged around it by means of slide bearings. The shell is additionally supported on the support structure with hydraulic loading devices by which the axial profile of the shell can be controlled. In the procedure, at least the pressure acting in the main bearing elements of the slide bearings effective in oppsite directions in the nip plane is measured by conducting pressure data from a pressure space between a control valve associated with the main bearing elements and each main bearing element by means of measurement ducts outside the roll where the pressure data is passed to a pressure sensor.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electrical connectors and, more particularly to hermetically sealed electrical connectors adapted to be mounted on the wall of a sealed chamber. Hermetically sealed electrical connectors, also known as "electrical feedthrus", are used to connect electrical components located within a hermetically sealed chamber to complementary electrical components--which may include a power source--located outside of the chamber, and are mounted on a wall of the chamber such that gases and/or radiation within the chamber cannot escape through the connection between the connector and the wall.
Hermetic connectors may consist of a jam nut housing having a hex-shaped head, adapted to be grasped by a wrench, and a threaded shank of reduced diameter extending from the head, so as to form an annular flange. The housing is attached to the wall of a pressure vessel or other sealed container by inserting the threaded shank through a hole in the wall of approximately the same diameter, then threading a jam nut over the threaded shank to clamp the annular flange against the portion of the wall immediately surrounding the hole. To provide a hermetic seal between the housing and wall, the annular flange is provided with an O-ring, made of a flexible material such as silicone, which is deformed to seal the opening when the jam nut clamps the flange against the wall.
The center of the jam nut housing may contain a pair of receptacles, and these often are of the pin and socket type. The pins and sockets of the receptacles are connected in pairs by wires which are embedded in a body of solid epoxy, glass or ceramic which is bonded to and forms a hermetic seal with the wires, jam nut housing and receptacles. The receptacles also include a threaded collar or bayonet mount which is shaped to receive a matingly threaded collar of a plug, and an insert, preferably made of diayll phthalate, which serves as a matrix to support the pins and sockets. Typically, both the threaded collar and the insert are bonded to the epoxy core of the housing.
In another type of connector, lengths of insulated wires are embedded in the epoxy body so that their ends protrude from the housing. The ends of the wires can be connected to electrical components on both sides of the wall on which the housing is mounted.
A disadvantage with hermetic connectors such as these is that, to replace the receptacles or wires of a connector, it is necessary to replace the entire connector, which requires the breaking of the hermetic seal formed between the connector and the wall to which it is attached. For example, in order to substitute connector of the previously described type having a seven-pin receptacle for one with a six-pin receptacle, it is necessary to remove the jam nut from the threaded shank, withdraw the six-pin housing from the hole in the chamber wall, then insert the seven-pin housing through the hole and seal it to the wall by tightening down the jam nut on its shank.
However, it is known to provide a controlled environment chamber with a permanent housing that supports a replaceable inner member. For example, in Woolsey U.S. Pat. No. 3,475,808, a replaceable glove is disclosed which is adapted to be mounted on an annular port permanently fixed to the wall of a controlled environment chamber. The cuffs of both the original and replacement gloves are slipped over mounting rings and held thereon by O-rings, the mounting rings including set screws which engage grooves formed on the port.
To change gloves, the new glove is placed inside the original glove so that the mounting rings of the gloves abut each other within the port, but only the O-rings of the original mounting ring abut and make a seal with the port. A guide ring is slipped over the replacement mounting ring so that it is interposed between that ring and the port, the latter having an offset sized to compensate for the added thickness of the guide ring. A push ring is inserted through the guide ring and contacts the replacement mounting ring, pushing that ring to the location formerly occupied by the original mounting ring, and pushing the original mounting ring out of the port. The replacement ring is then attached to the port by set screws, and the guide and push rings removed.
A disadvantage with this type of device is that additional equipment is required to effect a replacement of gloves, thereby increasing the overall cost of the device. Furthermore, the system is designed to utilize the relatively narrow mounting rings and provides access to the inner surfaces of these rings for such operations as tightening set screws. Such components would be entirely inappropriate for use with hermetic connectors which are elongate and have solid interiors.
Accordingly, there is a need for an electrical connector in which the receptacles can be replaced without breaking the hermetic seal formed between the connector and associated wall, thereby enabling the receptacles to be replaced without danger of the exterior of the sealed chamber becoming contaminated by the contents of the interior of the chamber. In addition, such a connector should be relatively economical to manufacture and should be sized to be mounted in the same areas and through the same openings as the aforementioned prior art connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a hermetic connector which consists of a housing adapted to be attached to and extend through a wall of a sealed chamber and including a passageway extending therethrough, and a removable connector body shaped to fit within the passageway and having seals on its exterior surface which form a hermetic seal between the connector body and the housing. The connector body includes connector means at its ends joined together by wires, and a core of epoxy or other suitable material which is bonded to and makes a hermetic seal with the receptacles and wires.
The seals are spaced from the ends of the connector means such that a first one of the connector bodies may be displaced through the passageway and replaced therein by a second one of the bodies so that the seals of at least one of the connector bodies contacts the housing at all times. Thus, with the connector of the present invention, connector bodies having different types of receptacles may be substituted in the housing without having to remove the housing from the wall to which it is mounted, and without exposing the area surrounding the chamber to the contents of the chamber.
In a preferred embodiment, the connector means include receptacles, each having an outer, threaded portion and an end face having an electrical lead, such as the pin and socket type, positioned therein. The connector body is sized so that the threaded portions of the receptacles protrude beyond the passageway. In order to prevent rotation or sliding movement of the connector body relative to the housing, the housing includes a plurality of set screws which are positioned to be threaded radially inwardly to engage correspondingly positioned dimples or depressions in the exterior surface of the connector body. As an added measure, jam nuts can be threaded over the ends of the receptacles and against the ends of the housing.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hermetic connector which can be fitted to the wall of a vessel relatively easily; a connector which can be adapted to receive quick-disconnect pin-and-socket type plugs; a connector in which a connector body having connector means at its ends may be replaced by a method which does not necessitate the removal of the connector housing from the vessel wall and does not break the hermetic seal between the connector and the wall; a connector which is of a relatively simple and inexpensive construction; and a method of replacing the connector body of such a connector which can be effected quickly and simply.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation in half-section of a preferred embodiment of the hermetic connector of the present invention, showing fragments of a quick-disconnect plug and a chamber wall on which it is mounted;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation in half-section of the connector of FIG. 1 in which the nuts have been removed from the receptacles and the set screws have been displaced outwardly;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the connector of FIG. 1 in which a first connector body is being pushed through the housing by a second connector body, and in which the housing and vessel wall are in section;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the connector of FIG. 3 in which the second connector body has pushed the first connector body from the housing;
FIG. 5 is an end view of the connector of FIG. 1 taken at line 5--5 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment of a connector body of the hermetic connector of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 7 is a second alternate embodiment of a connector body of the hermetic connector of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the hermetic connector of the present invention, generally designated 10, includes a housing 12 which supports a connector body 14. The housing 12 includes an enlarged hex-shaped head 16 and a threaded shank 18, having a diameter less than the head, which extends from the head to form an annular flange 20 therewith. The flange 20 includes an annular groove 22, spaced radially outwardly from shank 18, in which is seated an O-ring 24. A jam nut 26 is threaded onto shank 18.
Housing 12 is attached to the wall 28 of a vessel or other chamber by inserting shank 18 through an opening 30 having substantially the same diameter as the shank. Jam nut 26 is threaded over shank 18 and is tightened against wall 28, drawing flange 20 against the exterior surface of the wall. O-ring 24 is compressed, thereby forming a hermetic seal around the flange. In FIGS. 1-4, connector 10 is shown oriented so that the interior of the chamber is to the right of wall 28, and the exterior to the left. Thus, shank 18 is inserted through opening 30 into the interior of the chamber, and nut 26 is threaded on the shank.
Housing 12 includes a cylindrically-shaped inner wall 32 which forms a passageway 34 through head 16 and shank 18. Although passageway 34 is shown as being cylindrical, it is within the scope of the invention to provide a passageway having a different shape such as, for example, one that is square or oval in cross section. Connector body 14 includes a central core 36 which is substantially cylindrical in shape, having an exterior surface 38 of slightly less diameter than passageway 34 so that the connector bodies can be slid through the passageway. Exterior surface 38 includes a pair of annular grooves 40, 42 on which are mounted O-rings 44, 46, respectively. O-rings 44, 46 are sized to extend outwardly from grooves 40, 42 a distance sufficient to engage and form a hermetic seal with inner wall 32 of housing 12, and are spaced from each other a distance less than the length of passageway 34.
The ends of connector body 14 include as connector means receptacles 48, 50 which consist of threaded collars 52, 54, respectively, within which are located electrical leads 56, 58. Alternately, bayonet mounts can be used in place of the collars 56,58. Although a number of well-known leads may be employed, with receptacles 48, 50 shown in the figures lead 56 is a female lead which includes sockets 60 embedded in an insert 62, and lead 58 includes pins 64 embedded in an insert 66. Pins 64 and sockets 60 are joined in pairs by conducting wires 68 which extend through and are sealed in central core 36 of the connector body 14. Thus, a plug 70, having a shell of metal such as stainless steel or aluminum, and having pins (not shown) in the same configuration as the sockets 60, may be attached to receptacle 48. Similarly, a standard plug (not shown), which may be connected to a power source or a piece of equipment located outside of the chamber defined by wall 28 and having sockets corresponding to the pins 64, may be attached to receptacle 50. Both plugs preferably make a moisture-proof seal with the receptacles 40,50.
Connector body 14 is attached to housing 12 by mounting nuts 72, 74 which are threaded over collars 52, 54, respectively, and tightened against threaded shank 18 and head 16, respectively. By proper adjustment of nuts 72, 74, connector body 14 can be centered within the passageway 34. As shown in the figures, it is necessary that the length of connector body 14 exceed the length of passageway 34 so that receptacles 48, 50 protrude beyond the passageway sufficiently to expose threaded collars 52, 54. In order to fix connector body 14 to prevent rotation relative to housing 12, dimples or depressions 76 are formed on exterior surface 38 and are positioned to be engaged by set screws 78 which are threaded into radially extending holes 80 formed in head 16, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5.
In the preferred embodiment, housing 12, including the jam nut 26, preferably is made of stainless steel, which is both strong and corrosion-resistant. O-rings 24, 42, 44 are made of silicone. The central core 36 of the connector body 14 is made of epoxy and is molded to provide a hermetic seal with the connecting wire 68, which preferably is made of copper. The collars 52, 54 and nuts 72, 74 preferably are made of anodized aluminum or stainless steel. Pins 64 and sockets 60 preferably are silver-plated copper and supporting inserts 62, 66 are made of diayll phthalate. Thus, connector 10 can be fabricated from well-known materials.
The procedure for replacing connector body 14 with a second connector body 14' is shown sequentially in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 2, after the plugs have been removed from the receptacles 48,50, the mounting nuts 72, 74 are removed from the threaded collars 52, 54, respectively. This requires that a glove (not shown) attached to wall 28 be employed by the user to remove nut 72. Set screws 78 are then backed away from engagement with their corresponding depressions 76. The insert 14 is now free to be displaced relative to the housing 12, and, is slid through passageway 34 into the chamber sufficiently to allow end 52' of connector body 14' to be inserted into the outside end of the passageway.
As shown in FIG. 3, connector body 14', having nut 74' threaded on an end, is then displaced in the direction of arrow A toward threaded shank 18, pushing connector 14 out of passageway 34 in the direction of arrow B, with the end of threaded collar 52' of the connector body 14' abutting the end of threaded collar 54 of connector body 14 at this time. This is particularly important where there exists a vacuum inside the vessel; the pressure of nut 74' prevents the connector body 14' from being sucked into the chamber. As shown in FIG. 3, as threaded collars 52', 54 pass through the approximate midpoint of passageway 34, O-ring 42 is adjacent the end of threaded shank 18 and O-ring 44' of connector body 14' is well within the passageway. Further displacement in the direction of arrows A and B will cause O-ring 42 to clear the end of the threaded shank 18 and thus no longer provide a hermetic seal; however, O-ring 44' will be within the passageway 34 and provide a hermetic seal so that, during this procedure, no opening is made in the passageway 34 through which gas can escape.
The final stage of the substitution process is shown in FIG. 4 in which connector body 14 has been displaced completely from passageway 34 by connector body 14', and will drop within the chamber defined by wall 28. Connector body 14 can then be moved to a desired location within the chamber with the aforementioned glove. Connector body 14' is then attached to the housing 12 by tightening down mounting nut 72' and displacing set screws 78 inwardly to engage depressions 76'.
As shown in FIG. 3, in order for a hermetic seal to be maintained between connector bodies 14, 14' and inner wall 32 of the housing 12 at all times during the aforementioned replacement procedure, it is necessary that the distance between O-ring 42 of connector body 14 and O-ring 44' of connector body 14'--distance "X" in FIG. 3 --be less than distance "Y", the distance between the set screw hole 80 and the end of the shank 18 so that, during the aforementioned substitution procedure, gas will not be permitted to escape from the vessel. The outside bound of distance Y corresponds to the set screw hole 80 since an O-ring cannot make a seal at that point. In the preferred embodiment, the distance from each of the O-rings 42, 44, 42', 44' to their respective ends 54, 52, 54', 52' should be less than one-half distance "Y" so that, regardless of the orientation of connector bodies 14, 14' with respect to each other (for example if end 54' should be positioned to abut end 54), the hermetic seal will be maintained by an O-ring of at least one of the connectors at all times during a substitution procedure.
An alternate embodiment of a connector body 14A is shown in FIG. 6. The body 14A includes a central core 36A, grooves 40A, 42A, O-rings 44A, 46A and receptacle 50A, all of which are identical to their counterparts in the body 14 shown in FIGS. 1-5. However, body 14A includes as connector means at end 84 a plurality of solder cups 86 protruding outwardly therefrom. Solder cups 86, which are of conventional design, are bonded to and extend through the core 36A and are connected to the connector means (not shown) in receptacle 50A. The cups 86 are adapted to receive the base ends of wires (not shown) which may be connected to a plug or electrical equipment.
Another type of body 14B is shown in FIG. 7, and is identical to the previously discussed connector bodies 14 and 14A except that, for connector means, it includes bayonet mounts 88,90. Bayonet mounts 88,90 include pin members 91 and socket members (not shown) in end faces 92,94 thereof, respectively, and in this respect end faces 92,94 are similar to receptacles 48,50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
With each of the bodies 14A and 14B of FIGS. 6 and 7, the replacement procedures are the same as that outlined for body 14 and shown in FIGS. 2-4. Since the ends 84, 84B are not threaded and cannot receive jam nuts, the bodies 14A, 14B are held within the housing 12 (FIGS. 1-5) by set screws 78 which engage depressions 76A, 76B respectively.
While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.
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A hermetic connector comprising a housing adapted to attach to and extend through a wall of a sealed chamber and having an inner wall extending therethrough defining a passageway, and a removable connector body having an exterior surface matingly engaging the inner wall, ends thereof adapted to be connected to electrical equipment and joined together by wires, and O-rings mounted on the surface to form a hermetic seal between the inner wall and the exterior surface of the passageway. The O-rings are positioned on the exterior surface a distance from the ends of the connector body so that a first connector body may be displaced through the passageway and replaced therein by a second connector body such that the O-rings of at least one of the two bodies contacts the inner wall and forms a seal therewith at all times thereby maintaining a hermetic seal throughout the replacement process.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates, generally, to dowel pins, and more specifically relates to an improved dowel pin that has application in the dental crown and bridge making industry.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Dowel pins are widely used in the industry that makes dental crowns and bridges and, of course, in many other industries and applications as well. The conventional pin of the type used when making dental crowns and bridges has a body or stem portion and a head portion, the latter portion essentially comprising a knurled rod-like member of uniform transverse cross section and the former portion comprising a uniformly tapered member, the cross section of which progressively increases from its free end to the point where such body portion abuts the knurled head portion.
When a dental crown or bridge is being made, a base of plaster is cast to serve as a mount upon which the models of teeth or artificial teeth are mounted. The body portion, or stem, of the respective dowel pins are positioned before the plaster is poured into the mold so that a perfect fit will be formed between the stem and the base. The artificial tooth is then bored to receive the knurled portion of the pin and the knurled portion is cemented into place. (The knurled portion may also be positioned by the pouring procedure as well). It is necessary to remove the stem portion of the pin from the base during the construction process, and it is critical that the pin be re-seated into its pre-retraction position in order to ensure a good fit when the crown/bridge is worn by the patient.
The circular transverse cross section of the stem portion of conventional pins introduces error into the bridge construction procedure because such circular stems will rotate within their respective cavities. Moreover, since conventional dowel pins are of one length, from time to time a small tooth is encountered which will not receive a conventional pin in its entirety. When this occurs, the knurled portion of the pin will protrude through the tooth and the protruding portion must be laboriously trimmed off. Alternatively, the lab technician may select a smaller pin. Thus, different sizes of pins must be kept on hand.
The knurl is provided on conventional pins in the hope that such knurl will serve to guard against separation of the tooth from the pin. In practice, however, the traction between tooth and knurl is often too little, and teeth will often separate from their respective pins when the tooth is removed from the plaster base. Moreover, the knurled portion of a conventional pin often does not fit properly in its bore if the drill that bores the hole in the tooth is worn. A worn drill will make a tapered bore which does not adequately receive the knurled portion of the pin.
Further, the uniformly tapered stem portion of a conventional dowel pin results in a pin that is difficult to grasp. The lab technician must securely grasp the pin during the construction process. The dentist will also need to grasp the tapered portion of the pin when making the final fitting of the crown to the patient's natural tooth. When such a final fitting is being performed, the model tooth-capped with the crown-is pulled out of the mold and serves as a holder or nest for the crown. The crown is worked on, then separated from the model tooth and fitted onto the patient's natural tooth.
There is a need in the industry for an improved dowel pin, but the needed pin does not appear in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The longstanding but heretofore unfulfilled need for a dowel pin that can be foreshortened if needed, that does not easily separate from a tooth within which it is held, but which will easily pull a tooth from a mold base, which exhibits rotational stability, which is less expensive to mass produce than conventional pins, and which overcomes the other undesirable features of prior art pins is now provided in the form of an improved pin that has a unique, highly functional design.
A plurality of axially aligned barb members are provided in lieu of the conventional knurled head portions, to enhance the ability of the pin to avoid separation from its associated tooth attendant tooth retraction from the base. The barbs are interconnected by tapered interconnecting members that are tapered in a direction opposite from the taper of the pin's stem portion, so that removal of the stem from its cavity does not effect retraction of the barbed head from the tooth.
The outermost barb is interconnected to its axially adjacent barb by an interconnecting member of reduced proportions relative to the proportions of the other barb interconnecting members so that such outermost barb may be clipped off if needed.
The barb members and the stem portion of the pin are of course axially aligned with one another. An elongate flat is formed along the collective length of the barbs and the stem portion in substantial (almost absolute) parallelism to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the pin, said flat being offset therefrom by a predetermined amount. The flat provides a key means that ensures against unwanted rotation of the pin when it is mounted within its cavity that is formed in the base.
The free end of the stem portion of the pin is tapered by a first amount relative to the aforesaid axis of symmetry, but the medial portion of the pin is tapered to a greater extent. This change in the amount of taper is abrupt and occurs about mid-length of the stem portion, thereby enhancing both the handling of the pin and also easing the retraction of the stem from its cavity. The advantages of the novel pin in this respect have been conclusively demonstrated in experiments.
The barb members have a transverse cross sectional diameter that progressively decreases as the free end of the barb portion of the pin is approached, said diminishing diameters serving to allow optimal accomodation of the barbed portion of the pin within a bore formed in a tooth by a worn drill.
It is therefore understood that a primary object of the invention is to provide a dowel pin that improves the process of making dental bridges.
A more specific object is to improve conventional dowel pins by providing a pin that can be foreshortened, that will not separate from a tooth undesirably, that can be re-seated consistently, that is easy to handle and that can be used even if worn drills are involved in the crown or bridge making process.
Another object is to provide a pin having barbs with a diameter tolerance equal to + or -0.0005 inches, thereby improving over the diameter tolerance of conventional pins which have a knurled end diameter tolerance equal to + or -0.001 inches.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts that 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
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded diagrammatic view of the novel pin when cemented into a tooth, positioned for placement in a base means.
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the novel pin cemented into a small tooth wherein the outermost barb member of the pin has been removed in accordance with the teachings of this invention.
FIG. 4 is an end view of the novel pin, taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the pin shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an exploded diagrammatic view showing barb members of reduced diameters positioned for placement in a tooth bored with a worn drill means, not shown.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a prior art pin.
FIG. 8 is a front view of a prior art pin.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, there it will be seen that an illustrative embodiment of the invention is generally designated as 10. The pin 10 includes a body or stem portion designated 12 as a whole and a head portion designated 14 as a whole. An annular shoulder portion 16 is defined at the juncture thereof.
The stem 12 and the head 14 are generally rod-like in configuration, and are axially aligned with one another, sharing a common longitudinal axis of symmetry 18. The stem 12 has three (3) integrally formed portions: the blunt tip portion 20, a first body portion 22, and a second body portion 24. The angle between the axis of symmetry 18 and the perimeter of the tip portion 20 is greater than the angle between such axis 18 and the respective perimeters of the first and second body portions 22 and 24. More importantly, the defined angle is greater for the second portion 24 than for the first portion 22, as is clearly shown in FIG. 1. The line of demarcation between the differing slopes is designated 26. This dual taper enhances the gripping of the pin 10 and enables better retraction of the stem 12 from its cavity during the crown/bridge constructing process.
The head portion 14 is formed by a plurality of barb members, collectively designated 28, that in turn are interconnected to and longitudinally spaced from one another by link members 30. As is clearly shown in FIG. 1, the link members 30 are tapered relative to the axis 18 at an angle opposite from the aforementioned tapers formed in the stem 12 of the pin 10. This prevents retraction of the barbs 28 from the tooth in which they are cemented. The cement acts in two (2) ways: it fills in the cavities produced by the barbs and the flat, and it provides a very thin film on the precise diameter between the outside diameter of the barbs and flat and the inside diameter of the bore.
FIG. 2 shows a pin 10 when its head portion 14 is cemented into a bore formed in a tooth 36. The cavity 38 in the base 40 is formed with the stem 12 in place, i.e., the plaster is poured around the stem 12 to produce the cavity 38. It is clear from an inspection of FIG. 2 that the barbs 28 will bar against retraction of the pin from the tooth 36, and that the double taper formed in the stem 12 will aid both in the handling of the pin 10 and in the retraction of the stem 12 from the cavity 38.
The outermost one of the link members, designated 32 in FIG. 1, has a substantially reduced transverse cross section vis a vis the corresponding cross sections of the other links 30. This feature permits snipping off the outermost barb 34 if a short or thin tooth is mounted as shown in FIG. 3.
Referring now to FIG. 4, there it will be seen that the pin 10 has a "D"-shaped transverse cross section when seen in end view. FIG. 5 shows clearly that the flat 42 that produces the "D"-shaped cross section extends substantially the entire length of the pin 10. Since, as aforesaid, the cavity 38 is molded about the stem 12, the cavity 38 will also have a "D"-shaped cross section when seen in plan view. A key and keyway are thus formed to prevent axial rotation of the pin 10 when its stem 12 is seated within cavity 38. The keying relationship between the cavity 38 and the stem 12 also assures that the pin 10 will be re-seated in a consistent manner every time it is removed and reinserted from and into the cavity 38.
It is very critical to note that the flat 42 is drawn onto the wire-the raw material-through a die. Thus, the flat 42 is formed before any further shaping (machining) takes place. This is a most important feature of the novel design. Prior art techniques teach the forming of the flat as the last step in the pin-making procedure. Accordingly, the prior art technique is much more expensive than the inventive technique. The wire drawn flat 42 can be provided only in the context of the angular shape of the inventive stem 12 and of the barbs 28. Pins 10 cannot be economically produced unless the flat 42 is wire drawn as taught herein, and such wire drawing necessitates the production of the uniquely shaped stems and barbs as disclosed herein.
FIG. 6 shows a cavity 39 that has been drilled into a tooth 36 with a worn drill. The cavity 39 is seen to taper. Accordingly, the respective diameters of the barbs 28 of the novel pin 10 are progressively reduced as shown in exaggerated form in FIG. 6.
The novel pin 10 clearly has a number of features and abilities not found, suggested or provided for in the prior art and accordingly represents a significant advance in the art.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent by the preceding description, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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.
Now that the invention has been described,
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A dowel pin of the type used in mounting an artificial tooth during construction of a dental bridge.
The pin has a body portion and a head portion, the body portion is characterized by a double taper configuration, the head portion is characterized by a plurality of tooth-engaging barbs, one of which is detachable, and said body and head portions both are characterized by a flat that is formed along the collective length thereof to hold the pin against rotation when it is inserted in a complementally formed keyway.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toner cartridge and an electrophotographic printer employing the same.
A conventional electrophotographic printer is discussed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 1-97356.
This electrophotographic printer has a rotatable cylindrical stirring means in a hopper for containing developer therein (hereinafter referred to as a developer hopper) to prevent the so-called toner blocking phenomenon from occurring inside the developer hopper. The toner blocking phenomenon means that a mass or clump of toner is formed inside the developer hopper. A developer supply roller, which is driven by an external device, is provided at the portion adjacent to the lower end of the developer hopper. The stirring means contacts the developer supply roller so that it is driven by the developer supply roller.
However, this electrophotographic printer has a problem in that the effect involving in stirring the toner is relatively remarkably reduced when the developer hopper is formed as a cartridge.
An electrophotographic printer having a detachable toner container as the developer hopper has been developed. The so-called toner cartridge can be replaced with another toner cartridge in order to facilitate the supply of the toner or prevent the toner from scattering on other portions of the electrophotographic printer, such as the paper feed system, when the toner is supplied into the electrophotographic printer.
Replaceable toner cartridges are now sold for use in photographic printers of this type. Since the toner cartridge of this type is filled with toner at the factory when the electrophotographic printer is manufactured, it cannot be touched by user's hands in ordinary circumstances.
Accordingly, it was a serious problem that the toner cartridge, which is liable to be kept in a warehouse for a long time, is likely to suffer from toner blocking.
This toner blocking is liable to be caused by a mass of toner which forms in the toner cartridge during storage in the warehouse and which sticks to the inner wall of the toner cartridge, or all of the toner may simply form a large mass. If toner blocking occurs, the resistance of the mass of toner to the stirring means is generally remarkably increased. In particular, if the mass of toner adheres to the stirring means, it sometimes happens that the stirring means can not rotate even if it contacts the supply roller. If the stirring means does not rotate, the toner is not stirred, which causes anomalous abrasion of the developer.
There is another problem in that the user cannot take out the mass of the toner after inspecting the inside of the cartridge every time the cartridge is replaced with another one. Furthermore the frequency of the replacement increases if the amount of the toner in a toner cartridge is decreased to prevent toner blocking from occurring which causes an increase in the printing cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve the problem set forth above and to provide a toner cartridge which is excellent in reliability and which capable of stirring the toner with assurance.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrophotographic printer capable of mounting the toner cartridge thereon without spoiling the handiness of the cartridge.
The toner cartridge includes a cylindrical container wherein the toner is stored and a stirring means rotatably provided in the container so as to touch substantially the entire surface of the inner wall of the container, making it is possible to prevent the toner from sticking to the inner wall and to stir all the toner with assurance. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a stable supply of the toner and print uniformly with high accuracy. It is possible to drive the stirring means by a drive means provided in the electrophotographic printer, whereby the stirring means can be driven even in a heavy load is applied to it by a mass of toner, since the driven means for the stirring means is provided outside the toner cartridge.
Furthermore, it is possible to couple the stirring means to the drive means using a drive force transmission means without obstructing the installation or removal of the toner cartridge from the electrophotographic printer.
Additionally, it is possible to employ a drive force transmission means with a reduction gear mechanism having a small diameter and large reduction gear ratio. As a result, the drive means can be made small, or a single drive means can serve as the drive unit for several parts in common, such as photosensitive drum and so forth. The reduction gear mechanism is composed of two gears having the same axis of rotation and substantially the same diameter and a gear meshing with both of these gears, which involves a reduction in the cost of the parts and the consumption of power.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a replaceable toner cartridge according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a stirring means,
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge,
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a mechanism for fixing the toner cartridge,
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the state where the toner cartridge is mounted on an electrophotographic printer,
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a drive force transmission mechanism,
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the electrophotographic printer and
FIG. 8 is a schematic side view employed to explain the printing process of the electrophotographic printer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An electrophotographic printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a replaceable toner storing container (hereinafter refereed to as a toner cartridge) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the same figure, designated at 1 is an outer cylinder, 2 is an inner cylinder, 3a and 3b are end plates, 4 is a stirring member and 5 is a gear. The outer cylinder 1 and the inner cylinder 2 are respectively thin hollow cylindrical members. The outer and inner cylinders 1 and 2 have substantially the same length and the inner cylinder 2 contacts the inner wall of the outer cylinder 1 along the entire length thereof.
Both ends of the inner cylinder 2 are closed by the end plates 3a and 3b which are fixed thereto. The end plates 3a and 3b have substantially the same diameter as that of the outer cylinder 1. With such an arrangement, the outer cylinder 1 can rotate relative to the inner cylinder 2 and does not get out of position relative to the inner cylinder 2 since the movement of outer cylinder 1 is restricted by the end plate 3a and 3b in the longitudinal direction thereof. The outer cylinder 1 and the inner cylinder 2 have respectively openings 11 and 21 at the side surfaces thereof as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, it is possible to open or close the openings by relative rotations between the outer cylinder 1 and the inner cylinder 2.
The stirring member 4 is inserted inside the inner cylinder 2. The stirring member 4 includes a basically filamentary member, e.g. a piano wire which is spirally formed and connected integrally with the gear 5 by an end member 41. The stirring member 4 is supported by the inner cylinder 2. When the gear 5 is rotated, the stirring member 4 rotates inside the inner cylinder 2 to form a surface of revolution touching internally the inner cylinder 2.
The arrangement of the stirring member 4 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The stirring member 4 comprises the end member 41, a spiral portion 42, a central portion 43 and a spiral portion 44. According to the prevent invention, the end member 41 is a rectangular metal plate, and the spiral portion 2, the central portion 43 and the spiral portion 44 are respectively formed of piano wire. The end member is fixed to the spiral portion 42, the spiral portion 42 is fixed to the central portion 43, and the central portion 43 is fixed to the spiral portion 44 respectively by silver braizing or soldering. The piano wire of the spiral portion 42 is spiraled in the opposite direction to the spiral portion 44 as is evident in FIG. 2. Accordingly, if the stirring member 4 rotates in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2, the toner, not shown collects about the central portion 43 inside the toner cartridge 100. The result is that a sufficient amount of the toner can be always supplied to the central portion of the printing paper where much toner is used.
The gear 5 is fixed to the end member 41. The gear has a central axis, not shown, which is common to the axis of the spiral portions 42 and 44.
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 100 at the portion adjacent to the end plate 3a. In the same figure, designated at 51 is a projection integrated with the gear 5, 52 is a pawl provided at the top end of the projection 51,22 is an end surface of the inner cylinder 2, 23 is a round hole defined at the center of the end surface 22, 24 are projections protruding from the end surface 22, 45 is a cut protrusion provided at the end member 41 and 46 is a square hole provided at the member 41.
The projection 51 has a central axis, not shown, which is common to the axes of the gear 5 and the spiral portion 42. The projection 51 penetrates the round hole 23 and is rotatably supported by the inner cylinder 2. The pawl 52 of the axis 51 penetrates the square hole 46 and meshes with the cut protrusion 45.
Accordingly;, the pawl 52 presses the end member 41 so that the end member 41 is not moved away from the end surface 22. As a result, the gear 5 and the end member 41 clamp the end surface 22, whereby the gear 5 and the stirring member 4 are restricted to move in the direction of the central axes thereof.
The pawl 52 has a root touching internally with the square hole 46 in cross section. Hence, the end member 41 is driven by the gear 5 and capable of rotating.
Described hereinafter are a mechanism for attaching the toner cartridge 100 to or detaching the same cartridge 100 from a photosensitive drum, described later, and a mechanism for driving the stirring member 4.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view explaining the mechanism for fixing the toner cartridge 100 to the photosensitive drum cartridge. In the same figure, designated at 31 is a groove defined in the end plate 3a, 32 is a notched portion defined at a part of the periphery of the end plate 3a, and 33 is a pawl defined at a part of the periphery of the end plate 3a. Designated at 6 is a fixing member, 61 is a knob integrated with the fixing member 6, 62 is a guide integrated with the fixing member 6, 63 is a shaft integrated with the fixing member 6, 63a is a pawl provided at the tip end of the axis 63 and 64a and 64b are gears integrated with each other and rotatably supported by a shaft which penetrates the fixing member 6, not shown. The shaft supporting these gears 64a and 64b will be described later by illustration.
Designated at 7 is a toner cartridge holder integrate with the photosensitive drum cartridge. The toner cartridge holder 7 has a round hole 71 and an arcuate slot 72. The toner cartridge holder 7 has also a recess 73 having a semi circular shape in cross section.
With such a mechanism, the shaft 63 is inserted into the round hole 71 and is rotatable relative to the toner cartridge holder 7 and supported by a mechanisms, which will be described later, so as not to come out from the round hole 71. The gear 64a is inserted into slot 72 and movable in slot 72 as the fixing member 6 rotates.
If the end plate 3a is moved along the fixing member 6 and the toner cartridge 100 is inserted into the recess 73 in the direction of the arrow B, i.e. in the direction from the plane of the drawing to the back thereof, the position of the end plate 3a is restricted by the toner cartridge holder 7 so that the gear 64b passes through the notched portion 32 and meshes with the gear 5. At the same time, the guide 62, which is positioned parallel to the direction of the arrow B, enters the groove 31. When the toner cartridge 100 is fixed to the printer, the fixing member 6 is turned by 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow C. The knob 61 is brought into contact with the pawl 33 to thereby drive and turn the end plate 3a. At this time, since the end plate 3a is engaged with the fixing member 6 by way of the groove 31 and the guide 62, the end plate 3a becomes perpendicular relative to the direction of the arrow B together with the guide 62 and the groove 31 when the fixing member 6 is turned. Since the outer cartridge 100 is restricted to move in the direction of the arrow B and the direction perpendicular to the direction of the arrow B by the toner cartridge holder 7, it cannot be come out from the toner cartridge holder 7. If the same mechanism is provided at the end plate 3b, the toner cartridge 100 can be fixed to the toner cartridge holder 7. In this case, it is evident that the end plate 3b can dispense with the slot 71, the gears 64a and 64b, and the notched portion 32.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the state where the toner cartridge 100 is mounted on a photosensitive drum cartridge 200.
In the same figure, designated at 81 is a toner supply roller formed of sponge and disposed substantially under the toner cartridge 100, 82 is a developing roller formed of rubber and provided in contact with the toner supply roller 81 and 83 is a photosensitive drum provided in contact with the developing roller 82 and having an optical conductive layer at the surface thereof.
The photosensitive drum cartridge 200 is formed by incorporating these components with the toner cartridge holder 7.
Designated at 12 is a restriction member fixed to the peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 1 and has ends thereof 12a and 12b.
If the toner cartridge 100 is inserted into the toner cartridge holder 7 and the pair of fixing members 6 are turned by the operation of the pair of knobs 61, the end plates 3a and 3b engaged with each fixing member 6 ar turned. At this time, the inner cylinder 2 fixed to the end plates 3a and 3b at both ends thereof is also turned. The outer cylinder 1 cannot be substantially turned since the one end 12a of the restriction member 12 is brought into contact with the toner cartridge holder 7 to restrict the turning of the outer cylinder 1. Accordingly, the opening 21 of the inner cylinder 2 is turned and aligned with the opening 11 of the outer cylinder 1, which is not turned.
When two openings 11 and 21 are aligned the toner is supplied to the surface of the toner supply roller 81. The toner is then transferred to the surface of the photosensitive drum 83 by the developing roller 82 and is selectively attracted to an electrostatic image formed on the optical conductive layer so as to form a toner image which is transferable to the printing paper.
When the knobs 61 are operated in the opposite direction so as to remove the toner cartridge 100 from the toner cartridge holder 7, the fixing members 6, the end plates 3a and 3b, and the inner cylinder 2 are also turned in the opposite direction. The outer cylinder 1 is prevented from turning since the other end 12b of the restriction member 12 is brought into contact with the toner cartridge holder 7. Accordingly, the opening 21 is moved away from the opening 11 so that the inner cylinder 2 closes the opening 11, thereby closing the toner cartridge 100.
When the toner cartridge 100 is fixed to the toner cartridge holder 7, it sometimes happens that the knob 61 cannot be smoothly turned because of misalignment between one fixing member 6 and the end plate 3a or between the other fixing member 6 and the end plate 3b, and the resulting shallow meshing between the gear 64b and the gear 5. This is caused by the fact that the tooth tip and the tooth root of the gear 64b are not precisely opposed with, but instead deviate from, those of the gear 5.
In such a case, if the toner cartridge 100 is pushed into the toner cartridge holder 7 while the knob 61 of the fixing member 6 having the gear 69b is swung little by little, the axes of the fixing member 6 and the end plate 3a or the axes of the other fixing member 6 and the end plate 3b become well aligned with each other so that the knob 61 can be smoothly moved.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the drive force transmission mechanism of the embodiment of the present invention. In the same figure, designated at 8 is a drive shaft rotatably driven by a drive unit, not shown, 9 is a drive gear rotatable together with the drive shaft, 10 is a fixed post to the toner cartridge holder 7, 13 is an idle gear rotatably supported by the fixed post 10, 14 is a ring gear, 15 is a movable post provided at the ring gear 14, 16 is a planetary gear rotatably supported by the movable post 15, 24 is a fixed gear, 25 is a tube integrated with the fixed gear 24, 26 is a key groove defined at the tip end of the tube 25 at the opposite side of the fixed gear 24, 27 is a key defined in a round hole 71, 28 is a driven gear, 64c is a shaft integrally mounted on a gear 64b and 65 is a round hole defined in the fixing member 6.
The driven gear 28 is inserted into the ring gear 14. The tube 25 is inserted into the driven gear 28. The tube 25 is fixed to the toner cartridge holder 7.
That is, the key groove 26 and the key 27 are engaged with each other whereby the tube 25 and the fixed gear 24 integrated with the tube 25 can not rotate. However, the driven gear 28 and the ring gear 14 can freely rotate.
The shaft 63 is inserted into the tube 25. As a result the tube 25, the fixed gear 24, the shaft 63, the driven gear 28 and the ring gear 14 are held by the toner cartridge holder 7. These elements can independently rotate except the tube 25 and the fixed gear 24.
The shaft 64c integrated with gear 64b is inserted through the hole 65 in fixing member 6. The shaft 64c is fixed to the gear 64a. Accordingly, both the gears 64a and 64b are integrally rotatable.
A drive force applied to the drive shaft 8 by a drive unit, not shown, is transmitted to the drive gear 9, the idle gear 13 and the ring gear 14 in this order to thereby rotate the movable post 15. At this time, since the planetary gear 16 meshes with the fixed gear 24, the planetary gear rotates around the fixed gear 24 while also rotating on its own axis. The planetary gear 16 also meshes with the driven gear 28. The driven gear comprises a large diameter portion 28a, an annular portion 28b and a small diameter portion 28c. The large diameter portion 28a meshes with the planetary gear 16 and has a high pitch diameter substantially the same as that of the fixed gear 24 and teeth which are different from those of the fixed gear 24 in number.
With such an arrangement, the fixed gear 24, the planetary gear 16 and the large diameter portion 28a constitute a kind of planetary gear mechanism wherein the driven gear 28 rotates at low speed accompanied by the rotation of the planetary gear 16. The direction of the rotation of the planetary gear 16, i.e. the direction of rotation of the ring gear 14 and the direction of rotation of the driven gear 28, coincide with each other if the large diameter portion 28a has more teeth than the fixed gear 24. If when the large diameter portion 28a has less teeth than the fixed gear 24, the direction of rotation of the ring gear 14 is contrary to that of the driven gear 28.
According to this embodiment, it may be arbitrarily determined which of the fixed gear 24 and the large diameter portion 28a should have more teeth than the other considering the desirable directions of rotation of the shaft 8 and the gear 5. FIG. 6 shows the state wherein the large diameter portion 28a has more teeth than the fixed gear 24. However, the difference in the number of teeth between the fixed gear 24 and the large diameter portion 28a is preferable to be preferably small in order to rotate the driven gear 28 smoothly.
When the driven gear 28 is rotated in the manner as described above, the drive force of rotation is transmitted by way of the gears meshing with each other in the order of the small diameter portion 28c, the gear 64a piercing the slot 72, the shaft 64c and the gear 64b, whereby the gear 5 which meshes with the gear 64b is rotated.
Even in the fixing member 6 is turned on the shaft 63, the arrangement is such that the gears are kept to mesh with each other, so that the drive force is unchangeably transmitted.
This is caused by the fact that the gears 64a and 64b can swing about the axis of shaft 63, while the driven gear 28 and the gear 5 meshing with the gear 64b, have the same axis as the shaft 63. That is, when the fixing member 6 is turned, the gear 64a is swung around the periphery of the driven gear 28 while the gear 64b is swung round the periphery of the gear 5 respectively meshing with each other.
With such an arrangement of the drive mechanism, many gears have a common axis. The driven gear 28 is inserted into the ring gear 14 and the tube 25 is inserted into the driven gear 28, and the gears are arranged on both sides of the ring gear 14 so that it is possible to construct a drive mechanism making an effective use of a small space.
The fixed gear 24 and the driven gear 28 have different angles of rotation per tooth, i.e., the values obtained by dividing 360 degrees by the number of teeth. Since each of the angles of rotation per tooth corresponds to that of the planetary gear, a relative motion is generated between the fixed gear 24 and the driven gear 28 accompanied by the rotation of the planetary gear 16. The drive force transmission mechanism set forth above makes use of the relative motion as the drive force. As a result, a great sped reduction ratio can be easily obtained with the arrangement of the fixed gear 24 and the driven gear 28 having large numbers of teeth respectively but a little difference therebetween. It results in the advantage that the drive force can be obtained from the photosensitive drum for rotating the drive shaft 8 without applying a large load to the drive mechanism of the photosensitive drum, or the stirring member 4 can be driven with a large torque. The drive mechanism may be constructed so as to directly drive the ring gear 14 or the driven gear 28 by a motor exclusively provided for stirring the toner.
The photosensitive drum cartridge 200 loaded with the toner cartridge 100 in this way is mounted on the electrophotographic printer as described later.
FIG. 7 is a perspective external view of the electrophotographic printer and FIG. 8 is a view employed for explaining the printing process of the electrophotographic printer.
In the same figures, designated at 300 is an electrophotographic printer, having a power switch 301 for starting the electrophotographic printer 300, an operation panel 302 indicating the setting of the printing condition and the error condition of the electrophotographic printer 300, and a stacker portion 303 to which the printed sheets are fed. Designated at 311 and 312 are printing sheet cassettes in which the printing sheets are stacked. The cassettes are detachable from the electrophotographic printer 300.
The electrophotographic printer 300 has therein feed rollers 321 and 322 for feeding the printing sheets stacked in the printing sheet cassettes 311 and 312, a pair of rollers 323 for conveying a printing sheet fed from the printing sheet cassettes 311 or 312, an LED array 376 for emitting light to the photosensitive drum 83 for thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 83, a transfer electrostatic charger 327 for transferring toner from the photosensitive drum 83 to the printing sheet, a pair of heat rollers 328 for fixing the toner transferred on the printing sheet and a photosensitive drum cartridge 200.
The photosensitive drum cartridge 200 has an electrostatic charger 84 for electrostatically charging the photosensitive drum 83 uniformly, an electrostatic electricity eliminating light source 85 for uniformly eliminating the electrostatic charge on the photosensitive drum 83 and a cleaner 86 for eliminating the toner on the photosensitive drum 83 as well as the toner supply roller 81, the developing roller 82, and the photosensitive drum 83.
The printing process of the electrophotographic printer will be described hereinafter.
The printing sheet fed from the printing sheet cassette 311 or 312 by the feed roller 321 or 322 is conveyed to the photosensitive drum 83 by way of the rollers 322.
The photosensitive drum 83 is rotated by a drive source, not shown, and is uniformly electrostatically charged by the electrostatic charger 84. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of drum 83 by the LED array 376. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 83 can be visually imaged by toner transferred by the toner supply roller 82. This toner image is transferred to the printing sheet by the transfer electrostatic charger 327.
Thereafter, the static electricity on the surface of the photosensitive drum 83 is uniformly electrostatically eliminated and the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 83 is cleaned by the cleaner 85, which is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 83. Thereafter, the next image forming process follows.
Since the drive force is applied to the drive shaft 8 accompanied by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 83, the stirring member 4 in the toner cartridge 100 is also rotated, thereby stirring the toner uniformly.
The image transferred to the printing sheet is fixed on the printing sheet by the heat rollers 328. The printing sheet is then fed forward by roller pairs 324 and 325 to the stacker portion 303. Alternatively, the printing sheet may be discharged from the electrophotographic printer 300 after passing the roller pairs 324.
With the arrangement set forth above, when the toner cartridge 100 is inserted into the toner cartridge holder 7, grooves 31 in the end plates 3a and 3b of the toner cartridge 100 are engaged by guides 32 provided on the fixing members 6. At the same time the gear 64b is engaged with the gear 5. When the knobs 61 are operated to rotate the fixing member 6, both end plates 3a and 3b rotate. As a result, both end plates 3a and 3b are respectively fixed by the guides 32, whereby the whole of the toner cartridge 100 is fixed to the toner cartridge holder. At the same time, the gear 64a meshes with and rotates round the driven gear 28 and the gear 64b meshes with and rotates around the gear 5. Furthermore the inner cylinder 2 rotates, being fixed to the end plates 3a and 3b but the outer cylinder 1 is immobilized by the restriction member 12. Consequently, the opening 11 defined on the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 1 and the opening 21 on the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 2 overlap with each other at the lower portion of the toner cartridge 100 so that the toner cartridge 100 is open downward, whereby the toner can be supplied toward the electrophotographic printer.
At this point if a drive force is applied to the drive shaft 8, the drive force can be transmitted to the ring gear 14 through the drive gear 9 and the idle gear 13, thereby rotating the planetary gear 16. The planetary gear 16 rotates while it meshes with two gears having different numbers of teeth, i.e. The fixed gear 24 and the large diameter portion 28a of the driven gear 28, whereby relative motion between the fixed gear 24 and the large diameter portion 28a is generated. With this relative motion, the gear 5 of toner cartridge holder 7 is rotated via small diameter portion 28c, gear 64a, and gear 64b, thereby generating the drive force which is transmitted to the stirring member 4.
Since the stirring member 4 touches the internal wall of the substantially cylindrical inner cylinder 2 and has filament members disposed in parallel with the rotary axis of the inner cylinder 2 at the central portion thereof and spiral filament members at both ends thereof, the mass of the toner can be scraped away from the internal wall of the inner cylinder 2 at substantially all positions thereof.
Accordingly, the mass of the toner can be prevented from sticking to the inner wall of the inner cylinder 2 of the toner cartridge 100, and the toner is sufficiently stirred and supplied to the electrophotographic printer.
A scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment set forth above and can be variously modified without departing therefrom. The embodiment set forth above does not exclude modified embodiments from the scope of the present invention.
The toner container according to the present invention is adapted for electrophotographic printers employing the LEDs, laser beams and the like as the light source for forming the electrostatic latent image, and for electrophotographic printers with high printing accuracy, small size and low cost.
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A toner cartridge employed in an electrophotographic printer and capable of attachment to or detachment from the electrophotographic printer. The toner cartridge includes a stirring member (4) which touches the inner wall of the cartridge (100) to reliably stir the toner contained in the cartridge (100). The stirring member (4) is rotatable and is interlocked with a gear (5) which is rotated by an external drive force.
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[0001] This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/039,948, filed on Jan. 24, 2005. The present application claims priority to Taiwanese Application Ser. No. 093111174, filed on Apr. 22, 2004, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a method for processing noise interference, and more particularly to a method for processing noise interference according to an error feedback mechanism of an ATA/ATAPI (AT Attachment with Packet Interface).
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The serial ATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, hereinafter referred to as SATA) is an interface specification commonly promoted by the companies of APT, Dell, IBM, Intel, Maxtor, Seagate, etc. The SATA specification is applied to the transmission interface of a hard disk drive or an optical disk drive to replace parallel ATA/ATAPI interface that has been used for a long time. The SATA interface specification specifies two pairs of differential signal lines to replace the original 40 or 80 signal lines connected in parallel. Serializing the original data can reduce the size and voltage and increase the speed. The specification also introduces some new functions, such as flow control and error resending, to control the data stream in a simple way.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing communication layers in the SATA specification. As shown in FIG. 1 , the SATA interface connects a host 11 to a device 12 . The device 12 may be an optical storage device or a hard disk drive, or other devices with the SATA interface. The communication layers in the SATA specification include four layers, which are respectively a first layer (physical layer), a second layer (link layer), a third layer (transport layer) and a fourth layer (application layer). The physical layer is responsible for converting digital and analog signals. That is, the physical layer receives and converts a digital signal sent from the link layer into an analog signal and sends the analog signal to the other end. The physical layer also receives and converts the analog signal, which comes from the other end, into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the link layer. The link layer encodes and decodes the digital data. That is, the link layer encodes the data coming from the transport layer and outputs the encoded data to the physical layer. On the other hand, the link layer decodes the data coming from the physical layer and outputs the decoded data to the transport layer. The transport layer constructs and deconstructs the FIS (Frame Information Structure). The detailed definition of the FIS can be found in the SATA specification. The application layer is in charge of buffer memory and DMA engine(s).
[0007] During the serializing process, the sending device converts the parallel data (e.g., data in bytes or words) into a serial bit data stream. In addition to the typical data, the SATA specification defines some data control codes with four bytes, which are referred to as primitives, for controlling the sending and power management of the sending device and the receiving device. For example, a X_RDY primitive (transmission data ready primitive) represents that the sending device is ready to send data, and a R_RDY primitive (receiver ready primitive) represents that the receiving device is ready to receive data.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing a packet sent through the SATA interface. Two devices communicate with each other to send the packet according to the X_RDY primitive (transmission data ready primitive) and the R_RDY primitive (receiver ready primitive). Then, the sending side sends a packet content, which is packed by a SOF primitive (start of frame) and an EOF primitive (End of frame). After the packet content is sent completely, the sending side sends a WTRM primitive (wait for frame termination primitive). If there is no any error about the CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) check in the link layer, the receiving side responds with a R_OK primitive (reception with no error primitive) after it receives the WTRM primitive. If there is an error about the CRC check, the receiving side responds with a R_ERR primitive (reception error).
[0009] The FIS is for transferring the task file register and data. Two examples will be described in the following. FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration showing a task file register FIS from a host to a device. That is, a task file register written from the host to the device is shown in FIG. 3 . FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing a data FIS from the host to the device or from the device to the host. That is, the data sent from the host to the device or from the device to the host is shown in FIG. 4 .
[0010] In order to prevent the error caused by noises, the SATA specification specifies a resending mechanism. Almost all type of FISs (e.g., Register-Host to Device FIS or Set Device Bits-Device to Host FIS) are resent when a R_ERR primitive was received so as to ensure that the receiving device can receive the correct control information. However, the data FIS does not have this protection mechanism. When the data error occurs, the device cannot be protected by the resending mechanism under the condition of noise interference because the data FIS is not resent. Thus, the error data may be received. In a more serious condition, some portions of primitives may be mistaken as data bits, thereby making the number of data sets to be sent to the device greater than it should be. In some cases, this error may halt the system.
[0011] In addition, in the device (e.g., an optical storage device) using the data FIS to send the ATA/ATAPI CDB (Command Descriptor Block), the CDB cannot be protected according to the resending mechanism because the data FIS is not resent. Thus, the device receives an abnormal control command, which causes a larger influence than in the case of sending the normal data using the data FIS.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method for processing noise interference in order to prevent the system from being stopped when the data FIS is interfered by noises.
[0013] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention provides a method for processing noise interference. The method includes the steps of detecting error states by detecting whether a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) code exists error or whether an error primitive is received, detecting whether a FIS (Frame Information Structure) is a data format if there is an error state and returning back to error state detecting step if the FIS is not a data format, detecting whether the FIS is a CDB (Command Descriptor Block) when the FIS is a data format, and modifying contents of the CDB, and writing a special mark to the CDB and returning back to the error state detecting step when the FIS is not a CDB.
[0014] The method of the invention further comprises the steps of: detecting whether a data length of the FIS is correct when the FIS is not the CDB; adjusting the data length by increasing or decreasing data of the FIS so as to make the data length of the FIS correct when the data length of the FIS is incorrect; and generating an error CRC code and jumping back to the error state detecting step.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing communication layers in the SATA specification.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing a FIS sent through the SATA interface.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration showing a task file register FIS from a host to a device.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing a data FIS.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method of the invention for processing noise interference in an ATA/ATAPI device.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration showing definitions of each bit in an ATAPI Feature Register.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration showing definitions of each bit in an ATAPI Error Register.
[0022] FIG. 8 shows definitions of each bit in an ATAPI Status Register.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method of the invention for processing noise interference in a bridge solution.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention utilizes the ATA/ATAPI error feedback mechanism to overcome the problem of system halt caused by noise interference when the data FIS is being sent. A native serial ATA device and a bridge solution may be used according to the real applications. The native serial ATA device directs to a device having a serial ATA interface serving as the data transmission interface without the conversion from the parallel ATA to the serial ATA. The bridge solution can convert the parallel ATA interface to the serial ATA interface so as to provide a solution in a transitional stage.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method of the invention for processing noise interference in a native ATA/ATAPI device. The flow chart illustrates the implementation of advanced processing when there is a CRC error in the link layer or the link layer receives a R_ERR primitive. The method of the invention for processing the noise interference will be described with reference to FIG. 5 .
[0026] Step S 502 is to detect whether the link layer has detected an error state. The error state includes the CRC error, the receiving of the R_ERR primitive, or the receiving of the improper error primitive. If the link layer has not detected any error state, step S 502 is repeated. If the link layer has detected an error state, the process jumps to step S 504 .
[0027] Step S 504 is to judge whether the FIS is a data type FIS. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first byte (Byte 0 ) of each FIS is the FIS type. If the first byte is 46H, it represents that the FIS is a data type FIS, and the process jumps to step S 506 . If the first byte is not 46H, the process returns back to step S 502 .
[0028] Step S 506 is to judge whether the FIS is an ATAPI packet command. When the host wants to send the packet command to the optical storage device, the host firstly sends the task file register FIS with the command register value of A0H to the optical storage device. So, when the optical storage device receives the command register value of A0H, it knows that there are subsequent 12 bytes of ATAPI packet commands. The first byte is the operation code, and the subsequent 11 bytes are the supplement data. If the FIS is an ATAPI packet command, the process jumps to step S 516 . Otherwise the process jumps to step S 508 .
[0029] Step S 508 is to judge whether the FIS is a DMA (Direct Memory Access) mode data transfer. FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration showing definitions of each bit in an ATAPI feature register. As shown in FIG. 6 , bit 0 (D 0 ) is the DMA mode. Thus, whether the DMA mode data transfer exists may be detected as long as the data of bit 0 of the feature register is asserted. The definitions and functions of other bits may be found in the ATAPI specification. If the FIS is not a DMA mode data transfer, the process jumps to step S 516 . If the FIS is a DMA mode data transfer, the process jumps to step S 510 .
[0030] Step S 510 is to judge whether there is a request sense command (packet command with operation code 03h). When the host wants to send the packet command to the optical storage device, the host will firstly send the task file register FIS with the command register value of A0H to the optical storage device. So, after the optical storage device receives the command register value of A0H, it knows that there are subsequent 12 bytes of ATAPI packet command. The first byte is the command mode, and the subsequent 11 bytes are the supplement data. When the first byte is 03H, it represents that the command is a request sense command. So, whether there is a request sense command can be detected by recognizing whether the first byte of the ATAPI packet command is 03H. If there is not a request sense command, the process jumps to step S 512 ; or otherwise the process jumps to step S 514 .
[0031] Step S 512 is to set the sense key of the task file register FIS to 0BH and then the process jumps to step S 516 . FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration showing definitions of each bit in an ATAPI error register, wherein D 4 to D 7 are the sense keys. There is a conventional way for the parallel ATA device to deal with the noise interference during the DMA mode data transmission. When the CRC has errors, the device will set the sense key to 04H to inform the host. While an exception exists, when the executing command is the request sense command, the sense key is set to 0BH. The detail definition of the sense key may be found in the associated ATAPI specification.
[0032] Step S 514 is to set the sense key of the task file register FIS to 04H and then the process jumps to step S 516 .
[0033] Step S 516 is to set the check bit of the status register to 1 and set the ABRT bit of the error register to 1. FIG. 8 shows definitions of each bit in an ATAPI status register. As shown in FIG. 8 , the bit 0 of the status register is the CHECK bit. As shown in FIG. 7 , the bit 2 of the error register is the ABRT bit. When the check bit of the status register is 1, it indicates that an error occurred during execution of the previous command. The bits in the Error Register contain the Sense Key and Code. When the ABRT bit of the error register is 1, it indicates command aborted.
[0034] Step S 518 is to send back the task file register FIS from the device to the host, and then the process jumps back to step S 502 .
[0035] Therefore, the method of the invention utilizes the ATA/ATAPI error feedback mechanism to process the noise interference according to the above-mentioned steps. Because the ABRT bit of the error register is set to 1 when the data FIS encounters the noise interference, the device requests the other side to resent whole FIS so as to effectively eliminate the problem of system halt caused by the noise interference when the data FIS is being sent.
[0036] The method of FIG. 5 is used in the accessing device that directly receives the SATA interface signal. The invention additionally proposes a method of bridge solution to connect the data accessing device of the parallel ATA interface to the SATA interface, wherein the accessing device itself only receives the parallel ATA interface data. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method of the invention for processing noise interference in a bridge solution. The bridge solution is disposed between the serial ATA interface and the parallel ATA interface of a data accessing device (e.g., an optical storage device). The flow chart is an advanced implementation when the link layer detects a CRC error or receives the receive-error primitive. The method of the invention for processing the noise interference in the bridge solution will be described with reference to FIG. 9 .
[0037] Step S 902 is to detect whether the link layer has any error. The error state includes the CRC error, the receiving of the R_ERR primitive, or the receiving of the improper error primitive. If the link layer has not detected any error, step S 902 is repeated. If the link layer has detected an error, the process jumps to step S 904 .
[0038] Step S 904 is to judge whether the FIS is a data type FIS. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first byte of each FIS is used to indicate the FIS type. That is, if the first byte is 27H, it represents that the FIS is a task file register FIS, and the process jumps back to step S 902 ; and if the first byte is 46H, it represents that the FIS is a data type FIS, and the process jumps to step S 906 .
[0039] Step S 906 is to judge whether there is a command descriptor block CDB. When the host wants to send the packet command to the optical storage device, the host will firstly send the task file register FIS with the command register value of A0H to the optical storage device. So, after the optical storage device receives the command register value of A0H, it knows there are subsequent 12 bytes of ATAPI packet command. The first byte is the command mode and the subsequent 11 bytes are the supplement data. If there is a CDB, the process jumps to step S 908 . If there is not a CDB, the process jumps to step S 910 .
[0040] Step S 908 is to set a special mark in the CDB and then the process jumps back to step S 902 . For example, FFH is written into the CDB.
[0041] Step S 910 is to detect whether the data length is correct. If the data length is correct, the process jumps to step S 914 . Otherwise, the process jumps to step S 912 .
[0042] Step S 912 is to adjust the data length to correct data length and then the process jumps to step S 914 . For example, if the data length is not enough, the insufficient data is added; and if the data length is too long, the redundant data is discarded.
[0043] Step S 914 is to judge whether there is a DMA mode data transfer. As shown in FIG. 6 , the bit 0 (D 0 ) is the DMA mode. Thus, whether the DMA mode data transfer exists may be judged by only checking the data of bit 0 of the feature register. The definitions and functions of other bits may be found in the ATAPI specification. If there is not a DMA mode data transfer, the process jumps to step S 902 . Otherwise the process jumps to step S 916 .
[0044] Step S 916 is to generate an error CRC code at the parallel ATA interface, and then the process jumps back to step S 902 .
[0045] Thus, the existing accessing device with the parallel ATA interface may be serially connected to the bridge solution, and the control method of FIG. 9 may be adopted. The accessing device with the parallel ATA interface can be connected to the SATA interface via the bridge solution and error information is added to the parallel ATA interface when the data FIS encounters the noise interference such that the device could request the data to be to resent. Thus, the problem of system halt caused by the noise interference when the data type FIS is being sent may be effectively solved. In summary, the method of the invention for processing noise interference in the bridge solution includes the following steps.
[0046] 1. When the bridge solution receives the ATAPI CDB data packet (Data FIS) with noise interference, it sends the CDB with a special mark to the parallel ATA end, as shown in step S 908 , for example. This special mark is defined as abnormal ATAPI CDB type, so the device sends back the error state such that the computer resends this data packet (Data FIS).
[0047] 2. When some primitives are mistaken as data bits because the data FIS encounters the noise interference, only the desired number of data sets to be sent is outputted to the device, as shown in steps S 910 and S 912 , for example.
[0048] 3. When the data is sent in the DMA mode and the data FIS encounters the interference because the SATA signal line has noises, the erroneous CRC is outputted to the device at the parallel ATA end. Thus, the host is enabled to resend the original command and information according to the error state response of the device, as shown in steps S 914 and S 916 , for example.
[0049] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific construction and arrangement shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
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A method for processing noise interference in a serial AT Attachment (SATA) interface. The method includes the steps of detecting whether there is an error in CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) checksum or whether an R_ERR primitive (reception error primitive) is received, detecting whether a FIS (Frame Information Structure) is a data type if there is any error and returning back to error state detecting step if there is no any error, detecting whether the FIS is a ATAPI packet command CDB (Command Descriptor Block) when the FIS is the data format, and writing a special tag to the CDB and returning back to the error detecting step.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Any unoccupied building can be subject to a wide range of emergencies requiring immediate attention, such as burglaries, fires, equipment failures, (e.g. boilers, water pipes, etc.), and when such buildings are unoccupied, the danger is obviously most great. Any system that can identify such emergencies, characterize them, and transmit this information to a distant receiver would plainly be of great value to anyone owning any kind of building, be it commercial or residential. Any such system that can do this while being simple to manufacture and operate, and inexpensive to purchase, is plainly of even greater value.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a system for automatically monitoring the status and safety of a wide range of buildings, and report the existence and kind of emergency events to distant locations.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system that can detect a wide range of such events, e.g. burglaries, fires, temperature excursions, extremely high or low flow rates, extremely high or low pressures, and many, many others.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system having a circuit that enables the system to be readily adaptable for use with a wide range of commercially available detectors (e.g. burglar alarms, fire detectors, thermocouples, flowmeters, pressure sensors, etc.).
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system that is inexpensive and easy to manufacture. In particular, it is an object to provide such a system that needs no specially manufactured parts, but rather is assemblable from off-the-shelf components to insure easy and inexpensive manufacture.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system that is effective yet simple of construction, so as to insure reliability.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system having a circuit capable of enabling the system to easily and reliably access commercial telephone lines so as to report such emergency events to places distant from the event, thereby insuring quick and appropriate response; most typically such a system should be able to report such events to a portable paging unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with these and other objects that shall become apparent hereinafter, there is disclosed a system compatible with a wide variety of commercially available detectors, and capable of identifying the existence and nature of emergency events, encoding this information in a form transmittable across an ordinary phone line, sending this information to a commericial paging station, thereby enabling the paging station to forward the information in the usual manner to a point distant from both the paging station and the emergency event. Typically, the receiver of this information would be a person wearing a digital pager, the pager being capable of receiving the information sent by the station, and displaying it in a manner whereby the user of the pager can identify the location, nature and magnitude of the emergency event. In a preferred embodiment, the system has a special circuit for accessing quickly and efficiently a commercial telephone line. In another preferred embodiment, the system has a special circuit capable of providing an interface between the system and a wide variety of commercially available detectors, so as to make the system more flexible and easier to use.
The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, it being understood, however, that the invention is capable of extended application, and is not confined to the precise disclosure. Changes and modifications may be made that do not affect the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims, nor exceed the scope thereof.
Accordingly, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system as a whole.
FIG. 2 is a combination block diagram and circuit diagram of the portion of the system that interfaces with event detectors to detect emergency events.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a preferred interface between the system and event detectors.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With particular reference to FIG. 1, one can readily see the scheme of the instant invention. The system employs a plurality of facility monitors, 1, 2, 3, each monitor receiving the input from a plurality of field detectors shown in FIG. 1 as 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1, 2-2, up to 3-3, etc. Each facility monitor 1, 2, 3 protects one specific location, for example one home or one floor of an office building. Various detectors annunciate different types of emergency events, (e.g. fire, intruder, etc.). Although the system is illustrated with three facility monitors, and three detectors per facility monitor, it is plain that this number is merely illustrative, and the system itself is adaptable to monitor virtually an unlimited number of locations, and a virtually unlimited numbeer of detectors at each location. Detector 2-3 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being active, that is having identified a particular emergency event. Accordingly, facility monitor 2, with which detector 2-3 is associated, recognizes the event detected by detector 2-3, and transmits across telephone line 9b a signal which identifies detector 2-3 as having been activated, and identifies the kind of emergency event for which detector 2-3 would be activated and the event's magnitude in a manner more fully described in conjunction with FIG. 3, below. Of course, each facility monitor has its own telephone line, illustrated in FIG. 1 as line 9a for monitor 1 and 9c for monitor 3. The encoded message sent on line 9b is received at the telephone company's central office 4, which forwards the information along telephone line 8 to paging company 5. The information from line 8 is typically received directly by a message processing computer 6, which in turn encodes the information in a manner compatible with radio transmitter 7, and which in turn broadcasts the information through antenna 30 to a receiving antenna in digital pocket pager 29. Pocket pager 29 is illustrated as displaying the message "2-3XXX". This indicates to the owner of pager 29 that detector 3 at facility 2 has annunciated an event which deserves immediate attention. The "XXX" represents an alphanumeric message describing the nature and/or magnitude of the emergency event. The owner of pager 29 can now make an appropriate decision as to what kind of response to make. Of course, this is merely one way of displaying the information detected originally by detector 2-3, and is given for illustrative purposes. More complex readouts can certainly be implemented within the scope of this invention. Indeed, the complexity and specificity of the message displayed in pager 29 is limited only by the ingenuity of the designer and the capacity of existing technology. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the system as presently constituted can provide information to pager 29 to characterize the emergency event in whatever detail is desired.
With particular reference to FIG. 2, the details of a specific facility monitor are shown. The facility monitor 2 contains a computer in the form of two commercially available microprocessors 17, 19, which can be, for example, Motorola Chip No. SY44721C or HEO8877. These microprocessors are pre-programmable in a manner well understood by workers in this field, and for this particular application are to be programmed in the manner discussed below. For illustrative purposes, only one event detector (field detector) 2-3 is shown, which corresponds to activated detector, 2-3 of FIG. 1. Detector 2-3 is electronically tied to microprocessor 17 through line 13, 13a and interface 14, the latter being more fully described below in the discussion of FIG. 3. Upon detecting a fault indicating an emergency event, detector 2-3 sends a signal identifying such to microprocessor 17. Microprocessor 17 is pre-programmed to sequentially, in a closed loop, inspect each input line from each of its detectors to determine whether any has a signal present identifying an emergency event. Upon detection by microprocessor 17 of the emergency event annunciated by detector 2-3, microprocessor 17 is pre-programmed to extract from its memory a pre-coded digital signal (byte) corresponding to the particular detector (2-3) which has activated, the digital signal containing information identifying the location of the detector, and the kind of event the detector annunciates, and sends this signal along bus 18. For plural simultaneous events, microprocessor 17 is pre-programmed to send these signals in the sequence that processor 17 identifies them across bus 18 into the memory of microprocessor 19, which queues these signals in a linear memory stack. Upon the receipt in memory of microprocessor 19 of any such signal from microprocessor 17, microprocessor 19 is pre-programmed to send a control signal along line 22 to energize the control coil 23a of relay 23. Energization of coil 23a causes relay contacts 23b and 23c to close, connecting pickup coil 27 to telephone line 28, thereby passing a dial tone signal from the phone company through pickup coil 27. The dial tone signal through coil 27 is picked up on coil 26 and sent to microprocessor 25, a pre-programmable microprocessor which can be, for example, Chip No. J-112 C320-AR by Motorola.
Upon the dial tone being detected by microprocessor 25, processor 25 sends a signal to microprocessor 19 indicating the presence of a dial tone. Microprocessor 19 is programmed to wait, preferably about 30 seconds, and then check again to determine whether the dial tone is still present. This prevents the triggering of the system upon spurious signals through coil 26, which otherwise would cause the data from microprocessors 17 and 19 to be sent across a dead phone line, thereby losing the information and letting emergency events go unreported. Upon microprocessor 19 determining that a dial tone persists, microprocessor 19 is programmed to transmit the first data byte in its queued stack to microprocessor 24. Microprocessor 19 is pre-programmed to send the first data byte in its queue to the memory of microprocessor 24, which is a tone coder, i.e. a pre-programmed microprocessor capable of converting the digital byte into dual tone multi-frequency signals of the type normally used for dialing. An example of such a device is Chip No. MA-U1311S20 E10 by R.C.A. Microprocessor 24 does this and transmits the tone coded information to coil 26, thence to telephone pickup coil 27, telephone line 28, and ultimately to the telephone company central office 4. As is apparent from the foregoing, pre-programmed microprocessors perform a great deal of the work in this circuit. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such microprocessors are readily available (examples of which are given above) and that such microprocessors can be readily programmed in the manner set forth herein. Additionally, the foregoing discusses the transmission of digital signals. It is recognized that some commercial hardware can vary on this theme by coding and processing signals in, e.g. octal, hexadecimal, etc. Those skilled in the art will choose, within the scope of the invention, the coding format most suited to any particular application of the invention.
With particular reference to FIG. 3, one can see a preferred circuit 14 for interfacing between field detectors, of the system and microprocessor 17. One such circuit is required for each system detector, the detector being connected across circuit 14 at connectors 46, 47. Circuit 14 can accomodate detectors that require externally supplied DC power to operate (such as resistive detectors and switches), as well as those that supply their own power and detection signals, (e.g. thermocouples). Microprocessor 17 is field programmed to know which kind of detector is connected across 46, 47, to know what kind of power signal (if any) the detector requires, and to know what signal corresponds to the detector's quiescent state. In the case of detectors that generate their own detection signals undriven by circuit 14, microprocessor 14 monitors the detector merely by detecting the signal across 46, 47 via lines 30, 35. For detectors that must be driven by circuit 14, power, typically in the form of pulsed DC, is supplied by operational amplifiers 41, 42 through line 45 to point 46, the latter being normally positive with respect to 47. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, two operational amplifiers are shown. Although one appropriately selected operational amplifier could in some applications substitute for the pair of operational amplifiers 41, 42, some commercially available detectors work best with a low current, relatively precise voltage, power signal, whereas other detectors are more tolerant of slight variations in voltage, but require appreciable current, and the pair of amplifiers 41, 42 accomodate this. Operational amplifier 41 is operated to provide precise gain, but very little current, whereas operational amplifier 42 is operated to provide greater current. The wiring of operational amplifiers, and the selection of particular operational amplifiers, to provide such operation is well understood in electronics and by those skilled in this art; accordingly, this is not shown here in detail. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the operational amplifiers 41, 42 are shown as part of a monolithic chip 40, which could be, for example, (Part No. UF-17-C4A). As an example of the kind of circuit that operates best on constant, precisely regulated, voltage and small current is a variable resistance detector, whose particular value is detected by means of a voltage division across plural resistors. As an example of the kind of detector that requires significant power and less voltage regulation is a photodetector (which conducts to complete a circuit only in the presence of light), or any other kind of normally open or normally closed switch.
To drive such a passive detector, microprocessor 17 sends pulsed DC signals along line 33 to the non-inverting input ports of operational amplifiers 41, 42. Microprocessor 17 is pre-programmed in the field to decide which of operational amplifier 41, 42 shall be operative, and which not. Control signals for this purpose are sent along lines 32 and 34. Lines 32 and 34 are connected at 43 and 44 to pins in monolithic chip 40 which, when activated, disenable amplifiers 41, 42, respectively. Although a great many commercially available operational amplifier chips have such disenabling capacity built into the chips themselves, the same effect can be readily obtained with discrete operational amplifier components and the use of simple gating logic to, for example, disconnect power (Vcc) to the operational amplifier upon appropriate control signal from microprocessor 17, as understood by those skilled in the art. The amplified pulses from line 33 are transmitted along line 45 to the field detector connected electrically across points 46, 47, and returned via line 30 to microprocessor 17 for system detection. If, for some reason, one wishes to place a detector across 46, 47 that must be driven with a signal of reversed polarity (i.e. 47 positive with respect to 46), microprocessor 17 is pre-programmable to disenable amplifiers 41, 42, and send power to the detector via line 30.
Additionally, a user of the system may accidentally plug in a detector wholly incompatible with the system because it generates an electrical potential sufficiently large enough to damage system components. To accommodate this, the potential at 46 is monitored through line 48 and fed into NAND gate 36 along with power for the operational amplifier (Vcc). In line 48 is high voltage discriminator 39, which is activated upon the presence at 45 of an excessively high voltage of predetermined magnitude. The discrimination can have a circuit, such as that used for full wave rectification, to ensure that the voltage transmitted to 36 is always higher than ground, regardless of the voltage's polarity at 45. Upon discriminator 39 being activated, NAND gate 36 changes state from active to inactive, which state is transmitted to pin 37 of monolithic chip 40 isolating chip 40 entirely, and disabling it. Alternatively, if one is using operational amplifier chips that have no such disenable option, one could simply use the output of NAND gate 36 to break line 38, the power source Vcc for both amplifiers 41, 42.
Preferably, microprocessor 17 is pre-programmed to record in memory each of its detectors' quiescent state, and annunciate an emergency event upon detection of any detector signal that deviates from the detector's baseline. Microprocessor 17 is pre-programmed to do this by classifying the potential across the variable resistor (i.e. across points 46, 47) according to a plurality of pre-programmed potential windows, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.
In the memory of microprocessor 17, one pre-programmable data byte is associated with each potential window. Upon reception of a detector signal of a magnitude to place it within a devient (non-quiescent baseline) potential window, the data byte associated with that window is transmitted by microprocessor 17 on unit 2 to pager 29 via location 4, 5, 6, 7, 30, as discussed above. In this manner, pager 29 receives a signal containing the location, nature and magnitude of the detected emergency event.
If, however, microprocessor 17 is not field programmed with such quiescent baselines, microprocessor 17 is pre-programmed, upon initial connection of power to the entire system, to note, or to send signals sequentially to determine, the initial, presumably quiescent, state of each detector, and record these states in memory to act as de facto baselines for future comparison. So that the invention can be used with a wide variety of field detectors, microprocessor 17 does this without knowing beforehand what kind of detectors are attached to its facility monitor. To do this, microprocessor 17 is pre-programmed to perform the following routine on each facility monitor's detector upon initial energization of the system: Microprocessor 17 sends a signal through line 35, or alternatively through line 33 and 45, to detector input port 46, and records in memory the magnitude of the signal received back. Microprocessor 17 then repeats this procedure by sending a signal of reverse polarity along line 30. If the magnitude of the signal remains unchanged regardless of polarity, microprocessor 17 records in its memory that the detector connected across 46, 47 is resistive in nature. If the magnitude of these test signals not only remains unchanged, but is effectively unattenuated (i.e., falls within the uppermost potential window pre-programmed into microprocessor 17), microprocessor 17 identifies the detector as being a normally closed switch. If microprocessor 17 receives back a signal of one polarity, but not the other, microprocessor 17 then characterizes the detector as uni-polar, and pre-programs itself to send signals of the required polarity, either along line 30, or along line 33, as hereinabove described. If microprocessor 17 receives no signal back regardless of signal polarity, microprocessor 17 characterizes the detector as a normally open switch. In this manner, microprocessor 17 not only characterizes the nature of all detectors associated with its facility monitor, but also measures the quiescent (non-emergency) base line of the detectors, against which all future signals from the detectors are compared.
The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical preferred embodiment. This description, however, is done for purposes of illustration rather than limitation.
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Disclosed is a system that can monitor occupied or unoccupied buildings, and annuciate to a distant point, e.g. a digital pocket paper, emergency events such as burglaries, fires, high or low temperature, high or low flow rate in such devices as boilers and many more. The system has a circuit that makes interfacing with most commercial field detectors especially easy, and a circuit that enables the system to easily access telephone lines, so as to transmit annunciation messages.
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BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to integrated circuit processing, and more particularly, to electrostatic clamping devices for coupling a workpiece and methods for reducing workpiece contamination in the coupling.
2. Related Art
Electrostatic chucks are widely used to support/hold wafers for processing, e,g., ion implantation, in integrated circuit (IC) processing systems. An electrostatic chuck includes a chuck body having at least one electrode within the chuck body. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes, an electrical field is created adjacent to a surface of the chuck body such that a wafer can be clamped to the surface to be retained. The surface may include embossment portions, referred to as mesas, to support the wafer and to reduce physical contact with the wafer.
In the clamping, the backside of the clamped wafer has a physical contact with the chuck surface, e.g., mesas, of the electrostatic chuck. This contact may result an particles that contaminate the wafer and may contaminate the processing chambers of the wafer, which are generally referred to as backside particles. The contaminating backside particles usually damage devices manufactured from the wafer and cause yield losses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first aspect of the invention is directed to an electrostatic clamping device for coupling a workpiece, the electrostatic clamping device comprising: an embossment portion on a surface of a body to contact the workpiece; and at least two electrodes within the body; wherein the two electrodes are separated by a separation portion below the embossment portion.
A second aspect of the invention is directed to an electrostatic clamping device for coupling a workpiece, the electrostatic clamping device comprising: an embossment portion on a surface of a body to contact the workpiece: and at least two electrodes within the body, wherein the two electrodes are configured such that when a voltage is applied to the two electrodes, an electrical field adjacent to the embossment portion created by the two electrodes is substantially parallel to the surface of the body.
A third aspect of the invention is directed to a method for reducing contamination to a workpiece supported by an electrostatic chuck, the method comprising creating an electrical field substantially parallel to a surface of the electrostatic chuck adjacent to an embossment portion of the electrostatic chuck.
The foregoing and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic planar view of an electrostatic clamping device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrostatic clamping device of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic planar view of an electrostatic clamping device according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
It is noted that the drawings of the disclosure are not to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements among the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The current disclosure is based on the finding that backside particles are located mainly around the positions that the wafer contacts the mesas of the electrostatic chuck. The current disclosure reduces backside particle contamination to a workpiece by creating an electrical field substantially parallel to a surface of the chuck body adjacent to the embossment portions on the surface. Any method may be used to create such a surface parallel electrical field, and all are included. For example, FIG. 1 shows a planar view of an electrostatic clamping device (clamping device) 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of electrostatic clamping device 10 of FIG. 1 .
Referring to FIGS. 1-2 , clamping device 10 includes a body 12 having a body surface 14 . Embossment portions (embossment) 16 , e.g., mesas, are on surface 14 . Embossments 16 may contact workpiece 30 (shown in phantom in FIG. 2 ) coupled to clamping device 10 . At least two electrodes 18 are within body 12 in a layer under surface 14 . According to an embodiment, the at least two electrodes, e.g., 18 a and 18 b, are separated by a separation portion 20 , e.g., a gap, below embossment 16 . Part of separation portion 20 is directly below embossment 16 . As such, as shown in FIG. 2 , there is no electrode directly below embossment 16 .
According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG, 1 , separation portion 20 includes at least one first portion 22 directly below an embossment 16 and at least one second portion 24 extending from first portion 22 along the respective two electrodes (i.e., the two electrodes 18 separated by separation portion 20 ) 18 , e.g., 18 a and 18 b. That is, second portion 24 is below, but not directly below embossment(s) 16 .
According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , first portion 22 covers a planar area that encloses a planar area covered by embossment 16 . That is, if embossment 16 is projected onto the same plane as separation portion 20 , the planar area of embossment 16 will be totally within the planar area of first portion 22 . As such, as shown in FIG. 2 , a distance 26 between electrodes 18 a and 18 b, in x-axis, at a location substantially directly below embossment 16 is larger than a planar dimension 28 of the embossment in the same x-axis. Preferably, the planar area of first portion 22 is only slightly larger, i.e., less than 10 percent larger, than the planar area of embossment 16 .
According to an embodiment, first portion 22 has a planar shape substantially similar to, but bigger than, a planar shape of embossment 16 . FIG. 1 shows that embossment 16 and first portion 22 both have an oval/circular planar shape. However, the current invention is not limited to any specific shape of embossment 16 and/or first portion 22 . First portion 22 may have a height, i.e., in the z-axis, approximately twice of a height 25 , in the same z-axis, of embossment 16 . However, this is not necessary and other height 23 of first portion 22 relative to that of embossment 16 are also possible and included in the invention. In the current description, a “height” refers to a dimension in the z-axis that is perpendicular to surface 14 of electrostatic chuck 10 .
According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 second portion 24 s narrower than first portion 22 in the x-axis along which electrodes 18 a and 18 b are separated. Correspondingly, at least one of the two electrodes, 18 a and 18 b, includes a recess portion 29 that is substantially directly below respective embossment 16 . As such, distance 26 between electrodes 18 a and 18 b at a location substantially directly below embossment 16 is larger than a distance 27 between electrodes 18 a and 18 b at another location, i.e., a location other than recess portion 29 .
According to an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG, 3 , electrostatic clamping device 110 includes a second portion 124 that is substantially as wide as first portion 122 in the x-axis along which electrodes 118 a and 118 b are separated.
In the case that multiple embossments 16 are positioned in a line, as shown in, e.g., FIG. 1 , each first portion 22 directly below the multiple embossments 16 shares a second portion 24 with an immediately adjacent first portion 22 . As such, separation portion 20 includes multiple first portions 22 and multiple second portions 24 connected in a line along respective electrodes 18 a, 18 b.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , according to an embodiment, around a first portion 22 / 122 , the respective two immediately adjacent electrodes, e.g., 18 a / 118 a and 18 b / 118 b, are substantially parallel to one another. The inclusion of recess portions 29 does not affect the parallel position between electrodes 18 a and 18 b. FIGS. 1 and 3 show that electrodes 18 a / 118 a and 18 b / 118 b are substantially parallel to one another throughout the y-axis, which is a specific embodiment. The scope of the invention is not limited by the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 .
According to an embodiment, two immediately adjacent electrodes 18 that are separated by separation portion 20 , e g, 18 a and 18 b, are connected to different polarities (illustrated by “+” and “−” in FIGS. 1 and 3 ) of a voltage source (not shown). As a consequence, when a clamping voltage is applied to electrodes 18 a and 18 b, an electrical field adjacent to embossment 16 will be created, which is substantially parallel to surface 14 of body 12 . Any type of clamping voltage may be used, and all are included in the invention. For example, the clamping voltage may be one of a direct current (DC) and an alternating current (AC). Preferably, according to an embodiment, a bipolar square wave voltage having a peak-to-peak amplitude of at least 1000 volts and a frequency in the range of approximately 30 Hz to approximately 300 Hz may be used as the clamping voltage. As such, the “+” and “−” used in FIGS. 1 and 3 do not limit any electrodes 18 to a specific polarity, but only indicate that adjacent electrodes 18 , e g., 18 a and 18 b, are connected to different polarities of the clamping voltage.
The foregoing description of various aspects of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and descriptions. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
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Electrostatic clamping devices and methods for reducing contamination to a workpiece coupled to an electrostatic clamping device are disclosed. According to an embodiment an electrostatic clamping device for coupling a workpiece comprises: an embossment portion on a surface of a body to contact the workpiece; and at least two electrodes within the body; wherein the two electrodes are separated by a separation portion below the embossment portion.
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PRIOR ART
The detection of cracks, flaws and other defects in oil and gas wells using nondestructive control methods is an ultimate importance task. Timely detection of corrosion, erosion, cracks and other defects of the casing string allows avoiding long downtime periods of production wells. On the other hand, low time consuming well repairs largely increase well service life. Another important task of nondestructive well control is cementing quality control. Flaws and cavities in the cement due to low quality cementing may cause water cut increasing in the produced fluid because water may transfer between formations through holes in the cement.
There are various methods and devices for flaw detection in cased wells and for cement quality control. These devices can be divided into the following categories: electromagnetic devices, sonic and ultrasonic acoustic logging devices and radiographic devices.
Electromagnetic devices use multiple electromagnetic coils some of which act as emitters and the others as receivers. The emitters generate an alternating magnetic field of several Hertz to several kilohertz. The magnetic field induces electric currents in the casing string that generate a secondary magnetic field, and that latter field can be measured by the receivers. Example of an electromagnetic device is the EMIT (Electromagnetic Imaging Tool) developed by Schlumberger. The use of the electromagnetic devices for this method requires the relative magnetic permittivity be known. Obviously, such devices are not suitable for nonconductive materials and hence for cement quality control. Moreover, these devices do not provide flaw location data if the well has multiple casing strings.
Acoustic logging devices comprise one emitter and, as a rule, two receivers. In a cemented casing, signal attenuation is proportional to the bond surface area between the cement and the casing. The signal amplitude is used for cement quality control. Microscopic flaws or cavities in the hardened cement increase the signal amplitude. However, device centering is a very important factor in this method. Inaccurate device centering causes phase shift between signals. Example of an acoustic logging device is the CBL (Cementing Bond Logging) developed by Schlumberger.
In ultrasonic devices, an emitter sends short pulses to the casing string, and the same emitter is used as the receiver. Signal pass time, resonance frequency and resonance signal waveform are used for measuring the internal diameter, thickness and acoustic impedance of the casing string. If the cement is hard and has a good bond to the casing string, the acoustic impedance of the system is higher compared to the fluid containing cement. If the cement to casing string bond is poor and the cavities and cracks contain fluid, the acoustic impedance depends on the properties of the fluid. If the fluid is gaseous, the energy transfer coefficient is lower compared to liquid fluid. This property allows distinguishing between liquid filled microscopic cavities and dry cavities using sonic and ultrasonic measurements. Example of an ultrasonic device is the USIT (Ultrasonic Imaging Tool) developed by Schlumberger.
Radiographic devices use a radioactive source and a detector. Scattered gamma rays count rate provides information about the cement bond quality. Cavities in the cement reduce the scattered gamma radiation count rate at the detector. Devices of this type are used by many Russian geophysics companies, such as devices Manufactured by Tyumenprogeofizika or NPF Geofizika, models CMTU-1, 2, CM 8-12, SGDT-SV, SGDT-NV, SGDT-100, SGDT SK etc. [1]. These devices use various methods for achieving the azimuthal resolution: a collimator rotating around the nuclear radiation detector or static collimators with multiple detectors installed on its perimeter. Information on casing string and cement bond quality is obtained simultaneously using two sets of detectors arranged one above the other. For example, the SGDT-100 device comprises 12 scintillation detectors for crack and flaw detection: four of them are arranged at 90° azimuthal intervals, and the other 8 scintillation detectors are arranged above the former four detectors at 45° azimuthal intervals and used for cement quality control. An important advantage of these devices is the possibility of simultaneous measurement of the casing integrity and cement bond quality. However, the necessity to use a large number of crystal detectors (with a photomultiplier tube in each detector) makes this equipment expansive and complex. Second, the azimuthal resolution is limited by the number of detectors. Moreover, devices of this type in which NaI crystals are used cannot be operated in hot wells: the normal maximum operation temperature of these devices is about 120° C.
The conventional gas filled detector (a high atomic number noble gas, preferably Xe) has low detection efficiency for high energy gamma radiation (200-400 keV). However, there are two well-known detection efficiency improvement methods. Ionization chambers can be operated at high pressures (30-60 bars); as the gas pressure in an ionization chamber increases, the gas density grows and hence the gamma radiation attenuation coefficient also grows. Proportional chambers provide for higher efficiency, do not require low noise electronic but cannot operate at high gas pressures (as the signal enhancement needs the electric field proportional to the gas pressure). However, the detection efficiency can be increased by using special secondary electron converters for high energy gamma radiation. These converters made from high atomic number materials e.g. Au or Pb are very thin (a few microns). And their total number is large (several hundreds). These thin foil converters increase the detection efficiency at moderate gas pressures (approx. 3-10 bars), and therefore no strong electric fields are required for operating these detectors. These methods were characterized in U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,956 and Russian Patent 2262720. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,956, lead foil was suggested for increasing the detection efficiency, whereas Russian Patent 2262720 characterized a system comprising foils of different materials that allow detecting gamma rays of different energies.
A counterpart invention, though not for casing string condition and cement quality control (Russian Patent 2147138), characterized a radiographic large object control method using high energy gamma radiation (E>150 keV). A high pressure gas chamber (1-10 MPa) contains anode and cathode strips arranged one on the other. The gamma rays emitted by a point source pass through the test object and generate signals in each cell of the Xe filled detector array. Secondary electrons generated on the electrode surfaces are accumulated in the same cells. Adequately arranged arrays, high pressure and correct choice of materials provide high detection efficiency (30%). However, a Xe filled detector consisting of multiple cells cannot be used for the angular scanning of pipe shaped articles, but only for the control of flat surfaces with a parallel beam of gamma radiation. This equipment has too large dimensions and cannot be used as a downhole tool.
Another invention (U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,669) characterized a device for nondestructive control comprising a semiconductor detector operating based on the difference gamma radiation spectrum (comparison of a test object gamma spectrum against a defect-free reference gamma spectrum). However, this device is not suitable for downhole operation as the semiconductor detector can only work at low temperatures and the device has large dimensions.
The goal of this invention is to provide a robust universal device with shape and parameters suitable for downhole operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is intended for downhole geophysical inspection, more specifically, provides equipment for flaw detection in casing strings and cement bond quality control using a radiographic device comprising high pressure gas filled gamma detectors. These detectors have high detection efficiency and can be operated at high temperatures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a well flaw detection system in accordance with the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 shows another configuration of a well flaw detection system in accordance with the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 shows an ionization chamber for use in the well flaw detection systems described herein.
FIG. 4 shows another configuration of ionization chamber for use in the well flaw detection systems described herein.
FIG. 5 shows yet another configuration of ionization chamber for use in the well flaw detection systems described herein.
FIG. 6 shows a gamma ray absorbing converter for use in the well flaw detections systems described herein.
FIG. 7 shows a well flaw detection system utilizing a gas filled radiation detector in accordance with the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The method of the invention is radiographic. The device of the invention uses a high energy gamma source (a chemical source, e.g. Cs 137 or Co 60, or any other chemical source of gamma rays with an energy of 200-400 keV, or an X-ray tube with the same energy range).
Various embodiments of a gas filled flaw detector are possible. The key criteria are detection mode (ionization or proportional), angular selectivity of gas filled detectors (nonselective single cylinder detectors or highly selective multiple anode/cathode detectors) and the number of objects inspected (1 or 2-3 pipe-shaped articles). Described below are several particular embodiments of this invention with illustrations, but it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous embodiments of the flaw detectors can be provided on the basis of the principles stated in this invention. Specific design of the device depends on the requirements imposed on the sensitivity and angular resolution of the device.
As used hereinbelow, the term ‘casing string’ means any metallic tube lowered into a well wherein the diameter of the tube is greater than the outer dimensions of the flaw detector (e.g. production string).
Embodiment 1
The set of scintillation detectors (to 12 as in known inventions, e.g. SGDT-100) is replaced for two gas filled detectors (operating in ionization or proportional mode). The two independent gas filled detector's are at a certain distance from the radiation source to allow simultaneous casing string condition and cement quality control. Possible design of the device is shown in FIG. 1 . Gamma rays 25 are emitted from the gamma source 1 scattered in the casing string 2 or cement 4 , pass through the window 6 of the collimator 5 and are incident upon the detectors 7 and 8 which are coaxial with the gamma source 1 . The detectors 7 and 8 are separated by the collimator 11 . If the background gamma radiation scattered outside the casing string is low enough (this can be achieved by correctly choosing the collimator shape), the total count rate of the detector 7 gives information on the casing string thickness. The smaller the effective thickness of the string (if the string has a cavity or a crack), the lower the total count rate of the respective detector. The count rate of the detector 8 show the effective thickness of the bonding cement layer. If the readings of the detector 7 do not show any flaws in the string 2 , then a higher count rate of the detector 8 indicates poor quality of the bonding cement 4 .
Embodiment 2
The number of the detectors can be increased if the task is to obtain further information, e.g. providing the nondestructive control of wells with multiple casing strings. The device operation principle is the same as described above. The design of the device is shown in FIG. 2 . The device comprises a gamma source 1 , three detectors 7 - 9 , the window 6 of a collimator 5 , the collimator 11 for the detectors, two casing strings 2 and 3 and bonding cement 4 . In this embodiment the detectors 7 and 8 detect gamma radiation scattered in the casing strings 2 and 3 , respectively, and the detector 9 detects gamma radiation scattered in the bonding cement 4 . The device performance is limited primarily by gamma radiation attenuation in the casing strings and in the bonding cement, therefore to control cement quality one should either increase the exposure or replace the gamma source (by either increasing the radiation intensity or using gamma source with higher gamma rays energy, e.g. replacing Cs 137 for Co 60 as an example).
The gamma source can be a mixture of gamma active long-lived isotopes. Then the device may comprise detectors operating in ionization mode as shown in FIG. 2 . The high energy resolution of these detectors allows resolving close gamma ray energy levels. The resolution provided by higher energy gamma rays is preferable for greater depths, and lower energy gamma rays are preferable for scanning the closest steel tube.
It is suggested to increase the detection efficiency of the device by one of the following well-known methods: the detector is filled with an inert gas (preferably xenon) at a high pressure (several decades of bars) or additional metallic converters are installed in the working space (this provides for gamma ray conversion into secondary electrons that are detected). The combination of the latter two methods provides for optimum detection. An advantage of this detector over conventional gas filled detectors is that the count rates of this detector may depend on the angular coordinate. The distance between the anodes (the spatial resolution) is from a few millimeters (for proportional mode) up to few centimeters (for ionization mode).
Unlike conventional scintillation detectors, the parameters of gas filled detectors are not temperature sensitive (if low noise logic is used). The possibility of operating these detectors at high temperatures (approx. 200° C.) allows cement quality control in very deep wells. The designs described below provide for a higher spatial resolution compared to scintillation detectors. Devices with gas filled detectors are cheaper because Xe is less expensive than most of crystals.
High atomic number noble gases are used in gas filled detectors such as Ar, Kr, Xe (Xe is preferable due to its highest atomic number and hence lowest attenuation coefficient) or mixtures of these gases with special additions. In proportional detectors, noble gases are modified with polyatomic quenchers such as CO 2 and CH 4 for absorbing the photons generated in the electron avalanche and suppressing secondary emission from the cathodes. The detection efficiency of ionization detectors can be increased by electron drift accelerating additions such as hydrogen.
Embodiment 3
Ionization operation mode is suggested as a preferred embodiment of a gamma ray flaw detector with high pressure gas filled detectors. Operation in this mode requires high density (pressure) media with low near-electrode electric field strength not generating avalanche.
The high pressure (30-60 bars) Xe filled ionization chamber can be used for flaw detection in the casing string or the bonding cement. High detection efficiency requires high gas pressure which is nearly proportional to gas density. The efficiency of an ionization chamber can be increased by using a Frisch grid; alternatively, only the electron component of the total signal can be used. Possible ionization chamber design is shown in FIG. 3 (plan view). It comprises a light metal cathode 12 . For low energy gamma radiation, aluminum or beryllium alloys can be used, whereas for higher energy gamma rays (E>100 keV), stainless steel or a combination of a metal and a nonconductive material with a low attenuation coefficient (fiberglass, fibercarbon, B 4 C, Kevlar) is suitable. The detector comprises two collimators 13 made from a highly absorbing material (lead, tungsten tantalum etc.) and wire anodes (segmented metallic anode) 14 . Frisch grid 15 can be used to increase the detector performance making the signal sensitive to the electrons between the Frisch grid and the anode only. Special electrodes 16 smooth the electric field around the lead collimators. The core 17 has a cylindrical shape and is made from a highly absorbing material. The core avoids spurious gamma signals detection in improper device sections.
A gamma quantum entering a single segment between the collimators generates an electron/ion pair. The electrons are transferred by the electric field to the anode segments (vertical wires or strips) and generate a signal due to a defect in this segment.
The length of these detectors may be from 10 to 50 cm, and the diameter from 3 to 19 cm, therefore these detectors can be used in downhole tubes. The number of segments (collimators and wire anodes for signal separation) may differ from the one shown in the figure; this depends on the tube condition control angular resolution requirements.
Embodiment 4
Another embodiment of the invention is possible ( FIG. 4 ) wherein the detector is operated in ionization mode. Unlike the previous embodiment, independent high pressure Xe filled cylindrical detectors are used here. These cylindrical detectors themselves do not provide for the angular resolution of the gamma flux (there is one signal from one anode), and their components can be commercially available Xe filled gamma detectors. The case 19 (from a strong low absorbing material) of the device accommodates a set of independent Xe filled cylindrical detectors installed between lead collimators 18 . Each detector comprises a cathode 12 (it can be made from a light material, e.g. aluminum or beryllium alloy, or from steel if low energy gamma rays can be ignored), a Frisch grid 15 and a wire anode 14 . This design has a lower total sensitivity (small radius of the cylinders) and lower efficiency. However, this design is more robust as all the detectors are independent from each other and have a symmetrical electric field. If any of the detectors fails the remaining ones can still be used for the measurements.
Whereas conventional crystal (NaI) detectors have crystal height limitation (growing a large and perfect crystal is a technical problem), cylindrical high pressure gas filled detectors (Xe, 30-60 bars) have no cylinder height limitations. This increases the sensitive area and provides for the same sensitivity as in earlier radiographic systems. The thickness of the collimators allows the detection of scattered gamma radiation within the same angle as in a single gas filled detector.
Unlike a proportional chamber (to be described below), signal processing with an ionization chamber requires low noise logic; this may prove to be very useful because low noise logic simultaneously provides for high detection efficiency and high energy resolution (2% for the Cs 137 peak). This can be used for resolving close energy levels in the gamma spectrum. Then a multiple energy level gamma source or a multiple isotope source can be used (e.g. Cs 137 with the 662 keV energy level and Co 60 with the two peaks at 1173 and 1332 keV). Due to the difference in the gamma ray absorption coefficients at different energies, high energy gamma rays will provide for a higher sensitivity at greater depths than low energy gamma rays.
Embodiment 5
A proportional chamber can be operated at moderate pressure (3-10 bars) and moderate electric fields (<10-20 kV/cm). The detector is so designed that the entering radiation is incident upon the converters (high atomic number material foils). There the gamma rays are converted to secondary electrons. The electrons drift to the chamber containing multiple wires (the anode/cathode system) which generates new electrons (electron avalanche) that also drift to the wire anodes. This multi-wire chamber contains cathode and anode planes (typically spaced by a few millimeters). The cathode should be transparent for the electrons entering the cathode/anode space where the electric field is strong (2-20 kV/cm) and the avalanche-generated electrons drift to the wire anodes. The converters may have various shapes (cylinders, strips etc.).
The system described here may have different embodiments one of which is illustrated in FIG. 5 . Gamma rays transmitted through the case wall enter one of the special hybrid absorbing converters 20 (their possible design is illustrated in FIG. 6 ) to generate electrons that are driven by the (moderate strength) electric field to the cathode/anode system between the converter units and the cathode system. The electrons are then heavily accelerated in the cathode/anode space by a strong electric field. The cathode 12 may have a grid design or any other design making it electron transparent. The number of anode wires can be large enough because the distance between them is a few millimeters.
Details of the special hybrid filler and the absorbers 20 are shown in FIG. 6 . The absorbing element 20 comprises multiple absorbers 22 (made from lead or another high atomic number material) that split the top and bottom element 20 into several gamma sensitive segments filled with thin foils 22 located one on another the shapes of which are similar to those of the anode lobes 14 located in the middle of the detector. The top and bottom elements 20 are unbiased or negatively biased. As these foils (few micrometers in thickness) are made from heavy metals (e.g. lead or tantalum), the incident gamma rays knock several secondary electrons from the primary electrode. These electrons are driven by the low strength electric field to the electron transparent grid cathode 12 under a moderate positive bias and then rapidly accelerated to the anode lobes (the anode may be made from multiple wires) under a high positive bias. Only those gamma rays that are transmitted from the outside to the selected segment between the two absorbers 21 can be detected as electric signals in the wires of the respective anode lobe 14 . This provides for high angular resolution of the gas filled detector and high sensitivity due to ionization. The number of segments can be greater than shown in the Figure.
This design provides for a higher spatial resolution compared to conventional scanning devices (different models of SGDT or CM devices) comprising 6-8 scintillation detectors. The number of segments is only limited by the gamma radiation permeability of the absorbing segments.
EXAMPLE
The example below illustrates the technical possibility to provide a device based on a gas filled detector. A multi-wire proportional chamber was not designed to provide azimuthal resolution or to be operated at high pressures without converters. The design of this device is shown in FIG. 7 .
In this design, one multi-wire detector 7 (the wires are oriented orthogonally to the main detector axis) detects gamma rays emitted by the source 1 and scattered in the casing string 2 or in the bonding cement 4 . The anode to cathode distance in the detector is 1 mm, and the anode to pulling electrode distance is 11 mm. The detector is 38 cm long and 5.0 cm wide. The anode-cathode voltage is 2.1 kV, and the anode-pulling electrode voltage is 6.55 kV. The xenon pressure in the detector chamber is 3 bars.
A cavity in the bonding cement was simulated with a 1 cm diameter opening in the aluminum plate 4 , and the casing string was simulated with a steel plate having a cross-section of 2 cm×0.5 cm (thinner than commercial casing strings). This experimental setup allowed the laboratory tests to be held in a proportional chamber at relatively low pressures without efficiency increasing converters using a low activity radioactive source, 2 GBq. Usually, the radioactive source activity for commercial flaw detectors is at least 60 GBq. The total count rate after flaw zone entering changed from 0.67×10 6 counts to 0.65×10 6 counts making flaw detection in an aluminum plate statistically valid.
NON-PATENT REFERENCES
1. E. V. Semenov, T. E. Krutova, R. R. Galeev, A. M. Islamov, Gamma-gamma scanners for the cased wells investigation, Karotazhnik, Vol. 10-11, pp. 66-73, 2005.
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This invention relates to nondestructive control, more specifically, to the detection of cracks, flaws and other defects in oil and gas wells and cementing quality control.
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BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a voltage generating apparatus, more particularly, to a voltage generating apparatus with a fine-tune current module.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Almost all analog or mixed-mode circuits need reference voltages to provide the bias voltage. The reference voltage can generate a constant and reproducible voltage even during process variation, change of ambient temperature, and supply voltage instability so that the circuits can operate with accurate DC bias. Therefore, a DC voltage generator is an important block in many circuits.
A well-known method of generating a stable reference voltage is to utilize the phenomenon of semiconductor bandgap in a reference circuit. The bandgap energy of a semiconductor will change predictably with ambient temperature, and bandgap reference circuits are designed according to this principle. The most popular method of generating bandgap voltage in the prior art is to connect the base and the collector of a BJT to form a diode-like structure, so the voltage difference (Vsub) between the base and the emitter of the BJT can be the bandgap voltage.
Please refer to FIG. 1 . FIG. 1 illustrates temperature variation versus Vsub in a diode-like device. As shown in FIG. 1 , Vsub linearly decreases with rising temperature. If one can generate another voltage (like the compensation voltage in FIG. 1 ) which linearly increases with rising temperature at the same rate as Vsub decreases, the summation of the two voltages results in a constant reference voltage that reduces variation due to temperature.
Please refer to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 illustrates a reference voltage generator 200 implementing the bandgap voltage principle. The reference voltage generator 200 is a feedback control system that maintains two inputs of the amplifier 230 at similar levels. In the reference voltage generator 200 , the diodes D 1 and D 2 have different section areas corresponding to different current densities in order to adjust the slopes of the temperature coefficients of the two diodes, D 1 and D 2 . When the voltage generator 200 is operating, the voltage difference of VD 1 and VD 2 (Vdel) expresses a characteristic of a positive temperature coefficient (a positive slope in the temperature function), but the voltage VD 1 expresses a characteristic of a negative temperature coefficient, like the property of an ordinary semiconductor. Through the combination and arrangement of the diodes D 1 , D 2 and the amplifier 230 , the amplifier 230 will output a stable voltage regulated against temperature variation resulting from compensation of the voltage with the positive temperature coefficient, and the voltage with the negative temperature coefficient. However, in the modern IC industry, more mature CMOS technology achieves lower production costs. Thus, the reference voltage generator in FIG. 1 implemented by BJTs has the disadvantage of higher price compared to some products. Moreover, the bandgap of silicon, being about 1.2V to 1.3V, cannot satisfy future trends in low power applications.
Due to lower costs and more mature technology, a voltage generator of another prior art is implemented by MOSFETs. In this case, the voltage is generated by operating a MOS device in the sub-threshold region.
When a MOS device is operating in the sub-threshold region, if the device is given a fixed drain current, the voltage difference between the gate and the source of the device will linearly decrease with an increase of ambient temperature. In other words, the voltage difference shows a negative temperature coefficient in this situation. Please refer to FIG. 3 ; FIG. 3 illustrates a voltage generator 300 utilizing the negative temperature coefficient of a MOS device according to the prior art. The voltage generator 300 has two parts. The first part includes MOS MM 1 to MOS MM 4 , and a resistor R 1 , wherein the MOS MM 1 is designed to operate in the sub-threshold region and the current IRR 1 through the resistor RR 1 relates to the voltage difference between the gate and the source of the MOS MM 1 . The second part includes MOS MM 5 to MOS MM 11 and the resistors RR 2 , RR 3 and RR 4 . The second part generates an output voltage VR by compensating the current IRR 1 of a negative temperature coefficient and a current of a positive temperature coefficient. The voltage generating method not only has lower production costs but also can generate a lower reference voltage to provide a small voltage bias for low power circuits.
However, the prior art in FIG. 3 has the disadvantage that although the generated voltage is stable with respect to temperature variation, the actual voltage output of the circuit will deviate from the design value due to processing variation. Therefore, the voltage generators in the second prior art have different output voltages if implemented by different process corners.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is therefore an objective of the claimed invention to provide a voltage generator in order to solve the abovementioned problems.
According to the claimed invention, a voltage generator comprises a positive temperature coefficient current generating module, wherein an output current of the positive temperature coefficient current generating module increases with a rising ambient temperature; a negative temperature coefficient current generating module, wherein an output current of the positive temperature coefficient current generating module decreases with rising ambient temperature; a current fine-tune module used for adjusting the output current of the negative temperature coefficient current generating module; and a voltage output module, connected to the positive temperature coefficient current generating module and the negative temperature coefficient current generating module for generating an output voltage according to the positive temperature coefficient current generating module and the negative temperature coefficient current generating module.
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 DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates temperature variation versus Vsub in a diode-like device.
FIG. 2 illustrates a reference voltage generator implementing the bandgap voltage principle.
FIG. 3 illustrates a voltage generator utilizing the negative temperature coefficient of a MOS device according to the prior art.
FIG. 4 illustrates function blocks of a voltage generator according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the positive temperature coefficient current generating module.
FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the negative temperature coefficient current generating module.
FIG. 7 illustrates a current fine-tune module.
FIG. 8 illustrates the voltage output module.
FIG. 9 illustrates a positive temperature coefficient current generating module.
FIG. 10 illustrates a negative temperature coefficient current generating module.
FIG. 11 illustrates the preferred embodiment of a voltage generator according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention.
FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention.
FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention.
FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention.
FIG. 17 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention.
FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Please refer to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 illustrates function blocks of a voltage generator 10 according to the present invention. The voltage generator 10 comprises a positive temperature coefficient current generating module 11 , a negative temperature coefficient current generating module 12 , a current fine-tune module 13 , and a voltage output module 14 . The positive temperature coefficient current generating module 11 is used to generate a current of a positive temperature coefficient (a current of a positive temperature coefficient means that when the ambient temperature rises, the current will increase, wherein the increasing slope of the current is the positive temperature coefficient). The negative temperature coefficient current generating module 12 is used to generate a current of negative temperature coefficient (Similarly, a current of a negative temperature coefficient means that when the ambient temperature rises, the current will decrease, wherein the decreasing slope of the current is the negative temperature coefficient). The current fine-tune module 13 is used to adjust the output current of the negative temperature coefficient current generating module 12 . The voltage output module 14 , being connected to two temperature coefficient current generating modules, is used to generate an output voltage according to the output current of the two temperature coefficient current generating modules.
FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the positive temperature coefficient current generating module 11 . In this embodiment, the positive temperature coefficient current generating module 11 comprises NMOS M 8 and M 9 , resistor R 2 and a current mirror Mir 6 . The drain and the gate of NMOS M 8 are connected to the gate of MOS M 9 and the source of NMOS M 8 is connected to ground. The source of NMOS M 9 is connected to ground through resistor R 2 . Both the drains of NMOS M 8 and NMOS M 9 are connected to current mirror Mir 6 . The current I A through the drain of MOS M 9 is the current of the positive temperature coefficient. The current mirror Mir 6 comprises PMOS M 6 and M 7 . PMOS M 6 and M 7 not only help NMOS M 8 and NMOS M 9 operate in the sub-threshold region, but also generate a current that is some multiple of the current I A . In the circuit of FIG. 5 , NMOS M 8 and M 9 are operated in the sub-threshold region so that the drain currents of NMOS M 8 and M 9 are stable and regulated against variation of the power supply. The magnitude of the current I A relates to the ratio W/L of MOS M 8 and MOS M 9 (W and L are the width and the length of a MOS, respectively). The current I A is also a function of the resistor R 2 . For example, if we define the W/L of NMOS M 8 and NMOS M 9 as P 8 and P 9 respectively. The output current I A can be expressed in the following:
I A = ϛV T R 2 ln ( P 9 P 8 ) wherein V T is a coefficient proportional to the absolute temperature, and ζ is a ratio constant related to the characteristic of a MOS device operating in the sub-threshold region. From above we know that the current I A is decided by the resistor R 2 and W/L of NMOS M 8 and M 9 and is proportional to the ambient absolute temperature. Therefore, the output current I A is a current of a positive temperature coefficient.
Please refer to FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the negative temperature coefficient current generating module 12 . The negative temperature coefficient current generating module 12 comprises an NMOS M 3 , a resistor R 1 , current mirrors Mir 1 and Mir 2 . The gate of NMOS M 3 is connected to one end of resistor R 1 and the other end of resistor R 1 is connected to ground. The source of NMOS M 3 is connected to ground and the drain of NMOS M 3 is connected to current mirror Mir 1 . The current mirror Mir 1 , comprising a PMOS M 1 , is used to mirror an outside reference current and inject a current output into NMOS M 3 . The injection current should be small enough to force NMOS M 3 to operate in the sub-threshold region, so the voltage VGS 3 between the gate and the source of NMOS M 3 is constant for a fixed temperature. The voltage VGS 3 is representative of a negative temperature coefficient and can generate a current of the negative temperature coefficient, i.e. the output current of the negative temperature coefficient current generating module when applied to the resistor R 1 . The current mirror Mir 2 , comprising a PMOS M 2 , can mirror the output current IR 1 to generate a current that is some multiple of the current IR 1 . In the preferred embodiment of the negative temperature coefficient current generating module 12 , the outside reference current that the current mirror Mir 1 mirrors is the output current I A of the positive temperature coefficient current generating module 11 . The output current I A is utilized to avoid the need for an extra circuit for generating a reference current.
Please refer to FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 illustrates a current fine-tune module 13 . The current fine-tune module comprises at least one fine-tune unit 18 and the adjusting ability of each fine-tune unit 18 is freely set. The fine-tune unit 18 comprises a current source and a switch. In the embodiment, the current fine-tune module 13 comprises three fine-tune units, the fine-tune unit CT 1 , the fine-tune unit CT 2 , and the fine-tune unit CT 3 . The current source of the fine-tune unit CT 1 is designed to be ‘K’ times the output current I A (of the positive temperature coefficient current generating module), wherein K is a constant. The current source of the fine-tune unit CT 2 is designed as 2K times the output current I A and the current source of the fine-tune unit CT 3 is designed as 4KI A . The current of the three fine-tune units is summed to form the output current I C of the current fine-tune module. The switch of each fine-tune unit digitally controls the output current I C . Therefore, the current I C of the embodiment ranges from 0 to 7KI A in increments of 1KI A . Of course, the number of fine-tune units is not limited to three. If there are N fine-tune units, for example, the output current I C of the current fine-tune module will range from 0 to (2 N −1)KI A with in increments of 1I A . The current source of the embodiment is implemented by the current mirror of an NMOS device or a PMOS device, which mirror the output current I to generate a current of some multiple of the current I A . However, the current source can be implemented in other ways.
Please refer to FIG. 8 . FIG. 8 illustrates the voltage output module 14 . The voltage output module 14 comprises current mirrors Mir 10 and Mir 11 and a resistor R 3 . Current mirror Mir 10 comprises a PMOS M 10 and current mirror Mir 11 comprises a PMOS M 11 . The sources of PMOS M 10 and M 11 are connected to the power supply V DD , and the drains are connected to one end of the resistor R 3 , the node VR shown in FIG. 8 . The other end of the resistor R 3 is connected to ground. The current mirrors Mir 10 and M 11 mirror the output currents of the positive temperature coefficient current generating module 11 and the negative temperature coefficient current generating module 12 respectively with some multiple, the two mirrored currents are summed and injected into the resistor R 3 to obtain the output voltage of the voltage output module 14 at the node VR.
Please refer to FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 illustrates a positive temperature coefficient current generating module 51 . The positive temperature coefficient current generating module 51 comprises PMOS M 108 and M 109 , a resistor R 102 and a current mirror Mir 106 . The source and the gate of PMOS M 108 and M 109 are connected together. The source of MOS 108 is connected to the power supply V DD . The source of MOS M 109 is connected to the power supply V DD through resistor R 102 . The drains of MOS M 108 and MOS M 109 are connected to the current mirror Mir 106 . The current I A through the drain of the PMOS M 109 is an output current of positive temperature coefficient. The current mirror Mir 106 comprises NMOS M 106 and M 107 . As mentioned before, NMOS M 106 and M 107 help PMOS M 108 and M 109 operate in the sub-threshold region and generate a current that is a multiple of the current I A . If we define the ratio W/L of MOS M 108 and M 109 as P 108 and P 109 , respectively, the output current I A can be expressed by the following equation:
I A = ϛV T R 2 ln ( P 109 P 108 )
Please refer to FIG. 10 . FIG. 10 illustrates a negative temperature coefficient current generating module 52 . The negative temperature coefficient current generating module 52 comprises a PMOS M 103 , a resistor R 101 , current mirrors Mir 101 and Mir 102 . The gate of PMOS M 103 connects to one end of resistor R 101 and the other end of the resistor R 1 is connected to V DD . The source of PMOS M 103 is connected to ground and the drain of PMOS M 103 is connected to current mirror Mir 101 . Current mirror Mir 101 , comprising an NMOS M 101 , is used to mirror an outside reference current and inject an output current into PMOS M 103 to force PMOS M 103 to operate in the sub-threshold region. The current through resistor R 101 is representative of a negative temperature coefficient. The current mirror Mir 102 comprises an NMOS M 102 , na NMOS M 122 , and a PMOS M 132 to generate a current that is some multiple of the current IR 101 .
Please refer to FIG. 11 . FIG. 11 illustrates the preferred embodiment of a voltage generator according to the present invention. The voltage generator comprises a positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 60 , a negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 70 , a current fine-tune circuit 80 , and a voltage outputting circuit 90 . The positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 60 comprises NMOS M 208 and M 209 , a resistor R 2 and a current mirror Mir 206 . The drain and gate of NMOS M 208 are connected to the gate of MOS M 209 and the source of NMOS M 208 is connected to ground. The source of NMOS M 209 is connected to ground through resistor R 202 . The drain current of NMOS M 209 passes through the current mirror Mir 206 , generating an output current I A being representative of a positive temperature coefficient. Both NMOS M 208 and M 209 operate in the sub-threshold region so that the output current I A from the drain of MOS M 203 is regulated against variation of the power supply. The current mirror Mir 206 comprises PMOS M 206 , M 207 and M 207 , and is used to mirror the output current I A with some multiple to other blocks of the voltage generator.
The negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 70 comprises an NMOS M 203 , a resistor R 201 , current mirrors Mir 201 and Mir 202 . The gate of NMOS M 203 connects to one end of the resistor R 201 and the other end of the resistor R 201 is connected to ground. The source of NMOS M 203 is also connected to ground. The current mirror Mir 201 mirrors the current I A and injects it into the drain of NMOS M 203 to force NMOS M 203 to operate in the sub-threshold region. Therefore, the current through the resistor R 201 is a current representative of a negative temperature coefficient. The purpose of the current mirror Mir 202 is to mirror the output current of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 70 to the voltage outputting circuit 90 . If the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 70 is not equipped with the current fine-tune circuit 80 to fine tune the output current, the current mirror Mir 202 would directly mirror the output current IR 1 . However, in the embodiment, the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 70 is combined with the current fine-tune circuit 80 to generate the output current I B (as shown in FIG. 6 ). Therefore, the current mirror Mir 202 mirrors the current I B . The current I B relates to the current I C and IR 1 in FIG. 11 and will be explained in detail below.
The current fine-tune circuit 80 can comprise three fine-tune units. The first fine-tune unit comprises PMOS MP 1 as a switch, and PMOS MC 1 as a current source. The second fine-tune unit comprises PMOS MP 2 as a switch, and PMOS MC 2 as a current source. The third fine-tune unit comprises PMOS MP 3 as a switch, and PMOS MC 3 as a current source. PMOS MC 1 , MC 2 , and MC 3 act like current mirrors, mirroring the output current I A of the positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 60 with some multiple. Therefore, in the current fine-tune circuit 80 , the first fine-tune unit provides fine-tune current 1K I A , wherein K is the ratio of W/L of two MOS devices in the current mirror, such as the ratio of MOS M 207 W/L P 207 and MC 1 W/L P MC1 ,
MC1 M 207
The second fine-tune unit provides the fine-tune current 2KI A , and the third fine-tune unit provides fine-tune current 4KI A . The three fine-tune currents are summed as an output current I C . Controlled digitally by the switches MP 1 , MP 2 and MP 3 . The current I c can be tuned to 0, 1KI A , 2KI A , 3KI A , 4KI A , . . . 7KI A . To describe in detail, suppose that W/L of PMOS M 207 in the positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 60 is P 207 , and W/L of three current sources in the current fine-tune circuit are P C1 , P C2 , and P C3 , respectively. The current I C can be expressed as follows:
I C = ( P C1 P 207 ϕ 1 + P C2 P 207 ϕ 2 + P C3 P 207 ϕ 3 ) I A , and ϕ 1 , ϕ 2 , ϕ 3
are 1 or 0 that represents on or off condition of a switch. The negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 70 combined with the current fine-tune circuit 80 is used to fine decrease the output current I B of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 70 , wherein the currents I B , I C and IR 1 will satisfy the following relationship:
I B =IR 201 − I C
Therefore, the increase of the current I C will decrease the output current I B to achieve the function of fine-tuning.
The voltage outputting circuit 90 connected to the positive and the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuits 60 , 70 comprises PMOS M 210 , PMOS M 211 and resistor R 203 and generates an output voltage VR according to the output currents of the positive and the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuits 60 , 70 . PMOS M 210 and M 211 act like current mirrors, wherein PMOS M 211 mirrors the output current I A of the positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 60 and PMOS M 210 mirrors the output current I B of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 70 . Two mirrored currents are summed to form an output voltage VR through the resistor R 203 . Suppose that P represents W/L of a MOS device. Therefore, P 201 represents W/L of PMOS M 201 and P 209 represents W/L of PMOS M 209 , and vice versa. Set
N = ( P C1 P 207 ϕ 1 + P C2 P 207 ϕ 2 + P C3 P 207 ϕ 3 ) ,
wherein VGS 203 represents the voltage between the gate and the source of NMOS M 203 . We can obtain the expression of output voltage V:
V R = P 211 P 202 R 203 R 201 V GS203 + ( P 210 P 207 - N P 211 P 202 ) R 203 R 202 ςV T ln ( P 209 P 208 ) ,
VR is determined by
P 210 P 207 *
R 203 R 202 and P 211 P 202 *
R 203 R 201 ,
so VR is easier to design by controlling the coefficient involved in the multiplication of
P 210 P 207 and R 203 R 202 ,
as well as the multiplication of
P 211 P 202 and R 203 R 201 .
Because N
P 211 P 202
is the term for fine tuning,
P 210 P 207 >> N P 211 P 202 .
Please refer to FIG. 12 . FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention. The voltage generator comprises a positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 160 , a negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 170 , a current fine-tune circuit 180 , and a voltage outputting circuit 190 . In the embodiment, the principle of the current fine-tune circuit 180 is similar to the current fine-tune circuit 80 in FIG. 11 . However, the current fine-tune circuit in FIG. 11 is used to fine decrease the output current of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit, but this embodiment is to fine increase the output current of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit. The current fine-tune circuit comprises three fine-tune units that are composed of three switches MC 301 , MC 302 and MC 303 as well as three NMOS MP 301 , MP 302 and MP 303 serving as the current sources. The gates of MOS MP 301 , MP 302 and MP 303 are connected to the gate of NMOS M 309 of the positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 160 , so NMOS MP 301 , MP 302 , MP 303 and NMOS M 309 form three sets of current mirrors which generate three current sources in the current fine-tune circuit 180 according to the drain current I A of NMOS M 309 . Of course, the currents of the three fine-tune units can be designed as any multiple of a reference current. Finally, the currents of the three fine-tune units are summed to become the fine-tune current I C for effecting fine increases in the output current I B of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 170 . The current I B can be expressed in the following way:
I B =IR 301 + I C
Please refer to FIG. 13 . FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention. The voltage generator comprises a positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 260 , a negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 270 , a current fine-tune circuit 280 , and a voltage outputting circuit 290 . The positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 260 comprises PMOS M 408 , PMOS M 409 , resistor R 402 and current mirror Mir 406 . The source and the gate of PMOS M 408 and M 409 are connected together. The source of MOS 408 is connected to the power supply V DD . The source of MOS M 109 is connected to the power supply V DD through resistor R 402 . Both PMOS M 408 and M 409 operate in the sub-threshold region, the output current I A of the positive temperature coefficient is generated by the drain of PMOS M 409 . The current mirror Mir 406 comprises NMOS M 406 and M 407 , which mirror the output current I A to other blocks of the voltage generator. The negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 270 comprises PMOS M 403 , resistor R 401 , and two current mirrors Mir 401 and Mir 402 . The gate of PMOS M 403 connects to one end of resistor R 401 and the other end of resistor R 401 is connected to the supply V DD . The source of NMOS M 403 is also connected to the power supply V DD . The current mirror Mir 401 mirrors the current I A and injects it into the drain of PMOS M 403 to force PMOS M 403 to operate in the sub-threshold region. Therefore, the current through resistor R 401 is a current representative of a negative temperature coefficient. In addition, the current mirror Mir 402 comprises NMOS M 402 , NMOS M 422 and PMOS M 432 , and mirrors the output current of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 270 to the voltage outputting circuit 290 .
The current fine-tune circuit 280 is similar to the current fine-tune circuit 180 in FIG. 12 . In this embodiment, the current fine-tune circuit 280 is used to fine decrease the output current of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 270 so that the output current I B of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 270 , and the output current I C of the current fine-tune circuit 280 , satisfy the following relationship:
I B =IR 401 − I C
The voltage outputting circuit 290 , similar to the voltage outputting circuit 90 in FIG. 11 , comprises a PMOS M 410 , a PMOS M 411 and a resistor R 403 . The gate of PMOS M 410 is connected to the gate of PMOS M 409 of the positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 260 . The gate of PMOS M 411 connected to the gate of PMOS M 432 of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 270 functions as a current mirror to mirror the output current I A of the positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 260 , and the output current I B of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 270 , to become two mirror currents and these two mirror currents are summed through resistor R 403 to generate the output voltage VR.
Please refer to FIG. 14 . FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention. The embodiment in FIG. 14 is similar to the embodiment in FIG. 13 , wherein the voltage generator comprises a positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 360 , a negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 370 , a current fine-tune circuit 380 , and a voltage outputting circuit 390 . However, in this embodiment, the current fine-tune circuit 380 is used to fine increase the output current of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 370 , instead of fine decreasing the output current in the embodiment of FIG. 13 . The structure and the principle of the current fine-tune circuit 380 is similar to the current fine-tune circuit 70 in FIG. 11 . The output current I C generated by the current fine-tune circuit 380 and the output current I B generated by the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 370 have the following relationship:
I B =IR 501 + I C
Please refer to FIG. 15 . FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention. The embodiment in FIG. 15 is similar to the embodiment in FIG. 11 , wherein the voltage generator comprises a positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 460 , a negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 470 , a current fine-tune circuit 480 , and a voltage outputting circuit 490 . However, the positive temperature coefficient current generating circuits in FIG. 15 and FIG. 11 are different. The positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 460 similar to the positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 260 in FIG. 13 comprises a PMOS M 508 , a PMOS M 509 , a resistor R 502 , and a current mirror Mir 506 . As shown in FIG. 15 , The source and the gate of PMOS M 508 and M 509 are connected together. The source of MOS 508 is connected to the power supply V DD . The source of PMOS M 509 is connected to the power supply V DD through resistor R 502 . Both the PMOS M 508 and M 509 operate in the sub-threshold region, the output current I A of the positive temperature coefficient is generated by the drain of PMOS M 509 . The current mirror Mir 506 comprises NMOS M 506 and M 507 , which mirror the output current I A with some multiple to other blocks of the voltage generator.
Please refer to FIG. 16 . FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention. The voltage generator comprises a positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 560 , a negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 570 , a current fine-tune circuit 580 , and a voltage outputting circuit 590 . The embodiment in FIG. 16 is similar to that in FIG. 15 , but the current fine-tune circuit 580 is different. In this embodiment, the principle of the current fine-tune circuit 580 is the same with the current fine-tune circuit 180 in FIG. 12 , i.e. to fine increase the output current of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit.
Please refer to FIG. 17 . FIG. 17 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention. The voltage generator comprises a positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 660 , a negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 670 , a current fine-tune circuit 680 , and a voltage outputting circuit 690 . The embodiment in FIG. 17 is similar to that in FIG. 13 , but the positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 660 is different. The positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 660 in FIG. 17 is the same as that in FIG. 12 .
Please refer to FIG. 18 . FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of the voltage generator according to the present invention. The voltage generator comprises a positive temperature coefficient current generating circuit 760 , a negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit 770 , a current fine-tune circuit 780 , and a voltage outputting circuit 790 . This embodiment is similar to that in FIG. 17 , but the current fine-tune circuit 780 is different. The principle of the current fine-tune circuit 780 is the same as the current fine-tune circuit 80 in FIG. 11 , i.e. to fine increase the output current of the negative temperature coefficient current generating circuit.
In the prior art, diodes and an amplifier are specially arranged to compensate a current of a positive temperature coefficient and a current of a negative temperature coefficient so that the output of the amplifier obtains a reference voltage regulated against variation of the ambient temperature. However, the prior art cannot satisfy the demand for lower costs and lower voltage output power supplies in the modern electronics market. In another prior art, the characteristic of a MOS device operating in the sub-threshold region is utilized to implement a voltage generator, but the output reference voltage of the chip of the voltage generator often deviates from the designed value due to process variation. Compared to the prior art, the voltage generator of the present invention takes advantages of CMOS technology to generate a current of a positive temperature coefficient and a current of a negative temperature coefficient by operating MOS devices in the sub-threshold region. Moreover, a mechanism to fine-tune the current of the negative temperature coefficient is included. Therefore, the present invention has the advantages of low production cost, stable output voltage of a voltage generator regulated against process variation and changes in ambient temperature.
Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device 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.
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Voltage generating apparatus includes a positive temperature coefficient current generating module, a negative temperature coefficient current generating module, a fine-tune current module and a voltage output module. The function of the positive temperature coefficient current generating module and the negative temperature coefficient current generating module, which take advantage of characteristics of MOS devices operated in the sub-threshold region, is to generate a stable current of positive temperature coefficient and a stable current of negative temperature coefficient, respectively. The current fine-tune module increases or decreases output current of the negative temperature coefficient current generating module. The voltage output module sums two output currents of the positive temperature coefficient current generating module and the negative temperature coefficient current generating module and transforms the total current into output voltage that is stable under temperature and process variation.
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COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention generally relates to an attachable touch screen panel. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for an attachable touch screen panel bezel with universal serial bus (USB) chipset storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to one preferred embodiment, a touchscreen panel bezel, comprises: a frame configured to attached projected capacitive (PCAP) touchscreen panel; one or more clamp brackets configured to secure a monitor within the frame; a first one of said clamp brackets configured to receive and secure a universal serial bus (USB) controller; a ribbon slot disposed within the frame configured to thread a ribbon of the PCAP touchscreen panel for attachment to the USB controller; and a USB cable for attachment to the USB controller and a processer external to the bezel.
[0004] According to another preferred embodiment, a method for providing a touchscreen panel bezel comprises: attaching a projected capacitive (PCAP) touchscreen panel to frame; securing one or more clamp brackets to the frame; securing a universal serial bus (USB) controller to a first one of said clamp brackets; treading a ribbon of the PCAP touchscreen through a slot disposed within the frame; attaching the ribbon to the USB controller; and attaching a USB cable to the USB controller and a processer external to the bezel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is an exemplary bezel projected capacitive (PCAP) touchscreen assembly flow diagram;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the assembled bezel, PCAP and monitor according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates the configuration of the touch glass being attached to the bezel according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a diagram that illustrates a rear view of the frame with the PCAP touch glass having been attached to the frame of the bezel according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 ;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a diagram that illustrates another rear view of the frame with the chipset inserted and attached into the cradle according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 ;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a diagram that illustrates a close up view of the chipset attached to the ribbon according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 ;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the clamp bracket with the USB cable attached to the chipset according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 ; and
[0012] FIG. 8 , is a rear perspective view of the complete assembly of the bezel, with side clamps, bottom clamp, and the clamp bracket enclosing the monitor according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings several embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown therein and described below.
[0014] The method and system for an attachable touch screen panel bezel with universal serial bus (USB) chipset storage is disclosed in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention and is illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 wherein like reference numerals are used throughout to designate like elements.
[0015] The overlay bezel assembly is shipped to the end user with an installation guide instructing said user to remove the bottom clamp bracket only. Once bottom clamp bracket is removed, the assembly is placed over the monitor and the clamp bracket re-attached. This is unique, in that other integration companies integrate the touch onto the monitor. The overlay assembly described herein allows the end user to add the touch to their existing monitor.
[0016] In one embodiment, this PCAP overlay bezel comprises a rectangular bezel (to encase the monitor), welded to an inverted bezel (encasing the PCAP touch glass), with top and bottom monitor clamp brackets, and universal side brackets. A special slot is manufactured into the bezel and inverted bezel for the PCAP controller board or chip set ribbons to pass through to the back without visual detection.
[0017] In one embodiment, the apparatus integrates the PCAP to the inverted bezel with 3M VHB double sided tape. On the inside of the rectangular bezel, ⅛″ thick 3M foam tape is applied. The universal spacer brackets and the monitor clamp brackets may be attached using 6-32×¼ undercut flathead Phillips machine screws.
[0018] With reference to FIG. 1 , an exemplary bezel projected capacitive (PCAP) touchscreen assembly flow diagram is shown according to one embodiment. A projective capacitive (PCAP) touch glass 10 is a commercially available product that provides a means for assembling touch screen monitors for human interface device (HID) compliant touch applications, making the mouse obsolete. Some of the manufacturers of PCAP are 3M®, Touch Expert® and IDS®. One PCAP touch glass 10 that may be used comprises part number 98-1100-0693-3 available from 3M Touch Systems. The PCAP touch glass 10 is placed over a non-touch screen monitor 5 by means of a bezel 100 that provides a ridge on which the touch glass 10 may be attached or taped, and to which the monitor 5 is attached or placed.
[0019] With reference to FIG. 2 , a diagrammatic representation of the assembled bezel 100 , with the PCAP touch glass 10 and monitor 5 is shown according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 . The PCAP touch glass is shipped from the supplier with a USB cable 16 that is attachable to a controller or chip set for processing the input-output of the PCAP touch glass 10 and for providing power. In the past, the chip set normally would be inserted into a personal computer (PC), monitor assembly, or other closed container. The USB cable 16 would then be plugged into a USB port of the personal computer or processor, which then would produce output to the monitor through a VGA or HDMI interface. However, aftermarket integration of an existing monitor with the PCAP has been prevented or avoided because of the electronic data ribbon and chip configuration that is exposed from the PCAP touch glass 10 .
[0020] With reference to FIG. 3 , a diagram illustrates the configuration of the touch glass 10 being attached to the bezel 100 according to one embodiment. As shown, the data ribbon 12 protrudes from the touch glass 10 as shipped from the manufacturer; a feature that normally prevents aftermarket attachment to an existing monitor 5 . However, in one embodiment, during installation, the ribbon 12 is inserted through a slot 104 of the frame 102 of the bezel 100 from the front to the rear of the frame 102 .
[0021] With reference to FIG. 4 , a diagram illustrates a rear view of the frame with the PCAP touch glass 10 having been attached to the frame 102 of the bezel 100 , with the ribbon 12 inserted through the slot 104 . The controller or chipset 14 will attached to the distal end of the ribbon 12 after it has been inserted through the slot 104 . A bottom monitor clamp bracket 106 attaches to the bottom of the frame 102 , and contains a recess or cradle 108 having an opening in the bracket rail wherein the chipset 14 for the PCAP touch glass 10 may be attached or inserted.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 5 , a diagram illustrates another rear view of the frame with the chipset 14 inserted and attached into the cradle 108 .
[0023] With reference to FIG. 6 , a diagram illustrates a close up view of the chipset 14 now attached to the ribbon 12 .
[0024] With reference to FIG. 7 , a bottom perspective view of the clamp bracket 16 with the USB cable 16 attached to the controller or chipset 14 is shown. In one embodiment, the USB cable 16 may be threaded through a hole in the back of the clamp bracket 106 upon attachment to the controller or chipset 14 .
[0025] With reference to FIG. 8 , a rear perspective view of the complete assembly of the bezel 100 is shown, with side clamps 120 , bottom clamp 122 , and the clamp bracket 106 enclosing the monitor 5 .
[0026] The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the claimed invention without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
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A touchscreen panel bezel and method comprises a frame configured to an attached projected capacitive (PCAP) touchscreen panel. One or more clamp brackets are configured to secure a monitor within the frame. A first one of said clamp brackets is configured to receive and secure a universal serial bus (USB) controller. A ribbon slot disposed within the frame is configured to thread a ribbon of the PCAP touchscreen panel for attachment to the USB controller. A USB cable is for attachment to the USB controller and a processer external to the bezel.
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PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-286442, filed on Oct. 20, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a lighting fixture used for vehicle, and, in particular, to a lighting fixture for vehicle preferable for being provided for a door mirror.
[0003] Conventionally, as a lighting fixture for vehicle, there is known a lighting fixture for vehicle in which a lighting fixture housing, where a plurality of LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) arrayed in a row are provided as a light source inside the lighting fixture housing equipped with an outer lens and a housing main body, is provided in the mirror housing of the door mirror of a vehicle. Such a lighting fixture for vehicle is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2002-79885.
[0004] Further, some conventional lighting fixtures for vehicle are set that each LED is arranged such that a plurality of irradiating regions, which are formed on an outer lens by outputted light directly heading from the plurality of LEDs to the outer lens, are adjacent at a predetermined gap or less, and all LEDs are simultaneously turned ON so as to satisfy legal standards for treating the LEDs as a single lighting fixture. The lighting fixture for vehicle is treated as a single lighting fixture, and can be used as a direction indicator by allowing each LED to simultaneously blink at predetermined time gap.
[0005] However, in the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle, although it is treated as a single lighting fixture, irradiating light is formed by the outputted light directly heading from the plurality of LEDs to the outer lens, and the arranging positions of a plurality of LEDs become locally bright and the plurality of LEDs in a turned-ON state is recognizable in the case of looking at the irradiating light via the outer lens. For this reason, the irradiating light has uneven brightness, and causes the reduction of visual quality the lighting fixture for vehicle during light-ON.
[0006] Further, the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle is structured that the outputted light from a plurality of LEDs directly head to the outer lens. For this reason, each LED is visually contacted via the outer lens from the outside of the outer lens during light-OFF, causing the reduction of visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle during light-OFF.
SUMMARY
[0007] At least one objective of the present invention is to provide a lighting fixture for vehicle that suppresses uneven brightness by which a plurality of light sources in the turned-ON state is recognizable and prevents the light sources from being visually contacted via the outer lens during light-OFF, in the case of looking at the irradiating light via the outer lens.
[0008] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a lighting fixture for a vehicle provided on a side of the vehicle, the lighting fixture comprises: at least one light source which outputs outputted light; and a housing including a housing main body and an outer lens, the housing main body housing the at least one light source, and the outer lens being provided on the housing main body and through which the outputted light transmits to irradiate a direction on the side of the vehicle as irradiating light, wherein the housing includes a partition wall which partitions a housing space, formed by the outer lens and the housing main body and in which the at least one light source is housed, into a housing space exposed portion located on a side of the outer lens and a housing space shielded portion located on a side of the housing main body and which houses the at least one light source while shielding the at least one light source, wherein the partition wall includes: at least one opening provided ahead of the at least one light source and through which the outputted light passes from the housing space shielded portion to the housing space exposed portion; and at least one reflection wall portion including a reflection surface which reflects the outputted light, outputted from the at least one light source and having passed through the at least one opening, toward the direction on the side of the vehicle through the outer lens in such a manner that an irradiating region of the outputted light is widened, and extending to the housing space exposed portion to shield the at least one light source so as to prevent the at least one light source from being visually contacted from a direction front of the vehicle, and wherein the irradiating light is formed by reflected light of the outputted light reflected by the reflection surface and outputted through the outer lens.
[0009] Advantageously, the at least one light source includes a plurality of light sources housed in the housing, the at least one reflection wall portion includes a plurality of reflection wall portious each provided for corresponding one of the light sources, the at least one opening includes a plurality of openings each provided for corresponding one of the light sources, and the irradiating region formed on the outer lens by the reflected light of the outputted light of each of the light sources is arranged to be adjacent to each other at a predetermined gap.
[0010] Advantageously, the reflection surface of one of the reflection wall portions that is arranged farthest away from the vehicle reflects the outputted light of corresponding one of the light sources in a direction on a rearward side of the vehicle such that at least a part of the irradiating light is visually contacted from the direction on the rearward side of the vehicle.
[0011] Advantageously, the housing is provided for a mirror housing of a door mirror provided on the vehicle.
[0012] Advantageously, the at least one light source includes an attachment board to be fixed to the housing main body.
[0013] Advantageously, the reflection surface faces the at least one light source and faces in a rear direction of the vehicle.
[0014] In addition, the invention provides another lighting fixture for a vehicle provided on a side of the vehicle, the lighting fixture comprises: at least one light source which outputs outputted light; and a housing including a housing main body and an outer lens, the housing main body housing the at least one light source, and the outer lens being provided on the housing main body and through which the outputted light transmits to irradiate a direction on the side of the vehicle as irradiating light, wherein the housing includes a partition wall which partitions a housing space, formed by the outer lens and the housing main body and in which the at least one light source is housed, into a housing space exposed portion located on a side of the outer lens and a housing space shielded portion located on a side of the housing main body and which houses the at least one light source while shielding the at least one light source, wherein the partition wall includes: at least one opening provided ahead of the at least one light source and through which the outputted light passes from the housing space shielded portion to the housing space exposed portion; and at least one reflection wall portion including a reflection surface which reflects the outputted light, outputted from the at least one light source and having passed through the at least one opening, toward the direction on the side of the vehicle through the outer lens in such a manner that an irradiating region of the outputted light is widened, and extending to the housing space exposed portion to shield the at least one opening so as to prevent the at least one opening from being visually contacted from a direction front of the vehicle, and wherein the irradiating light is formed by reflected light of the outputted light reflected by the reflection surface and outputted through the outer lens.
[0015] Advantageously, the at least one light source includes a plurality of light sources housed in the housing, the at least one reflection wall portion includes a plurality of reflection wall portions each provided for corresponding one of the light sources, the at least one opening includes a plurality of openings each provided for corresponding one of the light sources, and wherein the irradiating region formed on the outer lens by the reflected light of the outputted light of each of the light sources is arranged to be adjacent to each other at a predetermined gap.
[0016] Advantageously, the reflection surface of one of the reflection wall portions that is arranged farthest away from the vehicle reflects the outputted light of corresponding one of the light sources in a direction on a rearward side of the vehicle such that at least a part of the irradiating light is visually contacted from the direction on the rearward side of the vehicle.
[0017] Advantageously, the housing is provided for a mirror housing of a door mirror provided on the vehicle.
[0018] Advantageously, the at least one light source includes an attachment board to be fixed to the partition wall.
[0019] Advantageously, the reflection surface faces the at least one light source and faces in a rear direction of the vehicle.
[0020] Advantageously, the at least one opening partially opens an approximately central portion in a vertical direction of the partition wall, the at least one reflection wall portion has a height compatible with the at least one opening, an upper end and a lower end of the at least one reflection wall portion are respectively connected to rib walls protruded from an upper end rim and a lower end rim of the at least one opening.
[0021] Advantageously, aluminum is deposited on inside and outside of the at least one reflection wall portion, inside and outside of the rib walls, inside and outside of the rib wall, and an outer surface of the at least one partition wall.
[0022] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle to which the lighting fixture for vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention obtained along a I-I line illustrated in FIG. 1 .
[0026] FIG. 3 is a view where the lighting fixture for vehicle illustrated in FIG. 2 is seen from an arrow A 1 .
[0027] FIG. 4 is a view where the lighting fixture for vehicle illustrated in FIG. 2 is seen from an arrow A 2 .
[0028] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating outputted light from each LED and irradiating light formed by the outputted light from each LED in the sectional view of FIG. 2 .
[0029] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the lighting fixture for vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is obtained along a I-I line illustrated in FIG. 1 .
[0030] FIG. 7 is a view where the lighting fixture for vehicle illustrated in FIG. 6 is seen from an arrow A 3 .
[0031] FIG. 8 is a view where the lighting fixture for vehicle illustrated in FIG. 6 is seen from an arrow A 4 .
[0032] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating outputted light from each LED and irradiating light formed by the outputted light from each LED in the sectional view of FIG. 6 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. The scope of the present invention, however, is not limited to these embodiments. Within the scope of the present invention, any structure and material described below can be appropriately modified.
[0034] In addition, note that an outer lens 13 (described later) is omitted in FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 , FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 to make the drawings easily understood. Further, m the following description, as illustrated by an arrow in FIG. 1 , the upper direction, the lower direction, the left direction, the right direction, the front direction and the rear direction of an occupant of a vehicle C seated facing ahead the vehicle C are respectively represented in U, D, L, R, F and B, and embodiments will be described according to each direction.
[0035] A lighting fixture for vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , is provided for a mirror housing MH of a door mirror DM of the vehicle C along the longitudinal direction of the mirror housing MH. The door mirror DM is configured that the mirror housing MH and a mirror M (with reference to FIG. 2 ) arc arranged along the approximate vehicle width direction of the vehicle C when it is used during the driving or the like of the vehicle C. Note that the lighting fixtures for vehicle 10 that are provided for the door mirror DM and the door mirror DM are provided on the both sides of the vehicle C but have basically equal structures except that they are symmetrical, so that description will be made for the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 provided for the door mirror DM on the left side of the vehicle C in the following description, the description for the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 provided for the door mirror DM on the right side of the vehicle C will be omitted.
[0036] The lighting fixture for vehicle 10 has a housing 11 forming a long shape over the entire body as illustrated in FIG. 2 , and the housing 11 is provided along the outer surface of the front side of the mirror housing MH of the door mirror DM as illustrated in FIG. 1 . The housing 11 has a housing main body 12 and the outer lens 13 . The housing main body 12 forms a long container shape which is attachable in an embedded manner to the mirror housing MH and to which the outer lens 13 is installed.
[0037] The outer lens 13 forms a long lid shape and formed by a member which transmits light, and is curved so as to go along the outer surface of the mirror housing MH. Although a structure is employed in the present embodiment in which the outer lens 13 has a transparent structure where the irradiating direction and the light quantity of irradiating light are not adjusted, a structure provided with a prism or the like for adjusting the irradiating direction and the light quantity of irradiating light may be employed. By installing the outer lens 13 to the housing main body 12 , a housing space 14 surrounded by the outer lens 13 and the housing main body 12 is configured and established inside the housing 11 . The outer lens 13 is formed by a resin material in the present embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, the housing 11 is attached to the mirror housing MF 1 such that the outer lens 13 is exposed from the outer surface of the mirror housing MH as illustrated in FIG. 1 .
[0038] A partition wall 15 , four LEDs 16 being the light sources, four attachment boards 17 to which the LEDs 16 are attached, and a control board 18 arc provided in the housing space 14 of the housing 11 .
[0039] The partition wall 15 is provided inside the housing main body 12 so as to bridge an unillustrated ceiling portion 12 t (a ceiling portion) and a bottom portion 12 b (a floor portion, with reference to FIG. 3 ) inside the housing main body 12 , and partitions the housing space 14 of the housing 11 into a housing space exposed portion 14 b on the outer lens 13 side and a housing space shielded portion 14 a on the housing main body 12 side.
[0040] Four openings 19 and four reflection wall portions 20 are provided for the partition wall 15 . As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the four openings 19 are provided at a predetermined gap with each other. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , each opening 19 opens from the upper end to the lower end of the partition wall 15 . The four reflection wall portions 20 are provided corresponding to the four openings 19 .
[0041] The four reflection wall portions 20 are formed so as to be continuous on opening rim portion 19 a on the left side of each opening 19 of the partition wall 15 and bridge the ceiling portion 12 t and the bottom portion 12 b inside the housing main body 12 when the partition wall 15 is seen from the outer lens 13 side. A reflection surface 21 to each opening 19 is equipped on each opening 19 side of each reflection wall portion 20 . The size, installing position, installing angle or the like of the each reflection wall portion 20 is set based on the positional relation between the opening 19 and the LED 16 corresponding to each reflection wall portion 20 , and it will be described later. In the partition wall 15 , aluminum for example is deposited on an outer surface 15 a facing the outer lens 13 and the reflection surface 21 . Further, aluminum for example is deposited on surface on the outer lens 13 side out of the housing main body 12 (e.g. the ceiling portion 12 t or the bottom portion 12 b of the housing main body 12 structuring the housing space exposed portion 14 b ).
[0042] The LED 16 is arranged in each of the four openings 19 . The four LEDs 16 are arranged in the housing space shielded portion 14 a, and their positions are set such that the outputted light is headed to the reflection surface 21 . Specifically, the openings 19 are openings that permit the outputted light from each LED 16 housed in the housing space shielded portion 14 a to travel to the housing space exposed portion 14 b, and the outputted light having passed through the openings 19 reaches the reflection surface 21 . Herein, in the present embodiment, the angle of outputted light where light emission intensity becomes half a peak value is used as an output angle (a so-called viewing angle of LED), and light whose output angle is this output angle or less is treated as the outputted light The output angle of light may be appropriately set, and is not limited to the present embodiment. Each LED 16 is severally attached electrically and physically to each attachment board 17 individually.
[0043] Each attachment board 17 is fixed to an attachment pedestal 12 a provided for the housing main body 12 . Further, each attachment board 17 is electrically connected to the control board 18 provided in the housing space shielded portion 14 a (connection is omitted in the drawing). The control board 18 transmits a control signal to each attachment board 17 in response to the operation of an unillustrated operation section of a direction indicator lever or the like provided in the cabin of the vehicle C in order to perform turn-ON control of the LEDs 16 . In the present embodiment, the control board 18 is set to allow each LED 16 to blink at equal timing in response to the operation of the operation section. Thus, the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 functions as a direction indicator.
[0044] In the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, each reflection wall portion 20 , each opening 19 and each LED 16 are provided so as to satisfy the requirements of (a) to (d) below.
[0045] (a) The positional relation between each LED 16 and each reflection surface 21 of each reflection wall portion 20 is set such that the irradiating region of the outputted light of the LEDs 16 reflected on the reflection surface 21 becomes a region from the left lateral direction to the left rear lateral direction of the vehicle C as illustrated in FIG. 5 . Further, the positional relation with each other is set such that the outputted light of the LEDs 16 reflected on the reflection surface 21 reflects the irradiating region in a magnifying manner. Herein, to magnify the irradiating region means that, in the case of comparing an irradiating region by the outputted light directly traveled from the LEDs 16 with an irradiating region of the outputted light of the LEDs 16 reflected on the reflection surface 21 at equal distance points in an optical axis direction of the light sources, the latter is larger than the former.
[0046] (b) The positional relation between each LED 16 and each reflection surface 21 of each reflection wall portion 20 is set such that the each irradiating region that the outputted light reflected on each reflection surface 21 forms on the inner surface of the outer lens 13 becomes adjacent at a predetermined gap or less as illustrated in FIG. 5 . This requirement is due to the fact that only a single lighting fixture is permitted to install to the door mirror DM in European legal standards, and a lighting fixture using a plurality of LEDs are considered as a single lighting fixture by setting adjacent irradiating regions at a predetermined gap or less.
[0047] (c) The positional relation between an LED 16 at the most distant position from the vehicle C ( 16 out illustrated FIG. 5 ) and the reflection surface 21 of the reflection wall portion 20 corresponding to the LED is set such that an angle formed by the vehicle C side end portion LT of the irradiating region and the central axis directiou CT of the vehicle C becomes a predetermined angle or less as shown in FIG. 5 . This requirement is due to the fact that, in the case of using the lighting fixture laterally provided for the vehicle as a direction indicator, the angle formed by the vehicle C side end portion LT of the irradiating region and the central axis direction CT of the vehicle C is required to be a predetermined angle or less (5 degrees or less in Europe, 30 degrees or less in the U.S.) in European and North American legal standards.
[0048] (d) Each reflection wall portion 20 is arranged so as to shield the opening 19 and the LED 16 to each reflection wall portion 20 in the case of looking at the lighting fixture Tor vehicle 10 from the front direction of the vehicle C as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 .
[0049] In the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment, the irradiating region of each LED 16 outside the outer lens 13 is magnified by the reflection wall portion 20 , and is larger than the direct irradiating region of each LED 16 . For this reason, uneven brightness where each LED 16 in the turned-ON state is recognizable is suppressed, the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 is improved and illumination performance is unproved comparing to the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle.
[0050] Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment, since the irradiating light is formed by the reflected light from the reflection wall portion 20 , the orientation or the irradiating region of the irradiating light is easily adjustable only by changing the angle and the shape of the reflection surface 21 of the reflection wall portion 20 . For this reason, by appropriately adjusting the angle and the shape of the reflection surface 21 , it is possible to form continuous irradiating light without uneven brightness over the entire region, easily.
[0051] Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment, the reflection wall portions 20 prevent each LED 16 from being seen from the front direction of vehicle. For this reason, visual quality is improved comparing to the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle.
[0052] Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment, the reflection wall portions 20 prevent each opening 19 from being visually contacted from the front direction of vehicle. For this reason, visual quality is improved comparing to the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle.
[0053] Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment, when looking from the front direction during light-OFF, only the outer surface 15 a of the partition wall 15 , and the ceiling portion 12 t and the bottom portion 12 b of the housing main body 12 on which aluminum for example is deposited are visually contacted, so that excellent visual quality is ensured. Specifically, the partition wall 15 functions as a decorative plate that blindfolds the homing space shielded portion 14 a inside the housing 11 .
[0054] Further, since the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment satisfies the above-described requirement of (b), it is possible to install the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 to the door mirror DM as a single lighting fixture.
[0055] Further, since the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment satisfies the above-described requirements of (b) and (c), it is possible to use the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 as a direction indicator.
[0056] In the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment, since aluminum for example is deposited on the ceiling portion 12 t and the bottom portion 12 b of the housing main body 12 , the outer surface 15 a of the partition wall 15 , and the reflection surface 21 , the housing space exposed portion 14 b inside the housing 11 , which is visually contacted from outside via the outer leus 13 is configured by the deposition surface of aluminum. For this reason, light entered from outside scatters inside the housing space exposed portion 14 b and reflects to the outside of the outer lens 13 . Hence, the brilliance of the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 increases, and the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 is improved. Moreover, since the light being scattered inside the housing space exposed portion 14 b during light-ON of the LEDs 16 reflects to the outside of the outer lens 13 , the brilliance of the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 increases, and hence, it is possible to improve the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 and illumination performance thereof.
[0057] As described in the foregoing, according to the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 of the present embodiment of the invention, it is possible to suppress the uneven brightness where each LED 16 in the turned-ON state is recognizable when looking at the irradiating light via the outer lens 13 , and is possible to prevent each LED 16 from being visually contacted via the outer lens 13 during light-OFF.
[0058] Hereinafter, a lighting fixture for vehicle 210 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 9 . In the present embodiment, the structure of a partition wall 215 and the attaching method of each LED 16 are different as compared with the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 described in the above embodiment For this reason, the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 according to another embodiment has basically the equal configuration and operation as the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 of the above embodiment, and therefore, description will be mode only for configurations and operations different thereto.
[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 6 , in the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 according to another embodiment of the invention, a partition wall 215 is provided inside a housing main body 212 so as to bridge an unillustrated ceiling portion 212 t (a ceiling portion) and a bottom portion 212 b inside the housing main body 212 (a floor portion with reference to FIG. 7 ), and partitions the housing space 14 of a housing 211 into the housing space exposed portion 14 b on the outer lens 13 side and the housing space shielded portion 14 a on the housing main body 212 side. The partition wall 215 is provided with four openings 219 . The structure of the openings 219 is different from the structure of the openings 19 described in the above embodiment.
[0060] Each opening 219 partially opens the approximately central portion in vertical direction of the partition wall 215 as illustrated in FIG. 7 . Accordingly, reflection wall portions 220 have a height compatible with the openings 219 . The upper end and the lower end of the reflection wall portions 220 are respectively connected to rib walls ( 220 au and 220 ad ) protruded from the upper end rim and the lower end rim of the opening 219 . Aluminum for example is deposited on the inside (reflection surface 221 with reference FIG. 6 ) and the outside of the reflection wall portions 220 , the inside and the outside of the rib walls 220 au , the inside and the outside of the rib wall 220 ad , and the outer surface 215 a of the partition wall 215 .
[0061] Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 , the attachment boards 17 where each LED 16 is attached is fixed on the partition wall 215 on the rear surface side of the partition wall 215 . Accordingly, in the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 , the attachment pedestal 12 a (with reference to FIG. 2 ) is not provided for the housing main body 212 .
[0062] In the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 according to present another embodiment, similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 , irradiating light outputted outward the outer lens 13 is formed by the reflected light of the reflection wall portions 220 (with reference to FIG. 9 ). Therefore, when looking at the irradiating light via the outer lens 13 , uneven brightness where each LED 16 in the turned-ON state is recognizable is suppressed.
[0063] Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 , similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 , the orientation or the irradiating region of the irradiating light is adjustable only by changing the angle and the shape of the reflection surface 221 on which the reflection wall portion 220 is formed.
[0064] Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 , similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 , the reflection wall portions 220 prevent each LED 16 from being seen from the front direction of vehicle during light-OFF (with reference to FIG. 8 ). For this reason, visual quality is improved comparing to the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle.
[0065] Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 , similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 , the reflection wall portions 220 prevent each opening 219 from being seen from the front direction of vehicle (with reference to FIG. 8 ). For this reason, visual quality is improved comparing to the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle.
[0066] Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 , similar to the fighting fixture for vehicle 10 , since only the outer surface 215 a of the partition wall 215 , the outside of the reflection wall portions 220 , the outside of rib walls 220 au , the outside of rib walls 220 ad , the ceiling portion 212 t and the bottom portion 212 b of the housing main body 212 , where aluminum for example is deposited, are visually contacted when looking from the front direction during light-OFF, excellent visual quality is ensured (with reference to FIG. 8 ).
[0067] Further, since the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 also satisfies the requirement of the above-described (b), it is possible to install the fighting fixture for vehicle 210 to the door mirror DM as a single lighting fixture similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 .
[0068] Further, since the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 also satisfies the requirements of the above-described (b) and (c), it is possible to use the lighting fixture 210 as a direction indicator similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 .
[0069] Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 , similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 , the housing space exposed portion 14 b inside the housing 211 , which is visually contacted from outside via the outer lens 13 , is structured by the deposition surface of aluminum for example. For this reason, since light entered from outside scatters inside the housing space exposed portion 14 b and reflects to the outside of the outer lens 13 , the brilliance of the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 increases. Hence, the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 is improved. Moreover, since light being scattered inside the housing space exposed portion 14 b during light-ON of the LEDs 16 reflects to the outside of the outer lens 13 , the brilliance of the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 increases. Therefore, it is possible to improve the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 and illmination performance.
[0070] Moreover, in the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 , the attachment boards 17 where each LED 16 is attached are fixed on the partition wall 215 provided with the reflection wall portions 220 . Hence, it is possible to set appropriate arranging relationship between each reflection surface 221 corresponding to the rear surface of each reflection wall portion 220 and each LED 16 , easily.
[0071] As described in the foregoing, according to the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 of another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the uneven brightness where each LED 16 in the turned-ON state is recognizable when the irradiating light is viewed via the outer lens 13 , and to prevent each LED 16 from being visually contacted via the outer lens 13 during light-OFF.
[0072] In the above-described each embodiment, positional relation between the four LEDs 16 and the reflection surface ( 21 , 221 ) of the reflection wall portions ( 20 , 220 ) is set such that irradiating regions that the reflected outputted light forms on the inner surface of the outer lens 13 become adjacent to each other at a predetermined gap or less (requirement of the above-described (b)). If legal standards for treating light sources having a plurality of LEDs as a single lighting fixture are different, the positional relation may be appropriately changed. Further, when there is no need to clear such legal standards, the lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 , 210 ) does not need to satisfy the requirement of (b). Therefore, the invention is not limited to the above-described each embodiment.
[0073] Further, in the above-described each embodiment, the positional relation between the LED 16 at the most distant position from the vehicle C and the reflection surface 21 of the reflection wall portion 20 corresponding to the LED is set such that the angle formed by the vehicle C side end portion LT of the irradiating region of irradiating light and the central axis direction CT of the vehicle C became a predetermined angle or less (requirement of the above-described (c)). In the case where the lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 , 210 ) is not used as a direction indicator or in the case where legal standards for using it as a direction indicator are not provided, the lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 , 210 ) does not need to satisfy the requirement of (c). Therefore, the invention is not limited to the above-described each embodiment
[0074] Further, although the lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 , 210 ) is provided for the mirror housing MH of the door mirror DM in the above-described each embodiment, the lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 , 210 ) may irradiate the lateral direction of the vehicle C by irradiating light. Therefore, the attachment positions of (lie lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 , 210 ) are not limited to the attachment position in the above-described each embodiment.
[0075] Further, in the above-described each embodiment, when looking at the lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 , 210 ) provided for the mirror housing MH of the door mirror DM from the front direction of the vehicle C, the reflection wall portions ( 20 , 220 ) are provided for the positions of shielding the openings ( 19 , 219 ), but the reflection wall portions ( 20 , 220 ) may not shield the openings ( 19 , 219 ) themselves as long as they shield the LEDs 16 provided for the openings ( 19 , 219 ). Therefore, the attachment positions of the reflection wall portions ( 20 , 220 ) are not limited to the attachment positions in the above-described each embodiment.
[0076] Further, although the partition wall ( 15 , 215 ) is provided in the above-described each embodiment, the partition wall ( 15 , 215 ) may be at a position where the LEDs 16 and the reflection wall portions ( 20 , 220 ) are provided on a positional relation satisfying the requirements of (a) and (d). Therefore, the shape and the position of the partition wall ( 15 , 215 ) are not limited to the shape and the position in the above-described each embodiment.
[0077] Further, the attachment boards 17 are fixed to the housing main body 12 in the above-described fighting fixture for vehicle 10 according to the embodiment, but they may be fixed to the partition wall 15 as in the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 according to another embodiment. Therefore, the attachment position of the attachment board 17 is not limited to the attachment position according to the embodiment
[0078] Moreover, the attachment boards 17 are fixed to the partition wall 215 in the lighting fixture for vehicle 210 of the above-described another embodiment, but they may be fixed to the housing main body 212 as in the lighting fixture for vehicle 10 according to the embodiment. Therefore, the attachment positions of the attachment boards 17 are not limited to the attachment positions according to another embodiment.
[0079] As described in the foregoing, in the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention, since the irradiating light is formed by the reflected light whose irradiating region is widened by the reflection surface, it is possible to suppress the uneven brightness where each light source in the turned-ON state is recognizable in the case of looking at the irradiating light.
[0080] Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention, since the reflection wall portions prevent the light source from being seen contacted from the front direction of vehicle, it is possible to improve the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle.
[0081] Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention, since the reflection wall portions prevent the openings and the light sources from being seen from the front direction of vehicle, it is possible to improve the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle.
[0082] Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention, the irradiating regions that the reflected light of outputted light from a plurality of light sources form on the outer lens are adjacent to each other at a predetermined gap, to satisfy the legal standards for treating them as a single lighting fixture by using the plurality of light sources. Therefore, it is possible to treat the lighting fixture for vehicle as a single fighting fixture.
[0083] Further, since the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention satisfies the legal standards for treating it as a single lighting fixture, it is possible to attach the lighting fixture for vehicle to the door mirror DM as a single lighting fixture.
[0084] Moreover, in the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention, the irradiating region is provided such that an angle formed by the vehicle side end portion of the irradiating region of irradiating light and the central axis direction of vehicle becomes a predetermined angle or less. Therefore, the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments satisfies the legal standards for treating it as a direction indicator, so that it is possible to use the lighting fixture for vehicle as a direction indicator.
[0085] Although the present invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. It should be appreciated that variations may be made in the embodiments described by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.
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A lighting fixture for a vehicle includes: at least one light source; and a housing including a housing main body and an outer lens. The housing includes a partition wall which partitions a housing space, formed by the outer lens and the housing main body into a housing space exposed portion and a housing space shielded portion which houses and shields the at least one light source. The partition wall includes: at least one opening provided ahead of the at least one light source and through which outputted light passes from the housing space shielded portion to the housing space exposed portion; and at least one reflection wall portion including a reflection surface which reflects the outputted light toward a direction on the side of the vehicle such that an irradiating region of the outputted light is widened, and extending to the housing space exposed portion to shield the at least one light source so as to prevent the at least one light source from being visually contacted from a direction front of the vehicle. The irradiating light is formed by reflected light of the outputted light reflected by the reflection surface and outputted through the outer lens.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate, in general, to aluminum coated articles and to a process for applying an aluminum coating to a substrate.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the semiconductor industry, devices are fabricated by a number of manufacturing processes producing structures of an ever-decreasing size. Some manufacturing processes may generate particles, which frequently contaminate the substrate that is being processed, contributing to device defects. As device geometries shrink, susceptibility to defects increases, and particle contaminant requirements become more stringent. Accordingly, as device geometries shrink, allowable levels of particle contamination may be reduced.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one embodiment, an aluminum coating is formed on an article, and the aluminum coating is anodized to form an anodization layer. The anodization layer can have a thickness in a range between 40% to 60% of the thickness of the aluminum coating. The anodization layer can also have a thickness up to 2 to 3 times the thickness of the aluminum coating.
[0004] In one embodiment, the aluminum is a high purity aluminum. The aluminum coating may have a thickness in a range from about 0.8 mils to about 4 mils. The anodization layer may have a thickness in a range from about 0.4 to about 4 microns. In one embodiment, a surface roughness of the anodization layer is about 40 micro-inch.
[0005] In one embodiment, the article can include at least one of aluminum, copper, magnesium, an aluminum alloy (e.g., Al6061), or a ceramic material.
[0006] In one embodiment, the aluminum coating is formed by electroplating. About half of the anodization layer can be formed from conversion of the aluminum coating during anodization.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that different references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture of a manufacturing system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a process for electroplating a conductive article with aluminum, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a process for anodizing an aluminum coated conductive article, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a process for manufacturing an aluminum coated conductive article, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an aluminum coating on a conductive article.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an aluminum coating and an anodization layer on a conductive article.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a process for coating an article (e.g., for use in semiconductor manufacturing) with an aluminum coating, and to an article created using such a coating process. In one embodiment, the article is coated, and then at least a portion of the coating is anodized. For example, the article may be a showerhead, a cathode sleeve, a sleeve liner door, a cathode base, a chamber liner, an electrostatic chuck base, etc. of a chamber for processing equipment such as an etcher, a cleaner, a furnace, and so forth. In one embodiment, the chamber is for a plasma etcher or plasma cleaner. In one embodiment, these articles can be formed of an aluminum alloy (e.g., Al 6061), another alloy, a metal, a metal oxide, a ceramic, or any other suitable material. The article may be a conductive article (e.g., an aluminum alloy) or a non-conductive or insulating article (e.g., a ceramic).
[0015] Parameters for the anodization may be optimized to reduce particle contamination from the article. Performance properties of the aluminum coated article may include a relatively long lifespan, and a low on-wafer particle and metal contamination.
[0016] Embodiments described herein with reference to aluminum coated conductive articles may cause reduced particle contamination and on wafer metal contamination when used in a process chamber for plasma rich processes. However, it should be understood that the aluminum coated articles discussed herein may also provide reduced particle contamination when used in process chambers for other processes such as non-plasma etchers, non-plasma cleaners, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chamber, physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber, and so forth.
[0017] When the terms “about” and “approximately” are used herein, these are intended to mean that the nominal value presented is precise within ±10%. The articles described herein may be other structures that are exposed to plasma.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture of a manufacturing system 100 . The manufacturing system 100 may be a system for manufacturing an article for use in semiconductor manufacturing. In one embodiment, the manufacturing system 100 includes processing equipment 101 connected to an equipment automation layer 115 . The processing equipment 101 may include one or more wet cleaners 103 , an aluminum coater 104 and/or an anodizer 105 . The manufacturing system 100 may further include one or more computing device 120 connected to the equipment automation layer 115 . In alternative embodiments, the manufacturing system 100 may include more or fewer components. For example, the manufacturing system 100 may include manually operated (e.g., off-line) processing equipment 101 without the equipment automation layer 115 or the computing device 120 .
[0019] Wet cleaners 103 are cleaning apparatuses that clean articles (e.g., conductive articles) using a wet clean process. Wet cleaners 103 include wet baths filled with liquids, in which the substrate is immersed to clean the substrate. Wet cleaners 103 may agitate the wet bath using ultrasonic waves during cleaning to improve a cleaning efficacy. This is referred to herein as sonicating the wet bath.
[0020] In one embodiment, wet cleaners 103 include a first wet cleaner that cleans the articles using a bath of de-ionized (DI) water and a second wet cleaner that cleans the articles using a bath of acetone. Both wet cleaners 103 may sonicate the baths during cleaning processes. The wet cleaners 103 may clean the article at multiple stages during processing. For example, wet cleaners 103 may clean an article after a substrate has been roughened, after an aluminum coating has been applied to the substrate, after the article has been used in processing, and so forth.
[0021] In other embodiments, alternative types of cleaners such as dry cleaners may be used to clean the articles. Dry cleaners may clean articles by applying heat, by applying gas, by applying plasma, and so forth.
[0022] Aluminum coater 104 is a system configured to apply an aluminum coating to the surface of the article: In one embodiment, aluminum coater 104 is an electroplating system that plates the aluminum on the article (e.g., a conductive article) by applying an electrical current to the article when the article is immersed in an electroplating bath including aluminum, which will be described in more detail below. Here, surfaces of the article can be coated evenly because the conductive article is immersed in the bath. In alternative embodiments, the aluminum coater 104 may use other techniques to apply the aluminum coating such as physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), twin wire arc spray, ion vapor deposition, sputtering, and coldspray.
[0023] In one embodiment, anodizer 105 is a system configured to form an anodization layer on the aluminum coating. For example, the article (e.g., a conductive article) is immersed in an anodization bath, e.g., including sulfuric acid or oxalic acid, and an electrical current is applied to the article such that the article is an anode. The anodization layer then forms on the aluminum coating on the article, which will be discussed in more detail below.
[0024] The equipment automation layer 115 may interconnect some or all of the manufacturing machines 101 with computing devices 120 , with other manufacturing machines, with metrology tools and/or other devices. The equipment automation layer 115 may include a network (e.g., a location area network (LAN)), routers, gateways, servers, data stores, and so on. Manufacturing machines 101 may connect to the equipment automation layer 115 via a SEMI Equipment Communications Standard/Generic Equipment Model (SECS/GEM) interface, via an Ethernet interface, and/or via other interfaces. In one embodiment, the equipment automation layer 115 enables process data (e.g., data collected by manufacturing machines 101 during a process run) to be stored in a data store (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, the computing device 120 connects directly to one or more of the manufacturing machines 101 .
[0025] In one embodiment, some or all manufacturing machines 101 include a programmable controller that can load, store and execute process recipes. The programmable controller may control temperature settings, gas and/or vacuum settings, time settings, etc. of manufacturing machines 101 . The programmable controller may include a main memory (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), etc.), and/or a secondary memory (e.g., a data storage device such as a disk drive). The main memory and/or secondary memory may store instructions for performing heat treatment processes described herein.
[0026] The programmable controller may also include a processing device coupled to the main memory and/or secondary memory (e.g., via a bus) to execute the instructions. The processing device may be a general-purpose processing device such as a microprocessor, central processing unit, or the like. The processing device may also be a special-purpose processing device such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), network processor, or the like. In one embodiment, programmable controller is a programmable logic controller (PLC).
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a process for electroplating an article (e.g., a conductive article) with aluminum, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Electroplating may produce an aluminum layer having a purity of 99.99. Electroplating is a process that uses electrical current to reduce dissolved metal cations to form a metal coating on an electrode, e.g, article 203 . The article 203 is the cathode, and an aluminum body 205 (e.g., high purity aluminum) is the anode. Both components are immersed in an aluminum plating bath 201 including an electrolyte solution containing one or more dissolved metal salts as well as other ions that permit the flow of electricity. A current supplier 207 (e.g., a battery or other power supply) supplies a direct current to the article 203 , oxidizing the metal atoms of the aluminum body 205 such that the metal atoms dissolve in the solution. The dissolved metal ions in the electrolyte solution are reduced at the interface between the solution and the article 203 to plate onto the article 203 and form an aluminum plating layer. The aluminum plating is typically smooth. For example, the aluminum plating may have a surface roughness (Ra) of about 20 micro-inch to about 200 micro-inch.
[0028] In one embodiment, the aluminum plating layer thickness is optimized for both cost savings and adequate thickness for anodization. Half of thickness of the anodization layer may be based on consumption of the thickness of the aluminum plating layer. In one embodiment, the anodization layer consumes all of the aluminum layer. Thus, the thickness of the aluminum layer may be half of the target thickness of the anodization layer. In another embodiment, the aluminum plating layer may be formed to have a thickness that is twice that of the desired thickness of the anodization layer. Other thicknesses of the aluminum plating layer may also be used. In one embodiment, the aluminum plating layer has a thickness of 5 mils. In one embodiment, the aluminum plating layer has a thickness in a range from about 0.8 mils to about 4 mils. Note that other aluminum coating processes other than electroplating may also be used in other embodiments.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a process for anodizing an aluminum coated article 303 , according to one embodiment. Note that in some embodiments anodization is not performed. For example, the article 303 can be the article 203 of FIG. 2 . Anodization changes the microscopic texture of the surface of the article 303 . Preceding the anodization process, the article 303 can be cleaned in a nitric acid bath or brightened in a mix of acids, i.e., be subjected to a chemical treatment (e.g., deoxidation) prior to anodization.
[0030] The article 303 is immersed in an anodization bath 301 , including an acid solution, along with a cathode body 305 . Examples of cathode bodies that may be used include aluminum alloys such as Al6061 and Al3003 and carbon bodies. The anodization layer is grown on the article 303 by passing a current through an electrolytic solution via a current supplier 307 (e.g., a battery or other power supply), where the article is the anode (the positive electrode). The current releases hydrogen at the cathode body, e.g., the negative electrode, and oxygen at the surface of the article 303 to form aluminium oxide. In one embodiment, the voltage that enables anodization using various solutions may range from 1 to 300 V, in one embodiment, or from 15 to 21 V, in another embodiment. The anodizing current varies with the area of the aluminium body 305 anodized, and can range from 30 to 300 amperes/meter 2 (2.8 to 28 ampere/ft 2 ).
[0031] The acid solution dissolves (i.e., consumes or converts) a surface of the article (e.g., the aluminum coating) to form a coating of columnar nanopores, and the anodization layer continues growing from this coating of nanopores. The columnar nanopores may be 10 to 150 nm in diameter. The acid solution can be oxalic acid, sulfuric acid, or a combination of oxalic acid and sulfuric acid. For oxalic acid, the ratio of consumption of the article to anodization layer growth is about 1:1. For sulfuric acid, the ratio of consumption of the article to anodization layer growth is about 2:1. Electrolyte concentration, acidity, solution temperature, and current are controlled to forma consistent aluminum oxide anodization layer. In one embodiment, the anodization layer can have a thickness of up to 4 mils. In one embodiment, the anodization layer has a minimum thickness of 0.4 mils. In one embodiment, the anodization layer has a thickness in a range between 40% to 60% of the thickness of the aluminum coating. In one embodiment, the anodization layer has a thickness in a range between 30% to 70% of the thickness of the aluminum coating, though the anodization layer can have thicknesses that are other percentages of the aluminum coating. In one embodiment, all of the aluminum layer is anodized. Accordingly, the anodization layer may have a thickness that is twice the thickness of the aluminum coating (for anodization performed using oxalic acid) or that is approximately 1.5 times the thickness of the aluminum coating (for anodization performed using sulfuric acid).
[0032] In one example, if oxalic acid is used to perform the anodization, the aluminum coating is initially 4 mils thick, the resulting anodization layer may be 4 mils thick, and a resulting aluminum coating after the anodization may be 2 mils thick. In another example, if sulfuric acid is used to perform the anodization, the aluminum coating is initially 4 mils thick, the resulting anodization layer may be 3 mils thick, and a resulting aluminum coating after the anodization may be 2 mils thick. In one embodiment, a thicker aluminum coating is used if sulfuric acid is to be used for the anodization.
[0033] In one embodiment, the current density is initially high to grow a very dense barrier layer portion of the anodization layer, and then current density is reduced to grow a porous columnar layer portion of the anodization layer. In one embodiment where oxalic acid is used to form the anodization layer, the porosity is in a range from about 40% to about 50%, and the pores have a diameter in a range from about 20 nm to about 30 nm. In one embodiment where sulfuric acid is used to form the anodization layer, the porosity can be up to about 70%.
[0034] In one embodiment, the surface roughness (Ra) of the anodization layer is about 40 micro-inch, which is similar to the roughness of the article. In one embodiment, the surface roughness increases 20-30% after anodizing with sulfuric acid.
[0035] In one embodiment, the aluminum coating is about 100% anodized. In one embodiment, the aluminum coating is not anodized.
[0036] Table A shows the results of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) used to detect metallic impurities in an Al6061 article, an anodized Al6061 article, an aluminum coating including an aluminum plating layer on an Al6061 article, and an anodized aluminum coating including an aluminum plating layer on an Al6061 article. In this example, the aluminum plating layer is applied via electroplating, and the anodization occurs in an oxalic acid bath. The anodized aluminum plating layer on the Al6061 article shows the lowest levels of impurities.
[0000]
TABLE A
RL
Al
Anodized Al
(detection
Anodized
Plating on
Plating on
Parameter
limit of test)
Units
Al 6061
Al 6061
Al6061
Al6061
Chromium
0.02
ppm
850
1600
1.7
(μg/g)
Copper
0.02
ppm
2500
2800
12
4
(μg/g)
Iron
0.05
ppm
1300
2700
140
26
(μg/g)
Magnesium
0.01
ppm
4200
9700
3.6
1.5
(μg/g)
Manganese
0.01
ppm
210
540
2.9
3.6
(μg/g)
Nickel
0.01
ppm
37
120
12
3
(μg/g)
Titanium
0.01
ppm
190
160
1.2
(μg/g)
Zinc
0.04
ppm
1000
1600
4.8
(μg/g)
[0037] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method 400 for manufacturing an aluminum coated article, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The operations of process 400 may be performed by various manufacturing machines, as set forth in FIG. 1 . The process 400 may be applied to coat aluminum any article.
[0038] At block 401 , an article (e.g., an article having at least a conductive portion) is provided. For example, the article can be a conductive article formed of an aluminum alloy (e.g., Al 6061), another alloy, a metal, a metal oxide, or a ceramic. The article can be a shower head, a cathode sleeve, a sleeve liner door, a cathode base, a chamber liner, an electrostatic chuck base, etc., for use in a processing chamber.
[0039] At block 403 , the article is prepared for coating, according to one embodiment. The surface of the article may be altered by roughening, smoothing, or cleaning the surface.
[0040] At block 405 , the article is coated (e.g., plated) with aluminum. For example, the article can be electroplated with aluminum, as similarly described with respect to FIG. 2 . In other examples, the coating can be applied by physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), twin wire, arc spray, ion vapor deposition, sputtering, and coldspray.
[0041] At block 407 , the article with the aluminum coating is cleaned, according to one embodiment. For example, the article can be cleaned by immersing the article in nitric acid to remove surface oxidation.
[0042] At block 409 , the article with the aluminum coating is anodized, according to one embodiment. For example, the article can be anodized in a bath of oxalic acid or sulfuric acid, as similarly described with respect to FIG. 3 .
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates a scanning electron micrograph 500 of a cross-sectional view of an Al6061 article 501 with an aluminum coating 503 , applied via electroplating at approximately 1000-fold magnification with a 50 micron scale shown. The thickness of the aluminum plating layer is about 70 microns.
[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a scanning electron micrograph 600 of a cross-sectional view of an Al6061 article 601 with an aluminum coating 603 , applied via electroplating, and an anodization layer 605 , formed in an oxalic acid bath, at about 800-fold magnification with a 20 micron scale shown. The thickness of the aluminum plating layer is about 55 microns,. and the thickness of the anodization layer is about 25 microns.
[0045] The preceding description sets forth numerous specific details such as examples of specific systems, components, methods, and so forth, in order to provide a good understanding of several embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that at least some embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components or methods are not described in detail or are presented in simple block diagram format in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. Particular implementations may vary from these exemplary details and still be contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0046] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.”
[0047] Although the operations of the methods herein are shown and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order or so that certain operation may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be in an intermittent and/or alternating manner.
[0048] It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims arc entitled.
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To manufacture a chamber component for a processing chamber, an aluminum coating is formed on an article comprising impurities, the aluminum coating being substantially free from impurities.
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FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a system for communication between an Internet browser and a mobile telecommunication device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Currently mobile phone subscribers can send and receive SMS (short message service) or MMS (multimedia message service) messages to and from other mobile phone users. This two-way messaging is only available to mobile phone subscribers through mobile telecommunication devices.
[0003] One-way messaging is also available between a sending party using an Internet enabled device via a web browser and a receiving mobile phone subscriber. The sender of the message uses a telecommunication service provider to send the SMS or MMS message to the mobile telecommunication device subscriber. No reply can be sent to the Internet browser from tie mobile telecommunication device.
[0004] Several systems have been proposed to overcome this problem.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6 , 178 , 331 describes a bi-directional multiplexing messaging gateway for wireless devices such as mobile phones. The patent describes that when a message is sent from an outside email source the gateway may create a new temporary MSISDN number associated with the reply address before sending the message and reply MSISDN to the mobile phone. The user of the mobile phone can then reply to the message and the MSISDN is sent back to the gateway with the reply message. The gateway then maps the MSISDN back to the address of the original sender. However, this system requires that the sender have an email address. The system does not work when the sender doesn't have an email address.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,100 describes a system for sending and receiving short messages. When an external device is used to send an SMS to a mobile phone, the SMS is first routed through a gateway. The gateway stores in a database the address to which the SMS is being sent, a time stamp and the address of the external device. When the mobile phone user replies to the message it is sent back to the gateway with the timestamp. The gateway uses a combination of the time stamp and the destination address of the mobile phone to search the database and find the address of the external device. The reply is then sent on to the external device. This system is more complex and relies on the use of date and time stamping to identify the originating device. If two or more messages are sent to the same mobile subscriber within a second the system will not be able to determine to which sender to a response should be directed. Another disadvantage is that the temporary source address, as a combination of Gateway Application address, date, and time stamp could be very long. The address may be too long for the SMS message signal to accommodate and will not work for Internet SMS.
[0007] PCT patent publication WO 02/058356 describes a method for sending MMS messages between mobile phones via the Internet. The originating mobile phone is connected to the Internet via a public land mobile network (PLMN). When the originating mobile phone sends an MMS message to a receiving mobile phone, the message is first routed to an MMS server. The message lists the receiving mobile phone by its MSISDN number (essentially the phone number of the mobile phone). The message server sends a notification message to a PAP server. The PAP server determines whether the receiving mobile phone is currently communicating with the Internet. If the receiving device is communicating with the Internet the PAP server sends the receiving mobile notification that there is an MMS message at the MMS server. If the receiving device is communicating with the Internet via a different PTMN than that which is being used by the originating mobile phone, or the receiving mobile phone is not communicating with the Internet, the MMS server sends an SMS to the receiving mobile using the MSISDN number of the receiving mobile. This invention will only work between two mobile devices with existing MSISDN numbers. It is not suitable for communication between mobile phones and web browsers.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] It is the object of this invention to provide a method of two-way communication between a web browser and a mobile telecommunication device or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
[0009] In broad terms in one aspect the invention comprises a method of two-way communication between a web browser and a mobile telecommunication device including the steps of; accessing a web-site via a computer, sending a message to a mobile telecommunication device from the web-site, and at a message server capturing information uniquely identifying the computer, assigning an identification number to the information uniquely identifying the computer, storing the identification number and information uniquely identifying the computer in a database, and sending the message to the mobile telecommunication device with the identification number.
[0010] Preferably the method of two-way communication further includes the step of capturing the receiving mobile telecommunication device number at the message server.
[0011] Preferably the message server further includes the step of sending an acknowledgement to the web-site. The acknowledgement may include instructions to keep the web-site open in order to receive replies from the mobile telecommunication device.
[0012] Preferably the name of the sender is appended to the message sent to the mobile telecommunications device. The name of the sender is generally appended to the message by the web server.
[0013] In broad terms in another aspect the invention comprises a message server arranged to capture information uniquely identifying a computer sending a message to a mobile telecommunication device via a web-site, capture the message sent by the computer, assign an identification number to the information uniquely identifying the computer, store the identification number and information uniquely identifying the computer in a database, and send the message to the mobile telecommunication device with the identification number.
[0014] Preferably the message server is further arranged to capture the receiving mobile telecommunication device number.
[0015] Preferably the message sever is further arranged to an acknowledgement to the web-site. The acknowledgement may include instructions to keep the web-site open in order to receive replies from the mobile telecommunication device.
[0016] Preferably the web site is provided by a telecommunication service provider..
[0017] The message server may further be arranged so that upon receipt of a message from a mobile telecommunication device sent with an identification number of the message server, capture the message, identification number, and the receiving mobile telecommunication device number, use the database to match the identification number to information uniquely identifying a computer and the receiving mobile telecommunication device number, and send the message to the computer with the matching unique identifying information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
[0018] The invention including a preferred font thereof will be further described with reference to the accompanying figure in which;
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a communication system for communication between a web site and a mobile telecommunication device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a communications system of the invention. The communications system includes a computer 1 connected to the Internet 2 . Web server 3 is also connected to the Internet. Web server 3 is further connected to message server 4 . Message server 4 includes database 5 and translation table 6 . Message server 4 is connected to telecommunication network 7 . Telecommunication network 7 includes SMS Centres/Gateways 8 , Mobile Switching Centres (MSC) 9 , Base Station Controllers (BSC) 10 , Base Transceiver Stations (TS) 11 and cell phone towers 12 .
[0021] A user wishing to send a message via the Internet to a mobile telecommunication device accesses the Internet 2 using computer 1 . The user accesses a web site via the Internet. The web site may be stored on web server 3 . Using the web site the user types a message to be sent to a mobile telecommunication device as well as the phone number of the mobile telecommunication device. When the user has finished writing the message the user selects a send function on the web site. The message is then sent from the web server 3 to message server 4 . The user may use the web site to send messages to different mobile telecommunication devices. Each different mobile telecommunication device to which the web site user sends messages can be considered a different session and may appear in different windows. Either the same or different identification numbers can be used for each session.
[0022] Upon receipt of a message from web server 3 , message server 4 captures the information uniquely identifying computer 1 . This information may include (but is not limited to) the computer IP address, port number and a cookie. Database 5 and translation table 6 are queried to check if any identification number has been assigned to the captured unique identifying information of computer 1 . If no identification number has been assigned to the captured unique identifying information an identification number is then assigned. The identification number, IP address computer 1 and information uniquely identifying computer 1 are then stored in message database 5 and translation table 6 .
[0023] An advantage of using identification numbers instead of telephone numbers is that no number from a pool of available telephone number is required to be assigned to a session. This leads to more efficient use of resources as the message sent from the message server to a mobile telecommunication device may use a different phone number each time. To reply, the mobile telecommunication device user selects a reply function of the mobile telecommunication device. In one embodiment the reply function automatically includes the identification number in the reply. In another embodiment the mobile telecommunications device user enters the identification number as part of the reply message.
[0024] The temporary identification number may include an application identification portion and a user identification portion. The application identification portion can be used to identify the message server from where the sent message originated and which includes the database identifying the sending computer. The second portion of the identification number, i.e. the user ID portion, may identify the message server record with the unique data identifying the sending computer. In preferred embodiments the second portion of the identification number is in no way related to the information uniquely identifying the computer so that the sending computer cannot be identified from the identification number but only via the message server database.
[0025] In one preferred embodiment message server 4 also captures the receiving mobile telecommunication device number and stores this information with the captured IP address and port number of the originating device. In this embodiment database 5 and translation table 6 are queried to check if any identification number has been assigned to the information uniquely identifying the computer and receiving mobile telecommunications device number.
[0026] In the preferred embodiment if there is no identification number assigned to the information uniquely identifying the computer and receiving mobile telecommunication device number an identification number is assigned and the information uniquely identifying the computer is stored along with the phone number of the receiving mobile telecommunication device.
[0027] In a further alternative embodiment the message server 4 captures the information uniquely identifying computer 1 and the receiving mobile telecommunication device number. In this embodiment database 5 and translation table 6 are queried to check if any identification number has been assigned to the information uniquely identifying the computer. In this embodiment the receiving mobile telecommunications device number is capture but not used to determine whether an identification number has been assigned to the originating computer 1 .
[0028] If there is no identification number assigned to the information uniquely identifying the computer, an identification number is assigned and the information uniquely identifying the computer is stored along with the phone number of the receiving mobile telecommunication device.
[0029] The message received by message server 4 is then sent to telecommunication network 7 with the assigned identification number. The identification number is currently assigned to the information uniquely identifying the computer (and in the preferred embodiment the receiving mobile telecommunication device number) the message is sent to telecommunication device 13 with the currently assigned identification number.
[0030] The message server may also send an acknowledgement to computer 1 that the message has been and that the web-site should be kept open in order to receive any reply from the mobile telecommunication device.
[0031] When the message server 4 is set up a number of telephone numbers may be assigned to the message server by a telecommunication service provider. For example the message server may be provided with a list of 10,000 identification numbers. Each of these identification numbers can be assigned as an identification number for a device attached to the Internet. The number of identification numbers assigned to the message server may be based on the estimated number of messages simultaneously using the message server and the estimated average length of use of an identification number by an Internet device.
[0032] If all the identification numbers have been assigned the message server may search the database and find an identification number that can be reassigned. Assigning an identification number may be on the basis of reassigning the identification number that was the earliest to be assigned. Alternatively the database may include a time stamp of the latest time a message was sent either to or from a computer identified by unique identifying information and receiving mobile telecommunication device number assigned to an identification number. The message server 4 may then select the identification number with the longest time since last use on the assumption that it is no longer in use. Alternatively, all identification numbers exceeding a pre-specified time limit, for example 24 hours, will be reused.
[0033] To assist in the availability of identification numbers, when a user using a web site to send messages to a mobile device closes the web site a message may be sent to the message server that the identification number is no longer needed and the identification number may be added to the pool of available identification numbers.
[0034] Telecommunication network 7 delivers the message and identification number to mobile telecommunication device 13 . The user of the mobile telecommunication device can then reply to the message using the reply function on the mobile telecommunication device and including the identification number in the message as the user will normally do with the current SMS or MMS procedure.
[0035] When the user of the mobile telecommunication device 13 replies to the message, the message from the mobile telecommunication device passes through telecommunication network 7 to MSC 9 . MSC 9 recognises the phone number to which the message is sent as belonging to message server 4 and directs the message to message server 4 .
[0036] Message server 4 looks up the identification number using message database 5 and translation table 6 . If information uniquely identifying a computer is found assigned to the identification number the message server directs the message to the uniquely identified computer.
[0037] If no information uniquely identifying a computer is assigned to the identification number the message server may send a message back to the mobile telecommunication device 13 advising that the message is undeliverable.
[0038] In the preferred embodiment, message server 4 looks up the identification number using message database 5 and translation table 6 . If information uniquely identifying a computer and receiving mobile telecommunication device number are found assigned to the identification number the message server directs the message to the computer identified by the unique identifying information.
[0039] If no information uniquely identifying a computer and receiving mobile telecommunication device number are assigned to the identification number the message server may send a message back to the mobile telecommunication device 13 advising that the message is undeliverable.
[0040] Because any reply messages are sent to the web site accessed by the user and the uniquely identified computer, a computer user must keep the web site open to receiving any incoming messages. A message to this effect may be displayed on the web site. Alternatively when the message server acknowledges that a message has been received it may also send a reminder to keep the web site open to receive any replies. When the user ends a session a message may be sent to the mobile user alerting them to the end of session. The session will end when the user closes or otherwise leaves the website.
[0041] In one embodiment when the web site user is a subscriber to the web site (or to the company that runs the web site) the user enters a login and password to enter the site. This information is stored by the message, server along with the information uniquely identifying the computer used by the user. The message server then has a record of the user and the computer used by the user. The user sends messages via the web site to mobile telecommunications devices that may be anywhere in the world. The user can also select where a reply is to be sent. For example the user may select that replies are sent to an inbox or mobile device. In another embodiment the user may still be logged into the website and may elect to receive replies at a different device or address. In preferred embodiments the different devices use the same telecommunications company as the web site or telecommunications companies in partnership with the company running the website.
[0042] In another embodiment the web site user is not a subscriber to the web site or to the company that runs the website. The web site user can use the web site to send messages to customers of telecommunications companies partnered with the company operating the web site or to customers of the telecommunications company that operates the web site. In this embodiment information uniquely identifying the computer is stored in the message server and the message and identification number is sent to the mobile telecommunications device. No information identifying the user of the computer is stored.
[0043] The foregoing describes the invention including a preferred form thereof. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art and intended to including in the scope hereof as defined by the accompanying claims.
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A method of two-way communication between a web browser and a mobile telecommunication device including the steps of; accessing a web-site via a computer, sending a message to a mobile telecommunication device from the web-site, and at a message server capturing information uniquely identifying the computer, assigning an identification number to the information uniquely identifying the computer, storing the identification number and information uniquely identifying the computer in a database, and sending the message to the mobile telecommunication device with the identification number.
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