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experimental tests have been carried out to determine the effectiveness of the process in inactivating a range of organisms including bacteria , fungi , viruses and prions . four bacteria were used in the trials : bacillus cereus , staphylococcus aureus , salmonella typhimurium and escherichia coli . b . cereus and s . aureus were chosen as examples of sporogenic and non - sporogenic gram positive organisms respectively , each of which are linked to human disease . s . typhimurium and e . coli were chosen as examples of gram negative organisms , each of which again are linked to human disease . the yeast saccharomyces cerevisiae was chosen as an example of a eukaryotic micro - organism . to study the effect of the process on viruses , a bacteriophage hosted in e . coli strain g204 was employed . in each of five trials ( t 1 - t 5 ), a sample of pork meat , used as a model of organic material , was comminuted to give an average particle size of about 5 mm and this was dried in a freeze dryer to below 20 % ( w / w ) and then adjusted to give a moisture content of about 20 % ( w / w ). 5 kg of this comminuted dried meat was inoculated with a cocktail of the organisms above , and mixed to achieve homogeneity . the inoculated material was loaded into a freeze dryer , having a chamber volume of approximately 50 liters , to enable the pressure to be reduced to approximately 0 . 01 kpa ( 0 . 1 mbar ). in the first four trials ( t 1 - t 4 ), hydrogen peroxide was vaporised from a given volume of stock solution of 30 % ( v / v ) h 2 o 2 by use of a hydrogen peroxide vaporiser ( clarus l , available from bioquell uk limited , united kingdom ) and introduced to the freeze dryer chamber at a rate of about 30 ml of stock solution every 3 - 4 minutes . for the fifth trial ( t 5 ), 30 ml of stock solution was vaporised into a holding vessel , and then this vaporised h 2 o 2 was introduced rapidly into the chamber over a period of about 5 seconds . then , a further 60 ml of stock solution was vaporised into the chamber , at a rate of about 30 ml of stock solution every 3 - 4 minutes . 2 mass of hydrogen peroxide ( calculated from a density of 1 . 46 g / ml ) 3 approximate mass of hydrogen peroxide added per kg of meat per second the gaseous hydrogen peroxide was left in contact with the organic material for 30 minutes . four samples were taken from the organic material to determine the effect on the organisms by use of relevant selective media . nutrient agar was used for determination of total viable count ( at 37 ° c .) and total mesophilic count ( at 30 ° c .). malt extract agar ( mea ) at 22 ° c . was used to detect fungal growth . xylose lysine deoxycholate ( xld ) agar was used to detect salmonella , violet red bile for e . coli , b . cereus selective agar and vogal - johnson agars were used to selectively enumerate b . cereus and s . aureus respectively . results from the tests are shown in fig1 to 5 . fig1 and 2 show that the test conditions t 1 and t 2 had little or no effect on any of the test organisms . fig3 shows that the test conditions of t 3 had a significant effect on the organisms with elimination of s . aureus , s . typhimurium , e . coli and generally mesophilic organisms . other organisms experienced between a 3 and 6 logarithmic reduction in their numbers . fig4 shows that the use of higher levels of gaseous hydrogen peroxide in trial conditions t 4 led to a complete elimination of all test organisms . in a particularly surprising result , fig5 shows ( by comparison to fig3 ) that by increasing the rate at which the gaseous hydrogen peroxide is contacted with the organic material , the inactivation can be enhanced . the data show a particularly striking effect on the inactivation of s . cerevisiae . in a further test , the treatment protocol of t 5 was carried out to determine its effect on prion protein . in the test , 5 g of meat have a moisture content of 20 % was contaminated with 100 ug of model prion protein ( abcam , uk ) and mixed for 3 hours with a vortex mixer . half of the contaminated sample was reserved as a positive control , and the other half was placed in a 50 ml beaker and subjected to the protocol of t 5 ( rapid exposure to 30 ml hydrogen peroxide vapour , followed by gradual exposure to 60 ml hydrogen peroxide vapour ) within a freeze - drying chamber . following the treatment , the prion content of the sample and the control was determined by treating with first and second antibodies ( abcam , uk ) before western blotting . the results indicate that prions are significantly destroyed by the treatment .	0
the invention relates to a highly accurate linear slide or planar x - y stage having essentially no backlash . the present invention is adaptable to a variety of applications . for example , the invention can be used in macro setting as a movable x - y worktable surface for a machine tool ( e . g . drill press , milling machine ). the invention can be used in mini - setting as an x - y stage for positioning a specimen under a microscope . finally , the apparatus is well suited in a micro - setting for incorporation as a planar x - y stage into a mems device since the layers available to design and fabricate mems systems are somewhat limited . in the fields of microscopy and optics , highly accurate 1 - d and 2 - d positioning devices are needed to control translational movement without play , backlash , or lost motion . such devices often must perform in a vacuum environment , where grease and other lubricants are prohibited . the present invention does not require the use of lubricants , and due to its simplicity of construction lends itself to numerous mini and micro - scale applications . additional applications for the invention could include repetitive motion mechanisms , since the apparatus translates a rotary motion into a reciprocating linear motion with a specific stroke . conversion of rotation motion to translational displacement in the present invention is more direct than in other systems well known in the art . the apparatus can be manufactured in nearly any practical size , including but not limited to a micro size for inclusion in a mems device . fig1 illustrates a schematic top view of a first example of a single - axis slide mechanism , according to the present invention . platform 4 slides back and forth along a single axis ( e . g . x - axis ), while being constrained by parallel guideway 2 and guideway 3 . guideways 2 and 3 , or other means , prevent rotation of platform 4 . platform 4 can be constrained by linear bearing guides , air bearing means , or other well - known methods . master disk 5 contacts the right end of platform 4 . rotational axis 7 is offset from the disk &# 39 ; s centroid 6 a distance equal to d offset . in a similar fashion , slave disk 8 contacts the opposite ( e . g . left ) end of platform 4 . slave disk 8 has a rotational axis 9 , which is offset from its centroid . axis of rotation 9 is also oriented substantially parallel to axis of rotation 7 . both axes of rotation 7 and 9 are oriented substantially parallel to the direction of motion ( e . g . parallel to the x - axis ). the direction of motion of platform 4 coincides with a line ( not shown ) connecting axis of rotation 7 with axis of rotation 9 . visualization line 10 is drawn simply to illustrate the orientation of the disks as they rotate ; the line is not an element of the invention . visualization line 10 is drawn between the axis of rotation and the disk &# 39 ; s centroid . the shape of disks 5 and 8 can be circular , elliptical , polygonal , lobed , multi - lobed , oblong shapes . in this regard , the use of the word “ disk ” is very general , and encompasses not only circular shapes , but also those described previously . in all cases , the location of the disk &# 39 ; s centroid must be offset from its axis of rotation in order to drive motion of platform 4 . the preferred shape of the disks is circular . preferably , the diameter of the master and slave disks are essentially the same . smooth linear motion ( e . g . without backlash ) of platform 4 is effected by rotating master disk 5 and slave disk 8 in the same direction , and in a coordinated manner . the amount of rotation is designated by the angle , θ . if the diameter of disks 5 and 8 are the same , then “ coordinated rotation ” means that both disks rotate at the same speed ( e . g . rpm ), and are synchronized ( e . g . start and stop rotating at the same time ). if the diameters of disks 5 and 8 are different , then each disk can rotate at a different speed from each other . the different rotation speed should be chosen appropriately to insure “ coordinated motion ”, meaning that both the master and slave disks 5 and 8 should remain in contact with platform 4 to prevent problems with backlash . in either case ( same , or different , diameters ), the disk &# 39 ; s rotation must also be synchronized ( e . g . start and stop rotating at the same time ) to effect smooth motion . fig2 shows that platform 4 has moved incrementally to the left when disks 5 and 8 have simultaneously rotated in the counter - clockwise direction by an amount equal to θ degrees ( e . g . θ = 120 degrees ). fig3 shows that platform 4 has moved to its maximum displacement allowed by the geometry ( θ = 180 degrees ). the maximum travel of a linear slide , according to the present invention , is equal to two times the offset distance , d travel = 2 × d offset . with reference to fig4 we define d max as the maximum radial distance between the rotation axis 9 of slave disk 8 and the left end of platform 4 . likewise , we define d min as the minimum radial distance between the rotation axis 7 of master disk 5 and the opposite ( e . g . right ) end of platform 4 . the maximum travel of platform 4 , d travel is related to these distances by the following relationship : d travel = d max − d min . therefore , by increasing the eccentricity ( e . g . offset ) of the disks , the maximum travel of platform 4 also increases . to minimize problems with backlash , and to make the overall motion as smooth as possible , it is important that when the radial distance between one axis of rotation ( e . g . axis 9 ) and one side ( e . g . left side ) of the platform is at a maximum ( e . g . d max ), then the distance between the other axis of rotation ( e . g . axis 7 ) and the opposing side ( e . g . right side ) of the platform is at a minimum ( e . g . d min ). this condition is illustrated in fig1 and 4 . fig5 shows a schematic cross - section view through the side of the example of a single - axis slide mechanism of fig4 . platform 4 , master disk 5 , and slave disk 8 , lay in the same plane , designated as surface 19 . sample 20 is illustrated as lying on top of platform 4 . sample 20 can be clamped or attached to platform 4 using means well known in the art ( not shown ). surface 19 represents the surface of a support base ( not shown ). fig6 illustrates a schematic top view of a first example of a planar x - y stage ( e . g . positioning mechanism ), according to the present invention . two pairs of disks 12 and 14 ; and 13 and 15 are operatively engaged with the four sides of platform 18 ( e . g . sides 23 , 24 , 254 , 26 ). more specifically , the circumferences or circumferential edge surfaces of the disks 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 are in contact with surfaces , such as the sides , of platform 18 to be moved and positioned . platform 18 can be square , rectangular , hexagonal , polygonal , circular , or other shape . disks 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 preferably are circular cylinders . platform 18 can be of any size , but in the preferred embodiment is a rectangular or square planar element having four sides 23 , 24 , 25 , and 26 . platform 18 can be slidably disposed upon , and supported by , a supporting surface 19 . in this example , disks 12 , 13 , 14 , and 15 are disposed outboard of platform 18 . sample 20 can be disposed on platform 18 . referring still to fig6 coordinated rotation in the same direction of x - axis master disk 12 and x - axis slave disk 14 produces smooth translational motion of platform 18 in the x - direction . likewise , coordinated rotation in the same direction of y - axis master disk 13 and y - axis slave disk 15 produces smooth translational motion of platform 18 in the y - direction . it is not necessary for the direction of rotation be the same between the two pairs of disks . for example , x - axis master / slave disks 12 , 14 can both be rotating clockwise , while y - axis master / slave disks 13 , 15 can both be rotating counter - clockwise . however , it is necessary for the pair of master and slave disks to both rotate in the same direction to effect coordinated motion . fig7 illustrates , by way of dotted outline 18 ′, the final position of platform 18 ( from fig6 ) after it has been moved the maximum possible distance in both x and y directions . coordinated rotation of the x - axis master / slave pair of disks ( 12 and 14 ) has linearly moved platform 18 to its maximum travel in the x - direction . likewise , coordinated rotation of the y - axis master / slave pair of disks ( 13 and 15 ) has linearly moved platform 18 to its maximum travel in the y - direction . it will be appreciated that independent action of each of the x - axis and y - axis master / slave disk pairs , when combined , can generate all possible translational motion of platform 18 in a two - dimensional plane . fig8 illustrates a bottom view of a second schematic example of a planar x - y positioning apparatus . the four disks ( 12 , 13 , 14 , and 15 ) are disposed inboard of the perimeter of platform 18 . disks 12 , 13 , 14 , and 15 operatively engage with inside surfaces 23 ′, 24 ′, 25 ′, and 26 ′, respectively , of platform 18 . with reference now to fig9 which shows a schematic side view of the cross - section of the apparatus of fig8 platform 18 has a recessed space 21 that houses disks 13 and 15 . in this configuration , sample 20 is isolated by platform 18 from possible contamination by optional lubricants in disks 12 , 13 , 14 , and 15 , and their associated drivers ( to be discussed later ). also , disks 12 , 13 , 14 , and 15 , and their associated drivers , are shielded by platform 18 from possible contamination due to operations performed on sample 20 ( e . g . machining fluids , chips , etc .) fig1 illustrates a schematic top view of a third example of a planar x - y positioning mechanism . in this example , x - axis motion of platform 18 is compelled by coordinated rotation of three disks : x - axis master disk 12 , first x - axis slave disk 14 and second x - axis slave disk 16 . disk 12 contacts side 26 , while disks 14 and 16 contact the opposite side 24 . the combination of the three x - axis disks 12 , 14 , and 16 creates a kinematic constraining action on platform 18 that serves to eliminate positional errors due to small rotations of platform 18 about its centroid ( not shown ). coordinated rotation of these three disks produces smooth translational motion in the x - direction without backlash , and without rotation of platform 18 about its centroid . fig1 illustrates a schematic isometric view of a fourth example of a planar x - y stage , according to the present invention . rotational drivers 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , extend through the plane 19 , and are fixedly connected to disks 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , respectively , at positions offset from the centroids of the respective disks . accordingly , as drivers 32 , 33 , 34 , and 35 rotate , disks 12 , 13 , 14 , and 15 also rotate , creating eccentric rotational motion . drivers 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , can be driven by motors , stepper motors , or manual cranks ; with or without gear trains . coordinated rotation of the master / slave pair of disks is required to produce smooth translational motion of platform 18 along a given axis . consequently , this requires coordinated operation of the disks respective drivers . in fig1 , opposing disks 12 and 14 are paired together for x - axis motion . therefore , opposing drivers 32 and 34 are also paired together . opposing paired drivers 32 , 34 ( or , alternatively , 33 and , 35 ) can be electronically synchronized by known means . fig1 illustrates a schematic isometric view of a fifth example of an x - y stage . platform 18 is not shown for clarity of illustration of the drive assembly . opposing pairs of drivers 32 , 34 ( or , alternatively , 33 and 35 ) can be operatively connected by means of a timing belt , drive chain , drive belt , or gear train . in this example , driving belts 38 operatively connects drivers 32 and 34 to produce synchronized rotation of disks 12 and 14 . likewise , drive belt 37 operatively connects drivers 33 and 35 to produce synchronized rotation of disks 13 and 15 . drive belts 37 , 38 can as well be other connection components , such as chains , toothed timing belts , flexible steel bands , o - rings , or the like . gear trains also could be employed . for a mems version of the present invention , a minimum of a one micron ( 0 . 001 mm ) gap or clearance is required between mating surfaces due to design constraints inherent to mems technology . to minimize friction , and associated torques , between the circumferential surfaces of the disks 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 sliding along the sides 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 of platform 18 , lubricants or bearings can be employed . the use of roller , needle , or ball bearing assemblies can provide a rolling contact point having very low effective friction , thereby minimizing the need to use lubricants . fig1 illustrates a schematic isometric view of disk 12 , including a bearing assembly , according to the present invention . eccentric disk 12 is concentric to , and is in contact , with an inner race 42 of a ball , roller , or needle bearing assembly , while an outer race 43 makes contact with the side 26 of platform 18 . an essentially identical bearing assembly can be used with the other disks 13 , 14 , 15 . fig1 illustrates the preferred type of bearing assembly , incorporating a plurality of needle bearings 45 radially disposed between races 42 and 43 . the entire bearing assembly can be sealed . in the example of fig1 , motion of platform 18 only in the y - direction produces rotation of outer race 43 , while the inner race 42 remains stationary . alternatively , motion of platform 18 only in the x - direction produces rotation of outer race 43 and counter - rotation of inner race 43 . a combination of both x and y - axis motion results in rotations of both the inner and outer races 42 , 43 . during initial assembly of an x - y stage , the distance between the master disks 12 , 13 and respective slave disks 14 , 15 should be adjusted to correspond closely to the dimensions of platform 18 , so as to reduce or eliminate any play , backlash , or lost motion between the platform and the disks . an example of an initial configuration of disks can be seen in fig6 with reference to the visualization lines . here , the disks are so disposed such that when the centroid of a master disk ( e . g . disk 12 ) is between its axis of rotation and the platform , then the axis of rotation of the paired slave disk ( e . g . disk 14 ) is between the centroid of the slave disk and the opposite end of the platform . once the maximum radial distance between the axis of rotation of a given disk ( e . g . master disk 12 ) and the platform 18 is reached , the distance between the axis of rotation of the opposing disk ( e . g . slave disk 14 ) and the platform is at its minimum . small adjustments can be made in the width of platform 18 to precisely achieve this kinematic condition . the physical relationship between the master disks 12 , 13 and their corresponding slave disks 14 , 16 compels this condition , allowing for coordinated disk motion . therefore , by proper initial alignment of the disks , problems with backlash can be minimized and the overall accuracy can be improved . fig1 shows a schematic isometric view of the bottom side of a sixth example of a planar x - y mechanism . eccentric disks 60 , 61 and 62 are disposed beneath a generally planar , rectangular platform 18 . thus , the drive mechanisms are shielded or covered by the platform 18 . in this example , three eccentric disks 60 - 62 are used per reference axis , i . e ., one master disk 60 and two slave disks 61 , 62 for the y - axis . for the sake of simple illustration , fig1 only shows the drive mechanism to impel motion in one direction ( e . g . y - axis ). a second set of three disks ( not shown ) arranged in tandem with the disks 60 - 62 , but in track channels oriented perpendicular to those shown in fig1 , could also be disposed under the platform . stepper motors can be used to rotate the drivers 65 , 66 and 67 in a coordinated fashion . linear track 63 is attached to , or is an integral part of , the bottom side of platform 18 , and is aligned parallel to the x - axis . the arrangement shown in fig1 of disks 61 and 62 disposed on one side of track 63 , and the third disk 60 disposed on the other side of track 63 affords a desirable kinematically constraining geometry . coordinated rotation of disks 60 , 61 , and 62 produces smooth translational motion of platform 18 in the y - axis . if the disk drivers of the present invention are operated with constant rotational speed ( e . g . rpm ), then the velocity of the platform will vary continuously throughout a full rotation of the eccentric disks . the lowest platform velocity is achieved when the circumferential surfaces of the eccentric disks ( or outer races ) contact the sides 23 - 26 of platform 18 at their smallest and largest radial distance from axis of rotation . then , platform velocity increases and obtains its maximum at 90 angular degrees from the earlier referenced position . fig1 shows a schematic side cross - section view of a seventh example of a planar x - y mechanism , according to the present invention . platform 18 has an overhanging lip 50 , which partially shields disks 13 and 15 . platform 18 is supported by disks 13 and 15 , which are operatively engaged with overhanging lip 50 . overhanging lip 50 is also illustrated in fig1 . fig1 shows a schematic side cross - section view of a eighth example of a planar x - y mechanism , according to the present invention . platform 18 has a flat - bottomed groove 52 , which partially shields disks 13 and 15 . platform 18 is supported by disks 13 and 15 , which are operatively engaged with flat - bottomed groove 52 . fig1 shows a schematic side cross - section view of a ninth example of a planar x - y mechanism , according to the present invention . platform 18 has a v - shaped groove 54 , which partially shields disks 13 and 15 . platform 18 is supported by disks 13 and 15 , which are operatively engaged with v - shaped groove 54 . disks 13 and 15 have a mating v - shaped shape of their outer circumference 55 . fig1 shows a schematic side cross - section view of a tenth example of a planar x - y mechanism , according to the present invention . platform 18 has a semi - circular groove 56 , which partially shields disks 13 and 15 . platform 18 is supported by disks 13 and 15 , which are operatively engaged with semi - circular groove 56 . disks 13 and 15 have a mating semi - circular shape of their outer circumference 57 . 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 . for example , angle encoder means can be attached to each disk &# 39 ; s axis of rotation and used to measure the angle of rotation of each disk . also , platform 18 can be supported on plane 19 by a plurality of ball bearings attached to the support base to minimize sliding friction . it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto .	6
it is an aspect of the present invention that certain plant lectins act as mucosal adjuvants to increase immune responses , including an increased antibody titer , against a variety of immunogens , thus permitting simple , non - toxic , and cost - effective vaccine or immunogenic compositions to be prepared . vaccine or immunogenic compositions of the invention are admixtures comprising a plant lectin and an immunogen . such admixtures are especially suitable for mucosal delivery to mammals , including humans , and are thus useful for veterinary as well as human medical purposes . admixtures of the invention comprise a plant lectin and an immunogen . the immunogen and the lectin are not coupled together chemically , but are simply mixed together in an appropriate liquid medium , such as phosphate buffered saline or other isotonic saline solution . optionally , an admixture can comprise stabilizing agents , including antimicrobial agents , preservatives , and the like . the proportions of immunogen and lectin in the admixture can be varied , such as at least about 1 : 1 , 2 : 1 , 3 : 1 , 4 : 1 , 5 : 1 , 6 : 1 , 7 : 1 , 8 : 1 , 9 : 1 , or 10 : 1 , depending on the particular immunogen and lectin combination selected . if desired , at least 2 , 3 , 4 , or more different immunogens and / or lectins in varying proportions can be included in an admixture . lectins useful in the invention include plant lectins such as mistletoe lectin i ( ml - i ), mistletoe lectin ii ( ml - ii ), mistletoe lectin iii ( ml - iii ), wheat germ agglutinin ( wga ), and ulex europaeus ( uea - 1 ). other lectins which may be useful include lentil bean lectin , jack bean lectin ( concanavalin a ), and asparagus pea , broad bean , camel &# 39 ; s foot tree , castor bean , fava bean , hairy vetch , horse gram , japanese wisteria , jequirity , scotch laburnum , lima beam , lotus , mung bean , osage orange , pagoda tree , garden pea , potato , red kidney bean , siberian pea tree , spindle tree , sweet pea , tomato , and winged pea lectins . type 2 ribosome inactivating proteins ( rip ), such as nigrin b , basic nigrin b , ebulin l , ebulin r , ebulin f , nigrin f , sna1 , sna1 , snav , snavi , sambucus nigra snlrp1 , snlrp2 , ricin , ricinus lectin , polygonatum rip , sieboldin - 6 , abrin , abrin 11 , modeccin , volkensin , ssa , cinnamonin , porrectin , gelorin , evanthis hyemalis , rip , iris agglutinin , ml - i , ml - ii , and ml - iii , are especially useful as adjuvants . such lectins contain an n - glycosidase a subunit responsible for the ribosome - inactivating activity and a galactose - specific carbohydrate - binding b subunit ( 29 ). ml - i , ml - ii , and ml - iii are strong mucosal adjuvants , which can stimulate high antibody titers in sera and mucosal secretions . type 2 rips which do not show in vivo toxicity , such as ebulin - 1 ( 32 ), nigrin b ( 33 ) and basic nigrin b ( 34 ), are particularly useful . alternatively , lectins can be genetically “ detoxified ,” for example by modifying one or more amino acids by site - directed mutagenesis such that the lectins retain their adjuvant properties but are non - toxic to the mammalian recipient ( see 35 - 39 ; ep 0880361 ; ep 620850 ; ep 95 / 903889 . 4 ). lectins in an admixture are preferably in an unbound , water - soluble form . suitable lectins for use in admixtures of the invention can be purchased from commercial suppliers , such as sigma . alternatively , lectins can be purified using protein purification protocols well known in the art , including size exclusion chromatography , ammonium sulfate fractionation , ion exchange chromatography , affinity chromatography , crystallization , electrofocusing , and preparative gel electrophoresis . immunogens against which a cellular and / or humoral response can be increased using a plant lectin adjuvant include proteins of infectious agents , such as viruses , bacteria , mycoplasmas , prions , and yeast , as well as hormones , allergens such as grass , weed , tree , and plant pollens , epithelia of animals such as cats , dogs , rats , and pigs , house dust , and wheat chaff . means of obtaining such immunogens are well known in the art . an immunogen need not be able to raise a cellular and / or humoral response in the absence of the plant lectin . admixtures of the invention can be administered to a recipient mammal in a variety of formulations . for example , admixtures can be entrapped in or adsorbed to the surface of microparticles , such as poly ( lactide - co - glycolides ) ( plg ) ( 35 ; u . s . pat . nos . 5 , 804 , 212 , 6 , 876 , 761 , and 5 , 603 , 960 ; pct / us99 / 17308 ). admixtures can also be administered in conjunction with bioadhesive polymers , such as those described in pct / us99 / 12105 , pct / us99 / 11906 , and u . s . pat . nos . 5 , 955 , 097 , 5 , 800 , 832 , 5 , 744 , 155 , and 5 , 814 , 329 . alternatively , enteric formulations of admixtures can be used for oral administration ( see u . s . pat . no . 5 , 968 , 554 ). an admixture of the invention can be administered to a mammal by injection , i . e ., subcutaneous , intramuscular , or other parenteral injection , such as transdermal or transcutaneous injection , by oral ingestion , or by intranasal administration . admixtures can be administered to any mammal in which it is desired to increase an immune response , including but not limited to rats , cats , dogs , rabbits , horses , cows , mice , guinea pigs , chimpanzees , baboons , and humans . mucosal administration , particularly intranasal administration into either one or both nostrils , is preferred . doses can be delivered , for example , in one or more drops or using a spray , such as an aerosol or non - aerosol spray . if desired , multiple administrations of an admixture can be used to increase antibody titers against a particular immunogen . intervals between multiple administrations can be at least 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , or 7 or more days , or at least 2 , 3 , or 4 or more weeks , depending on the particular immunogen and / or lectin in the admixture . the volume of admixture to be administered will vary according to the mode of administration and size of the mammal . typical volumes for intranasal administration vary from at least 5 , 10 , 15 , 25 , 50 , 75 , 100 , 200 , or 250 μl , to at least 500 μl or more per intranasal dose . the concentration of immunogen in an admixture also will vary according to the particular immunogen and route of administration selected . for intranasal administration , for example , the concentration of an immunogen in an admixture varies from at least 0 . 033 , 0 . 67 , 0 . 1 , 0 . 2 , 0 . 33 , 0 . 5 , 0 . 67 , 0 . 75 , 1 , 2 , 2 . 5 , 5 , 7 . 1 , 10 , 12 . 5 , 15 , 17 . 5 , 20 , or 25 μg / μl . admixtures of the invention preferably increase antibody production as well as t cell responses , including cytokine production , target - cell killing , macrophage activation , b - cell activation , and lymphokine production . admixtures of the invention preferably increase a t cell response or an antibody titer by at least 10 , 15 , 20 , 25 , 30 , 40 , 50 , 75 , or 100 percent or more relative to such responses to the immunogen alone in the absence of the plant lectin . methods of measuring t cell responses are well known in the art . ( see janeway et al ., eds ., 1997 , i mmunobiology : t he i mmune system in h ealth and d isease , 3d ed ., at pages 2 : 31 - 2 - 33 ; abbas et al ., 1997 , c ellular and m olecular i mmunology , 3d ed ., at pages 250 - 277 and 290 - 293 ). according to the invention , antibodies can be produced which are directed against the immunogen in the admixture . antibodies which specifically bind to the immunogen typically provide a detection signal at least 5 -, 10 -, or 20 - fold higher than a detection signal provided with other proteins when used in immunochemical assays , such as western blots , elisas , radioimmunoassays , immunohistochemical assays , immunoprecipitations , or other immunochemical assays known in the art . preferably , antibodies which specifically bind to a particular immunogen do not detect other proteins in immunochemical assays and can precipitate the immunogen from solution . antibody titer is preferably measured by elisa , as described in example 1 , below . igg , including igg subtypes igg1 , igg2a , igg2b , and igg3 , as well as iga antibodies directed against the immunogen can be measured in serum , in saliva , and in mucosal secretions , including vaginal , nasal , and gut washes ( see example 1 ). the complete contents of all patents and patent applications cited in this disclosure are expressly incorporated herein . the following examples are provided for exemplification purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which has been described in broad terms above . immunogens and lectins . cholera toxin ( ct ), ovalbumin ( ova , type v , hen egg ) and wga were obtained from sigma ( poole , uk ). pha from kidney bean was prepared as described previously ( 15 ). uea - i and lea were obtained from vector laboratories . ml - i was isolated as described previously ( 16 ). animals . eight week old female balb / c mice ( harlan olac , bicester , uk ) were given free access to commercial stock diet ( labsure , manea , uk ) and water . mucosal immunization schedule . groups of mice ( n = 10 ) were bled one week prior to the first immunization . on days 1 , 14 , 28 , and 42 , mice were immunized intranasally with pbs , ova ( 10 μg ) alone , or ova ( 10 μg ) mixed with ct ( 1 μg ), ml - i ( 1 μg ), lea ( 10 μg ), pha ( 10 μg ), wga ( 10 μg ), or uea - i ( 10 μg ). in other examples , mice were immunized intranasally with 5 μg glycoprotein d2 ( gd2 ) from herpes simplex virus type 2 on days 1 , 14 , 28 , and 49 alone or in an admixture with 1 μg of either ct , ml - i , ml - ii , or ml - iii . mice were dosed with 30 μl of each preparation ( 15 μl per nostril ) through fine tips attached to a pipette . collection of blood and mucosal secretions . blood samples were collected one day prior to each immunization by bleeding from the tail vein following a 10 minute incubation at 37 ° c . two weeks after the final immunization , animals were terminally anesthetized ( hypnorin plus diazepam ) to allow collection of salivary and vaginal secretions . mice were then killed by anesthetic overdose followed by exsanguination . blood was immediately collected and centrifuged , and the serum was stored at − 20 ° c . absorbent cellulose wicks ( whatman international , uk ) were used for collection of saliva and vaginal fluid as described previously ( 17 ). wash fluid ( ice - cold 0 . 01 m pbs , 50 mm edta , 5 mm pmsf , 5 μg / ml aprotinin ) was used for elution of antibody from wicks and for nasal and intestinal washes . saliva was collected by the insertion of a wick tip into the mouth for 2 minutes ( 17 ). antibody was extracted from wicks into 400 μl mucosal wash fluid . vaginal fluid was collected by repeated flushing and aspiration of 50 μl wash fluid and insertion of a wick for 2 minutes . antibody was extracted from wicks into 400 μl wash fluid . nasotracheal washes were collected from decapitated animals by backflushing 0 . 5 ml of mucosal wash fluid from the trachea . intestinal washes were obtained by flushing the small intestine with 10 ml of ice - cold wash fluid . all secretions were stored at − 20 ° c . until required for analysis . detection of specific antibodies by elisa . elisas were set up to enable measurement of specific igg , iga , and igg subclasses to ova , ct , and plant lectins . sera ( from 1 : 100 ) and mucosal secretions ( from 1 : 2 ) were titrated in the appropriate dilution buffer . microtiter plates ( immunolon 4 , dynatech ) were coated with 75 μl of immunogen per well ( 1 μg / ml for ct / lectins , 50 μg / ml when measuring responses to ova and 2 μg / ml when measuring responses to gd2 ) in carbonate - bicarbonate buffer , ph 9 . 6 , and incubated at 4 ° c . overnight . after washing , plates were blocked with 2 % gelatin / dilution buffer and incubated at 37 ° c . for 1 hour . plates were washed , and samples were added , serially diluted , and incubated at 37 ° c . for 1 hour . biotinylated antiserum in dilution buffer was added and incubated at 37 ° c . for 1 hour . after further washes , extravidin ® peroxidase ( sigma ) diluted 1 : 750 in dilution buffer was added and incubated at 37 ° c . for 30 minutes . plates were washed , and 50 μl / well of developing solution ( tmb microwell peroxidase substrate ( 1 - c ), kirkegaard and perry laboratories , gaithersburg , md .) was added . plates were incubated in the dark with shaking at 37 ° c . for 30 minutes . the reaction was stopped by addition of 1m h 2 so 4 , and the absorbance was read at 450 nm . elisa dilution buffers were as follows : ct ( pbs + 0 . 1 % tween ( pbst )), ova ( pbst ), wga ( 100 mm n - acetylglucosamine / pbst ), pha ( 0 . 1 % fetuin / pbst ), uea - i ( 30 mm l - fucose / pbst ), lea ( chitin hydrolysate ( 1 : 200 ) ( vector )/ pbst ), ml - i ( 100 mm d - galactose / pbst ). working dilutions of anti - igg ( 1 : 8000 ) and iga ( 1 : 2600 ) biotinylated capture antisera ( sigma ) were determined after preliminary assays with pre - immune and pooled positive sera . working dilutions of igg subclass antisera ( serotect ) were as recommended by the manufacturers ( igg1 ( 1 : 4000 ), igg2a ( 1 : 4000 ), igg2b ( 1 : 2000 ), igg3 ( 1 : 2000 )). endpoint titers were determined as the dilution of a serum or mucosal sample giving an od value of 0 . 1 units greater than the mean of control samples at the same dilution . total iga was quantified as specific iga with the following modifications : plates were coated with goat anti - mouse iga ( 1 : 8000 ; α - chain specific , sigma ), pbst was used as diluent , and 2 % gelatin in pbst was used as blocking solution . total iga levels were calculated from the linear region of the iga ( iga kappa , sigma ) standard curve . total iga endpoint titers were determined as the dilution of a sample giving an od value of 0 . 1 units greater than buffer alone . statistics . data are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation . an unpaired two - tailed t - test was used to test for significance between groups . where the standard deviations were significantly different between groups , a nonparametric test ( kruskal - wallis test with dunn &# 39 ; s multiple comparison post test ) was used to assess significance . kruskal - wallis nonparametric test with dunn &# 39 ; s multiple comparison post test was also used to assess significance of the total iga data . the effect of immunization on total iga levels in sera and secretions mice were immunized by the intranasal route on days 1 , 14 , 28 , and 42 with either pbs , ova ( 10 μg ) alone , or ova ( 10 μg ) together with ct ( 1 μg ), ml - i ( 1 μg ), lea ( 10 μg ), pha ( 10 μg ), wga ( 10 μg ) or uea - i ( 10 μg ). samples were collected two weeks after the final immunization . the results are shown fig1 . data represent the mean ± sd . after four intranasal immunizations with ct + ova there was a significant increase in the concentration of total nasotracheal wash iga ( p & lt ; 0 . 01 ) compared with all other groups . co - administration of ct with ova did not result in a significant rise in total iga concentration in sera or the other mucosal secretions sampled . there was no significant effect of immunization with any of the plant lectins on total iga levels in any of the secretions or in serum . the adjuvant effect of plant lectins on ova - specific serum antibody responses mice were immunized intranasally on days 1 , 14 , 28 , and 42 with either ova ( 10 μg ), alone or ova ( 10 μg ) together with ct ( 1 μg ), ml - i ( 1 μg ), lea ( 10 μg ), pha ( 10 μg ), wga ( 10 μg ) or uea - i ( 10 μg ). sera were collected 1 day before each immunization and at the termination of the study . fig2 a - d show the results of this experiment . points refer to individual data , and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . two weeks after a single immunization , ova - specific serum igg was detected in 5 / 10 mice immunized with ct + ova and 1 / 10 mice immunized with ml - i + ova but ova - specific igg was not detected in the other groups . after a second dose , higher responses were measured with detectable antibody in all mice immunized with ct + ova ( mean titer 40321 ) and in 9 / 10 mice immunized with ml - i + ova ( mean titer 11090 ). of the other groups , specific igg was only detected in mice immunized with uea - i + ova ( mean titer 91 ). after four doses , the highest mean igg titers were in mice immunized with ct + ova , being approximately 286 - fold higher than in mice which received ova alone . the mean titer in the group immunized with ml - i + ova was approximately 118 - fold higher than in mice which received ova alone . titers in mice immunized with pha + ova were similar to those in mice administered with ova alone . administration of lea + ova resulted in a small increase in mean titer compared with ova alone ( 5 - fold ). delivery of wga and uea - i with ova respectively led to 41 - and 51 - fold increases in mean serum igg anti - ova titers compared with ova alone . in contrast to the groups which received ct + ova and ml - i + ova , responses in the groups immunized with wga or uea - i + ova were highly variable . as a result , after the final dose only the ct + ova and ml - i + ova groups ( difference not significant between groups ) had mean ova - specific igg titers significantly higher ( p & lt ; 0 . 001 ) than the ova only group . titers in these groups were also significantly higher than in the pha + ova group ( p & lt ; 0 . 001 ). in contrast to the high levels of specific igg , very low titers of ova - specific serum iga were detected . in fact , after the final dose , significant levels of ova - specific serum iga were only detected in mice immunized with ct + ova ( mean titer , 220 ) and ml - i + ova ( mean titer , 80 ). mice were immunized intranasally on days 1 , 14 , 28 , and 42 with ova ( 10 μg ) alone or ova ( 10 μg ) together with ct ( 1 μg ), lea , ( 1 μg ), pha ( 10 μg ), wga ( 10 μg ), or uea - i ( 10 μg ). samples were collected two weeks after the final immunization . fig3 shows the results of this experiment . points refer to individual data , and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . analysis of the subclass profile of ova - specific igg antibodies indicated a very biased response . the igg1 titers were similar to the titers of ova - specific igg in most groups . in mice immunized with ct + ova and ml - i + ova respectively , the mean titers were approximately 450 - fold and 255 - fold higher than in mice immunized with ova alone . titers in the ct + ova group were significantly higher than in all groups except ml - i + ova ( p & lt ; 0 . 05 ). titers in the ml - i + ova group were significantly higher than in groups which received ova alone or pha + ova ( p & lt ; 001 ). ova - specific igg2a was detected in 8 / 10 and 2 / 10 mice immunized with ct + ova ( mean titer 561 ) and ml - i + ova ( mean titer 331 ), respectively . specific igg2a was not detected in the other groups . specific igg2b was only detected in 2 / 10 mice immunized with ct + ova and in none of the other groups . specific igg3 was not detected . these data are strikingly different to the ct - specific igg isotype responses in these mice where relatively high titers of specific igg2a and significant levels of igg2b and igg3 were detected ( table 1 ). the adjuvant effect of plant lectins on ova - specific mucosal iga responses mice were immunized intranasally on days 1 , 14 , 28 , and 42 with ova ( 10 μg ) alone or ova ( 10 μg ) together with ct ( 1 μg ) ml - i ( 1 μg ), lea ( 10 μg ), pha ( 10 μg ), wga ( 10 μg ), or uea - i ( 10 μg ). titers were measured two weeks after the final immunization . the results are shown in fig4 a - d . points refer to individual data , and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . specific iga was detected at all mucosal sites sampled in mice immunized with ct + ova and ml - i + ova . there was no significant difference between the two groups . ova - specific salivary iga was not detected in mice immunized with ova alone , lea + ova or pha + ova , but was detected in 2 / 10 and 4 / 10 mice immunized with wga + ova and uea - i + ova , respectively . in contrast , specific salivary iga was measured in 9 / 10 and 10 / 10 mice immunized with ct + ova and ml - i + ova , respectively , with a two - fold higher mean titer in the ct + ova group . in vaginal washes , ova - specific iga was detected in 9 / 10 and 7 / 10 mice immunized with ct + ova and ml - i + ova , respectively . the mean titer was four - fold higher in the ct + ova group , but this was largely the result of one high responder . ova - specific vaginal wash iga was not detected in mice immunized with pha + ova and was detected in 1 / 10 mice immunized with either ova alone , lea + ova , or wga + ova , and in 3 / 10 mice immunized with uea - i + ova . high titers of ova - specific iga were detected in nasotracheal washes from all mice immunized with ct + ova or ml - i + ova , with approximately a five - fold higher titer in the ct + ova group . ova - specific nasotracheal wash iga titers were significantly higher ( p & lt ; 0 . 05 ) in mice immunized with ct + ova than in all groups except ml - i + ova . remarkably , the ova - specific nasotracheal wash iga titers in these groups were comparable to the serum iga titers . total iga titers in sera from mice immunized with ct + ova and ml - i + ova were 33 - fold and 73 - fold higher than in nasotracheal washes , respectively . specific iga was detected in the nasotracheal washes of 1 / 10 mice immunized with ova alone but not in any mice immunized with pha + ova . ova - specific nasotracheal wash iga was measured in 7 / 10 mice immunized with wga + ova and 5 / 10 mice immunized with uea - i + ova or lea + ova , respectively . ova - specific iga was detected in gut washes from all mice immunized with ct + ova or ml - i + ova , with approximately a four - fold higher titer in the ct + ova group . titers in these groups were not significantly different from each other but were significantly higher ( p & lt ; 0 . 05 ) than in all other groups . among the other groups , ova - specific gut wash iga was only detected sporadically at a maximum titer of 1 : 2 . mice were immunized intranasally on days 1 , 14 , 28 , and 42 with ova ( 10 μg ) together with ct ( 1 μg ), ml - i ( 1 μg ), lea ( 10 μg ), pha ( 10 μg ), wga ( 10 μg ) or uea - i ( 10 μg ). the results are shown in fig5 a - f . data are presented as the mean ± sd . data are titers of specific serum igg measured two weeks after the final dose of immunogen . ct - specific serum igg was detected in all animals after a single dose of ct + ova , and titers increased with each subsequent dose . specific antibodies of all four igg subclasses were detected in sera after four doses ( table 1 ). the highest titers were of igg1 , although ct - specific igg2a , igg2b and igg3 were also detected . after the final dose , ct - specific serum iga was detected in all mice , with a mean titer of 4481 . specific iga was also detected in all animals in saliva , vaginal wash , nasotracheal wash , and gut wash . salivary iga titers were relatively consistent between animals ( approximately 10 - fold lower mean titer than in serum ). total iga titers in saliva from these mice were 1340 - fold lower than in serum . vaginal iga titers were highly variable , with a single high responder increasing the mean titer . high titers of ct - specific iga were measured in nasotracheal washes from all animals with a mean titer comparable to the serum iga titer . specific iga was also detected in intestinal washes of all mice , but at a lower mean titer than at the other mucosal sites sampled . intranasal delivery of a single dose of ml - i + ova stimulated the production of ml - i specific igg in 3 / 10 mice . after the second and subsequent doses , high titers of specific igg were detected in all mice ( fig5 ). analysis of ml - i - specific serum igg subclasses found high titers of ml - i - specific igg1 ( table 1 ). ml - i - specific igg2a and igg2b were also detected , but specific igg3 was not detected . ml - i - specific iga was detected in all mice in serum and at all mucosal sites sampled after four doses . titers in the saliva were consistent for all animals , while a single very high responder increased the mean titer in the vaginal washes . high ml - i - specific iga titers were measured in nasotracheal washes of all animals . as with ct , the mean ml - i - specific titer in nasotracheal washes was comparable with the serum iga titer ( approximately two - fold lower ), which was remarkable as the total iga titers in nasotracheal washes were 73 - fold lower than in sera from these mice . specific iga was also detected in gut washes from all animals . in mice immunized with lea + ova , lea - specific serum igg was detected in 9 / 10 mice after a single dose . the titer increased after each subsequent does to a relatively high level after the final immunization ( fig5 ). analysis of igg subclasses found high titers of lea - specific igg1 and a low mean igg2a titer ( table 1 ). specific serum iga was detected in 7 / 10 mice after four doses , but at a low level . specific iga was also detected in all four mucosal secretions tested , although in comparison to the data in the ct + ova and ml - i + ova groups the titers were highly variable . pha - specific serum igg was detected in 1 / 10 mice after a single dose of pha + ova . after subsequent doses the titer increased , and specific igg was present in 8 / 10 animals after the final dose ( fig5 ). of the igg subclasses , only specific igg1 was detected ( table 1 ). low titers of specific serum iga were detected in all animals . pha - specific iga was not detected in saliva or vaginal washes but was detected in nasotracheal washes of 5 / 10 mice and gut washes of 1 / 10 mice . the lowest titers of specific antibody were elicited to wga , even after four doses of wga + ova ( fig5 ). specific igg1 was detected in 2 / 10 mice , and the other igg subclasses were not detected ( table 1 ). specific iga was detected in a number of mice after four doses , but at a maximum titer of 1 : 100 . low titers of specific iga were measured in a small number of mice in saliva , vaginal washes , and nasotracheal washes . these data are in contrast to the ova - specific data from this group , where relatively high levels of ova - specific serum igg were detected in a number of mice . uea - i - specific serum igg was not detected after a single dose of uea - i + ova , but was detected after subsequent doses and in 8 / 10 mice after the final dose ( fig5 ). specific igg1 was detected in 9 / 10 mice after the final dose ( table 1 ), specific igg2a in 1 / 10 mice , and igg2b and igg3 were not detected . specific serum iga was detected in 3 / 10 mice after the final dose . relatively low levels of iga were detected in saliva , vaginal washes , and nasotracheal washes . the present data indicates that the type of response elicited to the adjuvant and to the immunogen may differ . high titers of specific igg1 were detected to both ova and ct , but while relatively high titers of ct - specific igg2a were measured , there was little or no ova - specific igg2a . delivery of ml - i + ova led to similar results , although the ml - i - specific igg2a titers were relatively low . previous work found higher ova - specific igg1 than igg2a titers after delivery of ova + ct , while higher titers of ct - specific igg2a than igg1 were found in the same mice ( 24 ). feeding mice with ct + keyhole limpet hemocyanin ( klh ) stimulated a strong klh - specific secretory iga response in mice which were high responders to ct with a much smaller effect in poor responders ( 29 ). thus , the oral adjuvant effect of ct depended on a strong immune response to ct itself . however , wga and uea - i increased the serum igg response to ova ( through not significantly ) and were not highly immunogenic . a recent study found that several dietary lectins , including pha , could trigger human basophils to release il - 4 and il - 13 . cona and pha - e , for example , induced il - 4 levels as high as those obtained by stimulation with anti - ige antibodies . lectins that stimulated high levels of il - 4 also triggered release of il - 13 and histamine , possibly by inducing il - 4 , which is required to switch towards a th2 - type response ( 30 ). despite the induction of high serum igg titers to ova in mice immunized with ct or ml - i + ova , serum iga was barely detectable . previous work found that immunogen - specific serum iga was not detected in mice after two intranasal immunizations with v . cholerae zot protein or lt + ova ( 19 ). similarly , it was found that oral delivery of lt + tt stimulated high levels of serum igg antibodies to tt , while anti - tt serum iga was not detected ( 23 ). while both ct and ml - i effectively stimulated anti - ova iga in all mucosal secretions , the levels were highest in nasotracheal washes and saliva . because the total serum iga titers in mice immunized with ct + ova and ml - i + ova were 33 - fold and 73 - fold higher than in nasotracheal washes and 1340 - fold and 1176 - fold higher than in saliva , respectively , the ova - specific iga titers at these sites indicate the induction of local responses . antibody titers in vaginal washes were highly variable , which may reflect hormonal influences ( 31 ). one microgram of each of these three lectins was admixed with 5 μg glycoprotein d2 ( gd2 ) from herpes simplex virus type 2 and delivered intranasally to mice on days 1 , 14 , 28 , and 49 , as described above . other mice were immunized intranasally with 5 μg gd2 alone or with 5 μg gd2 admixed with 1 μg ct . sera were collected 1 day before each immunization and at the termination of the study . titers of gd2 - specific serum igg antibodies were measured as described above . the results are shown in fig6 a - d . points refer to individual data , and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . each of the three mistletoe lectins exhibited adjuvant activity comparable to that exhibited by ct . increases in the titers of gd2 - specific serum igg subclass antibodies after intranasal administration mice were immunized intranasally on days 1 , 14 , 35 , and 49 with either gd2 alone ( 5 μg ) or gd2 ( 5 μg ) together with ct ( 1 μg ), ml - i ( 1 μg ), ml - ii ( 1 μg ), or ml - iii ( 1 μg ). samples were collected two weeks after the final immunization . data are titers measured two weeks after the final immunization . fig7 a , igg1 ; fig7 b , igg2a ; fig7 c , igg2b ; fig7 d , igg3 . points refer to individual data and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . p values in parentheses refer to significance of data compared with the gd2 only group . titers of serum - specific igg1 , igg2a , and igg2b antibodies were increased in the mice treated with each of the three mistletoe lectins . ml - i , ml - ii , and ml - iii increase gd2 - specific iga antibodies titers in mice after intranasal immunization gd2 - specific iga antibody titers were measured in secretions of mice immunized intranasally on days 1 , 14 , 35 and 49 with gd2 ( 5 μg ) alone or gd2 ( 5 μg ) together with ct ( 1 μg ), ml - i ( 1 μg ), ml - ii ( 1 μg ) or ml - iii ( 1 μg ). data are titers measured two weeks after the final immunization in fig8 . fig8 a , saliva ; fig8 b , vaginal wash ; fig8 c , nasotracheal wash ; fig8 d , intestinal wash . points refer to individual data and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . p values in parentheses refer to significance of data compared with the gd2 only group . each of the mistletoe lectins increased the titers of gd2 - specific iga antibodies in each of the secretions tested . table 2 shows lectin - specific antibody responses in mice immunized intransally with gd2 ( 5 μg ), alone or together with ct / plant lectins ( 1 μg ). mice ( n = 10 ) were immunized on days 0 , 14 , 28 , and 42 , and samples were collected on days 56 and 57 . the mucosal ( intranasal ) immunogenicity and adjuvanticity of nontoxic type ii rip ( nigrin b , basic nigrin b , ebulin r1 ) and molecules related to their b subunits ( sna ii , selfd ) was compared with that of ml - 1 and ct . mice were immunized intranasally with gd2 ( 5 μg ) alone or together with plant lectins or cholera toxin ( ct ) ( 1 μg ). mice were immunized on days 0 , 21 , and 42 and samples were collected on days 56 and 57 . lectin - specific responses and responses to the bystander antigen , gd2 , were measured by elisa . fig9 shows the gd2 - specific total serum igg and igg subclass titers from mice immunized intranasally on days 1 , 21 , and 92 with either gd2 ( 5 μg ) alone or gd2 ( 5 μg ) together with 1 μg of ct , ml - i , nigrin b , basic nigrin b , ebulin r1 , sna ii or selfd . sera were collected at the termination of the study . points refer to individual data and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . p values in parentheses refer to significance of data compared with the gd2 only group . fig1 shows gd2 - specific iga antibody titers measured in secretions of mice immunized intranasally on days 1 , 21 , and 42 with either gd2 ( 5 μg ) alone or gd2 ( 5 μg ) together with 1 μg of ct , ml - i , nigrin b , basic nigrin b , ebulin r1 , sna ii or selfd . data are titers measured two weeks after the final immunization in ( a ) saliva , ( b ) vaginal wash , ( c ) nasotracheal wash , ( d ) intestinal wash . points refer to individual data and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . p values in parentheses refer to significance of data compared with the gd2 only group . table 3 shows the immunogenicity of type ii rip and related molecules . antibody responses were measured in mice immunized intranasally with gd2 ( 5 μg ) alone or together with ct / lectins ( 1 μg ). groups of mice ( n = 10 ) were immunized on days 0 , 14 , 28 and 42 and samples were collected on days 56 and 57 . fig1 shows gd2 - specific serum iga and igg antibody titers measured in mice immunized intranasally on days 1 , 21 , and 42 with either gd2 ( 5 μg ) alone or gd2 ( 5 μg ) together with 1 μg of ct , ml - i , or uea - 1 . data are titers measured two weeks after the final immunization . points refer to individual data and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . p values in parentheses refer to significance of data compared with the gd2 only group . fig1 shows gd2 - specific igg subclass antibody titers measured in mice immunized intranasally on days 1 , 21 , and 42 with either gd2 ( 5 μg ) alone or gd2 ( 5 μg ) together with 1 μg of ct , ml - i , or uea - 1 . data are titers measured in sera two weeks after the final immunization . points refer to individual data and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . p values in parentheses refer to significance of data compared with the gd2 only group . fig1 shows gd2 - specific iga antibody titers measured in secretions of mice immunized intranasally on days 1 , 21 and 42 with either gd2 ( 5 μg ) alone or gd2 ( 5 μg ) together with 1 μg of ct , ml - i , or uea - 1 . data are titers measured two weeks after the final immunization in ( a ) saliva , ( b ) vaginal wash , ( c ) nasotracheal wash , ( d ) intestinal wash . points refer to individual data and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . p values in parentheses refer to significance of data compared with the gd2 only group . fig1 shows mean concentrations of il - 5 , il - 4 , and ifn production and counts per minute for t - cell proliferation assay in ( a ) spleen cells and ( b ) cervical lymph nodes at week 8 after three immunizations ( days 0 , 21 , 42 ) with gd2 , ml - 1 or uea - 1 or with gd2 with ml - 1 , uea - 1 or ltk63 . spleen cells and cervical lymph node cells were isolated and stimulated in vitro with gd2 ( 0 μg / ml , 1 μg / ml , or 5 μg / ml ) or with gd2 coupled to latex beads diluted 1 : 1000 or 1 : 5000 or with pma / cd3 . fig1 shows ova - specific serum igg antibody titers from mice immunized by gavage on days 1 , 14 , 28 and 49 with either ova ( 5 mg ) alone or ova ( 5 mg ) together with ct ( 10 μg ), ml - i ( 10 μg ), ml - ii ( 10 μg ) or ml - iii ( 10 μg ). sera were collected 1 day before each immunization and at the termination of the study . fig1 a , serum igg titers after one dose ( day 13 ); fig1 b , serum igg titers after two doses ( day 27 ); fig1 c , serum igg titers after three doses ( day 48 ); fig1 d , serum igg titers after the final dose ( day 62 ). points refer to individual data , and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . fig1 shows ova - specific serum igg subclass and iga antibody titers measured in mice immunized by gavage on days 1 , 14 , 35 , and 49 with either ova ( 5 mg ) alone or ova ( 5 mg ) together with ct ( 10 μg ), ml - i ( 10 μg ), ml - ii ( 10 μg ), or ml - iii ( 10 μg ). samples were collected two weeks after the final immunization . data are titers measured two weeks after the final immunization . fig1 a , igg1 ; fig1 b , igg2a ; fig1 c , igg2b ; fig1 d , igg3 . points refer to individual data , and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . fig1 shows ova - specific iga antibody titers measured in secretions of mice immunized by gavage on days 1 , 14 , 35 and 49 with ova ( 5 mg ) alone or ova ( 5 mg ) together with ct ( 10 μg ), ml - i ( 10 μg ), ml - ii ( 10 μg ), or ml - iii ( 10 μg ). data are titers measured two weeks after the final immunization . fig1 a , saliva ; fig1 b , vaginal wash ; fig1 c , nasotracheal wash ; fig1 d , intestinal wash . points refer to individual data , and the symbol (−) represents the mean titer . table 4 shows ova - specific antibody responses in mice immunized by gavage with ova ( 5 mg ) alone or together with lectins ( 10 μg ) administered in 0 . 5 ml sodium bicarbonate . groups of mice ( n = 10 ) were immunized on days 0 , 14 , 28 , and 42 , and samples were collected on days 56 and 57 . table 5 shows ova - specific antibody responses in mice immunized with ova ( 5 mg ) alone or together with lectins ( 10 μg ). mice were administered with the antigen (± ml1 ) either by gavage in 0 . 1 ml pbs or incorporated in the feed pellet . groups of mice ( n = 5 ) were immunized on days 0 , 14 , 28 , and 42 , and samples were collected on days 56 and 57 . table 6 shows mli - specific antibody responses in mice immunized orally with ova ( 5 mg ) alone or together with lectins ( 10 μg ). mice were administered with the antigen (± ml1 ) either by gavage in 0 . 1 ml pbs or incorporated in the feed pellet . mice were immunized on days 0 , 14 , 28 , and 42 , and samples were collected on days 56 and 57 . following on from studies that demonstrated the efficacy of mistletoe lectins as mucosal adjuvants , these studies were carried out to assess the potential of type ii rip as adjuvants when administered transcutaneously . recent work has demonstrated the effective induction of immune responses when ct is used as an adjuvant by this route ( glenn et al ., 1998 , 1999 ). in addition to ml 1 , ct was used as a positive control and ebulin r1 because it was the most immunogenic of the nontoxic type ii rip when administered intranasally . groups of female balb / c mice ( n = 5 ) were immunized on days 0 and 21 and serum samples were taken on days 0 , 20 , and 35 for analysis by elisa . three different bystander antigens , bsa , dt and gd2 were investigated . antigens ( 50 μg ) were administered to mice either alone or mixed with lectin / toxin ( 50 μg ). specific antibody responses were determined by elisa . additionally , the responses to ct and lectins was measured to assess their immunogenicity by the transcutaneous route . the backs of mice were shaved with a no . 40 clipper and animals were allowed to rest for 48 hr . mice were anesthetized with hypnorm - diazepam during the immunization procedure . the skin was swabbed with ethanol 1 min prior to application of solution . immunizing solution ( 100 μl ) was applied to shaved skin over a 2 cm 2 area . after 30 min , a further 100 μl of distilled water was applied and mice were left for 90 min . mice were extensively washed with lukewarm tap water , patted dry , and washed again . 1 . bsa 50 μg 2 . bsa 50 μg + ct 50 μg 3 . bsa 50 μg + ml i 50 μg 4 . bsa 50 μg + ebulin r1 50 μg 1 . dt 50 μg 2 . dt 50 μg + ct50 μg 3 . dt 50 μg + ml i 50 μg 4 . dt 50 μg + ebulin r1 50 μg 1 . gd2 50 μg 2 . gd2 50 μg + ct 50 μg 3 . gd2 50 μg + ml 1 50 μg 4 . gd2 50 μg + lectin ii 50 μg table 7 shows bsa - specific serum antibody titers measured following 1 and 2 transcutaneous doses of bsa ( 50 μg ) alone or together with ct / plant lectin ( 50 μg ). table 9 shows gd2 - specific serum antibody titers measured following 1 and 2 transcutaneous doses of gd2 ( 50 μg ) alone or together with ct / plant lectin ( 50 μg ). due to the poor responses , serum igga and igg1 levels were not determined . administration of lectins and collection of tissues . female balb / c mice were maintained on a normal stock diet with free access to water prior to experiments . mice were deprived of food overnight and lectins were delivered by gavage using curved oral dosing needles ( 20 g × 25 mm ) ( 1 mg lectin / mouse in 100 μl physiological saline ) to groups of 24 mice . water was available throughout . groups of 8 animals were sacrificed by halothane anesthesia followed by exsanguination after 1 hr , 6 hr and 24 hr . blood was collected by cardiac puncture . mice were dissected , and the entire gut was removed and divided into stomach , two parts of small intestine and large intestine . gut contents were washed out with 10 ml of ice - cold pbs to give an indication of the amount of unbound lectin present . gut tissues were placed in polythene bags and snap frozen in liquid nitrogen . sections of intestine were taken in each case and fixed in 4 % formalin for examination of lectin binding by histology . all gut tissues and washings were stored at − 20 ° c . until required for analysis . additionally , the liver , spleen and kidneys were collected from animals . extraction of lectins from tissue . tissues from animals administered with lectins or with control saline were extracted by homogenization in a 20 mm solution of diaminopropane . tissue pieces were placed in the extracting solution ( 995 μl 20 mm diaminopropane + 5 μl of 5 mg ml − 1 aprotinin ( sigma )) and homogenized ( janke and kunkel ika ®- labortechnik , ultra - turrax ®) at 24000 rpm for 2 minutes on ice . the homogeniser head was washed with distilled water , in 1 ml of extracting solution and again in distilled water between samples . samples was centrifuged ( jouan , mri 22 ) for 20 min at 18600 g at 2 ° c . the supernatants were collected and stored at − 20 ° c . until required for analysis . processing of gut washing . to provide an indication of the amount of free ( unbound ) lectin present in the gut , the amount of lectin present in gut washings was analysed . washings ( 500 μl ) were added to dilution buffer ( 495 μl )+ the protease inhibitor aprotinin ( 5 μl of 5 mg ml − 1 ) and centrifuged ( microspin 12s , sorvall ® instruments , du pont ) at 8000 rpm for 10 min . processing of blood samples . after collection , blood samples were left at room temperature for 1 hour and centrifuged at 7000 rpm for 6 min ( microspin 12s , sorvall ® instruments , du pont ). plasma was collected and stored at − 20 ° c . until required for analysis . elisa analysis of binding of plant lectins to the gut . an elisa assay was set up to enable the quantification of wga in extracted tissue samples and washings . microtiter plates ( immunolon 4 , dynatech ) were coated with 75 μl a 1 : 64000 dilution of rabbit anti - wga per well in carbonate - bicarbonate buffer , ph 9 . 6 and incubated at 4 ° c . overnight . after washing , plates were blocked with pbst / 2 % gelatin / 200 mm n - acetylglucosamine and incubated at 37 ° c . for 1 hr . plates were washed ; standards and samples added , serially diluted in dilution buffer ( pbst / 200 mm n - acetylglucosamine ) and incubated at 37 ° c . for 1 hr . a standard curve for wga was constructed by titrating a wga solution from 10 ng / ml to 78 pg / ml . biotinylated anti - wga at a dilution of 1 : 16000 in dilution buffer was added and incubated at 37 ° c . for 1 hr . after further washes , extravidin ® peroxidase ( sigma ) at a dilution of 1 : 1000 , in dilution buffer was added and incubated at 37 ° c . for 30 min . plates were washed and 50 μl / well of developing solution ( tmb microwell peroxidase substrate ( 1 - c ) kirkegaard and perry laboratories , gaithersburg , usa ) was added and incubated in the dark with shaking at 37 ° c . for 30 min . the reaction was stopped by addition of 1 m h2so4 ( 50 μl / well ) and the absorbance read at 450 nm . wga levels were calculated from the linear region of the standard curve . sds - page and western blotting . sds - page gels were run and proteins transferred to pvdf membranes using a semi - dry transfer apparatus . after transfer , membranes were blocked in a 2 . 5 % casein solution for 30 min at room temperature . membranes were washed and the primary antibody ( biotin - labeled anti - lectin ) was added at a dilution of 1 : 2500 in 5 ml of 1 . 2 % casein solution . following incubation with agitation at room temperature overnight , membranes were washed extensively with pbs and extravidin ® peroxidase added at a 1 : 5000 dilution in 1 . 2 % casein . following a 1 hr incubation at room temperature , membranes were washed extensively with pbs and distilled water . excess fluid was blotted from membranes and the developing solution was added ( super signal ® west pico detection kit ( pierce , rockford , usa )) and left in the dark for 5 min . excess fluid was dried from membranes and membranes were exposed to film ( kodak x - omat ls ( sigma )) and processed . stability and binding of plant lectins in the mouse gut following oral gavage . the lectins , pha , wga and uea - 1 were stable in the mouse digestive tract for up to 6 hr after gavage ( tables 11 and 12 ; fig1 and 19 ). in the small intestine , the lectins were only detected at the subunit mw of the positive control . in the stomach there was an indication of lectin aggregation after 6 and 24 hr in the cases of pha and uea - 1 . however , most of the lectin detected in the stomach was also intact . analysis of lectin binding to the gut found differences in the location of lectin binding at 1 and 6 hr after delivery . pha ( and wga , not presented ) bound to the proximal small intestine while uea - 1 was not detected in this region but bound to the distal small intestine ( table 11 ). the pattern of binding was similar at 1 and 6 hr after lectin administration . at 24 hr after delivery , lectins were not detected in homogenised gut tissues . this indicated that lectins did not detach from the gut and re - bind but more likely were excreted after detachment . table 11 shows detection of pha ( isotype e2l2 ) in the mouse digestive tract at 1 , 6 , and 24 hr after the delivery of 1 mg by gavage . the + symbol indicates that lectin was detected on western blots and the number of mice with a positive signal ( out of 8 in each case ) is presented in parentheses . the positive control pha subunit molecular weight was 29 . 5 kda . table 12 shows detection of uea1 in the mouse digestive tract at 1 , 6 , and 24 hr after the delivery of 1 mg by gavage . the + symbol indicates that lectin was detected on western blots and the number of mice with a positive signal ( out of 8 in each case ) is presented in parentheses . the positive control uea1 apparent subunit molecular weight was 34 . 7 kda . detection of lectins in internal organs and blood . sensitive chemiluminescent western blotting assays were used to determine lectin uptake . for all three lectins , uptake into the liver and kidney was measured ( table 13 , fig2 and 21 ). fig2 shows that uea1 detected in kidney tissue are at a higher molecular weight than in the positive control . there is a cross reaction with control kidney tissue . however , additional bands are visible in mouse tissues from animals administered with lectin . these bands are at a higher molecular weight than in the control . lectins were detected in liver tissue from 1 to 24 hr after administration . however , the mw of the reactive bands was considerably higher than the expected subunit mw . in fact , none of the 3 lectins were detected at the expected subunit wm in internal organs . to get an indication of the degree of lectin uptake , a sandwich elisa was set up to quantify wga . this enabled a determination of lectins in the gut and internal organs ( table 13 ). the lectin was detected in gut homogenates for up to 6 hr after delivery at approximately the level of lectin administered . at 24 hr , no lectin was detected in homogenates . of the internal organs , the highest levels of lectin were detected in liver tissue . the level of lectin at this site increased from 1 to 24 hr . however , the highest amount of lectin detected ( 289 . 3 ng ) represented a small fraction of the delivered dose . very low levels of wga were detected in the blood cells or sera or in the spleen . the detection of the highest level of lectin in the liver and kidney is in line with the western blotting results where the lectins were detectable in the liver and kidney tissue but not in blood or the other organs . stability of native and absorbed lectins to proteolysis by trypsin . to determine if the absorbed lectins detected in the liver and kidneys retained the properties of the native lectins , native and tissue - extracted pha , wga and uea - 1 were incubated for 1 hr with a solution of trypsin . all three lectins were highly stable to the enzyme in their native form . however , the modified lectins detected in liver and kidney tissue were degraded by the enzyme ( fig2 ). this indicates that cells in the liver and kidney are capable of modifying plant lectins to forms which are sensitive to proteolysis . this may be a mechanism for degradation of ingested plant lectins which survive in the digestive tract and are absorbed . 13 . van damme e . j . m ., peumans w . j ., pusztai a ., and bardocz , s . 1998 . plant lectins : a special class of plant protein , p 1 - 28 . in e . j . m van damme ., w . j . peumans , a . pusztai , and s . bardocz ( ed .) handbook of plant lectins : properties and biomedical applications . john wiley and sons , chichester , england . 14 . giannasca p . j ., boden j . a ., and monath t . p . 1997 . targeted delivery of antigen to hamster nasal lymphoid tissue with m - cell directed lectins . infect immun 65 : 4288 - 4298 . 15 . bardocz s ., grant g ., pusztai a ., franklin m . f ., and carvalho a de f . f . u . 1996 . the effect of phytohemagglutinin at different dietary concentrations on the growth , body composition and plasma insulin of the rat . br . j . nutr . 76 : 613 - 626 . 16 . eifler r ., pfuller k ., gockeritz w ., and pfuller u . 1994 . improved procedures for isolation of mistletoe lectins and their subunits : lectin pattern of the european mistletoe , p . 144 - 151 . in j . basu , m . kundu , and p . chakrabarty ( ed . ), lectins : biology , biochemistry , clinical biochemistry , wiley eastern limited , new delhi , india . 17 . ugozzoli m ., o &# 39 ; hagan d . t ., and ott g . s . 1998 . intransal immunization of mice with herpes simplex virus type 2 recombinant gd2 : the effect of adjuvants of mucosal and serum antibody responses . immunology . 93 : 563 - 571 . 18 . roberts , m ., bacon , a ., rappuoli , r ., pizza , m ., cropley , i ., douce , g ., dougan , g ., marinaro , m ., mcghee , j ., and chatfield , s ., 1995 . a mutant pertussis toxin molecule that lacks adp - ribosyltransferase activity , pt - 9k / 129g is an effective mucosal adjuvant for intransally delivery proteins . infect . immun . 63 : 2100 - 2108 . 19 . marinaro , m ., di tommaso , a ., uzzau , s ., fasano , a ., and de magistris , m . t . 1999 . zonula occludens toxin is a powerful mucosal adjuvant for intransally delivered antigens . infect . immun . 67 : 1287 - 1291 . 20 . fukuta , s ., magnani , j . l ., twiddy , e . m ., holmes , r . k ., and ginsburg , v . 1988 . comparison of the carbohydrate - binding specificities of cholera toxin and escherichia coli heat - labile enterotoxins lth - i , lt - iia and lt - iib . infect immun 56 : 1748 - 1753 . 21 . fishman , p . h . 1982 . role of membrane gangliosides in the binding and action of bacterial toxins . j . membrane . biol . 69 : 85 - 97 . 22 . li , t - k ., and fox , b . s . 1996 . cholera toxin b subunit binding to an antigen - presenting cell directly co - stimulates cytokine production from a t cell clone . int . immunol . 8 : 1849 - 1856 . 23 . takahashi , i ., marinaro , m ., kiyono , h ., jackson , r . j ., nakagawa , l ., fujihashi , k ., hamada , s ., clements , j . d ., bost , k . l ., and mcghee , j . r . 1996 . mechanisms for mucosal immunogenicity and adjuvancy of escherichia coli labile entertoxin . j . infect dis . 173 : 627 - 635 . 24 . douce , g ., fontana , m ., pizza , m ., rappuoli , r ., and dougan , g . 1997 . intransal immunogenicity and adjuvannnnticity of site - directed mutant derivatives of cholera toxin . infect . immun . 65 : 2821 - 2828 . 25 . bussing , a . 1996 . induction of apoptosis by the mistletoe lectins . a review of the mechanisms of cytoxicity mediated by viscum album l . apoptosis 1 : 25 - 32 . 26 . hajito , t ., hostanska , k ., frei , k ., rordorf , c ., and gabius , h . j . 1990 . increased secretion of tumor necrosis factor - alpha , interleukin - 1 , and interleukin - 6 by human mononuclear cells exposed to beta - galactoside - specific lectin from clinically applied mistletoe extract . cancer res . 50 : 3322 - 3326 . 27 . hajto t ., hostanska k ., and gabius , h . j . 1989 . modulatory potency of the beta - galactoside - specific lectin from mistletoe extract ( iscador ) on the host defense system in vivo in rabbits and patients . cancer res . 49 : 4803 - 4808 . 28 . sugii , s ., and tsuji , t . 1989 . binding specificities of heat - labile enterotoxin isolated from porcine and human enterotoxigenic escherichiaz coli for different gangliosides . ca . j . microbiol . 35 : 670 - 673 . 29 . lycke , n ., and sevennerholm . a .- m . 1990 . presentation of immunogens at the gut and other mucosal surfaces , p . 207 - 227 . in woodrow , m . levine ( ed .). the molecular approach to new and improved vaccines . marcel dekker inc ., ny . 30 . haas , h ., falcone , f . h ., schramm , g ., haisch , k ., gibbs , b . f ., klaucke , j ., poppelmann , m ., becker , w - m ., gabius , j ., and schlaak , m ., 1999 . dietary lectins can induce in vitro release of il - 4 and il - 13 from human basophils . eur . j . immunol 29 : 918 - 927 . 31 . di tommaso a ., saletti g ., pizza m ., rappuoli r ., dougan g ., abrignani s ., douce g ., and de magestris m . t . 1996 . induction of antigen - specific antibodies in vaginal secretions by using a nontoxic mutant of heat - labile enterotoxin as a mucosal adjuvant infect . immun . 64 : 974 - 979 . 40 . glenn , g . m ., rao , m ., matyas , g . r . and alving , c . r . ( 1998 ). skin immunization made possible by cholera toxin . nature 391 , 851 . 41 . glenn , g . m ., scharton - kersten , t ., vassell , r ., matyas , g . r . and alving , c . r . ( 1999 ). transcutaneous immunization with bacterial adp - ribosylating exotoxins as antigens and adjuvants . infect immun 67 , 1100 - 1106 . 42 . lavelle et al ., mucosal immunogenicity of plant lectins in mice . immunology 99 , 30 - 37 , 2000 . 43 . lavelle et al ., the identification of plant lectins with mucosal adjuvant activity . immunology , in press .	0
with reference to fig1 - 3 , the stabilized platform includes a leg ( 1 ), a housing ( 2 ), and an adjustable platform ( 14 ) supporting and stabilizing a video camera ( 3 ). with reference to fig2 - 3 , the stabilized platform provides a gimbal with three controlled axes of rotation . i ) a first connector ( 4 ) located on a first axis of rotation ( 4 ) called a panoramic rotation axis ( 4 ) which extends along a length of the leg ( 1 ), ii ) two second connectors ( 7 ) located on a second axis of rotation ( 7 ) called a transverse tilting axis ( 7 ), and iii ) two third connectors ( 12 ) located on a third axis of rotation ( 12 ) called a longitudinal inclination axis . the first , second , and third axes of rotation intersect at a common intersection point . the second axis of rotation ( 7 ) and the third axis of rotation ( 12 ) are perpendicular one to another as shown in fig2 - 3 , the axial unit further includes a horizontally rotating unit ( 5 ), a servo drive unit ( 6 , 9 , 10 ) comprised of a first servo drive ( 6 ), a second servo drive ( 9 ), and a third servo drive ( 10 ). the horizontally rotating unit ( 5 ) is connected to the leg ( 1 ) and rotates around the first axis of rotation ( 4 ). the first connector ( 4 ) connects the horizontally rotating unit ( 5 ) to the leg ( 1 ). the horizontally rotating unit ( 5 ) rotates horizontally , around the first axis of rotation ( 7 ), when the first axis of rotation ( 4 ) extending along a length of the leg ( 1 ) extends vertically . as shown in fig2 - 3 , the axial unit still further includes a transversely tiltable frame ( 8 ), and a longitudinally tiltable frame ( 11 ). the transversely tiltable frame ( 8 ) extends in a direction of the second axis of rotation ( 7 ) and in a direction of the third axis of rotation ( 12 ). the transversely tiltable frame ( 8 ) is tiltable in a transverse plane . as shown in fig2 , in top view the transversely tiltable frame ( 8 ) is a closed rectangle comprised of four connected sides . the two second connectors ( 7 ) connect two opposite sides of the horizontally rotating unit ( 5 ) to two opposite sides of the transversely tiltable frame ( 8 ) such that the transversely tiltable frame ( 8 ) is rotatable about the second axis of rotation ( 7 ). as shown in fig3 , in side view the longitudinally tiltable frame ( 11 ) has a u - shape and comprises two arms jointed by a member ( the lower member in fig3 extending along a direction of the transversely tiltable frame ( 8 ). the two arms each have a free end ( the upper ends in fig3 ). the two third connectors ( 12 ) connect inner sides of the arms of the longitudinally tiltable frame ( 11 ) to opposite ends of the transversely tiltable frame ( 8 ) such that the longitudinally tiltable frame ( 11 ) rotates around the third axis of rotation ( 12 ). outside faces of each of the arms of the longitudinally tiltable frame ( 11 ) include mounting slots ( 13 ) for fastening equipment for stabilization , as shown in fig2 . the mounting slots ( 13 ) rotate around the third axis of rotation ( 12 ). an adjustable platform ( 14 ), for stabilized equipment , is shown in fig2 - 3 as being mounted to the mounting slots ( 13 ) of the left arm of the longitudinally tiltable frame ( 11 ). the housing ( 2 ) is mounted to the transversely tiltable frame ( 8 ). the axial unit , via the leg ( 1 ), may be supported to an unstable base . the leg ( 1 ) can be directed upwards ( as shown in fig1 ) or downwards and is rotatable about the first axis of rotation ( 4 ). the first servo drive ( 6 ) is mounted on a first side of the horizontally rotating unit ( 5 ). the first connector ( 5 ) connects the leg ( 1 ) to an opposite , second side of the horizontally rotating unit ( 5 ). the second servo drive ( 9 ) is secured on an outside of the transversely tiltable frame ( 8 ), whereas the third servo drive ( 10 ) is secured on an inside of the transversely tiltable frame ( 8 ). the third element ( 12 ) is mounted on the longitudinally tiltable frame ( 11 ). the platform ( 14 ) for stabilized equipment allows to a user to relocate the equipment in three directions to achieve precise balance of a rotating mass . with reference again to fig1 , the video camera ( 3 ) is mounted on one side of the device . on the opposite side , a position sensor of the stabilized platform , a servo drive controller , and a battery are secured . the servo drive unit is further equipped with internal feedback of the acting force . a mechanical gyroscope may be used to achieve even greater stabilization . the above described structure of the stabilized platform for rotation and stabilization of a mounted video camera allows for production of a compact axial unit with increased rigidity and precision . the invention &# 39 ; s stabilized platform allows a center of mass of rotation to be situated between two bearings , thus a load on these two bearings does not exceed a weight of the load . by reducing frictional forces , vibrations of the unstable base transmitted to the stabilized platform are also reduced . additionally , centers of mass of the stabilized equipment are spaced apart , enhancing the effect of additional inertial stabilization . areas of application include portable stabilizers for operators , installation of cameras on vehicles , cranes and cables , and unmanned machines .	5
a conventional automatically operable screw machine has a turret attached to a support member and the support member is adjustably carried by a toothed rack . fig1 shows a portion of a conventional screw machine in which a turret support member 10 is adjustably carried upon a rack or carrier 12 which has teeth , not shown in fig1 for mechanical movement thereof . the rack 12 is movable upon a way 14 . a bolt 16 or the like extends through a portion of the support member 10 and also extends through an opening 18 in the rack 12 . an adjustment screw 20 is carried by the rack 12 and is engageable with the support member 10 to adjust the position of the support member 10 with respect to the rack 12 . the support member 10 can be adjusted with respect to the rack 12 within the limits of the opening 18 through which the bolt 16 extends . thus , by means of the adjustment screw 20 the position of a turret , not shown , carried by the support member 10 , is adjusted with respect to the rack 12 and with respect to a spindle at any position of the rack 12 . the bolt 16 secures the adjusted position of the support member 10 with respect to the rack 12 . thus , the position of the support member 10 with respect to the rack 12 is maintained during reciprocal movement of the rack 12 and the support member 10 . it has been found in operation of such a conventional automatically operable screw machine that the maximum or minimum spacing of a turret with respect to a spindle is not sufficient to accomplish a long stroke cutting operation , which is desired in numerous types of work . fig2 , and 4 illustrate the manner in which a conventional automatically operable screw machine is modified in accordance with this invention to obtain a longer turret stroke than is otherwise possible . the adjustment screw 20 and the bolt 16 are removed from the support member 10 and the rack or carrier 12 . an actuator rod 24 is attached to the rack or carrier 12 . a bracket 26 is attached to the support member 10 . the bracket 26 and the support member 10 attached thereto are shown as being urged in a direction toward the right as viewed in fig2 , and 4 by any suitable resilient member 28 . the bracket 26 has attached thereto a fluid housing 30 of a reciprocally operable fluid motor 32 . within the fluid housing 30 is a piston 36 which is axially movable with respect thereto . the piston 36 has attached thereto the actuator rod 24 . rotatably carried by the support member 10 is a turret 40 which , with movement of the support member 10 , is movable toward and away from a spindle or chuck 44 , which is adapted to retain a work piece . thus , the support member 10 and the rack 12 serve as turret support means for movement of the turret 40 . the rack 12 has a toothed portion 12a which is in meshed engagement with a toothed portion 48a of a lever 48 . the lever 48 is pivotal about a trunnion 50 which is supported by a block 52 . the trunnion 50 is retained in position by a cam 54 , which is rotatable about an axis 56 . pivotally attached to an end of the lever 48 opposite the toothed portion 48a , is a link 58 , to which is pivotally attached a pivotal cam follower lever 62 , which engages a cam 66 . the cam 66 is supported by a shaft 68 and is rotatable therewith . also rotatable with the shaft 68 is a cam 72 which is engaged by a cam follower 74 . an arm 76 is pivotally attached to the cam follower 74 and is also pivotally attached to support structure 78 . the cam follower 74 is joined to a rod 80 which is attached to a piston 82 within a fluid housing 84 of a fluid pump 86 . a fluid conduit 88 joins the left - hand portion of the fluid housing 84 to the left - hand portion of the fluid housing 30 . the cam 72 , the cam follower 74 , the arm 76 , the rod 80 , the piston 82 , the fluid housing 84 , and the fluid conduit 88 , in addition to the rod 24 , and the fluid motor 32 , are not found in conventional screw machine and are added to a conventional screw machine in accordance with this invention . fig2 shows the rack 12 positioned at its maximum distance from the spindle or chuck 44 , and the support member 10 is positioned at its maximum distance from the spindle or chuck 44 . thus , the turret 40 is positioned at a maximum distance from the spindle 44 . the shaft 68 rotates in a clockwise direction and moves therewith in a clockwise direction the cam 66 , as illustrated . as such rotative movement of the cam 66 occurs , the cam follower lever 62 is pivotally moved and , through the link 58 , pivotally moves the lever 48 in a counter clockwise direction . the toothed portion 48a of the lever 48 in meshed relationship with the toothed portion 12a of the rack 12 causes linear movement of the rack 12 in a direction toward the spindle or chuck 44 . as the rack 12 is moved toward the spindle 44 , the rack 12 carries therewith the support member 10 . thus , the turret 40 and any tool carried thereby are moved toward the spindle 44 . movement of the rack 12 toward the spindle 44 moves therewith the actuator rod 24 , and movement of the support member 10 towards the spindle 44 carries therewith the bracket 26 and the fluid motor 32 . as stated above and as illustrated in fig2 , and 4 , the cam 72 is also joined to the shaft 68 for rotation therewith . therefore , with rotation of the shaft 68 in a clockwise direction , the cam 72 rotatively moves in a clockwise direction . as the cam 72 rotatively moves in a clockwise direction , the cam follower 74 is moved toward the fluid housing 84 and the piston 82 within the fluid housing 84 is moved toward the left portion of the fluid housing 84 . when this occurs , fluid within the fluid housing 84 is forced by the piston 82 in a direction from the fluid housing 84 and into the fluid conduit 88 . fluid flowing through the fluid conduit 88 from the fluid housing 84 moves into the left - hand portion of the fluid housing 30 . the position of the piston 36 within the fluid housing 30 is determined by the position of the rack 12 , to which the actuator rod 24 is attached . thus , when fluid is forced into the fluid housing 30 through the fluid conduit 88 , the fluid housing 30 is forced to move toward the spindle 44 and to move in this direction with respect to the piston 36 . thus , when fluid is forced into the fluid housing 30 the support member 10 moves toward the spindle 44 . such movement of the support member 10 is with respect to the rack 12 . therefore , as the shaft 68 rotates from the position thereof shown in fig2 to an intermediate position shown in fig3 the rack 12 is moved by the lever 48 toward the spindle 44 to an intermediate position , as shown in fig3 and , at the same time , the support member 10 is moved forwardly toward the spindle 44 to an intermediate position with respect to the rack 12 . furthermore , when the lever 48 has moved the rack 12 toward the spindle 44 to the maximum travel , as determined by the toothed portions 48a and 12a , as illustrated in fig4 the fluid motor 32 has moved the support member 10 with respect to the rack 12 the maximum travel as determined by the position of the bracket 26 with respect to the rack 12 , as the bracket 26 comes into engagement with the rack 12 , as shown in fig4 . thus , the turret 40 is moved from a maximum position with respect to the spindle 44 , as shown in fig2 to its minimum distance with respect to the spindle 44 , as shown in fig4 . such travel of the turret 40 is greater than maximum travel obtainable in a conventional apparatus illustrated in fig1 . this is due to the fact that the maximum fixed adjustment of the support member 10 with respect to the rack 12 has been changed to an operational travel of the support member 10 with respect to the rack 12 . it is to be understood that the rack 12 and the support member 10 can be operated in accordance with this invention in a manner such that complete travel of the rack 12 is completed before or after complete travel of the support member 10 with respect to the rack 12 toward the spindle 44 . the cam 54 serves as a withdrawal cam for rapid withdrawal of the turret 40 with rotative movement of the cam 54 , which permits the spring 28 to move the trunnion 50 to the right and thus to move the pivotal axis of the lever 48 and the rack 12 to the right . fig5 and 6 illustrate further modification of a conventional screw machine for the purpose of obtaining greater travel or stroke of the turret 40 . as shown in fig5 the turret 40 is moved to a maximum distance from the spindle 44 . this distance is greater than the maximum distance of the turret 40 from the spindle 44 shown in fig2 . in the apparatus as shown in fig5 the pivotal axis of the lever 48 is moved toward the right by movement of the trunnion 50 to the right . in order to obtain this movement of the trunnion 50 to the right , the cam 54 is reduced in size or moved to the right . thus , the toothed portion 48a of the lever 48 is moved farther to the right and the rack 12 is moved farther to the right . movement of the rack 12 farther to the right permits movement of the support member 10 farther to the right . thus , the turret 40 is moved to the right from the position thereof , shown in fig2 to the position thereof shown in fig5 . thus , the turret 40 has a maximum spaced position from the spindle 44 greater than the maximum spacing of the turret 40 from the spindle 44 possible in the apparatus as shown in fig2 , and 4 . fig5 shows a modification by insertion of a spacer block 90 between the bracket 26 and the support member 10 , in order to provide greater spacing between the bracket 26 and the rack 12 . this can also , of course , be accomplished by reshaping the bracket 26 to permit greater travel of the support member 10 with respect to the rack 12 . thus , in operation of the apparatus of fig5 and 6 the turret 40 begins its travel toward the spindle 44 from a position farther from the spindle 44 than is possible with the apparatus shown in fig2 . in operation , as the lever 48 is pivotally moved , through rotative movement of the cam 66 , the rack 12 is moved toward the spindle 44 . as the rack 12 travels toward the spindle 44 , the cam 72 , rotatively moving with the cam 66 and operating upon the piston 82 , forces fluid into the fluid housing 30 . the fluid housing 30 , attached to the support member 10 , forces the support member 10 to move toward the spindle 44 with respect to the rack 12 . thus , the support member 10 is moved forwardly with respect to the rack 12 until the bracket 26 engages the rack 12 , as shown in fig6 . this travel of the support member 10 with respect to the rack 12 is greater than the travel possible with the apparatus as shown in fig2 , and 4 . this is due to the fact that the turret 40 is moved from a maximum position spaced farther from the spindle 44 to a minimum position equal to that shown in fig4 . thus , the travel or stroke of the turret 40 is greater than the travel or stroke of the turret 40 in the apparatus as shown in fig2 , and 4 . also shown in fig5 is a connector fluid conduit 94 which joins the fluid conduit 88 to a unit 98 . the unit 98 senses the fluid pressure in the fluid conduit 88 . the fluid within the fluid motor 32 forces a tool carried by the turret 40 into engagement with a work piece which is retained by the spindle or chuck 44 . thus , the pressure of the fluid within the fluid motor 32 and within the fluid conduit 88 is directly related to the force required to effect operation upon a work piece by a tool carried by the turret 40 . thus , the unit 98 senses the force required to effect operation upon a work piece by a tool carried by the turret 40 . when a tool carried by the turret 40 wears or breaks , the pressure applied to a work piece by the tool increases . such increase may be sudden or gradual . thus , the pressure increase sensed by the unit 98 may be sudden or gradual . the unit 98 may be an indicator which indicates pressure , so that an operator when observing the pressure increase above a given value stops the screw machine from further operation . the unit 98 may be a pressure sensitive switch element which is joined to means for controlling or for stopping the screw machine when fluid pressure of a predetermined magnitude exists within the fluid conduit 88 . thus , the unit 98 is employed to protect the screw machine from damage which may result from worn or broken turret tools . the protection may be automatic or visual and manual . although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described , it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form , details , proportion and arrangement of parts , the combination thereof , and mode of operation , which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth , as disclosed and defined in the appended claims .	8
reference will now be made to the drawings , wherein to the extent possible like reference numerals are utilized to designate like components throughout the various views . referring to fig1 there is presented an exploded sectional partial plan view of a glove box assembly 100 having the damper device 10 of the present invention . the glove box assembly 100 comprising a glove box body or shell 101 and a glove box lid 102 as is typically mounted in a vehicle . as further shown in fig1 the damper device 10 comprises a cam assembly 20 mounted on or molded into the glove box lid 102 and a spring portion 31 mounted on or molded into the i p retainer 30 . referring now to fig2 there is shown a perspective view of the cam assembly 20 having a cam lobe 1 , a pair of mounting spindles 2 and a pair of mounting brackets 3 . in practice the mounting spindles 2 are rotatively mounted in retaining slots 32 ( fig3 ) of instrument panel retainer 30 ( fig3 ). the cam lobe 1 being substantially perpendicular to mounting spindles 2 . the mounting brackets 3 are fixedly attached to the glove box lid 102 ( fig1 ). turning now to fig3 there is shown the instrument panel retainer 30 having a spring 31 of desired shape molded therein and further having molded therein a pair of retaining slots 32 configured to receive a corresponding pair of mounting spindles 2 ( fig2 ) of the cam assembly 20 ( fig2 ) of the present invention . the spindles 2 ( fig2 ) mounted in the retaining slots 32 position the cam 1 ( fig2 ) to ride against spring 31 . also shown are mounting slots 33 which provide for easy insertion of the mounting spindles 2 ( fig2 ) into the retaining slots 32 . during the downward opening movement of the glove box lid 102 ( fig1 ) the spring 31 thus exerts a desired force against the rotational movement of cam 1 ( fig2 ) thereby damping and slowing the downward movement of the glove box lid 102 ( fig1 ). the spring 31 may also be configured to stop the rotational movement of the cam 1 ( fig2 ) at a predetermined point thereby limiting the opening travel of the glove box lid 102 ( fig1 ). referring now to fig4 there is shown a partial front plan view of an instrument panel retainer 30 having molded therein a plurality of springs 31 and corresponding plurality of paired retaining slots 32 of the present invention . the combination of a cam 1 rotating against a spring 31 results in a resistance to downward movement of the glove box lid 102 thereby giving a passenger operating the glove box a feeling of smooth operation combined with close fitting and accurate quality construction . at the same time this damper device assists in eliminating the sense of weight in the glove box lid 102 again providing a feeling of smooth operation and quality construction . in practice it is preferred for the spring to be about 30 % to about one third compressed from its free position when the glove box lid is closed and about one half 50 % compressed from its free position when the glove box lid is open . different amounts of compression on the spring at both the open and closed positions of the glove box lid may be used to provide the desired effect of damping and slowing of the glove box lid travel . the damper device 10 of the present invention may be made of any suitable material or materials well known in this art . particularly the damper device 10 of the present invention may be made of the same material at that of the instrument panel retainer or it may be made of a different material to achieve the desired properties of providing damping and slowing of the glove box lid during opening . presently preferred materials include , for example , acrylonitrile - butadiene - styrene ( abs ), polycarbonate / acrylonitrile - butadiene - styrene ( pc / abs ), the engineered material sold under the brand name norel by general electric corporation , polypropylene , and other engineered materials well known in this art . it is also to be understood that the various parts of the damper device of the present invention may all be made of the same material or the various parts may of different materials . although the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been disclosed in connection with one particular example , those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims .	8
the embodiment shown in fig1 includes a case or housing 1 forming an external envelope of a dispenser according to the invention . housing 1 can have any appropriate form and can , in general , have a form similar to a cylinder with a longitudinal axis x - x &# 39 ; and preferably of circular cross section . the cross section of housing 1 can be unvarying along its length , or can , as shown in fig1 be constructed in its lower portion to include a frusto - conic section 2 with a diameter which decreases toward the dispensing end , followed by a cylindrical lower end section 3 having a diameter smaller than that of the main portion of housing 1 . housing 1 is preferably constituted by a unitary body having an outer wall 4 . outer wall 4 preferably has a constant thickness along its length and can be made , for example , of any sufficiently rigid plastic material . housing 1 is associated with a holding or gripping means 5 constituted in its simplest version by the upper part of housing 1 . obviously , as an alternative , housing 1 can be provided with a handle designed to be gripped comfortably by the user and thus constituting the holding means . the dispenser according to the invention further includes a reservoir 8 for storage of the thermoplastic product before its application . preferably , reservoir 8 is disposed within the space enclosed by case 1 and preferably has the same longitudinal axis x - x &# 39 ; as case 1 . reservoir 8 is limited toward the exterior by an envelope 9 preferably having an average thickness of the order of 1 . 5 - 2 mm . at least one part , or only a fraction , of envelope 9 is composed of an electrically conductive plastic material forming an electrical resistance element . such a material can be , for example , an elastomer provided with a carbon filler . according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention , the wall of reservoir 8 , or substantially the entirety of envelope 9 , is made of electrically conductive plastic material . alternatively , only one or several parts of envelope 9 , for example a portion adjacent section 2 and / or section 3 , can be made of electrically conductive plastic material . in effect , passage of electric current through the electrically conductive plastic material generates a heat flux which assures melting of the thermoplastic product . thus , electrically conductive plastic material can be provided at any geometric location or locations of the part or fraction of envelope 9 made of an electrically conductive plastic material to permit , by generation and delivery of heat , melting of the entire mass , or a significant portion of the mass , of thermoplastic material to be applied . in the same manner , by way of a further modification , only a fraction of envelope 9 , defining for example a sector or concave area , whose geometric location is suitably selected , and for example in the lower part of the dispenser , could be made of electrically conductive plastic material . the portion of envelope 9 which is not made of electrically conductive plastic material is made of a material which is a good conductor of heat . envelope 9 , or the portion of envelope 9 made of electrically conductive plastic material , is connected to a pair of electrodes 10 , one of which is visible in fig1 preferably constituted by two strips , bands , meshes or screens of metal disposed on envelope 9 at diametrically opposed locations with respect to axis x - x &# 39 ;. strips , etc , 10 are secured by any appropriate means to the internal or external surface of envelope 9 , or for example are molded into reservoir 9 . as shown particularly in fig1 , reservoir 8 may have a transverse cross section in a form similar to a quadrilateral , and electrodes 10 may preferably extend across the entirety of two opposed lateral faces of reservoir 8 and may be extended by respective connection prongs or feet 10a ( fig1 and 11 ) beyond the end of case 1 which is remote from the outlet end of reservoir 8 . electrodes 10 can also be formed by electrolytic deposition or printing , such as silkscreen printing , of a conductive ink . advantageously , electrodes 10 are disposed on the exterior surface of the walls of envelope 9 , but can also be embedded in envelope 9 , or can extend on the inner surface of envelope 9 where they will be in contact with the wax . envelope 9 , or the fraction of envelope 9 made of electrically conductive plastic material thus constitutes the heating means of the dispenser according to the invention , serving to assure continuous melting of the thermoplastic product stored in reservoir 8 . thus , envelope 9 performs the dual function of resistive heating element and product reservoir . envelope 9 or the fraction of envelope 9 can be made of any plastic material possessing suitable resistive properties , such materials including , inter alia , silicone elastomers , polypropylene containing a carbon filler , polymers rendered conductive by a carbon filler , or even intrinsically conductive polymers , such as pvc having a polyaniline filler , for example . according to the invention , case 1 surrounds reservoir 8 and is thermally isolated from reservoir 8 , or more precisely from envelope 9 , by thermal insulation means 11 . the thermal insulation means can be constituted , as shown in fig1 by establishing a simple dead air space 12 between case 1 and envelope 9 , space 12 having an appropriate thickness . advantageously , as shown in fig3 thermal isolation means 11 can be created by providing a plurality of longitudinal ribs 13 which extend in the direction of the thickness of case 1 and project from the internal face thereof . longitudinal ribs 13 thus bear against the external periphery of reservoir 8 and are spaced apart to delimit a series of longitudinal dead air spaces 14 . it should be evident that , according to modified embodiments , ribs 13 could be formed in , and extend outwardly from , envelope 9 . a dispenser of thermoplastic products according to the invention further includes a product applicator , such as an applicator 18 shown in fig1 and 2 . applicator 18 is located at an outlet opening 20 provided , as shown in fig1 at the lower end of reservoir 8 . applicator 18 is advantageously constituted by a roller 21 supported , as shown most clearly in fig2 by two shafts or pins 22 fixed to roller 21 and rotatably mounted in recesses which are formed in case 1 and which constitute bearings . alternatively , roller 21 can be supported directly by envelope 9 within outlet opening 20 . roller 21 is dimensioned relative to the dimensions of opening 20 in order to cause a thin film of thermoplastic product , which according to exemplary embodiments of the invention is depilatory wax , to be formed on the surface or roller 21 and to then be applied to the user &# 39 ; s skin . preferably , roller 21 is mounted to be freely rotatable . however , roller 21 can also be mounted to be rotated by any conventional drive means . fig4 and 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention in which roller 21 is mounted in a manner to be capable of being displaced , under the force of gravity , substantially in the direction of longitudinal axis x - x &# 39 ;. for this purpose , shafts 22 are supported in slots 25 which are formed in case 1 or in envelope 9 and which constitute slide paths . slots 25 have a generally oblong form with an axis of symmetry substantially parallel to longitudinal axis x - x &# 39 ;. the dimensional relations between opening 20 and roller 21 , and particularly the diameter of roller 21 , are such that when roller 21 bears against a surface p , this typically being the user &# 39 ; s skin , roller 21 comes to occupy the abutment position shown in fig4 . in this position , roller 21 , under the effect of a reaction force imposed by the user &# 39 ; s skin on roller 21 , moves to an abutment position in which shafts 22 are pressed against the upper extremity 26 of slots 25 . roller 21 then occupies an upper , or retracted , position . in this position , a larger gap exists between the periphery or roller 22 and an edge 27 of opening 20 . melted or softened thermoplastic product , such as wax , can then flow out of the dispenser . fig5 shows roller 21 in a lower , or extended , position , which is achieved when roller 21 is not pressing against the user &# 39 ; s skin , and is thus free to move , under the influence of the force of gravity , to a position in which shafts 22 come to bear against the lower extremities 28 of slots 25 . in this position , the dimensional relations between roller 21 and opening 20 are such that roller 21 can substantially completely block opening 20 . fig6 is a detail view showing one embodiment of roller 21 which is provided on its surface with circular protrusions , or lands , which effectively increase the thickness of roller 21 . these lands 30 have for their effect to thicken the film , or layer , of wax , roller 21 even being able to advantageously have a reduced diameter at its axial ends in order to assure the presence of a bead of wax along each edge of the band which is dispensed via opening 20 . these beads , which have a thickness greater than that of the part of the band of wax between the edges , help to facilitate subsequent lifting of the wax strip as a unit during hair removal . roller 21 can also be provided with ridges , or striations , ( not shown ) in the longitudinal direction of its axis of rotation y - y &# 39 ; shown in fig6 to promote rotation of roller 21 on the user &# 39 ; s skin and to assure thickening of the band of wax . roller 21 can be made of any material capable of developing a relatively weak adherence with wax , or with any other thermoplastic material that is to be dispensed , which adherence is in any case weaker than the adherence of the wax , or other thermoplastic material , to the skin , or other surface to which the material is to be applied . roller 21 could be made of , for example , polypropylene or silicone . a dispenser according to the invention can be provided with a switch 60 ( fig1 ) capable of applying either one of two voltages between electrodes 10 . one of these voltages can have a relatively high value and can be used when the contents of reservoir 8 are at room temperature and are to be heated to the desired operating temperature . the second voltage , which has a lower value than the first voltage , is applied to maintain the thermoplastic material at an average desired application temperature after it has been first heated to that temperature . this arrangement permits the initial delivery of a high level of thermal energy to initially permit a rapid melting of the thermoplastic material contained in reservoir 8 , after which a lower level of thermal energy is delivered to maintain the mass at the desired temperature . alternatively , a similar effect can be achieved if the electrically conductive plastic material of envelope 9 is a material having a high positive thermal coefficient of resistance . case 1 is closed at its upper end , remote from opening 20 , by a closing plug 31 affixed by any appropriate means . fig1 - 12 illustrate another embodiment of the invention which differs from those previously described by the fact that roller 21 is removably installed . in this embodiment , roller 21 is mounted on a cap 40 which is constructed to be slipped over the associated end of case 1 and locked in position , for example by latching or clipping onto walls of case 1 . cap 40 has an opening 41 arranged to be in line with outlet opening 20 and two tongues 42 which are folded over to bear against end faces of envelope 9 , at the end of envelope 9 associated with outlet passage 29 . tongues 42 have extremities provided with support elements , for example disks , intended to be inserted into openings or recesses 43 provided along the axis of rotation of roller 21 . cap 40 thus serves as a mean for supporting roller 21 , while permitting roller 21 to be removed from cap 40 for purposes of replacement or cleaning , when cap 40 is withdrawn from case 1 . the mounting of roller 21 in a removable cap 40 facilitates cleaning of roller 21 and allows reservoir 8 to easily be refilled via outlet passage 20 . as a result , the embodiment of fig1 - 12 need not be provided with a removable plug or closing element , such as the element 31 of the embodiment of fig1 - 3 . according to another alternative of the invention , and as shown in fig1 - 12 , the walls of reservoir 8 may present , at the level of outlet passage 20 , an external collar 44 having outwardly inclined edges . in these edges there are formed at least two , and preferably a total of four , slits 45 , which extend through the thickness of the outwardly inclined edges . slits 45 are preferably arranged at the corners of outlet opening 20 at the level of the junctions between the different sides of envelope 9 . slits 45 permit , during flow of wax in a softened or liquid state , the formation of beads , or thickened edges of the band of wax being deposited . as noted above , the resulting band of wax becomes easier to remove from the user &# 39 ; s skin . the provision of four slits 45 enables the device of fig1 - 11 to be moved in either one of two directions while applying wax , i . e . to apply wax while roller 21 is rotating in either sense about its axis of rotation , without disturbing the airwax system necessary for a satisfactory application of the wax film or layer . as shown in fig1 , switch 60 may be connectable to a power source and may include a three position switch element connected to a voltage dividing resistor . the switch element may be moved between two voltage applying positions manually or under control of a temperature responsive unit in thermal communication with reservoir 8 . the functioning of a dispenser of thermoplastic products according to the invention will now be described . the user , after having filled reservoir 8 with the thermoplastic product to be dispensed , for example depilatory wax , initially provided in the form of a relatively solid block of wax , operates switch 60 to apply a voltage between electrodes 10 , this preferably being the higher of the two voltages described above if the dispenser has a dual voltage switch . the mass of wax then absorbs heat generated by envelope 11 and the mass of wax , particularly that in the portion of reservoir 8 adjacent roller 21 , is progressively softened or liquified , to such an extent that roller 21 , which when cold can become stuck to the walls of case 1 or envelope 9 , becomes detached therefrom . this detachment then permits the passage of a thin film or layer of wax through opening 20 . the user who previously took hold of the dispenser can then begin applying the wax by rolling roller 21 along the skin . the fact of using a heating envelope 9 permits the heating temperature to be distributed in a uniform manner in the entire mass of wax , which assures a rapid temperature increase , followed by an optimal regulation of the wax application temperature . the possibility of making use of a wax dispenser provided with a mobile applicator roller permits the user to be freed of any concern about uncontrolled flow of the wax into the environment , since roller 21 automatically blocks orifice 20 when the dispenser , and specifically roller 21 , is not in contact with the user &# 39 ; s skin . another variation according to the invention is shown in fig7 - 9 , differing from those already described in that they include an opening 20 in the form of a slit and by the provision of an applicator means in the form of a deformable tip 35 . thus , in the arrangements shown in fig7 - 9 , there is no roller . deformable tip 35 has a lower face 36 which contacts the skin surface during application of a wax film . in lower face 36 there is provided a slit 20 &# 39 ; preferably having a rectangular outline . when the user presses tip 35 against skin p , the application force permits tip 35 to be deformed in a manner to enlarge the opening provided by slit 20 &# 39 ;, as shown in fig8 . melted or softened wax can then flow via the opening defined by slit 20 &# 39 ; and is spread by the forward part of the lower application surface 36 . advantageously , the rear part of application face 36 , forming a heel 37 , extends in a plane which is substantially offset toward the bottom with respect to a plane which forms an extension of the forward part of application face 36 . this relationship has for its effect to facilitate flow of a film of wax during displacement of the dispenser in the direction of arrow a of fig8 . fig9 shows a variation of the embodiment of fig7 and 8 in which orifice 20 &# 39 ; in the form of a slit is disposed in the vicinity of the forward part of application face 36 . in further accordance with the invention , thermal regulation of the dispenser can be promoted by giving envelope 9 a variable thickness , and in particular a greater thickness in the vicinity of outlet opening , and for example at the level of section 2 and / or section 3 . increasing the thickness of envelope 9 at the level of outlet orifice 20 can be effected in a continuous or discontinuous manner , i . e . it can be regular or nonregular , or gradual or abrupt . to this end , there can be provided a series of internal ribs , or ridges ( not shown in the drawings ) in the thickness dimension of envelope 9 in order to increase at intervals the electric power dissipated and the conduction between opposed electrodes 10 . according to a further embodiment of the invention , it is possible to mount roller 21 on a rigid support if the material of case 1 cannot , because of its flexibility , properly support said roller . this application relates to subject matter disclosed in french application number 9212378 , filed on oct . 9 , 1992 , the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference . while the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention , it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof . the accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention . the presently disclosed embodiments are 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 the foregoing description , and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein .	0
fig1 illustrates the shape and the face side of one embodiment of my invention . fig2 illustrates the shape and the reverse side of one embodiment of my invention . the game consists of a number of substantially hexagonal shaped game pieces with each piece having three substantially rhombic raised surfaces 1 on three of its opposing corners , and three &# 34 ; foot paths &# 34 ; or troughs 2 which begin at the remaining three corners and meet in the center . the reverse side of each piece having a recessed &# 34 ; cup &# 34 ; 3 of substantially hexagonal shape , and a &# 34 ; footprint &# 34 ; 4 running along the perimeter of the piece . fig3 is a cross section through three game pieces illustrating how the indentions and recesses on the face and reverse sides of the pieces assist their stackability . the width of footpath 2 on the face surface , ( designated as dimension &# 34 ; a &# 34 ;) shall be a minimum of 2x the width of footprint 4 on the reverse surface , ( designated as dimension b ) plus a small addition for tolerance . similarly , the width of cup 3 on the reverse surface , ( designated as dimension &# 34 ; d &# 34 ;) shall be a minimum of 2x the width of the raised rhombic surface 1 on the face side ( designated as dimension &# 34 ; c &# 34 ;), plus a small addition for tolerance . the top game piece in fig3 shown as 5 is actually resting equally atop three adjoining pieces on the lower level , the third of which is shown beyond in dashed form as 6 . the method of stacking is illustrated more clearly in fig4 which is an overhead view of a succession of three levels of game pieces . levels one , two , and three identified in succession as 7 , 8 , and 9 . the single third level game piece demonstrates its basic function in resting atop the adjoined rhombic protrusions of the game pieces 11 , 12 , and 13 , of level two . the concealed hexagonal shape ( composed of the three rhombic protrusions ) beneath game piece 10 is identical to the one designated as 14 , also on level two and 15 on level one . these places remain open for future play . having described the basic form and function of the tiles it should be noted that a substantial number of games may be devised using game tiles of varying colors , and of relative significance . by relative significance , it should be understood that the preferred embodiment of the invention merely demonstates an example of a &# 34 ; set of characters &# 34 ;, & amp ; also alternate &# 34 ; types &# 34 ; of characters of strategy . using a set of tiles of relative power to each other , ( similar to the way one playing cards , for example , higher value cards overpowers all cards of a lesser value , or the way a jack may be played only upon a 10 .) it becomes possible to imagine various games wherein certain characters may stack only upon a limited number of characters , or may simply overpower another character when played on the same level . one preferred method of designating relative tile importance being illustrated in fig5 . here the footpaths have been engraved with symbols in tiles 16 thru 20 , and tile 21 has been left in its original form . it should be noted that symbols which occur in the foot path must be recessed into the path for proper stacking as demonstrated in fig6 . lines 22 and 23 respectively show the undisturbed foot path beyond the section cut , upon which the footprint of successive tiles 24 must rest . fig7 demonstrates three alternative forms or types of markings which may be placed on the tiles . tile 25 uses the symbols commonly referred to as the &# 34 ; i ching &# 34 ; in the orient , and allows for the reading of a sentence during play or at the completion of the game . similarly , 26 uses standard chinese characters as a means of playing this game . these could also be	0
an issue that arises frequently in the use of an otdr is its reliability in measuring fiber and splice losses . reliability and accuracy are essential for those who design , install and service the optical fibers and must know , sometimes under adverse field conditions , whether or not an otdr is giving accurate readings of fiber condition . as referred to above , a typical otdr readout is shown in fig1 a . if this is the waveform monitored , how does a technician or workman know if it is accurate and how small a splice loss can it measure ? in addition an otdr &# 39 ; s dynamic range , etc . is left to conjecture so that fiber condition may not be accurately portrayed . the data represented in fig1 b was generated by the optical fiber backscatter signal generator ( ofbsg ) of this inventive concept . the graph shows a 0 . 1 db splice loss in a 7 kilometer long optical fiber . a signal representative of such a splice loss was generated by the ofbsg and coupled to and measured by an otdr being tested . this capability gives an assured quality control of the test procedure and enables a technician or workman to feel confident that the otdr he is using provides a true indication of signal condition throughout the fiber that is being installed or repaired . as a consequence , overall reliability of an optical data communication network results since all who work with it know that their test and monitoring instrumentations are functioning properly . referring now to fig2 a block diagram representation of the ofbsg 10 is optically coupled to an otdr 15 to measure its performance . the three main sections of the ofbsg are an electronically interoperative electro - optical interface section 20 , an interconnected signal generator section 30 and a microprocessor section 40 coupled to the generator section . electro - optic interface section 20 converts optical signals to electrical signals and vice versa . as its name suggests , this interfaces otdr 15 with the digital circuitry of the ofbsg and enables a responsive testing of the otdr with the variety of signals that can be produced in the other two sections . while the term optical is used throughout this application , this term is intended also to include infrared and uv wavelengths . signal generator section 30 is the part of the ofbsg which produces the desired backscatter signature . because of the constituent components to be elaborated on below , the content of the backscatter signature may be varied to contain connector , splice , microbend loss or any other type of fiber anomaly which may be found desirable to portray . in practice , due to the inherent capabilities of this section when operatively coupled to the others , the signature types are limited only by a designer or technician &# 39 ; s imagination . microprocessor section 40 functions to provide loading of control or instruction data from this section to signal generator section 30 . actuation of this sequence creates an accurate and timely generation of a desired backscatter signature in a manner to be discussed below . looking to fig3 electro - optic interface section 20 , as its name suggests , functions as an interface between otdr 15 and the other sections of this invention . a 3 db coupler 21 has an input port 21a optically coupled to an optically mating port 15a on the otdr . the otdr and 3 db coupler ports feed optical pulses generated by a laser in the otdr to the ofbsg . these pulses , having widths in the nanosecond to microsecond range and repetition rates in the kilohertz range , are coupled through the 3 db fiber coupler into a pulse detector circuit 22 that is used to synchronize the ofbsg digital circuitry to the otdr . synchronization of the ofbsg to the otdr is accomplished by converting the otdr &# 39 ; s optical timing pulses to electrical timing pulses for the ofbsg . this is performed by pin diode 23 which transforms the optical pulses into electrical pulses that are fed to a comparator circuit which includes an appropriately connected operational amplifier 24 . after the conversion , the representative electrical pulses are amplified to ttl levels via the comparator , operational amplifier 24 and associated components and passed along through a data out lead 25 to signal generator section 30 . a light emitting diode 26 also is included in electrooptic interface section 20 to convert electrical signals into representative optical signals or photons of energy . the electrical signals are the simulated backscatter signals that have been generated in signal generator section 30 . the converted optical signals coming from the led are coupled to the otdr via a port 21b in 3 db fiber coupler 21 . this optical signal may be said to appear as a virtual cable signal containing the simulated splices or microbends . fig4 shows that signal generator section 30 is made up of four main functions . each is designated by an appropriate block which identifies a clock 32 , an address selector 35 , a random access memory ( ram ) 37 and a digital - to - analog section 38 . clock 32 is used to set the speed of the system . the clock has two modes of operation , enabled and disabled , and three speeds , 20 mhz , 10 mhz and 5 mhz . the modes of operation are triggered by pulse detector 22 that are responsive to the laser pulses from otdr 15 . the clock speeds are controlled by appropriate signals at 33a and 33b of the ic 74ls153 shown in the detailed schematic of clock 32 . noting fig5 microprocessor section 40 organizes the location of simulated waveforms representative of splices , microbends or other anomalies in a virtual cable by accessing the entries of a look - up table in a programmed timed sequence and sending these entries to digital - to - analog converter 38 via ram 37 . as will be explained in greater detail below , the waveform simulation of splices , microbends or other anomalies in the virtual cable represented by the ofbsg is accomplished by storing digitized signals in the look - up table that corresponds to backscatter power levels in a particular cable that it is desired to portray . the digital - to - analog converter converts the digital signals to analog voltages which are fed to led 26 via signal generator section output lead 39 . these analog signals fed to the led produce an simulated waveform optical signal which is proportional to the current . whenever an optical pulse is received from detector 22 of electro - optic interface section 20 , the clock mode of clock 32 is enabled . the clock mode is disabled after all data in ram 37 has been sent to digital - to - analog circuit 38 . because the simulated waveform has been predetermined to have 2048 kilobytes of data points to accurately portray a desired simulated waveform , the rate at which this data is outputted is determined by the clock speed of clock 32 . a faster clock speed of clock 32 will simulate a shorter simulated cable length signal since data will be accessed and shifted out 3 icker . while the 20 , 10 and 5 mhz speeds have been identified above , it will be obvious to those skilled in this pertinent art that greater or lesser speeds can easily be relied upon and suitably provided for within the scope of this inventive concept . optical pulses from detector 22 are coupled to address selector 35 of the signal generator section via a lead 25 . in a broad sense the address selector is a sequential counter . when a pulse is received from the electro - optic interface section a counter in the selector is reset and begins counting an address during each clock cycle . the sequential addressing of all simulated backscatter signature data ( preprogrammed data signals ) in ram 37 continues until all data has been accessed . a suitable halt detection circuit 35 &# 39 ;, see fig6 is included in the address selector to determine whether the last data in ram 37 has been addressed . because there are 2048 kilobytes of data in the ram , the halt detection circuit tests for an address of 2047 kilobytes . when the address is reached , the clock mode is disabled and counting terminates . an example of the details and circuit diagrams of the address selector 35 and interconnected ram 37 as well as the digital - to - analog converter 38 and clock 32 is set forth in fig6 , 8 , and 9 . these electronic functions are presented in such a clear fashion to apprise one skilled in the art . however , modifications are envisioned to incorporate updated components , and programming techniques without departing from the scope of this inventive concept . the digital - to - analog ( d / a ) converter 38 functions in a well known manner to translate digital data signals coming from ram 37 in the form of a digital code that corresponds to an analog simulated waveform output . because the number of distinct outputs , m , are a function of the inputs , n , ( m = 2 n nyquist sampling rate ), it is readily seen that a larger n will produce a finer resolution . a 12 bit d / a has been used satisfactorily although a greater or lesser bit capability could be included where it would desirable or felt to be necessary in some waveform simulations without departing from the scope of this concept . as depicted in fig6 through 9 , ram 37 is appropriately coupled to address selector 35 and microprocessor section 40 . the ram and its interconnections were selected for this function because of the capability for fast access of data that is representative of a simulated backscatter signal and the 12 bit storing capability to assure truly representative simulated waveforms . the size of the ram selected for demonstration of this inventive concept is 4k by 12 bits and is made up of three 4k by 4 bit rams . as mentioned before the ram is broken into two banks . bank 0 stores the low 8 data bits and bank 1 stores the high 4 data bits . the banks are important only during power up , for during this time the high order address lines are decoded and data is placed into their proper banks . after all data has been transferred , ram 37 is set to the read mode and is ready for data retrieval . after each data is retrieved , it is sent to d / a 38 for processing . microprocessor section 40 provides the data representative of the desired simulated backscatter waveforms for the calibration or monitoring of otdr 15 . the microprocessor section selected is a mdx - cpu - 4 marketed by united technologies mostek . a z80a bus compatible single board computer 42 has an rs232 serial port 45 as well as an erasable programmable read only memory ( eprom ) 46 . the microprocessor section thereby presents a readily fabricated and tested cpu and defines a bus structure for accommodating the associated components . the eprom provides the instructions for ram 37 over an address bus 40a and the necessary digital bits over a data bus 40b . in accordance with the program preset in eprom 46 data bits of a simulated backscatter waveform are fed from board 42 over data bus 40b to ram 37 in signal generator section 30 . in other words , after reset and when the program in eprom 46 is run , the eprom will configure the ofbsg and down load a stored waveform , as pre - established in eprom 46 , to ram 37 . after this down loading has occurred , microprocessor section is appropriately designed to halt , or , if desired , it can be designed to repeat the waveform data in a series or at intervals or whatever sequence that is needed for a particular test application . the design flexibility of this concept allows one skilled in the art to modify the program and some of the hardware to accommodate serial communications that rely on a down loading of a waveform from a data source such as a computer 50 , for example . in operation , any one of a multitude of appropriate signal sequences can be commanded from an appropriately programed eprom 46 in accordance with techniques well established by truth tables and long practiced programming techniques by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains . for example , a typical programming technique that is intended as being demonstrative only and not limiting of this inventive concept is shown in the appendix for the eprom noted . this program in conjunction with the selected eprom 46 provided an identical simulated waveform representative of a virtual cable that was coupled to three different otdrs to provide the waveforms shown in fig1 , 11 , and 12 . an ofbsg has been fabricated to have a 20 mhz with 2 , 048 data points over an optical dynamic range of 20 db . a peak input optical power of 10 mw in various programmable waveform signatures in eprom 46 was included to give a designer considerable latitude in the testing of otdrs . rs232 circuit 45 is provided with an input / output port 40c to facilitate interconnection to a computer 50 as referred to above . as a consequence of the flexibility inherent in this concept , the data collected so far has demonstrated a great versatility of the ofbsg . this flexibility of the ofbsg has been demonstrated with several commercially available otdrs that each receive a unique signature and which was recorded in a computer . data taken of three otdrs , an anritsu mw910 , and anritsu mw98a and an ando , is graphically displayed in fig1 , 11 and 12 . although an identical simulated waveform was generated that was representative of a similar cable length and fed to the three otdrs , from the data shown in the three figs ., the cable losses are represented as being quite different . at a position 3 in fig1 , 11 and 12 , attenuation differences readily can be seen . technicians or designers relying on the data from the three otdrs might take completely different actions that could be far from what is actually needed . at this point , however , it should be pointed out that , although the otdrs show different readings from each other , this does not intend to infer disparagingly about any of the otdrs under test . in the history of any or all of the otdrs under test they could have been subjected to varying degrees of abuse or could have been damaged or been exposed to other external occurrences that might have caused the different data indications . the conclusion that is hoped to be brought out by the data of fig1 , 11 and 12 is that the ofbsg has been able to detect that at least one of the otdrs is performing inconsistently or inaccurately . the ofbsg of this invention has provided a test device which can be upgraded with upgraded instructions to eprom 46 to accommodate the various types of otdrs now on the market and those which may come into being in the future . waveforms that have passed the length of multi - mode and single - mode fibers can be portrayed with great flexibility and splice loss magnitudes and their locations , as well as other desired anomalies , can be established or changed easily by routinely reprogramming the microprocessor section . the ofbsg also can be implemented for automatic testing of otdrs through the development of software and suitable interface functioning as microprocessor section 40 . optionally , and within the scope of this inventive concept , the microprocessor , look - up table and digital - to - analog converter are replaced by a pair of one shot and multiplexor integrated circuits . this composite circuit could be programmed for one or more splices or any number of microbends , elaboration on the specifics of the design is not gone into at this time since , having in mind the concept expressed above , one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains could routinely fabricate such a capability without undue experimentation . obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the 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 .	6
the subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements . however , the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent . rather , the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways , to include different components , combinations of components , steps , or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document , in conjunction with other present or future technologies . referring initially to fig1 - 3 , a compressor blade 100 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention . the compressor blade 100 comprises an attachment 102 , which can also be referred to as a root . the attachment 102 utilizes one or more attachment surfaces 104 that are oriented so as to correspond with a slot in a compressor disk ( not depicted ) that has a matching profile . such an engagement maintains the blade within the disk , preventing it from moving outward due to radial pulling forces associated with the rotation of the compressor disk . for the compressor blade 100 , the upper surface of the attachment 102 serves as a first platform 106 , which aligns with an adjacent surface on an outer diameter of the blade disk to provide a uniform inner wall surface for the incoming air flow to the compressor . extending radially outward from the platform 106 is an airfoil 108 . for the compressor blade 100 , the airfoil is solid , and fabricated from a material such as a hardened steel alloy . the airfoil has an uncoated profile substantially in accordance with cartesian coordinate values of x and y , for each distance z , in inches , as set forth in table 1 below , and carried to three decimal places . the distance z is measured radially outward from the platform 106 . the x and y coordinates are distances relative to coordinate plane origin established at each of the radial z heights . a plurality of airfoil sections 110 are established by applying smooth continuing splines between the x , y coordinate values in each z height . smoothly joining each of the airfoil section 110 together form the profile of the airfoil 108 . the airfoil 108 can be fabricated by a variety of manufacturing techniques such as forging , casting , milling , and electrochemical machining ( ecm ). as such , the airfoil has a series of manufacturing tolerance for the position , profile , twist , and chord that can cause the airfoil 108 to vary by as much as +/− 0 . 090 inches from a nominal state . in addition to manufacturing tolerances affecting the overall size of the airfoil 108 , it is also possible to scale the airfoil 108 to a larger or smaller airfoil size . however , in order to maintain the benefits of this airfoil shape and size , in terms of stiffness and stress , as will be discussed further below , it is necessary to scale the airfoil uniformly in x and y directions , but z direction may be scaled separately . as previously discussed , the profile generated by the x , y , and z coordinates of table 1 is an uncoated profile . while an embodiment of the present invention is an uncoated compressor blade 100 , it is possible to add a coating to at least a portion of the airfoil 108 in an alternate embodiment . this coating would have a thickness of up to approximately 0 . 010 inches depending on the blade configuration , it is possible that a second platform can be positioned at the tip 112 of the airfoil 108 . a second platform located at the tip 112 , is commonly referred to as a shroud and interlocks with a shroud of an adjacent blade . the shrouds provide an outer airpath seal that increases efficiency by preventing air from passing over the blade tip 112 and also serves to reduce the vibration of the airfoils 108 . the use of a second platform , or a shroud , is common in airfoils having a relatively long radial length . a compressor blade is typically fabricated from a relatively low temperature alloy since air temperature of the compressor only reaches upwards of 700 deg . f . one such material for the compressor blade 100 is a hardenable stainless steel alloy . although the compressor blade has been discussed as having an attachment , at least one platform , and an airfoil , it is to be understood that all of these features of the blade are typically fabricated from the same material and are most likely integral with one another . in an alternate embodiment of the invention , a compressor comprises at least one compressor disk ( not depicted ) having a plurality of compressor blades 100 that extend radially outward from the compressor disk . as one skilled in the art understands , a compressor typically comprises a plurality of alternating stages of rotating and stationary airfoils that raise the pressure and temperature of a fluid passing through . while the compressor blade 100 having the airfoil 108 can operate in a variety of locations within a compressor , depending on the compressor size , one such location that suits this blade , is adjacent an inlet of the compressor . for compressor blades in this location , a common durability issue exhibited by prior art blades is erosion of the blade leading edge . the leading edge of the blade ( see 114 in fig1 and 2 ) is the generally radially extending edge at the forward or upstream end of the blade where the concave and convex surfaces of the airfoil come together . this edge first receives the oncoming air flow , and therefore , is also first impacted by anything entering the compressor . over time , this leading edge can erode away and weaken the airfoil . as one skilled in the art understands , as a compressor blade is rotated by a compressor disk , the weight of the blade pulls radially outward on the disk . however , because of blade design issues such as desired compression of the airflow , blade materials , and compressor size , rarely is the only load a truly radial pulling load . for large unshrouded blades there is usually a substantial amount of blade twist from airfoil root to airfoil tip . due to the blade &# 39 ; s pulling load , the airfoil will tend to untwist or try to straighten itself out . the compression of the airflow also creates load on the airfoil that tries to bend the blade where the airfoil attaches to the platform . blade pull , untwist , and aero loading result in concentrated steady stress that can occur near the blade &# 39 ; s airfoil root leading edge and the blade attachment , as seen with blades of prior art . airfoil unsteady stress can occur due to the vibratory nature of the blade . specific vibratory shapes for the blade result in stress concentrations on the airfoil . blade failure can occur when the blade steady and unsteady stress concentrations occur together . if erosion forms at a location of high steady and unsteady stress then the chance of blade failure is increased . for a compressor blade that is subject to foreign object damage and erosion , the present invention provides an airfoil that increases the airfoil stiffness so as to alter the natural frequency of the blade away from resonant frequency . the airfoil stiffness has been accomplished by selectively increasing and decreasing the airfoil thickness while maintaining baseline aerodynamic performance . material has been added to the airfoil from 0 % span ( adjacent the platform 106 ) up to approximately 75 % span , with material having been removed from this location and radially outward to the tip 112 of the airfoil 108 . adding mass to the lower region of the airfoil 108 has increased the stiffness of the airfoil 108 by making the airfoil 108 less subject to bending . the increase in thickness is generally uniform up to approximately 63 % span . the thickness of the leading edge 114 and trailing edge 116 has not been changed . the majority of the thickness has been added along the chord length on the concave , or pressure , side of the airfoil 108 . in order to reduce the stress concentrations found in the attachment of the airfoil and redistribute this stress , the airfoil 108 has been restacked relative to a prior art airfoil . through restacking the airfoil sections ( i . e . altering the tilt or lean of the radial stack of the airfoil sections ), a compressive bending stress is imparted at the leading edge and a tensile bending stress on the convex side of the trailing edge at approximately 70 % chord ( with 0 % chord = the airfoil leading edge 114 and 100 % chord = the airfoil trailing edge 116 ). a parabolic bow / lean is applied to the airfoil sections 110 so as to minimize distortion of the airfoil shape , which will minimize bending stresses at the root / attachment . by reducing the stress in the leading edge 114 and applying that stress on the convex side at the trailing edge 116 , the stress concentrations have been reduced . therefore , even if erosion damage occurs to the leading edge 114 , the blade 100 has adequate fatigue capability . the modifications to the prior art airfoil , in terms of thickness and restacking , can be seen in more detail in fig5 - 10 . fig5 is a perspective view depicting the present invention airfoil 108 with solid lines compared to the prior art airfoil 200 , shown in dashed lines . from fig5 it can be seen where the airfoil 108 has an increased thickness . fig6 depicts a plurality of sections taken through the airfoils 108 and 200 of fig5 . through this overlay of sections , it can also be seen how the airfoil thickness has increased and how the airfoil sections have been restacked to alter the bending stresses . fig7 - 9 are enlargements of specific sections depicted in fig6 , with fig7 taken at a radial height of z = 1 . 000 , fig8 taken at a radial height of z = 8 . 000 , and fig9 taken at a radial height of z = 16 . 9000 . referring now to fig1 , another way to look at how the thickness of the airfoil 108 is changed for stiffening purposes is depicted . this chart shows a view of relative airfoil thickness ( in inches ) versus percent span . the solid line depicts the thickness increase or decrease over percent span for the airfoil 108 of the present invention . for this embodiment , the thickness of the airfoil is increased until approximately 60 % span and then the amount of thickness increase diminishes and starts to decrease in thickness between 70 %- 80 % span through to the blade tip . the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments , which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive . alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope . from the foregoing , it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above , together with other advantages which are obvious and inherent to the system and method . 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 within the scope of the claims .	5
referring first to fig1 an alarm sensor in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10 and shown in exploded form . a housing unit comprised of a housing base 12 and a housing cover 14 is shown . within housing base 12 and housing cover 14 is a printed circuit board 16 and a rotatable mounting disc 18 . although shown as coupled to mounting disc 18 , a first mounting pin 20 and a second mounting pin 22 are typically separate from mounting disc 18 and extend outwardly in generally opposite directions . printed circuit board 16 is shown as a pir sensor for illustrative purposes . thus , printed circuit board 16 includes a pir sensor element 24 and a pir lens 26 . also on printed circuit board 16 are terminal strips 28 and 30 . terminal strips 28 and 30 are preferably comprised of “ speaker - jack style ” terminals which simply snap down to secure connecting wires . thus , no terminal screws are necessary . in the instance where alarm sensor 10 is a pir sensor , housing cover 14 can also be split in two components to allow for dual focal lengths for the pir zones . dual focal lengths are often incorporated in pir sensors to eliminate false alarms due to pets . it will be noted by those skilled in the art that the mounting apparatus and method of the present invention can be utilized not only for pir sensors , but also for various security alarm sensors based on microwave technology , ultrasound technology , or any variations thereof . furthermore , the mounting apparatus and method of the present invention is equally applicable to alarm sensors for fire , smoke , temperature , etc . additionally , the mounting apparatus and method of the present invention can be utilized on hardwired or wireless sensors . thus , the actual components shown on printed circuit board 16 are only illustrative ; countless variations are possible . housing base 12 includes corner mount screw hole punch - outs 32 , 34 , 36 and 38 . an installer can selectively utilize screws through corner mount screw holes punch - outs 32 , 34 , 36 and 38 to mount housing base 12 onto corner walls 40 and 42 . similarly , housing base 12 illustrates four flat wall mount screw hole punch - outs 44 , 46 , 48 and 50 . an installer will selectively utilize flat wall mount screw hole punch - outs 44 , 46 , 48 and 50 when the housing base is to be installed onto a flat wall . finally , housing base 12 also includes a swivel mount punch - out 52 that allows installation so that alarm sensor 10 can be made to slightly rotate . while the alternative utilization of corner mount screw hole punch - outs 32 , 34 , 36 and 38 ; flat wall mount screw hole punch - outs 44 , 46 , 48 and 50 ; or swivel mount punch - out 52 allows a single housing unit to be incorporated in various applications , a screwdriver is required for all installations . particularly when a corner mounting is desired , the use of screws and a screwdriver on a ladder is often burdensome . housing base 12 is adapted to receive rotatable mounting disc 18 , first mounting pin 20 , and second mounting pin 22 . more specifically , housing base 12 includes a first guided groove 54 , a second guided groove 56 , a first guide slot 58 and a second guide slot 60 . as best shown in fig2 first guide slot 58 permits a path upon which first mounting pin 20 can easily travel whereas second guide slot 60 permits a path upon which second mounting pin 22 can easily travel . based on the proper manipulation of rotatable mounting disc 18 by means of a screwdriver slot 62 , first mounting pin 20 can be made to either retract within or extend beyond a first opening 64 on housing base 12 . similarly , second mounting pin 22 can be made to either retract within or extend beyond a second opening 66 on housing base 12 . first opening 64 and second opening 66 are typically on respective planes 65 and 67 of housing base 12 which are contoured at approximately 45 ° angles . this angle permits planes 65 and 67 to rest flatly on corner walls 40 and 42 that generally form a 90 ° angle . this flush alignment is best seen in fig3 . before addressing the interconnection between rotatable mounting disc 18 and housing base 12 , and the manipulation of mounting disc 18 to control the selective movement of first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 , it should be understood that alarm sensor 10 is typically packaged as a interconnected unit . housing base 12 is snapped together to housing cover 14 with circuit board 16 and mounting disc 18 therein . in order to separate housing base 12 from housing cover 14 , a screwdriver is typically inserted into a slot 68 to release a mounting tab ( not shown ) that holds housing unit 12 and housing base 14 together . at this stage , printed circuit board 16 is coupled to housing base 12 by means of a circuit board height index tab 70 . when slight pressure is applied to circuit board height index tab 70 , circuit board 16 can be easily removed . circuit board 16 can be wired at this point so that when ultimately replaced within housing base 14 , the wires can be easily displaced through the housing unit by means of a wire entry punch - out 72 . obviously , wireless sensors would not require wire entry punch - out 72 . once housing base 12 and housing cover 14 have been separated and circuit board 16 has been removed , housing base 12 is ready for mounting to walls 40 and 42 . an installer will simply hold housing base 12 at a desired location , insert a screwdriver into screwdriver slot 62 and turn rotatable mounting disc 18 approximately 45 °. the rotational movement of mounting disc 18 will result in first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 simultaneously moving outwardly so as to sufficiently pierce walls 40 and 42 and secure housing base 12 in place . at this point , printed circuit board 16 would be reconnected to housing base 12 by manipulating circuit board index tab 70 and housing cover 14 would be snapped onto housing base 12 . fig2 - 6 will assist demonstrating precisely how rotational movement of mounting disc 18 results in appropriate linear movement of first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 to selectively , but securely , attach alarm sensor 10 to corner walls 40 and 42 . as seen in fig2 rotatable mounting disc 18 includes optional directional arrows 74 and 76 to instruct an installer in the direction rotatable mounting disc 18 should be rotated to connect housing base 12 to walls 40 and 42 . fig2 demonstrates the position wherein rotatable mounting disc 18 has already been turned clockwise so that first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 extend outwardly from housing base 12 . instead of utilizing a screwdriver in screwdriver slot 62 , it may be possible to utilize thumb turns 78 and 80 to rotate mounting disc 18 . in the preferred embodiment of the present invention , a mechanism has been provided to prevent over - rotation of mounting disc 18 which would cause damage to first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 . referring to fig4 it is shown that rotatable mounting disc 18 includes a first protruding knob 82 and a second protruding knob 84 . first protruding knob 82 travels along first guided groove 54 whereas second protruding knob 84 travels along second guided groove 56 . a first non - protruding engagement end 86 of first mounting pin 20 rests loosely between first protruding knob 82 and a raised portion of mounting disc 18 . similarly , a second non - protruding engagement end 88 of second mounting pin 22 rests loosely between second protruding knob 84 and a raised edge of mounting disc 18 . first non - protruding engagement end 86 and second non - protruding engagement end 88 preferably extend at approximately 90 ° angles respectively from the rest of first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 . fig4 shows the back of housing base 12 and mounting disc 18 in a position wherein first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 are retracted within housing base 12 . conversely , fig5 shows the back of housing base 12 and mounting disc 18 in a position wherein first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 are extended beyond housing base 12 . this difference is caused by an approximately 45 ° turn of mounting disc 18 from the inside of housing base 12 . as shown in fig4 and fig5 mounting disc 18 has been connected to housing base 12 by pressure mounting tabs 90 , 92 , 94 and 96 . while experimentation has shown that mounting disc 18 is most securely attached to housing base 12 by utilizing four pressure mounting tabs , it is also possible to use two pressure mounting tabs . the utilization of pressure mounting tabs is preferred since , should mounting disc 18 break it is easy to attach a new one to the existing housing base without replacing the entire housing unit . however , there are many alternative techniques of connecting mounting disc 18 to housing base 12 that will become apparent to those skilled in the art . fig6 is a cross - sectional view of fig5 taken along reference line 6 — 6 and effectively shows the different components and shapes of components utilized in the preferred embodiment of the present invention . of significant importance in the preferred embodiment is the fact that not only can housing base 12 be easily installed to corner walls 40 and 42 , but , should the installer have made an error , the device is as easily removable and reinstalled at a new position . the pins are sufficiently narrow so as to cause only negligible damage to any wall . whether rotating mounting disc 18 to either retract or extend first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 , first guided groove 54 and second guided groove 56 prevent over - rotation of mounting disc 18 in any direction . thus , any potential damage to first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 is eliminated . although , through experimentation , the rotation of mounting disc 18 has been shown to be the best mode for achieving selective linear movement of first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 from a first retracted position to a second extended position , the utilization of other means is also foreseen . for instance , the mounting pins can be selectively moved by means of a thumb - controlled , ratcheted device similar to a smaller version of a car jack , by a geared wheel - turn , by a locked collar apparatus , or by other means known in the art for applying sufficient and selective torque to the mounting pins . the various means for achieving selective , linear movement of the mounting pins should be sufficiently small so as not to interfere with the replacement of the printed circuit board on the housing base . it will be apparent from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a new and improved method and apparatus for providing an easy connection of an alarm sensor to the corner of a room with minimal risk to the circuitry and without utilizing of any screws , nails or mounting brackets . while a specific preferred embodiment has been described , many variations may be utilized . for instance , although both first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 have been shown to incorporate only a single prong , double pronged pins ( similar to staples ) can be incorporated . additionally , first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 can be threaded pins in certain variations . moreover , while rotatable mounting disc 18 has been shown as being generally circular and of a composite material , it can indeed take various shapes as long as its rotational movement will result in basic linear movement of first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 . while there has been shown and described what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment of this invention , it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of this invention . for instance , the preferred embodiment has described a single rotatable mounting disc 18 , which upon proper manipulation , simultaneously moves both first mounting pin 20 and second mounting pin 22 . it is certainly foreseen that separate mounting discs could be utilized for each mounting pin , particularly if the device is wide . moreover , while a particular means for separating the housing base from the housing cover and the printed circuit board from the housing base has been shown , many variations exist in the art . it is , therefore , aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true scope and spirit of the invention .	8
turning first to fig1 the timing mechanism is shown functionally attached to the camshaft 10 of a vehicle internal combustion engine . the camshaft 10 is driven in timed relation to the engine crankshaft ( not shown ) through the timing mechanism , the latter serving to control the operating relationship between the two shafts by varying the position of the camshaft rotatably as required by operating conditions . to effectuate this control , the timing mechanism is comprised of three major rotatable portions : a sprocket 20 , vane ring 35 , and hub ring 40 . sprocket 20 has integrally formed teeth 21 which mesh with a drive chain 14 that is also connected to the engine crankshaft for the drive relationship between the crankshaft , timing mechanism , and camshaft 10 . referring now to fig2 sprocket 20 which is preferably integrally formed has a hub 23 , a parallel outer cylindrical wall 28 , and a radial wall 22 connected to the inner ends of hub 23 and wall 28 , which form a cavity 24 therebetween . hub 23 has a circumferential groove 26 and a plurality of channels 27 provided around its outer circumference which connect with groove 26 such that access is provided from cavity 24 to a bore 25 formed by the internal surface of the hub 23 . to allow fluid passage from cavity 24 out of the mechanism , holes 32 are provided in the wall 28 . holes 30 , also formed in wall 28 , are provided for connection of the vane ring 35 to sprocket 20 . vane ring 35 is made up of a ring 37 with a plurality of equi - spaced driving vanes 36 which may be integrally formed with the ring . the radially extending length of vanes 36 is substantially equal to the difference between the outer and inner radii of cavity 24 . vanes 36 , at their inner end are provided with a beveled edge 34 . vane ring 35 is positioned in cavity 24 of sprocket 20 with vanes 36 extending axially and holes 38 in vanes 36 aligned with holes 32 of sprocket 20 so that bolts 39 , or other suitable means , can be inserted into the aligned holes to fasten sprocket 20 and vane ring 35 . hub - ring 40 , which is preferably integrally formed , is provided with a hub 46 , a ring 44 extending radially outward from hub 46 , and a plurality of equi - spaced driven vanes 42 , the number of such vanes being equal to the number of driving vanes 36 of vane ring 35 . vanes 42 extend axially within cavity 24 between vanes 36 . the radially extending length of vanes 42 is substantially equal to the difference between the outer and inner radii of cavity 24 . vanes 42 are , therefore , circumferentially spaced from and coaxial with vanes 36 . hub 46 is fitted within bore 25 and has an outside diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of hub 23 . hub 46 defines a central bore 50 . the bore 50 is of constant diameter except for the flanged end 51 at the outer end bore 50 which defines a smaller diameter . a plurality of radial passages 48 ( preferably two ) are provided in hub 46 for fluid flow from bore 50 to cavity 24 through groove 26 and channels 27 . a plurality of holes 52 are formed within hub 46 for insertion of bolts 54 , or other suitable means , to secure the hub ring 40 to camshaft 10 . a spacer ring 56 and snap ring 58 positions hub - ring 40 within sprocket 20 . referring again to fig1 the camshaft is provided with a plurality of transverse fluid supply passages 60 which terminate radially inward into an axial fluid supply passage 64 . fluid , under pressure , which may be lubricating oil from the engine oil supply , is fed through these passages . any fluid pressure source is suitable so long as fluid is delivered at a sufficiently high pressure at all engine speeds to overcome the torque transmitted to the camshaft . referring now to fig1 and 4 , the hydraulic fluid passes from passage 64 into a central axial bore 66 in sliding pilot valve 70 . valve 70 comprises a portion 71 for fluid delivery which is located at the forward end of the timing mechanism and has a diameter substantially the same as bore 50 , and portion 83 , located at the rear end of the timing mechanism which is of a diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of flange 51 of hub ring 40 . valve 70 is circumferentially grooved at 73 and 80 , thereby defining annular regions 74 and 75 respectively of bore 50 . fluid can flow from bore 66 through hole 72 into the annular area 74 . at the rear end of portion 71 , bore 66 is divided into two inclined passages 76 . in the position shown in fig1 passages 76 lead to an annular area 81 of bore 50 defined by the outer diameter of portion 83 , the diameter of bore 50 , and the distance between portion 71 of valve 70 and flange 51 . fluid access from annular area 75 to portion 83 is provided by two inclined passages 78 . passages 78 merge into an axial bore 84 of portion 83 . fluid flowing through bore 84 exits from the valve through hole 86 . a space 88 is provided between washer 90 and retainer 92 for flow of the fluid from hole 86 back to the fluid supply . retainer 92 is beveled at 93 to enlarge space 88 for easier fluid flow from hole 86 . the outer end of portion 83 of valve 70 is threaded at 94 to fit within retainer 92 and retainer 96 . mounted around retainer 96 is a coil spring 100 which bears against the flanged end 101 of retainer 96 and cover 105 . a bellows 110 which is preferably metal , surrounds spring 100 and retainer 96 and has an end 112 retained in a groove 114 between cover 105 and cover 116 , and an end 113 retained in the grooved space between flange portions 101 and 102 of retainers 96 and 92 . cover 105 is fastened to cover 116 preferably by a plurality of screws 118 . to provide access of vacuum to the bellows 110 , a vacuum passage 125 is provided in cover 105 . passage 125 is aligned with and engages vacuum passage 126 at the upper end of cover 105 . passage 126 terminates at the uppermost end of cover 116 in an enlarged vacuum port 128 . cover 116 is suitably connected to a housing 130 which surrounds the timing mechanism , drive chain 14 , and the crankshaft sprocket ( not shown ). housing 130 is suitably connected as by bolts 135 to engine block 132 . fig3 a and 3b illustrate the movement of vanes 42 of hub - ring 40 . during periods when no vacuum is applied to bellows 110 or the amount of vacuum that is applied is insufficient to overcome the force of spring 100 , vanes 42 are in the standard position being held by the cam load torque against the vanes 36 . when vacuum is applied to the bellows and is sufficient to overcome the force of spring 100 , valve 70 moves from the position shown in fig1 to a position where the outer end of portion 71 abuts flange 51 of hub ring 40 . this allows fluid to flow from hole 72 , through annular area 74 , into passages 48 , and then into grooves 26 and channels 27 . from channels 27 , the fluid flows between vanes 36 and vanes 42 , the flow being made easier by beveled portion 34 of vanes 36 . the force of the fluid , which overcomes the cam load torque , rotates vanes 42 through a fixed amount of travel ( shown by spaces 150 ), as 10 degrees , to where vanes 42 abut the opposite sides of the next succeeding vane 36 as shown by the advanced position of fig3 b . when the vacuum is removed or is decreased to an amount where the spring again overcomes the bellows , valve 70 is returned to the position of fig1 where the forward end of portion 71 abuts the edge of the camshaft 82 , thereby removing fluid pressure from the chamber 152 formed between vanes 36 and 42 . with the fluid pressure removed , the camload torque causes the vanes 42 to move towards the original standard position . the fluid in chambers 150 is forced through channels 27 , groove 26 , passages 48 , and into passages 78 from where the fluid is drawn through bore 84 , hole 86 , and space 88 to the original supply . any fluid that becomes trapped in chamber 52 due to seepage ( the seepage having the beneficial effect of lubricating the moving parts of the mechanism and preventing wear thereby ) passes through the relief holes 32 by centrifugal force and returns to the fluid supply . fig5 illustrates the preferred form of control for the cam timing mechanism . a controller 162 receives input signals 160 from sensing devices ( not shown ) which correspond to selected engine operating conditions . the controller 162 is an electronic control unit which is adapted to receive the input signals and to transmit a pulse to control means 164 under certain conditions . current is received from the battery through ignition switch 163 . the controller 162 could also have additional functions as when the system of this invention is used in an emission control system which utilizes fuel injection . thus , the controller would additionally have circuits for converting signals from the input sensors to electrical pulses to open injection valve 180 with a specified timing and duration . such circuits are well known in the prior art . when the input signals are at certain specified levels , the controller transmits a signal to a control means 164 for controlling the periods of application of vacuum to the bellows 110 . this can consist of a 12v . d . c . solenoid three - way valve which normally vents the bellows 110 to the atmosphere through tubing 170 and 172 and filter 174 . this prevents application of vacuum and locking of the mechanism in a cam advance position by retained vacuum . when actuated by the pulse from the controller 162 , valve 164 will close the passage to tubing 172 and open the passage between tubing 170 and 166 . this provides access from the bellows 110 to the intake manifold 168 by virtue of tube 170 being connected to vacuum passage 126 . a logic circuit which can be used for the controller is illustrated in fig6 . connections 190 , 191 , and 192 transmit input signals from the sensors . in the preferred embodiment , 190 represents engine temperature , 191 represents vehicle speed , or transmission position which is considered equivalent for purposes of this application , and 192 represents engine r . p . m . each sensor produces either a binary 1 or a binary 0 output depending on its threshold value and the magnitude of the engine operating condition sensed . for example , with engine temperature having a threshold value of 165 ° f ., a binary 1 output will be produced until the threshold value is exceeded , whereupon a binary 0 output is produced . other representative threshold values are high gear position for the transmission position and 1 , 500 r . p . m . for engine r . p . m . in the form shown , engine r . p . m . 192 will produce a binary 1 output when its threshold value is exceeded , whereas the other sensor signals are binary 0 when the respective threshold value of the sensors is exceeded . the circuit is designed so that an output signal is produced only if signal 192 is binary 1 and signals 190 and 191 are binary 0 . and gate 196 will not produce a true signal unless both its input signals are binary 1 . for the inputs to and gate 196 to be both binary 1 , engine r . p . m . must exceed its threshold value and nor gate 194 must have both its inputs as binary 0 . these inputs are binary 0 when the threshold values of each of the respective sensors is exceeded . the output of and gate 196 is controlled to amplifier 198 which , in turn , supplies controlling current to valve 164 . a signal produced will be terminated when any one or more of the engine operating conditions sensed falls below its threshold value . thus , application of vacuum to the vacuum responsive means ( bellows 110 ) takes place on an intermittent selected basis dependent upon engine operating conditions . fig7 illustrates a modification of the invention . the crux of the modification is the control of valve 164 for a selected application of vacuum to the bellows 110 . instead of the controller 162 , sensing switches 200 and 202 are provided . for purposes of illustration , switch 200 senses temperature and switch 202 senses transmission position . the switches function as on - off switches using a fixed threshold value . for example , temperature switch 200 might have a threshold value of 165 ° f . and transmission switch 202 a threshold value of high gear position . when ignition switch 163 is closed , no current from the battery will pass through temperature switch 200 until the engine temperature exceeds 165 ° f . and no current will pass through the transmission switch until the transmission is in high gear position . thus , no signal to activate valve 164 will reach that valve until current passes through both switches . the signal is shut off opening the passage of valve 164 to tubing 172 and thereby venting to atmosphere when one of the variables falls below the threshold value . fig8 illustrates another modification of the invention . in this modification , the control means 164 , rather than being electrically actuated by other mechanisms , works automatically . this valve shown as 250 , has a u - shaped top - cap portion 252 and a body portion 254 . both portions have flanged ends 256 and 258 respectively and a plurality of holes 260 and 262 respectively which are aligned against each other . bolts 264 fasten together portions 252 and 254 . a port 266 is provided on one side of cap portion 252 and connected through tubing 268 to the air intake portion 270 of an internal combustion engine . ported vacuum is generated within the air intake depending upon the position of the throttle butterfly 72 . a chambe 274 is defined by cap portion 252 and diaphram 276 . a spring 278 which tends to force the diaphram 276 downward is mounted between retaining plates 280 and 282 and around cap screw 284 . retainer 282 also functions as a diaphram retainer along with retainer 286 . cap screw 284 connects the diaphram 276 to valve 286 which is reciprocable within bore 287 . the force of spring 278 on diaphram 276 can be adjusted using cap screw 290 which bears against retainer 280 , and is mounted in nut 292 and through bore 288 of cap portion 252 . body portion 254 has aligned transverse passages 296 and 297 and an upwardly inclined passage 294 emanating from passage 297 . these passages terminate into bore 287 . valve 285 also has upper and lower circumferential grooves 303 and 304 in which are mounted o - rings 301 and 302 for sealing the vacuum flow . a channel 305 connects with groove portion 300 and extends axially downward to the bottom end of valve 285 . passage 305 connects with an axial passage 306 in bottom cap 307 which is mounted to body portion 254 . a filter 315 is suitably connected to passage 306 . tubing 310 is suitably connected to passage 126 ( see fig5 ) and into connector 308 which engages passage 296 for access of the bellows up to the valve . tubing 312 is suitably connected to the intake manifold ( fig5 ) and by connector 309 to passage 297 to provide access of the manifold vacuum to the valve . with the embodiments illustrated in fig5 and 7 , valve 164 will not be energized unless the threshold values of all the sensors are exceeded . when this is not the case , valve 70 will be in the position shown in fig1 and the vanes in the standard position shown in fig3 a . the engine crankshaft through drive chain 14 rotates drive sprocket 20 and vane ring 35 which is fastened thereto . the driving vanes 36 of vane ring 35 engage the driven vanes 42 of hub - ring 40 . consequently , hub - ring 40 and camshaft 10 which is connected to hub - ring 40 are driven in timed relation to the engine crankshaft . due to the position of valve 70 hydraulic fluid flowing through passages 60 and 64 only flows into annular areas 74 and 81 in bore 50 . there is , however , a normal seepage of fluid which lubricates the moving parts and prevents wear but is insufficient to overcome the cam load torque and angularly displace vanes 42 . when all the threshold values of the sensors are exceeded , valve 164 will be activated . the valve opens the passage between tubing 166 and 170 which gives access to the bellows 110 to the intake manifold vacuum through passages 125 and 126 . if intake manifold vacuum is of sufficient magnitude to compress the bellows 110 overcoming the force of spring 100 , valve 70 is moved to the position where portion 71 contacts flange 51 of hub - ring 40 . with the valve 70 in this position , hydraulic fluid flowing from passages 60 and 64 into bore 66 flows through hole 72 , annular area 74 , passage 48 , groove 26 , and channels 27 into the chambers 152 . the hydraulic fluid pressure overcomes the cam load torque and displaces vanes 42 clockwise relative to vanes 36 until vanes 42 each contact the next succeeding vane 36 as shown in fig3 b . thus , the camshaft 10 which is secured to hub - ring 40 is angularly displaced relative to vane ring 35 , sprocket 20 , and the engine crankshaft . should any one or more of the sensors fall below its threshold value , the signal is no longer transmitted to valve 164 and it is deactivated . this opens a passage between tubing 170 and 172 while closing the passage to tubing 166 , and the vacuum passage to the bellows 110 is vented to the atmosphere . the force of spring 100 being unopposed ( or when manifold vacuum falls to a level insufficient to overcome the spring force ) moves valve 70 back to the position shown in fig1 . this eliminates the fluid pressure from chamber 152 because hole 72 is no longer aligned with passage 48 . with the fluid pressure removed the cam load torque forces the vanes 42 to move counterclockwise to the standard position shown in fig3 a . as vanes 42 move toward this position , the fluid from chamber 152 is forced back through channel 27 , groove 26 , passages 48 , and into the relief passages 78 of valve 70 which are now aligned with passages 48 . the fluid then flows through bore 84 , hole 86 , into space 88 , and back to the fluid supply . the embodiment of fig8 operates in the same manner except that the three way valve 250 which operates automatically is used instead of the three way valve 164 and the electronic actuation controls therefore . ported vacuum is developed every time pressure is applied to the throttle pedal opening the throttle plate 272 . when sufficient ported vacuum is present in chamber 274 to overcome the force of spring 278 , the diaphram 276 rises . this lifts the valve 285 and aligns the groove 298 with passages 296 and 297 ( as shown in fig8 ). this opens a passage between the engine intake manifold and bellows 110 which allows the vanes 42 to be advanced if the magnitude of the vacuum is sufficient to overcome the force of spring 100 . when ported vacuum is insufficient to overcome spring 278 , as during idle or deceleration modes , the diaphram 276 and valve 285 are in their standard lower position where grooves 300 is aligned with passages 296 and 297 so that the vacuum passage to the bellows is vented to the atmosphere through passages 305 and 306 and filter 315 . the timing mechanism illustrated in the drawings advances one member from a standard or retarded position relative to a second member . due to design and operating characteristics some applications may give more satisfactory performance results by retarding one member from a standard or advanced position . the mechanism embracing this invention may be readily modified to obtain this result while remaining within the scope of the invention . for example , the controller circuit could be changed to activate valve 164 until all input signals exceed their threshold values , whereupon value 164 would be deactivated and the camshaft retarded relative to the crankshaft . the hydraulic timing mechanism when used to adjust the camshaft timing of a vehicle internal combustion engine , may be readily substituted in the space normally occupied by the camshaft drive gear with a minimum amount of changes . the engine oil supply can be utilized , eliminating the need for a new fluid supply system . the small size of the mechanism obviates the space problems of the prior art devices . in most internal combustion engines the lower pulley 400 and harmonic balancer 410 ( fig5 ) would have to be moved forward . however , this change can be readily accomplished by attaching an extension to the crankshaft . thus , it is apparent that there has been provided , in accordance with the invention , a hydraulic timing mechanism that fully satisfies the objects , aims , and advantages set forth above . while the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof , it is evident that many alternatives , modifications , and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art . accordingly , it is intended to embrace all such alternatives , modifications , and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims .	5
the cathode active material treated by the method of the present invention can be used in a nonaqueous lithium battery as described by keister et al , wherein the battery also contains an alkali metal anode , preferably lithium , or alloys thereof ; a nonaqueous electrolyte which preferably is comprised of a combination of lithium salt and an organic solvent ; and a separator material electrically insulating the anode from the cathode yet sufficiently porous to allow for electrolyte flow . in order to lower the open circuit voltage to a point wherein the electrolyte will not degrade so that the step of lowering the cell voltage by the use of an external load after cell construction may desirably be eliminated , in accordance with the present invention the cathode active material silver vanadium oxide is modified by introducing lithium into the material . the chemically pretreated cathode active material resulting from such lithiation is preferably represented by the formula : in the formula , the more preferable range of x is from about 0 . 035 to 0 . 070 ; the more preferable range of y is from about 0 . 95 to about 1 . 1 ; and the more preferable range of z is from about 5 . 0 to about 6 . 0 . the chemical pretreatment can be accomplished by reducing silver vanadium oxide using an organic lithiating agent such as n - butyl lithium , in the presence of a nonprotic organic solvent such as hexane . however , the introduction of lithium may be accomplished using an organic lithiating agent in liquid form without the presence of additional solvent . the object of such chemical pretreatment is to introduce lithium into the compound , said introduction being known as lithiation . several methods can be used to achieve lithiation and include , but are not limited to : 1 ) fully lithiating a portion of the silver vanadium oxide , as represented by the formula li 3 . 5 ag y v 2 o z , and combining it with unlithiated silver vanadium oxide wherein the final level of lithiation of the battery cathode active material is represented by the formula li 0 . 035 -- 0 . 070 agv 2 o 5 . 5 . 2 ) partially lithiating the entire sample of silver vanadium oxide needed for a cathode by the addition of the requisite amount of an organic lithiating agent wherein preferably from about 1 percent to about 2 percent of the entire sample is lithiated , and the final level of the lithiation is between 1 percent and 3 percent of the maximum for the material resulting in a formula of li 0 . 035 -- 0 . 070 agv 2 o 5 . 5 . a newly assembled cell is provided to contain cathode active material prepared in accordance with the present invention , so that a cell exhibits a voltage that is within acceptable voltage limits , wherein the predischarge step of lowering the cell voltage through external load may become unnecessary . chemical pretreatment of cathode active material was performed by fully lithiating a portion of the silver vanadium oxide needed for a battery cathode . a 1 . 0 g sample of silver vanadium oxide was fully lithiated by allowing it to react with 7 . 5 ml of 1 . 6m n - butyl lithium in hexane . the mixture was allowed to incubate for 5 days at 20 °- 25 ° c . after which the silver vanadium oxide was isolated by filtration , and then dried . a cathode mixture was prepared by adding 0 . 20 g portion of the dried reduced silver vanadium oxide to 10 . 0 g of untreated silver vanadium oxide , and to binder and conductor materials comprising 0 . 32 g of teflon 7a , 0 . 21 g of graphite powder and 0 . 11 g of ketjenblack carbon . in this illustrative example , the cathode mix preferably comprises 92 . 2 weight percent agv 2 o 5 . 5 , 1 . 8 weight percent li 3 . 5 agv 2 o 5 . 5 , three weight percent teflon powder , two weight percent graphite powder , and one weight percent carbon . the cathode mixture was homogenized with a mortar and pestle and then formed into a plate by pressing 1 . 0 g of the mixture to a suitable current collector . battery cells were assembled , in a manner as described by keister et al , using the foregoing lithiated cathode . the liquid electrolyte introduced into the cells comprised a 1 molar solution of liasf 6 in a 1 : 1 volume : volume propylene carbonate / dimethoxyethane vs li / li + . typical initial open circuit voltages of cells containing the same electrolyte , and cathode material comprising untreated silver vanadium oxide are 3 . 6 to 3 . 7v , which require discharge by external load to attain a stable 3 . 25 volts . cells containing the cathodes prepared by the method of the present invention had initial open circuit voltages of 3 . 18 to 3 . 19v . the voltages stabilized at 3 . 27v and remained stable during 440 days of storage at 37 ° c ., thus desirably not requiring external load stabilization . the discharge behaviors of the cell of the present example , and of conventional cells discharged by use of an external load after cell construction , were observed . the self - discharge of the cells was estimated from heat dissipated as measured by calorimetry . the annual self - discharge rates for cells of the present example , and for conventional cells containing untreated cathode active material , was estimated for both to be 0 . 8 to 1 . 2 percent per year . the performance of the cells containing cathode active material lithiated in accordance with the present invention , as described above , was compared to the performance of otherwise identical cells containing untreated cathode material . typical discharge curves of cells discharged by use of an external load after cell construction , in accordance with the prior art , are shown in fig1 (□- 1st oc , o - pulse 1 minute , δ - pulse 4 minute ). typical discharge curves of cells containing cathode material treated in accordance with the present invention are shown in fig2 (□- 1st oc , o - pulse 1 minute , δ - pulse 4 minutes ). comparison of the data indicates that both cell types share similar discharge properties . discharge testing of the cells of the present example after the storage period indicated little or no capacity loss . a cathode is pretreated by lithiation and incorporated into an electrochemical cell , in accordance with the present invention so that the cell voltage may already be at an acceptable level on cell assembly . the present invention addresses a problem involving the need to predischarge each newly assembled cell to avoid detrimental effects , such as decreased service life or decreased performance , caused by the cell &# 39 ; s initial unstable high voltage . the method described herein is thus provided to eliminate the need for the predischarge step , required of cells having an initial unstable high voltage , so that scheduling difficulties in cell production may be avoided , and associated production expenses reduced . the above detailed description and examples are intended for purposes of illustrating the invention and are not to be construed as limiting . the invention can be embodied otherwise without departing from the principles thereof , and such other embodiments are meant to come within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims .	7
photographic zoom lens embodiments shown in fig1 and 3 each comprise a focusing and magnification - varying front lens portion including a plurality of movable lens groups , and a rear lens portion comprising an image - forming relay lens group that consists of a front relay group and a rear relay group . the rear relay group is separated from the front relay group by an air space that is wider than any other air space in the zoom lens . the front lens portion also is disposed closer to an object than the relay lens group . the rear relay group comprises a first movable lens group which contains a cemented lens , which has a positive refractive power and which moves along the optical axis for macro photography , and a second movable lens group which contains a cemented lens and a positive lens , which has a positive refractive power and which moves along the optical axis for tracking adjustment . lateral magnifications β1 and β2 of the first and second movable lens groups satisfy the following conditions : the zoom lens according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings . in the zoom lens shown in fig1 a lens group is a focusing lens group , which has a positive refractive power and which is movable along the optical axis for focusing to obtain a sharp image of an object located within a normal object distance . lens groups g 2 and g 3 are used for varying magnification . the lens group g 2 has a negative refractive power and serves as a variator by moving along the optical axis for zooming . the lens group g 3 has a negative refractive power and serves as a compensator for zooming , which compensates for the shift of an image surface . a lens group g 4 is a relay lens group which has the function of forming an image . the lens group g 4 includes a front relay group g 41 disposed closer to the object and a rear relay group g 42 separated from the front relay group g 41 by the widest air space within the zoom lens . the wide air space between the lens groups g 41 and g 42 can be used to accommodate an optical member such as an extender therein . in this embodiment , both the front and rear relay groups g 41 and g 42 have a positive refractive power . in fig1 a reference symbol p denotes an equivalent of a color separation prism , for the image surface of a television camera body , and this lens group may consist of a single lens . the rear relay group g 42 of the relay lens group g 4 includes a first movable lens group g m , which has a positive refractive power and which moves along the optical axis for macro photography of an object located at a position closer to the camera than the normal object distance , and a second movable lens group g f , which has a positive refractive power and which moves along the optical axis for tracking adjustment . the first and second movable lens groups g m and g f move independently from each other along cam grooves respectively provided in separate lens barrels ( not shown ) for macro photography and tracking adjustment . since the lens groups move independently from each other for macro photography and tracking adjustment , as stated above , a conventionally required interconnecting mechanism is not necessary , and the overall structure is not made complicated . to reduce the overall size of the zoom lens and at the same time reduce changes in aberrations , and thereby accomplish high optical performance , even when the relay lens group contains two movable lens groups , and to ensure high controllability during the movement of the first and second movable lenses , the second movable lens group contains a cemented lens and a positive lens , while satisfying the conditions ( 1 ) and ( 2 ). to eliminate collision of the two lens groups caused by movements thereof for macro photography and tracking adjustment , a provision of dead space within which such movement may take place is required . however , while movement of the lens groups through a long distance increases the overall size of the optical system , it moderates the need for high level of mechanical accuracy in the mechanisms . movement of the lens groups through a short distance requires a high level of accuracy for the mechanisms although it reduces the overall size of the optical system . setting of an appropriate and reasonable movement of the movable lens groups is , therefore , an essential design problem . the conditions ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) based on the lateral magnifications β1 and β2 are associated with the movement of the image surface caused by the movement of the first and second movable lens groups . as stated above , when the movement of the movable lens groups is small , the dead space can be reduced , thereby reducing the size of the optical system . however , a high level of accuracy for the mechanisms is required . conversely , when the movement of the movable lens groups is large , the dead space is increased , thereby increasing the size of the optical system . however , the mechanical accuracy for the mechanisms is moderated . in order to make the movement of the lens groups sufficiently small , the ratio of the movement of the image surface to the movement of the lens group must be 0 . 18 or above . to ensure a moderate level of accuracy for the mechanisms , the ratio of the shift of the image surface to the movement of the lens group should be 0 . 82 or less . since the first movable lens group g m having a positive refractive power , is moved for macro photography to return the image point of an object located close to the lens , ( which would otherwise move away from the optical system ,) to the position of the image surface , the lens group g m is moved only toward the object . however , tracking adjustment is performed by moving the lens groups in both directions whereby the image point is moved toward the object and also is moved away from the object . the second movable lens group g f is thus moved similarly in both directions . since there is a wide space on the side of the first movable lens group between the front relay group g 41 and the first movable lens group g m , movement of the first movable lens group through a long distance does not increase the size of the optical system . however , it is necessary for a space to be provided beforehand between the first and second movable lens groups in order to eliminate collision of the second movable lens group g f against the first movable lens group g m , which may be caused during the movement of the second movable lens group toward the object . this creates a dead space and hence increases the size of the optical system . therefore , movement of the second movable lens group g f is preferably reduced as much as possible within a range , which ensures the mechanical accuracy of the mechanisms , and the movement of the first movable lens group g m is preferably increased to an extent which ensures moderation of the need for high mechanical accuracy . to ensure the above - described movement of the first movable lens group g m is through a relatively long distance , the ratio of the shift of the image surface to the movement of the lens group is made 0 . 5 or less , as shown in condition ( 1 ). to ensure the above - described movement of the second movable lens group g f is through a relatively short distance , the ratio of the shift of the image surface to the movement of the lens group is made 0 . 5 or above , as shown in condition ( 2 ). at least one cemented lens is contained in both the first and second movable lens groups , g m and g f , to achieve good correction of variations in various aberrations , and particularly those spherical and chromatic aberrations , which would occur when the movable lens groups are moved for macro photography and moved for tracking adjustment . since the marginal rays of on - axial light between the front and rear relay groups , g41 and g42 , are generally either slightly divergent or convergent and hence substantially afocal , variations in the distance of incidence caused by the movement of the entirety of the rear relay group are small , and variations in aberration can therefore be maintained small . however , when the two parts of the rear relay group are to be moved separately , spherical and chromatic aberrations must be corrected in each part . hence , the rear relay lens group is arranged in the manner described below to correct the spherical and chromatic aberrations in the second movable lens group . that is , since variations in the aberration caused by the movement of the entirety of the rear relay group are small , when the spherical and chromatic aberrations are corrected in the second movable lens group , variations in the aberration caused by the movement of the first movable lens group can also be compensated for . firstly , the cemented lens in the second movable lens group g m has a concave cemented surface on the side thereof closer to the object . the cemented lens also has a negative refractive power . the difference δn in the refractive index between the two glass materials satisfies the following condition : secondly , the shape parameter x of the positive lens in the second movable lens group satisfies the following condition : wherein the shape parameter x is given by ## equ1 ## where r1 is the radius of curvature of the surface located close to the object , and r2 is the radius of curvature of the surface located close to the image . when condition ( 3 ) is satisfied , i . e ., the cemented lens in the second movable lens group g m has a concave cemented surface on the side thereof closer to the object , the cemented lens has a negative refractive power , and the difference δn in the refractive index between the two glass materials satisfies 0 . 15 ≦ δn . further , an over spherical aberration is generated on the cemented surface of the cemented lens in the second movable lens group so as to correct spherical aberration in the entire movable lens . when the shape parameter x of the last positive lens in the second movable lens group g f satisfies 0 ≦ x ≦ 3 , refraction of the light can be performed uniformly at the surfaces r1 and r2 . this will suppress generation of under spherical aberration , and thus enables correction of spherical aberration of the entire movable lens . furthermore , to correct the chromatic aberration of the second movable lens group , it is desirable that the difference in abbe &# 39 ; s number between the positive and negative lenses which constitute the cemented lens be set to 10 or above . when the difference in abbe &# 39 ; s number between the positive lenses in the second movable lens group g f is 60 or above , correction of the chromatic aberration is further facilitated . next , numerical examples of the present invention will be shown . in these examples , a reference symbol ri denotes a radius of curvature of the surface of an ith lens , starting first with the lens disposed closest to the object , a reference numeral di denotes the thickness and the air space of the ith lens , and reference numerals ni and νi respectively designate the refractive index and abbe &# 39 ; s number of the glass of the ith lens . the symbols l1 to l13 respectively denote lens elements . the arrangements of the lens elements in numerical examples 1 and 2 respectively correspond to those embodiments shown in fig1 and 3 . as shown by a comparison of numerical examples 1 and 2 , the differences therebetween are in the elements comprising the first and second movable lens groups , g m and g f . therefore , in numerical example 2 and in fig3 the elements l 9 - l 13 are shown with a prime . __________________________________________________________________________numerical example 1f = 10 . 4 fno = 1 : 1 . 7 2ω = 55 . 7 ° __________________________________________________________________________r1 = - 696 . 661 d1 = 5 . 29 n1 = 1 . 81265 ν1 = 25 . 4 l . sub . 1r2 = 172 . 951 d2 = 15 . 58 n2 = 1 . 60548 ν2 = 60 . 7r3 = - 193 . 102 d3 = 0 . 23r4 = 154 . 848 d4 = 8 . 76 n3 = 1 . 60548 ν3 = 60 . 7 l . sub . 2r5 = ∞ d5 = 0 . 23r6 = 66 . 583 d6 = 9 . 89 n4 = 1 . 60548 ν4 = 60 . 7 l . sub . 3r7 = 141 . 636 d7 = variabler8 = 87 . 651 d8 = 2 . 02 n5 = 1 . 71615 ν5 = 53 . 8 l . sub . 4r9 = 22 . 618 d9 = 8 . 99r10 =- 34 . 228 d10 = 2 . 02 n6 = 1 . 71615 ν6 = 53 . 8 l . sub . 5r11 = 25 . 905 d11 = 7 . 01 n7 = 1 . 81265 ν7 = 25 . 4r12 = 283 . 385 d12 = variabler13 =- 33 . 968 d13 = 1 . 55 n8 = 1 . 76651 ν8 = 40 . 1 l . sub . 6r14 = 43 . 779 d14 = 3 . 83 n9 = 1 . 81265 ν9 = 25 . 4r15 = ∞ d15 = variabler16 = ( stop ) d16 = 2 . 00r17 = - 203 . 141 d17 = 4 . 38 n10 = 1 . 62286 ν10 = 60 . 3 l . sub . 7r18 =- 38 . 467 d18 = 0 . 16r19 = 180 . 909 d19 = 10 . 24 n11 = 1 . 53430 ν11 = 48 . 9 l . sub . 8r20 =- 21 . 532 d20 = 1 . 50 n12 = 1 . 79012 ν12 = 44 . 2r21 =- 40 . 370 * d21 = variable 37 . 00r22 =- 48 . 653 d22 = 4 . 29 n13 = 1 . 52555 ν13 = 50 . 8 l . sub . 9r23 =- 26 . 499 d23 = 0 . 87r24 =- 30 . 377 d24 = 1 . 40 n14 = 1 . 81077 ν14 = 40 . 9 l . sub . 10r25 = 61 . 922 d25 = 6 . 98 n15 = 1 . 51825 ν15 = 64 . 1r26 =- 36 . 370 d26 = 0 . 15r27 = 70 . 337 d27 = 5 . 38 n16 = 1 . 48915 ν16 = 70 . 2 l . sub . 11r28 =- 71 . 648 * d28 = variable 1 . 50r29 = 91 . 749 d29 = 5 . 30 n17 = 1 . 48915 ν17 = 70 . 2 l . sub . 12r30 =- 44 . 345 d30 = 2 . 00 n18 = 1 . 88814 ν18 = 40 . 8r31 = - 126 . 206 d31 = 0 . 15r32 = 110 . 577 d32 = 3 . 76 n19 = 1 . 51825 ν19 = 64 . 1 l . sub . 13r33 = - 110 . 577 * d33 = variable 4 . 00r34 = ∞ d34 = 50 . 00 n20 = 1 . 51825 ν20 = 64 . 1 pr35 = ∞ __________________________________________________________________________ * d21 varies during macro photographyd33 varies during tracking adjustmentd28 varies during macro photography and tracking adjustmentfocal lengthvariable space 10 . 40 99 . 86d7 1 . 49 58 . 22d12 62 . 69 6 . 69d15 2 . 15 1 . 42difference in refractive index in l . sub . 12δn = 0 . 39899shape parameter of l . sub . 13x = 0lateral magnifications of g . sub . m and g . sub . fβ . sub . 1 = 0 . 05069β . sub . 2 = 0 . 70455 ( 1 - β . sub . 1 . sup . 2 ) β . sub . 2 . spsb . 2 = 0 . 49512 ( 1 - β . sub . 2 . spsb . 2 ) = 0 . 50361 __________________________________________________________________________numerical example 2f = 10 . 4 fno = 1 : 1 . 7 2ω = 55 . 7 ° __________________________________________________________________________r1 = - 696 . 661 d1 = 5 . 29 n1 = 1 . 81265 ν1 = 25 . 4 l . sub . 1r2 = 172 . 951 d2 = 15 . 58 n2 = 1 . 60548 ν2 = 60 . 7r3 = - 193 . 102 d3 = 0 . 23r4 = 154 . 848 d4 = 8 . 76 n3 = 1 . 60548 ν3 = 60 . 7 l . sub . 2r5 = ∞ d5 = 0 . 23r6 = 66 . 583 d6 = 9 . 89 n4 = 1 . 60548 ν4 = 60 . 7 l . sub . 3r7 = 141 . 636 d7 = variabler8 = 87 . 651 d8 = 2 . 02 n5 = 1 . 71615 ν5 = 53 . 8 l . sub . 4r9 = 22 . 618 d9 = 8 . 99r10 =- 34 . 228 d10 = 2 . 02 n6 = 1 . 71615 ν6 = 53 . 8 l . sub . 5r11 = 25 . 905 d11 = 7 . 01 n7 = 1 . 81265 ν7 = 25 . 4r12 = 283 . 385 d12 = variabler13 =- 33 . 968 d13 = 1 . 55 n8 = 1 . 76651 ν8 = 40 . 1 l . sub . 6r14 = 43 . 779 d14 = 3 . 83 n9 = 1 . 81265 ν9 = 25 . 4r15 = ∞ d15 = variabler16 = ( stop ) d16 = 2 . 00r17 = - 203 . 141 d17 = 4 . 38 n10 = 1 . 62286 ν10 = 60 . 3 l . sub . 7r18 =- 38 . 467 d18 = 0 . 16r19 = 180 . 909 d19 = 10 . 24 n11 = 1 . 53430 ν11 = 48 . 9 l . sub . 8r20 =- 21 . 532 d20 = 1 . 50 n12 = 1 . 79012 ν12 = 44 . 2r21 =- 40 . 370 * d21 = variable 37 . 00r22 =- 55 . 059 d22 = 4 . 73 n13 = 1 . 51678 ν13 = 54 . 7 l . sub . 9 &# 39 ; r23 =- 25 . 173 d23 = 0 . 82r24 =- 28 . 576 d24 = 1 . 40 n14 = 1 . 88814 ν14 = 40 . 8 l . sub . 10 &# 39 ; r25 = 45 . 797 d25 = 8 . 48 n15 = 1 . 51313 ν15 = 60 . 5r26 =- 29 . 495 d26 = 0 . 15r27 = 43 . 390 d27 = 7 . 24 n16 = 1 . 48915 ν16 = 70 . 2 l . sub . 11 &# 39 ; r28 =- 56 . 455 * d28 = variable 1 . 50r29 = 338 . 133 d29 = 5 . 21 n17 = 1 . 62286 ν17 = 60 . 3 l . sub . 12 &# 39 ; r30 =- 36 . 877 d30 = 2 . 00 n18 = 1 . 77621 ν18 = 49 . 6r31 = - 226 . 631 d31 = 0 . 15r32 = 50 . 580 d32 = 2 . 92 n19 = 1 . 51825 ν19 = 64 . 1 l . sub . 13 &# 39 ; r33 = 101 . 160 * d33 = variable 4 . 00r34 = ∞ d34 = 50 . 00 n20 = 1 . 51825 ν20 = 64 . 1 pr35 = ∞ __________________________________________________________________________ * d21 varies during macro photographyd33 varies during tracking adjustmentd28 varies during macro photography and tracking adjustmentfocal lengthvariable space 10 . 40 99 . 86d7 1 . 49 58 . 22d12 62 . 69 6 . 69d15 2 . 15 1 . 42difference in refractive index in l . sub . 12δn = 0 . 15335shape parameter of l . sub . 13x = 3lateral magnifications of g . sub . m and g . sub . fβ . sub . 1 = 0 . 08333β . sub . 2 = 0 . 42855 ( 1 - β . sub . 1 . sup . 2 ) β . sub . 2 . spsb . 2 = 0 . 18238 ( 1 - β . sub . 2 . spsb . 2 ) = 0 . 81635 in numerical example 1 , the first movable lens group g m was set at the wideangle end of zooming and moved by - 5 . 31 mm for macro photography when the object distance from the surface of the first lens was 50 mm . when the second movable lens group was moved by - 0 . 7 mm during the tracking adjustment , the movement of the image surface was - 0 . 57 mm . fig2 ( a ) and ( b ) respectively show the aberration curves obtained when the object distance from the lens also shown in fig1 is set at infinity at the wideangle and telephoto ends . fig2 ( c ) shows the aberration curve obtained when tracking adjustment is performed by moving the second movable lens by - 0 . 7 mm relative to the object located at an infinite distance from the lens set at the wideangle end . fig2 ( d ) shows the aberration curve obtained when macro photography is performed by moving the first movable lens group by - 5 . 31 mm in a case when the object distance from the first lens set at the wideangle end is 50 mm . in numerical example 1 , the difference δn in the refractive index was 0 . 39899 , the shape parameter x was 0 , ( 1 - β1 2 ) β2 2 was 0 . 18238 and ( 1 - β2 2 ) was 0 . 81635 . as shown in fig2 ( a ) and ( b ), the various aberrations of the lens set at the wideangle and telephoto ends are small . comparing the aberration curve shown in fig2 ( a ) with that shown in fig2 ( c ) obtained when tracking adjustment is performed , variations in the aberration caused by tracking adjustment are very small . comparing the aberration curve shown in fig2 ( a ) and that shown in fig2 ( d ) obtained when macro photography is performed , variations in the aberration caused by macro photography are small . in numerical example 1 , the movements of the movable lens groups during the macro photography and tracking adjustment are set to values which moderate the level of accuracy for the mechanisms and which ensure reduction in the dead space . furthermore , variations in the various aberrations caused by macro photography and tracking adjustment are maintained small . in numerical example 2 , the first movable lens group g m was set at the wideangle end of zooming and moved by - 1 . 93 mm for macro photography when the object distance from the surface of the first lens was 50 mm . when the second movable lens group was moved by + 0 . 7 mm during the tracking adjustment , the movement of the image surface was + 0 . 35 mm . fig4 ( a ) and ( b ) respectively show the aberration curves obtained when the object distance from the lens also shown in fig3 is set at infinity at the wideangle and telephoto ends . fig4 ( c ) shows the aberration curve obtained when tracking adjustment is performed by moving the second movable lens by + 0 . 7 mm relative to the object located at an infinite distance from the lens set at the wideangle end . fig4 ( d ) shows the aberration curve obtained when macro photography is performed by moving the first movable lens group by - 1 . 93 mm in a case when the object distance from the first lens set at the wideangle end is 50 mm . in numerical example 2 , the difference δn in the refractive index was 0 . 15335 , the shape parameter x was 3 , ( 1 - β1 2 ) β2 2 was 0 . 49512 , and ( 1 - β2 2 ) was 0 . 50361 . as shown in fig4 ( a ) and ( b ), the various aberrations of the lens set at the wideangle and telephoto ends are small . comparing the aberration curve shown in fig4 ( a ) with that shown in fig4 ( c ), obtained when tracking adjustment is performed , variations in the aberration caused by tracking adjustment are very small . comparing the aberration curve shown in fig4 ( a ) with that shown in fig4 ( d ) obtained when macro photography is performed , variations in the aberration caused by macro photography are small . in numerical example 2 , the movements of the movable lens groups during the macro photography and tracking adjustment are set to values which moderate the level of accuracy for the mechanisms and which ensure reduction in the dead space . furthermore , variations in the various aberrations caused by macro photography and tracking adjustment are maintained small . as will be understood from the foregoing description , the rear relay lens group includes the first movable lens group which moves along the optical axis for macro photography and the second movable lens group which moves along the optical axis for tracking adjustment . preferably , the first movable lens group contains a cemented lens and has a positive refractive power , while the second movable lens group g f contains a cemented lens , positive lens and has a positive refractive power . lateral magnifications β1 and β2 of the first and second movable lens groups fulfill the conditions expressed by 0 . 18 ≦( 1 - β1 2 ) β2 2 ≦ 0 . 5 and 0 . 5 ≦( 1 - β2 2 )≦ 0 . 82 . it is therefore possible to obtain excellent optical performance , to reduce the movement of the second movable lens group g f while ensuring a moderate level of needed accuracy for the mechanisms , and to increase the movement of the first movable lens group g m to an extent which ensures moderation of the need for high mechanical accuracy . furthermore , the cemented lens in the second movable lens group g f has a concave cemented surface on the side thereof close to the object . the cemented lens has a negative refractive power . the difference δn in the refractive index between the two glass materials satisfies the condition expressed by 0 . 15 ≦ δn . consequently , over spherical aberration is generated on the cemented surface in order to correct the spherical aberration in the entire second movable lens group . thereby , variations in the aberrations caused during the tracking adjustment and macro photography are reduced . furthermore , the shape parameter x of the last positive lens in the second movable lens group gr satisfies the condition expressed by 0 ≦ x ≦ 3 . consequently , refraction of the light can be performed uniformly on the surfaces r1 and r2 . this suppresses generation of under spherical aberration , and thus enables reduction in the variations in the aberration caused during the tracking adjustment and macro photography . as is clear from the foregoing description , it is possible according to the present invention to moderate the need for a high level of accuracy for both the macro photographic mechanism and the tracking adjusting mechanism , while reducing the size of the optical system . it is further possible to alleviate changes in the various aberrations caused during the tracking adjustment , thereby obtaining an excellent , sharp and vivid image definition . while the present invention has been described with respect to what presently are considered to be the preferred embodiments , it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments . to the contrary , the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included with the spirit and scope of the appended claims . the following claims are to be accorded a broad interpretation , so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions .	6
this document describes a click conversion scoring system and method to generate a click conversion score ( ccs ) that represents the conversion rates by viewers who become consumers based on an online advertisement . each advertiser associated with an ad - exchange provides conversion data on the pay - per - click ( ppc ) traffic they receive from the ad - exchange to build the ccs , as described in further detail below . the ccs is preferably run in an application service provider ( asp ) mode on a server . fig1 shows a schematic of an advertising network 100 with n publishers 102 ( publisher p 1 , . . . , publisher p n ) and m advertisers 104 ( advertiser a 1 , . . . . advertiser a m ). when an entity clicks on an ad shown by an advertiser at a publisher &# 39 ; s site , the entity is directed to the corresponding advertiser &# 39 ; s webpage that is linked to the ad . the scores assigned to each publisher in the network 100 can be used to compute a price per click that will be paid by the advertisers . the cost per click , cpc , that an advertiser pays for a click on each keyword is usually determined by an auction system and higher cpcs correspond to higher positions ( search engines like google and yahoo employ also a quality score for a given ad in determining cpcs and ranking ). the click conversion score will be factored into the cost per click , the advertiser paying less for low quality clicks ( i . e ., traffic corresponding to low quality publishers ). the end goal of the analytic endeavor described below is to produce a score that adaptively rank - orders the publishers according to the quality of their traffic . at each click , a network score as well as a publisher score are produced for the network and publisher where the click occurs . as conversions are provided as an independent data feed ( reflecting the lag between clicks and conversions ), each conversion is likewise used to update the publisher and network scores . these scores represent the ratio of the actual conversion rate to the expected conversion rate for the network or publisher , respectively ; the scores are scaled to the interval [ 0 , 100 ] as seen below : the following two sections give some details about computing network scores and publisher scores . the appendix contains sample code snippets from the actual implementation . in order to accommodate temporal changes that often occur in a dynamic space such as internet advertising it is preferable to use recent history when computing the conversion rates in formulas ( 1 ) and ( 2 ). consider θ 0 ⊃ θ 1 . . . ⊃ θ n . . . ⊃ θ n * a series of past time windows , where θ 0 is the longest time window that corresponds to the entire history , and θ n * corresponds to the shortest time window used in the scores computations ( e . g ., “ last ” 7 days or “ last ” 30 days ). the network conversion rate corresponding to time window θ n is computed as follows : in ( 3 ), dailynetnumconversions θ n and dailynetnumclicks θ n are daily averages calculated using a traditional time decay methodology ( i . e ., derived from daily averages that are exponentially decayed in the time window under consideration ); \| θ n \| is the minimum of the length of the time window under consideration ( e . g ., 7 days , 30 days , 90 days ) and the age of the network ( i . e . since history of conversions have been accumulated from advertisers using the network ). examples of a suitable time decay methodologies are described in u . s . pat . no . 5 , 819 , 226 , gopinathan et al ., “ fraud detection using predictive modeling ” ( 1992 ); u . s . pat . no . 6 , 330 , 546 , gopinathan et al ., “ risk determination and management using predictive modeling and transaction profiles for individual transacting entities ” ( 1998 ); u . s . pat . no . 7 , 263 , 492 , lee et al ., “ identification and management of fraudulent credit / debit card purchases at merchant ( 2001 ). here , as well as in all the subsequent formulas involving number of clicks , only the clicks corresponding to advertisers that supply feedback under the form of conversion data are considered in the computations . smoothing is employed here using a traditional methodology . when the time window θ n is too short to ensure statistically significant volume ( clicks , conversions ), the rate from the next larger window dominates and so on ; values for the parameter k were expertly chosen : k = 100 is elected for robustness against low counts . for robustness the default time history window , θ n * , is set to 30 days ( 7 days was considered too short in experiments ). here netnumconversions and netnumclicks are the number of conversions and clicks from the entire history . parameter lε ( 0 , 1 ] determines the starting point of the scores for the network ( see also ( 1 ) above and ( 7 ) below ). basenetrate is a quality standard especially useful in cases where multiple networks are present ( see section 4 ); it is a derivation of the conversion rate of a “ baseline network ” and is computed by : basenetrate is therefore an adaptive baseline quality measure representing the fraction ( cε ( 0 , 1 ]) of the conversion rate of the baseline network . the time window θ n defaults to 90 days in the system to ensure a relatively stable baseline . the high level logic of ( 6 ) and ( 7 ) is similar with ( 3 ) and ( 4 ), respectively . details for the computation of the netexpectednumconversions θ n are provided below . for each publisher in a given network , scores are computed at each click and conversion belonging to the publisher . the formulations for the publisher actual and expected conversion rates involved in ( 2 ) resemble the ones from the previous section . first , the publisher conversion rate is given by : at the highest level , when there are not enough counts ( clicks and conversions ) the publisher &# 39 ; s conversion rate relies on the conversion rate of the network ; parameter lε ( 0 , 1 ] decides the initial values of the publisher scores ( in the absence of any history ) as a percentage of the network score . like before , the daily number of conversions and clicks corresponding to various time windows θ n ( n ≧ 1 ) are computed using exponentially time decayed daily averages and clicks corresponding to advertisers with conversion feedback are considered . with no history , the publisher &# 39 ; s expected conversion rate becomes the network expected conversion rate . details about the computation of the expected number of conversions are given below . the publisher scores are factored into the cost per click , cpc , paid by the advertisers . in particular cpcs can become zero for clicks belonging to publishers with zero scores . although this scenario is a favorable one for the advertiser , it is likely to be undesirable for publishers that are in the money making business . the expected outcome in such cases will be the publisher leaving the network . to hedge against this situation , while still punishing the poor quality traffic , the system implements a buffer period where the scores are set to a lower limit greater than zero for a probation period . for example , a publisher score may be set to five for seven consecutive days when the actual score is less tan five ; if the score continue to remain smaller than five after seven days , it is set to its actual value . in the previous sections , the formulas involving expected rates ( formulas ( 6 ), ( 7 ), ( 10 ), ( 11 )) make use of quantities that estimate “ expected number of conversions ”. these quantities are computed by the system in an adaptive manner . every time an ad is clicked , the expected number of conversions for the publisher and the network serving the ad will be updated ( consistent with the strategy from the previous sections , the updates take place only when the click corresponds to an ad served by an advertiser providing conversion feedback ). the high level picture in updating the expected number of conversions for each click is : this formula can be used to directly update netexpectednumconversions ( used in ( 7 ) for the network case ) or pubexpectednumconversions ( used in ( 11 ) for the publisher case ). the expected rate in ( 12 ) is also used in the updateable calculations of dailynetexpectednumconversions θ n ( from ( 6 )) and dailypubexpectednumconversions θ n ( from ( 10 )). there are two levels of logic involved in computing the expected rate from ( 12 ): the structural logic and the temporal logic . the structural logic is addressed first . a click occurs for a specific keyword k of a given advertiser a . ideally the expected rate should be computed from the click and conversion histories of the pair k × a . however , it is often the case that the counts ( clicks and conversions ) pertaining to the k × a are insufficient to insure statistical significance for the estimation . therefore , a structural hierarchy can be defined as shown in equation ( 13 ) in fig2 . this hierarchy shows the order that is followed when computing expected conversion rate for a given click . first , the most granular level of statistics that is sufficient to be considered statistically significant is found . in order to do this , the system starts with the finest level of statistics , the advertiser x keyword combination and check for a statistically significant amount of data at this structural level . if not , then the next structural level is accessed and checked for statistical significance . eventually , if sufficient statistics do not exist at lower levels , aggregate statistics are taken for the set of all the keywords belonging to the advertiser . in defining intermediate levels in the hierarchy , it is desirable to group keywords in clusters that characterize similar keywords ( where similarity here is defined to respect of the conversion rates ). the advertisers group keywords into adgroups and in general keywords from the same adgroup are expected to be comparable . also low ( click ) frequency keywords are in general more specific than the ( usually ) generic high frequency keywords and therefore expected to have relatively similar conversion rates , especially when they pertain to the same adgroup . intermediate levels in the hierarchy depicted at ( 13 ) consider the set of all low frequency keywords from the adgroup corresponding to the keyword being clicked , then the corresponding adgroup , then the set of all low frequency keywords for the advertiser . if the hierarchy ( 13 ) is not optimal in terms of grouping similarly converting keywords together , other types of intermediate groupings could be considered : i . e ., achieving group similarity by clustering keywords using linguistics , empirical conversion data or relevant domain knowledge ( e . g ., brand keywords are known to convert well ). in addition to the structural logic , a temporal logic is employed to emphasize the most recent data in the spirit of section 2 . when computing the expected rate of a click in ( 12 ), similar strategies as in the formulas from section 2 can be employed , by encompassing ingredients such as temporal decay , mixing , smoothing , etc . smoothing can be performed as in ( 4 ) or through alternative , comparable approaches . for example , a temporal transition for a given publisher can be computed as follows : in ( 14 ), dailynumconversions θ n γ is derived from the weight decayed daily averages over the θ n time period , while γ indicates the structural level where the conversions are counted ( e . g ., advertiser x keyword , etc ). the logic for daily proratednumclicks θ n γ is similar in nature , with the difference that it also incorporates a prorating factor that is employed to optimally deal with situations with multiple networks of different qualities ; this will be described below . within publisher scoring , there are circumstances when a single publisher constitutes all or a vast majority of the traffic for an advertiser x keyword . under these circumstances , if the traffic is statistically significant , the expected conversion rate for the keyword will be equal to ( 100 % of traffic coming from the publisher ) or very close to ( the vast majority of traffic ) the conversion rate for the advertiser x keyword from that publisher . as a result , the system infers that this publisher is providing traffic at or very near the expected quality for this advertiser x keyword . there may be circumstances where this is not true , and the advertiser expects the quality for this keyword to be higher . however , in these cases the advertiser has the ability to change the bid for the keyword . this will enable the advertiser to pay the correct amount for the traffic . the example is also true at other structural levels , where an advertiser may have an entire adgroup or even account receiving traffic from a single publisher . when more than one network of publishers is present , a significant challenge in designing an effective scoring system is the fact that the networks might have different qualities ; the traffic corresponding to the publishers from a network could be of a substantially lower quality ( i . e ., conversion rates much lower ). the system addresses this challenge by employing a prorating strategy for the number of clicks computed in the expected quantities described above . consider for example the case of two networks , network n1 having a decent conversion rate ( e . g ., same or higher than the baseline network in ( 5 )) and network n2 having a significantly lower conversion rate and comparable or higher traffic volume . in the absence of prorating , the system would operate as follows : for every click counted at a structural level defined in ( 13 ) ( e . g ., advertiser x keyword combination ) add one to the total number of clicks so far ( for the number of clicks involved in ( 14 )) disregarding of the network where the click belongs to . in this case , the poor performances of network n2 would diminish the expected rates of the advertisers serviced . therefore the publishers in the network n1 will appear to perform excellent and receive very high scores . if most of the scores pertaining to the publishers from network n1 become maximal ( i . e ., equal to 100 ) the differentiation is greatly diminished for this network , and this is not a desirable scenario . to address this issue the system introduces prorating of the number of clicks for the quantities involved in computing expected rates ( e . g ., in ( 14 )). with each new click , instead of adding one as before , a prorate quantity is added to the clicks &# 39 ; tally to obtain the number of clicks used when computing , for example , daily proratednumclicks θ n γ in ( 14 ). prorate is defined as follows : here netnumconversions and netnumclicks are network specific . network n1 is of the same or better quality than the baseline network which implies prorate = 1 ; therefore one is added to the prorated clicks tally . for the poor quality network n2 the value of prorate is added , which is smaller than one and proportional with the ratio of the qualities of the two networks . the advertiser specific metrics used in computing expected rates for network n1 &# 39 ; s publishers will therefore not be severely affected by substantially lower conversion rates of the network n2 . simulations show that publishers of comparable quality that belong to different networks receive comparable scores . an advertiser profile is kept for every advertiser that has been encountered . this profile is used for keeping track of various updateable quantities like the metrics involved in computing the expected conversions for a click from an advertiser when lower levels of data ( e . g ., keyword x advertiser level , adgroup x advertiser level , etc ) are not statistically significant . examples of such quantities are decayed daily averages for clicks , prorated clicks and conversions for various time windows ( last 90 days , last 30 days , last 7 days ), etc . other related profiles collecting data at a more granular level are the keyword x advertiser profile and the adgroup x advertiser profile . a network profile is used to track the performance of each network over time . this profile contains the number of clicks , filtered clicks ( i . e ., clicks occurring on advertisers with conversion feedback ), conversions , and expected conversions for the network . it also contains decayed daily averages for the network ( decayed over various time windows ) for the filtered clicks , conversions , and expected conversions . this profile is used to compute the network score . similarly the publisher profile is used to track the performance of each publisher over time . there are two additional profiles in the current system : one tracking data about the baseline network ; and one profile containing information that is used for de - duplicating clicks that occur on a given advertiser from the same keyword with from the same ip address in a twenty - four hour window . an adaptive system providing click conversion publisher and network scores on each click has been described . this system underlies an ad - exchange that connects publishers with advertisers to serve pay - per - click ads . this system makes use of the historical click and conversion data to produce quantitative measures for the quality of the traffic delivered in the exchange . the scores are used in prorating the cost - per - click paid by the advertiser according to the value of the clicks . this represents a breakthrough , providing advertisers with a mechanism to differentiate pricing at a much finer level than the current practices . while still setting one bid per keyword in a straightforward manner , the advertisers are seamlessly empowered through machinery that automatically optimizes the pricing for each publisher according to the click conversion score of the publisher . the system calculates scores based on a comparison of the actual and expected conversion rates over a network or publisher &# 39 ; s history , taking into account temporal changes in both expected and historical rates while maintaining statistical significance . the expected conversion rate is determined by calculating the number of expected conversions for each click . in calculating expected conversions , first the lowest level structure with a statistically significant history is found . next , temporal changes to the history is captured where it is statistical significant . using this history , the system is able to capture a specific , recent , and statistically significant quantity for the expected conversions of a particular click . a collection of rapidly accessible , constantly updating profiles underlies the calculations . finally , a click prorating system has been put in place to prevent substantial cross network effects . experimentation with historical data has shown that the scores produced validate well according to the opinions of experts on the publishers as well as independent empirical evidence . the scoring system was stress - tested in comprehensive simulations that proved robustness under future changes ( e . g ., introducing into the exchange new networks of significantly different qualities and traffic volumes ). in preferred implementations , a shell provides a pre - processing of the fraudulent traffic , while the click conversion scoring system adds value in weeding out extremely low quality traffic ( by automatically setting scores to zero for publishers subsequently validated as being pathologic ). alternative implementations may include additional profiles to enhance the current technology by further differentiating the pricing granularity as well as capturing additional dimensions . one such extension in this context is the publisher x advertiser profile . this captures nuances of a publisher generating different quality traffic for different advertisers . the quality of the traffic delivered by a publisher is given by the specifics of the publisher &# 39 ; s audience ( e . g ., the demographic composition or interests of the users visiting the site ) and can be a relative metric , depending on who is the advertiser receiving this traffic . for example , a publisher whose traffic is mainly composed of women will fair better for an advertiser selling female merchandise than for a different advertiser that targets a male audience . in implementation , scoring would be performed at the publisher x advertiser level , and cpcs would be prorated accordingly . another alternative includes a publisher x advertiser x keyword profile . a keyword profile , defined across advertisers , can be used if incorporated into the structure presented in ( 13 ). conversion rates can dramatically vary per keyword ( e . g ., brand keywords perform very different than generic keywords , also specific targeted keywords perform different than generic keywords ); this is often valid across advertisers . different advertisers might convert differently for the same keyword , so the keyword x advertiser level remains the ideal method to set expectations . however it is often the case that the counts at this level are statistically insignificant and the structural hierarchy in ( 13 ) is designed to address this matter . the keyword profile brings a new dimension that could enhance the structure by “ borrowing strength ” from other advertisers &# 39 ; data . in another alternative implementation , geographic profiling can be used in combination with advertisers and keywords ( e . g . geography x advertiser , or geography x advertiser x keyword ). different geographic locations can convert differently across an advertiser in some cases and can perform uniformly in other cases . the systems and methods described herein quantify the value traffic through the use of the conversion metric . yet another alternative implementation includes incorporating the dollar values associated with conversions , since not all conversions are equal . one of the practical obstacles for this endeavor is the accuracy of the dollar values of the conversions and the fact that not all advertisers supply this information . a ccs - powered pricing differentiation ( prorating ) provides significant value to the advertisers directly as advertisers will get more return on investment in a straightforward manner . the ccs also benefits publishers indirectly , as more advertisers will be likely to join the ad exchange and the current advertisers will feel compelled to spend more dollars for an expected higher return on investment . some or all of the functional operations described in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry , or in computer software , firmware , or hardware , including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents , or in combinations of them . implementations of the invention can be implemented as one or more computer program products , i . e ., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer readable medium , e . g ., a machine readable storage device , a machine readable storage medium , a memory device , or a machine - readable propagated signal , for execution by , or to control the operation of , data processing apparatus . the term “ data processing apparatus ” encompasses all apparatus , devices , and machines for processing data , including by way of example a programmable processor , a computer , or multiple processors or computers . the apparatus can include , in addition to hardware , code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question , e . g ., code that constitutes processor firmware , a protocol stack , a database management system , an operating system , or a combination of them . a propagated signal is an artificially generated signal , e . g ., a machine - generated electrical , optical , or electromagnetic signal , that is generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus . a computer program ( also referred to as a program , software , an application , a software application , a script , or code ) can be written in any form of programming language , including compiled or interpreted languages , and it can be deployed in any form , including as a stand alone program or as a module , component , subroutine , or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment . a computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system . a program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data ( e . g ., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document ), in a single file dedicated to the program in question , or in multiple coordinated files ( e . g ., files that store one or more modules , sub programs , or portions of code ). a computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network . the processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output . the processes and logic flows can also be performed by , and apparatus can also be implemented as , special purpose logic circuitry , e . g ., an fpga ( field programmable gate array ) or an asic ( application specific integrated circuit ). processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include , by way of example , both general and special purpose microprocessors , and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer . generally , a processor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory or a random access memory or both . the essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data . generally , a computer will also include , or be operatively coupled to , a communication interface to receive data from or transfer data to , or both , one or more mass storage devices for storing data , e . g ., magnetic , magneto optical disks , or optical disks . moreover , a computer can be embedded in another device , e . g ., a mobile telephone , a personal digital assistant ( pda ), a mobile audio player , a global positioning system ( gps ) receiver , to name just a few . information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non volatile memory , including by way of example semiconductor memory devices , e . g ., eprom , eeprom , and flash memory devices ; magnetic disks , e . g ., internal hard disks or removable disks ; magneto optical disks ; and cd rom and dvd - rom disks . the processor and the memory can be supplemented by , or incorporated in , special purpose logic circuitry . to provide for interaction with a user , embodiments of the invention can be implemented on a computer having a display device , e . g ., a crt ( cathode ray tube ) or lcd ( liquid crystal display ) monitor , for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device , e . g ., a mouse or a trackball , by which the user can provide input to the computer . other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well ; for example , feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback , e . g ., visual feedback , auditory feedback , or tactile feedback ; and input from the user can be received in any form , including acoustic , speech , or tactile input . the systems , methods and computer program products described herein can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back end component , e . g ., as a data server , or that includes a middleware component , e . g ., an application server , or that includes a front end component , e . g ., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the invention , or any combination of such back end , middleware , or front end components . the components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication , e . g ., a communication network . examples of communication networks include a local area network (“ lan ”) and a wide area network (“ wan ”), e . g ., the internet . the computing system can include clients and servers . a client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network . the relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client - server relationship to each other . certain features which , for clarity , are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments , may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment . conversely , various features which , for brevity , are described in the context of a single embodiment , may also be provided in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination . moreover , although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such , one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination , and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination . particular implementations have been described . other implementations are within the scope of the following claims . for example , the steps recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results . in addition , embodiments of the invention are not limited to database architectures that are relational ; for example , the invention can be implemented to provide indexing and archiving methods and systems for databases built on models other than the relational model , e . g ., navigational databases or object oriented databases , and for databases having records with complex attribute structures , e . g ., object oriented programming objects or markup language documents . the processes described may be implemented by applications specifically performing archiving and retrieval functions or embedded within other applications .	6
referring now to the drawings and , in particular , to fig1 there is illustrated one example of the present invention in the form of a purging device 10 attached to a sidewall of a filler carrier 12 . the filler carrier 12 is conventional in its construction and comprises a working table 14 which supports guide rollers 16 and motor driven extrusion feeder 18 . an aluminum extrusion 20 is positioned horizontally on the top surface of the table 14 and is moved from left to right as viewed in fig1 under the power of a plurality of drive rollers 22 that are driven at an adjustable feed rate by the feeder 18 . the extrusion 20 is guided by the guide rollers 16 and adjustable clamping rollers ( not shown ) such that the extrusion 20 may be moved across the top surface of the table 14 along horizontal support rollers 24 at a rate of movement which is in timed relationship to the ejection of an uncured liquid plastic from a nozzle 26 of a plastic mixing and dispensing machine 28 . during the operation uncured liquid plastic , such as a two - component urethane thermal barrier material , is ejected from nozzle 26 into a designated channel 30 formed generally along the mid - section of the aluminum extrusion 20 . after the aluminum extrusion 20 passes by the nozzle 26 , the uncured plastic ejected into channel 30 cures in a relatively short time ( for example , within ten seconds ). thereafter on a debridger ( not shown ) the aluminum extrusion 20 is passed by a cutting blade which cuts the aluminum extrusion 20 into two sections at a position adjacent the cured plastic so that the two sections of the aluminum extrusion 20 are now connected by the thermally insulated barrier , all of which is well known and conventional in the trade . the filler carrier 12 and related debridger generally are well known in the trade and are commercially available through a number of manufacturers , such as the letarte company , inc ., of smith creek , mich . the plastic mixing and dispensing machine 28 generally comprises a mixing section 32 wherein the components of the two - component urethane thermal barrier material are fed therein via conduits 34 and 36 . the components of the uncured plastic are mixed by well known motorizing means and are dispensed via the nozzle 26 into the designated channel 30 of the aluminum extrusion 20 as the same passes by the nozzle 26 . the dispensing machine 28 is provided with a source of pressurized air via conduit 38 . as is well known in the industry , the uncured plastic materials are brought together in the chamber of the mixing section 32 and are then mixed therein and forced under pressure through the nozzle 26 for injection into the channel 30 . as the aluminum extrusion 20 is fed through the filler carrier 12 and is filled with the appropriate plastic material , any amount of the plastic material which is ejected after an aluminum extrusion 20 has passed through the machine will be received in the opening 40 of the purging device 10 . as the last aluminum extrusion 20 has been filled with an appropriate amount of uncured plastic material , it is necessary that the dispensing machine 28 may remain operative so that the uncured plastic within the mixer and nozzle do not become cured . the excess and unused plastic material is continually dispensed directly into the opening 40 and will continue to be dispensed until the purging and solvent flush operation of the dispensing machine is completed , as will be described hereinafter . such plastic mixing and dispensing machines 28 are well known in the industry , and an example of such a machine which may be utilized in connection with the present invention , and as described herein , is manufactured by the pyles division of the sealed power corp . of wixom , mich ., and is marketed under trademark &# 34 ; pyles 911 rotary duo - flo &# 34 ;. since the filler carrier 12 and the plastic mixing and dispensing machine 28 described herein are conventional in construction and commercially available , a further detailed description thereof is not necessary . referring now to fig1 and 3 for a detailed description of the purging device 10 , it can be seen that the same comprises a top support plate 42 which is secured to a housing 44 through any suitable fastening means ( not shown ). the housing 44 is , in turn , secured to the sidewall of the filler carrier 12 . the top support plate 42 includes a support roller 46 that supports the extrusion 20 in a manner similar to the horizontal support rollers 24 as the extrusion 20 is moved beneath the nozzle 26 . the purging device housing 44 contains the moving elements of the purging device 10 , as well as suitable means operable in response to appropriate actuation , such as mechanical , and fluid means of operation in response to mechanical , and fluid means of actuation , for illustrative purposes various fluid control valves and conduits , which will be described hereinafter in greater detail . the purging device 10 includes a pair of opposing u - shaped channel members 48 and 50 which extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the support plate 42 and are secured thereto by flange members 52 by any suitable means , such as by welding or the like . the opposing u - shaped channel members 48 and 50 define a vertical cavity within which is slidably mounted a complementary shaped conduit 54 . the conduit 54 is movable between a lower position indicated in phantom lines at 56 wherein its upper surface defining the opening 40 is substantially flush with the top support plate 42 so as to permit the movement of the aluminum extrusion 20 thereover , to a second raised position illustrated in fig3 wherein the nozzle 26 is received within the opening 40 of conduit 54 . the lower portion of the conduit 54 has an l - shaped flange 58 extending therefrom for attachment to the end of an actuating member , such as a piston rod 60 , from a means operable upon actuation , for illustrative purposes a fluid cylinder 62 which is adapted upon actuation to extend and retract in a conventional manner so as to move the conduit 54 between its retracted lowered position 56 and its extended elevated position wherein it receives the end of the nozzle 26 as illustrated in fig3 . referring now to fig4 there is illustrated an example of means operable upon actuation , namely a fluid circuit for controlling the movement of the conduit 54 between its lowered retracted position 56 and its extended nozzle engaging elevated position . the system employed is adapted to communicate fluid , such as compressed air under pressure , from a source 64 through a suitable check valve 66 and a pressure regulator 68 to a four - way valve 70 . the four - way valve 70 is operable in a conventional manner to selectively communicate the fluid under pressure via flow control valve 72 to a pressure chamber 74 whereupon pressurized fluid acts against piston 76 to cause the piston rod 60 to be extended from the cylinder 62 , thereby lowering the conduit 54 to its lowered position 56 ( fig3 ). the four - way valve communicates fluid under pressure to the pressure chamber 74 continuously so as to maintain a positive force on the piston 76 to maintain the conduit 54 in its lowered position . when it is desired to raise the conduit 54 , a suitable actuator control button 80 ( fig1 ) is actuated and four - way valve 70 is shifted so as to exhaust the pressure chamber 74 while pressurized fluid from the source 64 is communicated via flow control valve 78 to a cylinder pressure chamber 82 . pressurized fluid within the chamber 82 acts against the piston 76 to retract the piston rod 60 within the fluid cylinder 62 and thereby raise the conduit 54 to the position illustrated in fig3 wherein the nozzle 26 is received therewithin . the four - way valve 70 is operable to maintain fluid under pressure within chamber 82 , thereby providing a constant force maintaining the conduit 54 in the elevated position until the operator purposely actuates the control button 80 ( fig1 ) so as to exhaust pressure chamber 82 and communicate the source of pressure 64 to the pressure chamber 74 , thereby extending the piston rod 60 and moving the conduit 54 to its lowered position 56 ( fig3 ). referring now to fig1 and 4 , as hereinbefore described , when the dispensing operation has been completed , the uncured liquid plastic continues to flow from the nozzle 26 and will be injected directly into the conduit opening 40 so as to prevent the possibility of the liquid plastic curing within the mixing section 32 of the dispensing machine 28 . the operator will then actuate the control button 80 so as to cause four - way valve 70 to communicate fluid under pressure to the cylinder pressure chamber 82 , causing a retraction of the piston rod 60 within the fluid cylinder 62 and thereby elevating the conduit 54 to the raised position illustrated in fig3 to receive nozzle 26 within the conduit opening 40 . at that time the operator then actuates the dispensing machine so as to terminate the flow of uncured liquid plastic to the mixing section 32 . an appropriate solvent is then communicated to the mixing section so as to flush out the mixing section 32 and the nozzle 26 . upon termination of the solvent flushing mode , pressurized air is communicated to the mixing section 32 and any solvent and / or plastic material that remains within the mixing section 32 and nozzle 26 will be ejected through the nozzle 26 into the conduit 54 . all of the material , including any uncured liquid plastic material , and all of the solvent will be communicated through conduit 54 to a suitable container positioned below housing 44 for storage and disposal at some convenient time . after the flushing mode has been completed , the four - way control valve 70 is actuated by the control button 80 so as to communicate pressurized fluid to the pressure chamber 74 to expand piston rod 60 from the fluid cylinder 62 . this action retracts the movable conduit 54 so that the filler carrier 12 is now in position to receive aluminum extrusions 20 and commence the process herebefore described . it should be understood by those skilled in the field of filler carriers and associated mixing and dispensing machines that other forms of applicant &# 39 ; s invention may be had , all coming within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims .	1
the following detailed description is of example embodiments of the presently claimed invention with references to the accompanying drawings . such description is intended to be illustrative and not limiting with respect to the scope of the present invention . such embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the subject invention , and it will be understood that other embodiments may be practiced with some variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject invention . throughout the present disclosure , absent a clear indication to the contrary from the context , it will be understood that individual circuit elements as described may be singular or plural in number . for example , the terms “ circuit ” and “ circuitry ” may include either a single component or a plurality of components , which are either active and / or passive and are connected or otherwise coupled together ( e . g ., as one or more integrated circuit chips ) to provide the described function . additionally , the term “ signal ” may refer to one or more currents , one or more voltages , or a data signal . within the drawings , like or related elements will have like or related alpha , numeric or alphanumeric designators . further , while the present invention has been discussed in the context of implementations using discrete electronic circuitry ( preferably in the form of one or more integrated circuit chips ), the functions of any part of such circuitry may alternatively be implemented using one or more appropriately programmed processors , depending upon the signal frequencies or data rates to be processed . as will be discussed in more detail below , the presently claimed invention uses charge - to - voltage conversion in a pre - amplification stage with multiple selectable conversion factors , or gains , to achieve increased dynamic range in data signal acquisition . the charge of each pixel signal is read and converted to a voltage in a high gain mode of the pre - amplification stage , and then read and converted again in a lower gain mode . both voltages are converted to corresponding digital values by common adc circuitry , following which downstream signal processing circuitry rescales and combines , as appropriate , these digital values to produce a single pixel signal value . referring to fig1 , data signal amplification and processing circuitry 10 with multiple signal gains for increasing dynamic signal range in accordance with one embodiment of the presently claimed invention includes a linear amplifier stage 12 , a sample and hold stage 14 and an adc stage 16 , all interconnected substantially as shown . the linear amplifier stage 12 includes a differential amplifier x 1 and feedback capacitance circuitry including capacitors c 1 and c 2 , and switches s 1 and s 2 . in an integrated circuit environment , as is well known in the art , such switches s 1 , s 2 are generally designed as pass transistors or transmission gates ( dual pass transistors connected in parallel ). additionally , it will be understood that the primary feedback capacitor c 1 , instead of being a fixed capacitance , can be a variable capacitance ( e . g ., varactor ) controlled by an additional gain control signal ( not shown ). switch s 1 is a reset switch which when closed , with switch s 2 also closed , resets the circuit by discharging both capacitors c 1 , c 2 . input circuitry in the form of capacitors c 3 and c 4 are represented to identify any finite stray capacitance ( c 3 ) and capacitance c 4 of the subject pixel for which electrical charge is being converted to a voltage . the sample and hold circuitry 14 includes a serially coupled switch s 3 , a resistor r 1 and a shunt capacitor c 5 . the adc circuitry 16 includes an adc u 1 which converts the analog voltage across capacitor c 5 to a digital signal 11 , e . g ., 14 - bits wide . referring to fig2 , timing and operation of the circuitry of fig1 can be better understood . initially , the system is placed in a low gain mode by having signal 9 l active ( e . g ., asserted ) so that switch s 2 is closed . the reset signal 9 r is activated ( e . g ., asserted ), thereby closing switch s 1 and resetting the system by discharging the feedback capacitors c 1 , c 2 . both switches s 1 , s 2 are then opened and the system is operating in a high gain mode . pixel signal 9 p becomes active , thereby closing switch s 4 ( e . g ., a thin film transistor ( tft )) and causing signal charge accumulated on the pixel capacitance c 4 to be shared with the feedback capacitor c 1 of the amplifier stage 12 . the resulting voltage signal at the output 13 of the amplifier x 1 is sampled by activating sample signal 9 s , thereby closing switch s 3 and causing shunt capacitor c 5 to charge to the same voltage . following that , the convert signal 9 c is activated , thereby causing the voltage across capacitor c 5 to be converted to its digital equivalent as a multi - bit digital signal 11 . as is typical , particularly in a flat panel imaging system readout sequence , a zero sample is acquired first , whereby the reset voltage at the output 13 of the amplifier 12 , following reset ( with the feedback capacitors c 1 , c 2 discharged ), is sampled and stored across the shunt sample and hold capacitor c 5 , following which the convert signal 9 c causes such voltage ( approximately , though not necessarily exactly , equal to zero ) to be converted to its digital equivalent as a “ zero ” digital signal 11 . as is well known in the art , as part of a correlated double sampling ( cds ) process , such zero signal sample can be subtracted from later signal values acquired during high and low gain circuit operation ( discussed in more detail below ). next , the low gain control signal 9 l is activated , thereby closing switch s 2 and placing capacitor c 2 in parallel with capacitor c 1 , and causing the amplifier stage 12 to operate in its low gain mode . the electrical charge initially transferred from the pixel capacitance c 4 and stored on the high gain capacitor c 1 is now shared between both feedback capacitors c 1 , c 2 , according to the ratio of their respective capacitance values . this results in a lower voltage across these capacitors together c 1 , c 2 , thereby also reducing the voltage at the output 13 of the amplifier stage 12 . this lower voltage is sampled by the sample and hold circuit 14 , following which the sampled voltage across shunt capacitor c 5 is converted by the adc u 1 to its digital signal 11 counterpart . referring to fig3 , subsequent processing of the digitized sample signal 11 uses the above - discussed three signal values , “ zero ” signal sample , high gain mode signal sample , and low gain mode signal sample , to construct a final pixel signal 29 . as discussed in more detail below , the low gain pixel values are transformed to a set of equivalent high gain values . this is done by multiplication of the low gain pixel value by a transformation factor larger than unity . this can be considered as a form of decompression of the low gain pixel values to their equivalent high gain values . for those values where the actual high gain data are compromised due to electronic signal saturation , such digital values would be produced which are much larger than those which the actual high gain mode of operation is capable of producing . meanwhile , pixel data values acquired in the high gain mode are tested against a threshold value t that , a priori , is known to avoid saturation of the electronic components in the signal path during the high gain mode of operation . for those pixel data values where the high gain values are clearly below such threshold value t , the high gain values are used as the final pixel values . for those values where the high gain pixel values are clearly above such threshold value t , the transformed low gain values are used as the final pixel data values . for those values where the high gain pixel values are within a predetermined window about such threshold value t , e . g ., between a lower threshold value th_low and a higher threshold th_high ( where th_low & lt ; t & lt ; th_high ), combinations ( e . g ., linear ) of the high gain values and transformed low gain values are used to construct a combination , or composite , pixel data value . such comparison and ultimate use of one of three different possible pixel data values avoid image artifacts that may develop in the recombination process which might otherwise occur due to imperfect transformation of low gain values to equivalent high gain values . as one possible example of performing this operation , the digitized pixel data 11 is multiplexed with a multiplexor 22 controlled by a select signal 21 s for selective storage in a memory 24 . the “ zero ” data 23 z is stored in a “ zero ” data section 24 z , the high gain mode data 23 h is stored in a high gain mode section 24 h and the low gain mode data 23 l is stored in a low gain mode data section 24 l . some form of subtraction circuitry 26 h , 26 l is used to subtract the stored “ zero ” data 25 z from the stored high 25 h and low 25 l gain mode data to produce ( in accordance with conventional cds techniques , as discussed above ) corrected high 27 h and low 27 l gain mode pixel data . these high 27 h and low 27 l gain mode pixel data are provided to a data comparison stage 30 and data combining stage 32 , as well as to an output multiplexor 28 . these data 27 h , 27 l are compared to the lower 21 l and higher 21 h threshold values , as discussed above ( and in further detail below ) to produce a multiplexor control signal 31 for the output multiplexor 28 . these data 27 h , 27 l are also combined in the combining stage 32 as a function of the lower 21 l and higher 21 h threshold data values ( discussed in more detail below ) to produce a combined data signal 33 . in accordance with the control signal 31 , one of these data signals 27 h , 27 l , 33 is then selected as the final pixel data signal 29 . referring to fig4 and 5 , operation of the circuitry of fig1 and 3 can be better understood . the graphs in these figures represent an example of an operating scenario where a 14 - bit adc converts the incoming pixel signal values such that the low gain mode of operation uses a gain which is ¼ of the gain used in the high gain mode of operation . accordingly , reconstruction of the low gain values to their respective equivalent high gain values would require a simple multiplication by a factor ( e . g ., “ gain ratio ”) of four . as seen in the figures , the recombination operates in three regions . in region 1 , the final pixel value will equal the pixel value acquired during the high gain mode of operation . in region 3 , the final pixel value will equal the pixel value acquired during the low gain mode of operation multiplied by the inverse ( 4 ) of the gain reduction factor ( ¼ ). in region 2 , i . e ., the overlap region defined by the upper th_high and lower th_low boundaries , the final pixel value is calculated according to the following formula ( in which linear signal measurements are assumed ): d out = gain_ratio * d _low (( d high − th _low )/( th _high − th _low ))+ d _high (( th _high − d high )/( th _high − th_low )) gain_ratio = ratio of high value reading to low value reading (= 4 in present example ) based upon the foregoing , a number of benefits of the presently claimed invention should be evident . at low pixel data signal values , data acquired at the higher resolution characteristic of the high gain mode of operation is used . where the incoming pixel data signal values approach or exceed those corresponding to the saturation level of the signal processing path associated with the high gain mode of operation , data acquired at the low resolution characteristic of the low gain mode of operation is used , thereby avoiding image saturation . this is particularly advantageous in the context of x - ray image pixel data in that this technique according to the presently claimed invention complements the logarithmic nature of the x - ray image data typically acquired with flat panel imaging arrays . in those image regions with signal levels near the gain crossover point , the system , e . g ., image processing computer , has the option of using an intelligent combination of the two values ( due to high and low gain modes of operation ) per pixel , thereby avoiding image artifacts that may otherwise result due to abrupt changes in pixel data signal gain . in conformance with the foregoing discussion , it should be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that adding additional capacitor and switch pairs and correspondingly increasing the acquisition cycle to three or more signal samples can increase the dynamic range of the circuitry even further by providing multiple selectable signal gain factors . additionally , it will be understood that the combination algorithm , while discussed as being a linear interpolation of the low and high gain pixel values , can be more complex , e . g ., quadratic or cubic spline interpolation methods , to account for effects from nonlinear signal measurements as well as other causes of inaccurate signal measurements . additionally , for purposes of simplification , the “ zero ” data need not necessarily be used as otherwise suggested in the discussion above . referring to fig5 a , in accordance with the presently claimed invention , it will be understood that , as noted above , increasing the acquisition cycle to three or more signal samples , can potentially increase the dynamic range of the circuitry further by providing multiple selectable signal gain factors . in this example , the acquisition cycle uses four signal samples , thereby providing four sample signal values s 1 , s 2 , s 3 , s 4 . in conformance with the discussion above , these values s 1 , s 2 , s 3 , s 4 have successive values that decrease in accordance with the charge sharing characteristics of the circuitry of fig1 . it will be understood for this example that the circuitry of fig1 would be modified in accordance with well - known circuit techniques to provide for four signal gains by adding additional feedback capacitors with associated switches ( not shown ), and the timing diagram of fig2 would include additional signal sampling pulses 9 s ( not shown ). in conformance with the discussion above , when determining which one or more of the signal samples s 1 , s 2 , s 3 , s 4 are to be used in determining the value for the final pixel signal 29 ( fig3 ), one or more of such signal sample values s 1 , s 2 , s 3 , s 4 are compared to the criteria established by the higher th_high and lower th_low thresholds . it should be understood that references to the thresholds as being “ higher ” and “ lower ” are merely used for convenience to indicate that one threshold is “ higher ” than the other in the sense that such “ higher ” threshold extends further than the “ lower ” threshold from the point of reference used . for example , the point of reference would normally be considered to have a null ( e . g ., zero ) value and the “ higher ” threshold would have a magnitude greater than that of the “ lower ” threshold , with it being immaterial whether the thresholds themselves were positive or negative in polarity . the first signal sample s 1 is compared to the thresholds 21 h , 21 l to determine whether such signal sample s 1 has a value in region 1 , 2 or 3 . if this signal sample s 1 , which has the maximum signal sample value , is in region 1 , i . e ., is less than the lower threshold , this signal sample s 1 provides the basis for the final pixel signal 29 . if this signal sample s 1 is in region 3 , its value is not used in generating the final pixel signal 29 . if this signal sample s 1 lies in region 2 , then it is selectively combined with the value of the next signal sample s 2 , in conformance with the discussion above . this comparison process is repeated for the remaining signal samples s 2 , s 3 , s 4 in succession . with respect to the final signal sample s 4 , in the event that preceding signal sample s 3 has a value in region 3 , then this last signal sample s 4 , being the minimum signal sample , is used for generating the final pixel signal 29 . referring to fig6 , in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the presently claimed invention , the input amplifier stage 12 a can be implemented such that the charge - to - voltage conversion stage has a single signal gain associated with it . accordingly , a single feedback capacitance c 1 is used ( along with a reset switch s 1 , as discussed above ). variable gain for the stage 12 a as a whole is provided by another amplifier x 2 having a variable signal gain ( many types of which are well known to and readily implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art ). the voltage signal 13 a is processed by this second amplifier x 2 using multiple gain settings for the amplifier x 2 according to a gain control signal 9 g ( e . g ., similar to signal 9 l ). for example , with reference to the timing diagram of fig2 , the voltage signal 13 a can be processed by the second amplifier x 2 using a higher gain setting , with the resulting output signal 13 b sampled by the sample and hold circuitry 14 . subsequently , the gain of the second amplifier x 2 , in accordance with the gain control signal 9 g , can be reduced for amplifying the input voltage signal 13 a to produce a lower - valued voltage signal 13 b for sampling by the sample and hold circuitry 14 . referring to fig7 , another alternative embodiment of the presently claimed invention also has a modified charge - to - voltage conversion circuit 12 b . in this embodiment , a single feedback capacitance c 1 is used and an additional resistance r 2 is placed in series with the reset switch s 1 . in this embodiment , the gain of the amplifier stage 12 b is controlled , i . e ., varied , by activating the reset switch s 1 for a short time interval ( i . e ., less time than that needed to fully discharge the capacitance c 1 ) in between the first and second signal sample pulses of the sample control signal 9 s ( fig2 ). accordingly , in the event that the pixel charge acquired prior to the first signal sample pulse causes saturation within the signal path , such interim activation of the reset switch s 1 , and the resulting discharging of a portion of the charge across capacitance c 1 through resistor r 2 , will reduce the voltage signal 13 c enough to avoid saturation of the signal path during the second signal sample pulse of the sample control signal 9 s . ( depending upon the desired signal gain , signal sampling rate and dynamic range of the potential pixel charge signal , values for the feedback capacitance c 1 and resistor r 2 can be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art .) referring to fig8 , another alternative embodiment of the presently claimed invention provides for variable gain within the signal path by controlling the amount of electrical charge , i . e ., the input signal , acquired from the pixel capacitance c 4 prior to the signal sampling pulses of the sampling control signal 9 s . for example , the initial pulse p 1 of the pixel sampling control signal 9 p will have a short pulse duration ( i . e ., tft switch s 4 is activated , or turned on , for a short time interval ), thereby causing only a portion of the pixel charge from capacitance c 4 to be shared with capacitance c 1 in the amplifier 12 c . accordingly , the initial signal sampling interval would form the low gain mode of operation . the subsequent pixel sampling signal 9 p pulse p 2 would be of sufficient duration so as to allow for fuller sharing of the pixel charge , thereby causing the mode of operation during the second signal sampling interval to be the high gain mode of operation . various other modifications and alternations in the structure and method of operation of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention . although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments , it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments . it is intended that the following claims define the scope of the present invention and that structures and methods within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby .	7
reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments , examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings , wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout . it is proposed to optimize a load distribution , i . e . to provide efficient and / or fair load distribution , for example , and in the process in particular to adhere to various boundary conditions . at least one of the following provisos is considered as boundary conditions , for example : each charging session can be assigned to a group or a plurality of groups based on an id ( also referred to as identification ) of a charging device ( for example a charging station ) and for example on the basis of a type of contract with a user or a vehicle to be charged ; a capacity , for example a charging capacity , can be preset or determined in another way for a group ; limitation of a charging current can be preset for a charging operation or for each charging operation ; each charging operation can be supplied with a basic charging current or a minimum charging current , for example ; a weighting factor in respect of a prioritization of the charging operation can be determined for each charging operation . a distribution substation has , for example , a multiplicity of feeders to the low - voltage grid with a multiplicity of connection points via which , for example , a charging operation of a vehicle can take place by a charging station . a distribution substation is connected to an energy grid on the medium - voltage level via ( at least ) one transformer . the transformer provides a preset maximum charging capacity . this maximum charging capacity is intended to be maintained by the connection points . furthermore , the energy grid can provide different types of electricity via the transformer , for example favorable electricity and ecologically obtained electricity ( referred to below as “ ecological electricity ”). the types of electricity can be linked with different prices . for example , a customer proviso may be that the charging operation should be implemented up to x % ( where x = 0 . . . 100 ) with ecological electricity . this can be contractually regulated , for example , and taken into consideration correspondingly in the charging operation . it is also possible to treat this proviso as a desire and if the desire cannot be met to deviate to an alternative ( in this case favorable electricity , for example ). to this extent , a customer can be assigned to a group , for example , which performs charging operations with ecological electricity ( the type of contract can be linked with the group affiliation ). fig1 shows a transformer 101 which can be supplied ecological electricity 102 and favorable electricity 103 from an energy grid . the transformer 101 is part of a distribution substation , for example . the transformer 101 is connected to three feeders 117 , 118 and 119 via a line . the feeder 117 is connected to a charging station 109 via a connection point 104 , at which charging station an electric vehicle 113 is charged . the feeder 117 is furthermore connected to a charging station 110 via a connection point 105 , at which charging station an electric vehicle 114 is charged . for example , in addition , the feeder 119 is connected to the connection points 106 to 108 , wherein the connection point 106 is connected to a charging station 111 at which an electric vehicle 115 is charged , and wherein the connection point 108 is connected to a charging station 112 at which an electric vehicle 116 is charged . for example , both the transformer 101 in the distribution substation and each of the feeders 117 to 119 provide a maximum capacity which should not be exceeded . in a ( central or decentralized ) charging system , an identification ( id ) is managed for each charging operation . the charging operation for an electric vehicle also has a maximum permissible charging current i max . this maximum permissible charging current arises as , for example , a minimum of the variables limiting the charging operation : for example the maximum charging current is limited by a maximum permissible charging capacity of the cable between the electric vehicle and the charging station , a maximum permissible charging capacity of the charging station , a maximum permissible charging capacity of the cable between the charging station and the feeder . the lowest of the maximum permissible charging capacities ( ostensibly : the weakest link in the chain ) is a critical factor for the maximum permissible charging current i max . a ( temporally limited ) charging operation may be associated precisely with a contract . the contract indicates whether , for example , ecological electricity or favorable electricity is intended to be used . combinations of types of electricity are also possible . mention is additionally made of the fact that , in the example , a distinction is made between only two types of electricity , for reasons of clarity . correspondingly , many different types of electricity , for example from different providers , possibly with different prices , are possible . a contingent in relation to the maximum permissible charging capacity can be linked with a contract . the charging system can maintain a profile per group and day , for example a multiplicity of values can be provided or preset per unit time ( for example 96 quarter - hour values per day ). an example will be illustrated below in respect of fig1 : the electric vehicle 113 is given an identification id1 for the charging operation , the electric vehicle 114 is given an identification id2 for the charging operation , the electric vehicle 115 is given an identification id3 for the charging operation , and the electric vehicle 116 is given an identification id4 for the charging operation . the electric vehicles 113 and 115 with the identifications id1 and id3 are intended to be charged with ecological electricity 102 , and the electric vehicles 114 and 116 with the identifications id2 and id4 are intended to be charged with favorable electricity 103 . group g ac , which is / is intended to be charged with ecological electricity : group g fav , which is / is intended to be charged with the favorable electricity : group g feed1 , which is / is intended to be charged at the feeder 117 : group g feed2 , which is / is intended to be charged at the feeder 118 : group g feed3 , which is / is intended to be charged at the feeder 119 : group g trans , which is ( intended to be ) charged at the transformer : the braces { . . . } contain the identifications for the electric vehicles 113 to 116 affected for the respective group . alternatively , it is likewise possible to denote the identifications id1 to id4 as identifications for the charging operations . each group or a selection of groups has a capacity restriction c group , for example . by way of example , a central or else decentralized ( see further below in this regard ) charging system ( also referred to as “ load management ”) will be described below taking into consideration a corresponding load distribution , for example . the load distribution may be performed taking into consideration preset secondary conditions . the charging system ascertains , for example , a parameter i target , which determines the maximum power consumption ( electricity ) per charging operation or charging station . the charging system can be operated , for example , in accordance with or on the basis of the standard iec 61851 . by way of example , the charging system can include an interface which provides the following functions ( for example realized as function callup ): energyrequest ( ) communication to the load management in respect of a further ( new ) charging operation ; sessionend ( ) end of a charging operation ; session update ( ) updating of status values of a charging operation ; energyset ( ) setting of the parameter i target as a setpoint value for the charging system . mention is made here of the fact that the charging operation can also be referred to as a “ session ”. an exemplary approach will be explained below which enables efficient and fair distribution of the total capacity by virtue of the control of the parameter i target , for example . in this scenario , a total capacity c is preset . furthermore , there is only one single group and the number of charging operations n is known . the setpoint value i target for the load distribution is given as follows : ( a ) a charging station informs the ( central ) charging system of a status change , for example by the above - mentioned functions energyrequest ( ), sessionend ( ), sessionupdate ( ). ( b ) subsequently , the charging system ascertains a load distribution for each status change and communicates this to the charging station ( s ). in this scenario , too , the total capacity c is preset , there is only a single group , and the number of charging operations n is known . for a charging operation sεs a weighting factor w s is defined for prioritization . the load distribution can be determined in the form of a vector the setpoint value for the load distribution i s target per charging operation results as follows : the load distribution is performed similarly to the scenario explained above “ fair load distribution of the total capacity ”. with a total capacity c = 100 and n = 10 charging operations and a weighting of the 10 charging operations in accordance with the following vector w , the load distribution vector i target follows from this : in this scenario , too , the total capacity c is preset , there is only a single group , and the number of charging operations n is known . the charging current can be limited for each charging operation s individual to a maximum charging current i max : the load distribution can take place , for example , by a so - called “ max - min flow control ” method ( cf . : d . bertsekas , r . gallager : “ data networks ”, 2nd edition , prentice - hall , 1992 , pages 527 , 528 ). with a total capacity c = 100 and n = 10 charging operations and limitation of the charging current per charging operation , a load distribution vector i target results from this : each charging operation can be assigned to different groups by an identification of the charging station and by a type of contract . a maximum capacity c groupid can be defined for each group . the charging current can be limited for each charging operation in accordance with the relationship furthermore , it is possible to determine that each charging station receives at least one basic current i basic . a weighting factor w s for a prioritization is defined for a charging operation sεs . max ⁢ ∑ s ∈ s ⁢ w s ⁢ log ⁡ ( i s target ) , where r is a matrix with the charging operations and the capacity limitations thereof , c is a vector with all of the capacity limitations , and i target is the load distribution vector . instead of the logarithm function , any desired concave function can be used . on the basis of the example shown in fig1 , six further charging operations are also provided in addition to the four charging operations illustrated . in total , there are therefore n = 10 charging operations . in addition , the following maximum capacities are preset : for the ecological electricity : c ec = 45 ; for the favorable electricity : c fav = 200 ; for the transformer c trans = 100 ; for the feeder 117 : c feed1 = 40 ; for the feeder 118 : c feed2 = 100 ; for the feeder 119 : c feed3 = 100 . the following maximum charging currents are preset for the charging operations 1 to 10 : i basic = 6 is preset as minimum current per charging operation . r = [ unit ⁢ ⁢ matrix , dimension ⁢ ⁢ n r feed ⁢ ⁢ 1 r feed ⁢ ⁢ 2 r feed ⁢ ⁢ 3 r trans r ec r fav ] = [ 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 ] where the columns in the matrix r characterize the charging operations 1 to 10 . the vector r feed1 indicates that the charging operations 1 to 5 are supplied from the feeder 117 , the vector r feed3 indicates that the charging operations 6 to 10 are supplied from the feeder 119 . the feeder 118 in this example does not provide a supply for any charging operation . the vector r trans indicates that the transformer 101 supplies all charging operations 1 to 10 . the vector r e , indicates that the charging operations 1 , 3 , 5 , 7 and 9 are implemented with ecological electricity and the vector r fav indicates that the charging operations 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 and 10 are implemented with favorable electricity . in this example , the limiting secondary conditions are the maximum permissible currents for the charging operations 6 , 9 and 10 , the maximum permissible capacity of the feeder 117 ( c feed1 = 40 ), the maximum permissible capacity of the transformer 101 ( c trans = 100 ) and the maximum permissible ( or possible ) ecological electricity ( c ec = 45 ). in addition , it is also possible for the individual charging operations to additionally be provided prioritization by the weighting factor w s . this prioritization can be taken into consideration when determining the load distribution vector in addition to the abovementioned presets : an advantage of the approach proposed here is that a maximum charging current for a plurality of charging operations , for example for a plurality of charging stations and / or electric vehicles , can be coordinated centrally or in a decentralized manner whilst maintaining preset , multiply adjustable secondary conditions . the secondary conditions can include economic presets and / or technical presets . the decentralized load management can be performed in a variety of ways . by way of example , two possibilities will be explained below . in this case , the charging stations or the charging operations , which are functions which can be executed in a component , for example , can select a master which ascertains the load distribution . it is assumed by way of example in the text which follows that a plurality of charging stations act and organize themselves as peers ( communicating components or functions ). this approach is likewise possible for functions ( for example charging operations ) which can be executed on one or more components . if the master fails , this is identified by the other charging stations , and a new master is determined . this approach has the advantage that the load management does not need to be adapted for the decentralized approach , but can be taken over from the central load management without any changes . the complexity which results from a decentralized implementation is outside of the load management component and can be provided by other components . ( 2 ) communication without a master ( also referred to as “ gossiping method ”): in this case , coordination is implemented without any central entity . the charging stations form a peer - to - peer ( p2p ) network and communicate with other charging stations ( peers ), which are selected randomly ( or pseudo - randomly ) or in accordance with a preset scheme , for example . in this case , various estimated values can be ascertained , for example from the present total consumption in the p2p network . on the basis of these estimated values , a load management component of the charging station autonomously decides in respect of the charging current i target to be preset . in the gossiping method , the load management is implemented in distributed form ( for example by a distributed algorithm ). this needs to be implemented again for each algorithm . the gossiping method is suitable for large networks in which a central processing is excessively complex or the coordination of a central processing on its own would result in a high traffic load . the approach ( 1 ) “ selection of a master ” will be described in more detail below . primarily for a small number of charging stations ( for example approximately 32 ), the processing complexity for the master is uncritical and does not impair the performance of the components . it is advantageous here that deterministic load management can be achieved in which there are no fluctuations as a result of convergence . fig2 shows , by way of example , an architecture for a decentralized load management which enables or assists the approach “ selection of a master ”. a program may be used in the charging stations which follows the decentralized approach described here . for example , one and the same program can be executed on a plurality of charging stations since , in this way , each charging station ( as a node of a p2p network ) is capable of taking on the function of the master . the program can use different communication paths , for example wireless or wired communication . for example , the charging stations can communicate with one another over the ethernet 201 and / or over a mobile radio network 202 ( for example gsm , umts , lte , etc .) by tcp / ip 203 . an overlay network 204 which manages the logic network above the ip network is illustrated above the tcp / ip layer 203 in the protocol architecture shown in fig2 . in a p2p network , a large number of peers ( in this example : charging stations ) with significant dynamics ( changes over time ) can be provided . the overlay network 204 can be structured by distributed hash tables . in the example described here , management of the overlay network 204 can be assisted in a configuration phase ( also referred to as engineering phase or parameterization ) by a central component , i . e . each peer ( charging station ) in the p2p network is given a complete list of all peers ( charging stations ) during the configuration of the peer . on the basis of the list of all of the peers , the selection of the master 205 is performed in each of the charging stations . first , the assumption is made that the lists of peers are consistent . in the case of inconsistent peer lists , these peer lists are synchronized . the master is selected on the basis of a peer id allocated by the central entity . for example , the charging station which has the lowest peer id is selected as master . if a charging station has determined itself as master , it activates a master mode and initializes load management 206 , for example by activation of a load management algorithm . the parameters required for this can be established by the central component and can correspond to the parameters of the central load management . the master operates the same interface callups as in the central case , for example : energyrequest ( ) for new queries , sessionend ( ) for ending a charging operation , sessionupdate ( ) for the updating of status values , energyset ( ) for setting the setpoint value of a charging station . for the interface callups , for example , corresponding xml messages can be defined and used for the decentralized case . fig3 shows an exemplary state diagram for a charging station . first , a transition is made from an initial state 301 into a state 302 for the initialization of the charging station . in a subsequent state 303 , the overlay network is initialized and , in a following state 304 , the selection of the master takes place . if the master is selected , the system branches off to a query 305 . if the present charging station has selected itself as master , the system branches off to a state 306 , and initialization ( or conversion ) of the present charging station as master takes place . subsequently , or when the query 305 yields that the present charging station has not been selected as master , the system branches to a state 307 in which the charging station is active ( as master or as normal peer ). a termination requires a change to a state 308 in which the charging station logs off and transfers to a final state 309 ( for example for disconnection or for maintenance of the charging station ). the decentralized load management can initially be parameterized . before a charging station becomes active in decentralized load management , a connection to the central component takes place . for example , an installer can implement the parameterization of the charging station once the charging station has been installed via a laptop by means of the central component . for example , a charging station in the case of the central component can log on and receives the peer lists of the available charging stations . the installer can now adjust ( set or update ) necessary parameters . this type of parameterization is comparable to the scenario of central load management . groups with capacity restrictions can also be set and charging stations can be assigned to groups ( included in groups or deleted from groups ). once the information has been input , the charging station is adjusted by virtue of , for example , all of the parameters for adjustment being summarized in one file and transmitted to the charging station . fault cases will be listed by way of example in the text which follows and corresponding fault resolution will be proposed for each case . failure of the master is a critical fault and corresponding fault resolution is necessary for continued function in a decentralized scenario since the load distribution is impossible without a master . in the event of failure of the master , the function of the master should be taken over by another charging station . the following may be implemented for this : ( i ) selection of a backup master and redundant storage of the load distribution prior to failure of the master ; ( ii ) identification of the failure of the master ; ( iii ) selection of a new master from among the querying charging stations . in order not to lose a present load distribution as a result of failure of the master , this present load distribution is stored in a backup master which needs to be predetermined , for example . the backup master can be determined on the basis of its peer id ( for example the second lowest peer id is used for the backup master ). this approach can be applied similarly for a plurality of backup masters : in order to be able to compensate for multiple failures of masters , a list with a multiplicity of backup masters can be used , wherein a master passes on any message from one charging station to the backup masters as well . it is thus possible to ensure that the state in the master is also replicated in the backup masters . in this case , it is an option for only the messages and not the complete load distribution information to be passed on . the complete load distribution information can be determined by the backup masters themselves on the basis of the information communicated . a failure of the master can be detected by the first query of a charging station to which there is no response . thereupon , the querying charging station contacts the ( first ) backup master and transmits the query to which there has been no response to the backup master . the backup master demands a so - called “ heartbeat ” message from the master ( i . e . information indicating that the master is still active and can communicate ). if the backup master receives the “ heartbeat ” message from the master , the query from the charging station is not processed , but referred to the actual master ( this can also take place by the backup master doing nothing because the backup master assumes that the master will respond to the query from the charging station ). if the backup master cannot reach the master either ( i . e . in the case of no “ heartbeat ” message ), it is assumed that the master has failed and the backup master activates its master mode and processes the query from the charging station . a further charging station whose query remains without a response from the original master contacts the new master ( previously : backup master ), which directly processes the query from the charging station . to initialize the backup master as the new master , the complete state for the load management ( list with load distributions ) can be transmitted to the backup master . as an alternative to redundant storage , in order to initialize the backup master as the new master , the complete state for the load management ( list with load distributions ) can be transmitted to the backup master or the backup master can contact all of the other charging stations and query the state thereof . if a charging station which is not the master fails , it is possible to distinguish between two situations : ( i ) the failed charging station did not have an active charging operation ; in the first case ( i ), the failure does not have any effects on the load management and can therefore remain unresolved . in the second case ( ii ), the failure of the charging station could have effects on the load management and could therefore require monitoring of charging stations . it is also possible for the failure of the charging station to have a cause which cannot be discerned from monitoring : for example , it may not be possible to discern whether there is merely a communication problem or whether the charging station has failed . if only the communication to the charging station has failed , the charging station could implement a charging operation unchanged . in this case , the resources allocated to this charging station cannot be redistributed . one option is not implementing any monitoring of the charging stations , in particular if redistribution of the resources is intended to remain unchanged . thus , fault resolution for the failure of a charging station can also be omitted depending on the application case . if a former master becomes active again once it has failed , it may be necessary to ensure that no conflicts and / or inconsistencies occur . for example , one possibility is to assume that a failure of the master is an indication of further failures . thus , provision could be made for the former master not to assume its master role again . in order to ensure this , the peer id of the former master can be changed . for example , the peer id can be extended by a version number , wherein , for example , the version number is added as a prefix to the peer id . the selection of the master continues to be based on the lowest peer id taking into consideration this prefix . for other charging stations , the former master is either labeled as inactive or , in the case of a new query , this former master responds by updating its peer id ( including the new version number ). thus , it is possible to determine for the querying charging station that the former master is no longer the present master . in order to be able to ascertain the master unequivocally over all of the charging stations , the abovementioned peer list is used . correspondingly , this peer list needs to be kept consistent . the number of charging stations ( for example within a cluster ) can be small ( including , for example , approximately 32 charging stations ). each charging station stores the peer list with the peer ids of all other charging stations . the peer list can be parameterized by the central component . if a charging station is added retrospectively , the peer list is parameterized using the central component . the new charging station receives the updated peer list and identifies all of the charging stations in the network , but the charging stations , at first , do not identify this new charging station . synchronization of the peer list between the charging stations may be required . such a synchronization can be implemented in a variety of ways . for example , provision can be made for the new charging station at first not to be a possible master ; this can be ensured , for example , by ascending peer ids , wherein the new charging station is given the highest peer id to date and therefore at present can hardly be selected as master . in order to synchronize the peer lists , the new charging station logs on ( for example by a join message ) with all other charging stations . on the basis of this logging on , the peer list in each charging station can be updated ; the receiver supplements its peer list with the peer id and the ip address of the new charging station . a description has been provided with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof and examples , but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the claims which may include the phrase “ at least one of a , b and c ” as an alternative expression that means one or more of a , b and c may be used , contrary to the holding in superguide v . directv , 358 f3d 870 , 69 uspq2d 1865 ( fed . cir . 2004 ).	7
referring now to fig1 there is shown a first embodiment 20 of a spherical container 22 which is useful for storing hazardous waste and especially useful for storing a transuranic hazardous waste such as solutions and salts of plutonium . spherical container 22 has a first hemisphere 24 and a second hemisphere 26 that are joined by a coupling 28 . the coupling 28 may be either a bayonet type coupling or an illustrated threaded coupling . the first hemisphere 24 has a u - shaped handle 28 pivoted thereto on a pair of flanges 30 while the second hemisphere 26 has a u - shaped handle 32 pivoted thereon by a pair of flanges 34 attached thereto . by gripping one of the handles 28 or 32 in one hand and gripping the other handle in the other hand , the hemispheres 24 and 26 may be rotated relative to one another to either thread the hemispheres together with a threaded coupling 28 or to cam them together with a bayonet - type coupling . referring now to fig2 where an elevation of the coupling 28 is shown enlarged , it is seen that the first hemisphere 24 has an l - shaped annular rim 40 projecting therefrom and the second hemisphere 26 has a block type annular rim 42 projecting therefrom , it is seen that the l - shaped annular rim receives the block , type annular rim therein . as the second hemisphere 26 is rotated with respect to the first hemisphere 24 , the block - type annular rim 42 advances into the l - shaped annular rim 24 to compress an o - ring 44 that is received in a slot 46 in the block - type annular ring 42 . in the illustrated embodiment , spherical threads 48 on the axially extending portion 50 of the l - shaped annular rim 40 are advanced in spherical grooves 52 formed in the block shaped annular groove 42 . when the exposed end 54 of the annular rim 42 abuts the shoulder 56 of the l - shaped annular rim 30 , the o - ring 44 , which is preferably a viton o - ring , is compressed to affect a very reliable seal . the spherical threads 48 and spherical grooves 52 are precision machined into the rims 40 and 42 . as is seen in fig3 , in combination with fig1 , an optional self - sealing sample port 60 is disposed through the wall 62 defining the first hemisphere 24 . the sample port allows retrieving a gas sample from the space 63 which contains a hazardous material , such as transuranic waste and / or allows purging of the space 53 with inner gas . a sealable container 22 is one embodiment comprised of two 14 - guage stainless steel hemispheres 24 and 26 spun formed to an 8 - inch inside diameter . the fold down handles 28 and 32 are lanes for fast reliable closure and provide a visual verification of seal when folded over . the approximate weight of the empty spherical container 20 is about seven pounds . referring now to a second embodiment of the invention shown in fig4 , it is seen in fig4 that a spherical container 22 ′ has a cylindrical aluminum tube 70 extending from a lower hemisphere 72 . the upper hemisphere 74 which has been joined to the lower hemisphere 72 by coupling rim portions 76 have three straps 80 , 81 and 82 extending vertically therefrom . the straps 80 - 82 are l - shaped with each strap having a long leg 83 and a short leg 84 . the long leg 83 is bolted to an exterior surface of the coupling ring 76 while the short leg has screw holes for bolting to a container in which the spherical container 22 ′ is mounted . the cylindrical aluminum member 70 is a strut which supports the container from the bottom in a barrel , while the l - shaped brackets can be bolted to a top rim or lid of the barrel . a first sampling port 85 allows one to sample the interior of the spherical container 22 ′ while the second port 86 allows one to sample the sealing area defined by the coupling 76 . a handle 87 is pivoted on arculate reinforcements fixed to the top surface of top hemisphere 74 . u - shaped handle 87 can be disconnected from the top hemisphere 74 by pulling a locking pin 89 . referring now to fig5 there is shown a third embodiment of the invention wherein the spherical container 22 ″, formed of lower hemisphere 24 ″ and an upper hemisphere 26 ″, and is caged in a cylindrical frame assembly 90 for mounting in an outside container such as a barrel , illustrated by the dotted lines 92 . fig6 shows elements of the frame assembly 90 used to support the spherical container 22 ′ of fig5 . the frame 90 has a lower frame assembly 94 and an upper frame assembly 96 . the lower and upper assemblies 94 and 96 are configured of nested brackets that are fixed to a lower spoked rim 100 and upper spoked rim 102 . a lower spoked rim 100 is positioned at the lower end 104 of the barrel 92 and the upper spoked rim 102 is positioned adjacent the top or lid of the barrel 92 . referring now more specifically to fig6 and 7 , the upper frame assembly 96 is assembled to the upper rim 102 and the lower frame assembly 94 is shown disassembled and adjacent to the lower rim 100 . the lower and upper frame assemblies 94 and 96 are substantially identical . as is apparent from fig6 , brackets 110 , 112 , 114 and 116 forming frame assemblies 94 and 96 have complementary slots 120 , 122 , 124 , 126 and 128 which receive brackets 110 - 116 so as to nest to brackets together in interlocking relationship . as is seen with the assembled upper frame assembly 96 on the upper rim 95 , the brackets 110 - 116 have upper ends which are anchored by screws to the spokes of the lower rim 95 . as is seen in fig7 , the brackets 110 - 116 of the upper frame assembly 96 have lower ends which are bolted to the upper hemisphere 26 ″ of the cylindrical container 22 ′ at an upper rim portion 132 . referring back to fig5 , the lower hemisphere 24 ″ receives a quantity of waste material such as transuranic waste and the upper hemisphere 26 ″ is attached rotatably to the lower hemisphere utilizing a bayonet connection 144 ( fig8 and 9 ). this is accomplished by a spanner 146 that attaches to the upper hemisphere and rotates the upper hemisphere through a relatively small angle of about 20 °. the brackets 94 and 96 of each frame assembly 94 and 96 shown in fig6 have arcuate , inwardly facing surfaces 147 which abut the hemispherical outer surfaces 148 and 149 of the hemispheres 24 and 26 when the brackets are assembled as shown in fig7 and 5 . referring now to fig8 and 9 it is seen that the lower hemisphere 24 ″ has projecting lugs 150 , wherein the projecting lugs 150 have lower surfaces 152 which are beveled at a 30 ° angle to help center cooperating inwardly projecting lugs 154 ( see fig9 ) of the upper hemisphere 26 .″ the lugs 154 of fig9 have upper beveled surfaces 156 which are also angled to cooperate with the surfaces 152 so as to center the upper hemisphere 26 ″ with respect to the lower hemisphere 24 ″. the surfaces 156 and 152 are also arcuate portions of a helix so that as one rotates the upper hemisphere 26 ″ with respect to the lower hemisphere 24 ″, the upper hemisphere is cammed downwardly toward the lower hemisphere . the bayonet connection 144 illustrated in fig7 , 8 and 9 allows one to make a tight fitting connection with only 20 ° of rotation using the spanner 146 of fig7 . referring now to fig1 there is shown a section through the assembly of the upper hemisphere 24 ″ and the lower hemisphere 26 ″, wherein the upper hemisphere has a lip 160 having the projecting lugs 156 thereon which cooperate with the projecting lugs 150 on the lower hemisphere 24 ″ to positively lock the upper hemisphere 26 ″ to the lower hemisphere 24 ″ as the hemispheres are rotated with respect to one another . as is seen in fig1 , there are two o - ring seals , a compression seal 170 positioned in an upwardly opening groove 172 in the upper edge 174 of the lower hemisphere 24 ″ and a radial seal 180 that is positioned in a radially opening groove 182 positioned below the axial seal 170 and slightly outboard of the axial seal 170 . as the upper hemisphere 26 ′ is drawn down by interaction of the lugs 150 and 154 , the upper seal 170 is compressed to prevent radial leakage of gases or fluids from the space in the spherical container 22 ″ while the radial seal 180 prevents axial leakage of fluid which may have leaked between the seal 170 and the lower edge of shoulder 173 of the upper hemisphere 26 ″. as is also seen in fig1 there is a port 190 which allows sampling of the area or space between the upper axial seal 170 and the lower radial seal 180 to determine is there is fluid by passing the upper radial seal . the port has a sampling insert 192 therein that has an opening 193 thereto that is aligned with a self - sealing plug so that a hypodermic sampling needle may be inserted through the insert 92 to sample gas in the area 196 . referring back to fig5 , another self - sealing sampling port 200 is provided into the top of upper hemisphere 26 ″ so that gas therein may be sampled with a hypodermic needle . optionally a filtered vent may be installed in the upper hemisphere 26 ″ of the spherical container 22 ″ to vent gases accumulating in the container . in order to lock the upper hemisphere 26 ″ with respect to the lower hemisphere 24 ″ after the upper hemisphere has been rotated using the scanner 146 , a self - locking pin 210 is used . the self - locking pin 210 is spring projected and is initially cammed down upon rotating the hemispheres with respect to one another . in order to open the hemispheres , the locking pin is dislodged by pulling on a loop 214 . from the foregoing description , one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention , and without departing form the spirit and scope thereof , can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions .	6
[ 0020 ] fig1 illustrates an sms distribution path according to the invention . in the prior art , the short messages have usually been directed to a single subscriber or a specified group of subscribers such as a sales team . however , gsm also supports a feature known as cell broadcast in which messages can be sent to all the subscribers in a particular area . in the embodiment of the invention illustrated , a message consists of the telephone number of an advertiser and an alphanumeric tag to identify the advertiser . an operator enters the message into a terminal 1 . the message is then coded into a secure format known to applicants as an embedded command stream ( ecs ) and sent via a modem 2 and a fixed line 3 to a local gsm switch 4 . according to its delivery address , the message is delivered to any or all of the other switches within that network , or even across networks . the switch 4 , which in this example is in the geographical area to which the message is to be transmitted , delivers the message to a number of cellsites 5 . the cellsites 5 are the base transceiver stations of the gsm network . each cellsite 5 then broadcasts the message to a group of transceivers or mobile telephones , hereinafter referred to as “ mobiles ”. if cell broadcast is used , the group consists of all mobiles within the geographical area at the time of the broadcast . a selected mobile 6 receiving the message transmits a confirmation of receipt back to its respective cellsite 5 . from now on , until an update situation , the system will not contact this mobile 6 again . the mobile 6 recognizes the message as sms data and passes it to a sim card 7 , which is a small self - contained microprocessor , held in a slot in the mobile 6 . the sim card 7 in turn recognizes the ecs using special hardware and software and stores the message in memory in such a way that it may not be overwritten by the subscriber . known sim cards contain a large number of fixed memory locations in which the subscriber can store frequently dialed numbers and corresponding alphanumeric tags . the sim card 7 of the invention stores the message in one of these locations , and then carries out a write protect operation . the locations dedicated to storing write protected messages may be designated by code numbers relating to a particular category of advertiser . thus , for example , car hire company telephone numbers can be stored in location 01 , hotel reservations in location 02 and so on . [ 0027 ] fig2 shows a call placing process in which a subscriber communicates with an advertiser . the subscriber , remembering that the car hire company &# 39 ; s number is in location 01 as shown at 8 , keys in a short code corresponding to the location , such as 01 #. the mobile 6 then interrogates the sim card 7 to retrieve the telephone number from the location . the sim card 7 provides both the number and the alphanumeric tag giving the company &# 39 ; s name and displays it to the subscriber . the user confirms that he wishes to proceed by pressing send . next , the mobile obtains a voice channel through which the call proceeds to the dialed number . the gsm system automatically handles intra - network and inter - network hops . at this point the subscriber can hold a voice conversation with the company . providing the correct equipment has been installed at the company , as soon as the call is answered , subscriber identity information read from the sim card 7 gives the company immediate customer billing details such as a name and address . the sim card 7 also contains information detailing the subscriber &# 39 ; s credit account . this information is held in a separate , secure memory location , accessible only when the subscriber enters a mandatory pin number , known only to himself , thus confirming that the mobile has not been stolen or lost . when the subscriber has confirmed his car hire deal , he enters the pin number into the mobile 6 , requesting the credit information from the sim card 7 . the sim card 7 supplies the information and the mobile uses existing voice / data techniques to transmit the information to the company , in a format secure against detection by fraudsters . the sale is confirmed by the company or its equipment and the call is terminated . in this example , it is also possible to obtain a telephone or fax number from the operator - assisted directory enquiries system without the subscriber having to manually enter the number into the communications terminal which he desires to use . to use this feature , the subscriber calls network directory enquiries and gives the name of the person , company or service of which he wishes to ascertain the telephone number , as well as any additional information requested by the operator answering the call . the operator then locates the number , confirms it and enquires as to whether the number is to be transmitted verbally , transferred over sms into a given memory location of the subscriber &# 39 ; s sim card or both . if the subscriber chooses a sim update , the voice call is terminated and the operator initiates the sms process by entering a sequence into a computer or pressing a dedicated button . the telephone number is then encoded into an ecs message at the despatch center and is posted across the network to the subscriber &# 39 ; s communications terminal , which transmits a confirmation to the despatch center . thus , the retry mechanism , which operates until such a confirmation is received , is suspended . the communications terminal recognizes the message as sms data , passes it to the sim card , and if capable , displays a “ message received ” banner . the sim card in turn recognizes the ecs using special hardware and software , and decodes it accordingly . the number , and any associated alphanumeric tag , which would normally consist of the name of the person or company , are recovered together with the memory location in which they are intended to be stored . the number and name - tag are then written to that location and are write - protected if requested by the subscriber , the overwrite protection being encoded into the message at source . subsequently , the subscriber attempts to place a call to the number in the known memory location by keying in the memory location number . the sim card passes the telephone or fax number to the communications terminal on demand , and upon receipt of the subscriber &# 39 ; s confirmation , the communications terminal sets up the call to the desired number . [ 0036 ] fig3 shows the electronic structure of the sim card 7 . the card communicates with the mobile to which it is connected via an input / output ( i / o ) manager 15 , preferably using the protocol iso 7816 t = 0 . a filter 16 receives incoming data from the i / o manager and detects any ecs messages from among the short messages received . the ecs messages are sent directly to an extended erasable read only memory ( e 2 rom ) 17 , which is preferably a “ flash ” e 2 rom . data can also be output from the e 2 rom directly to the i / o manager 15 . the remaining blocks shown in fig3 are standard components of a sim card . [ 0037 ] fig4 shows how the e 2 rom is organized . a root directory 18 contains a sim administration and identifier 19 , a gsm directory and network data 20 , and a telecom directory 21 . the telecom directory in turn contains memory locations as follows : “ abbreviated dial numbers ” 22 , “ capability configuration ” 23 , “ short messages ” 24 , “ fixed dial numbers ” 25 , and “ charging counter ” 26 . each block represents a plurality of memory locations . the frequently dialed numbers and corresponding alphanumeric tags are stored at locations 22 . the “ abbreviated dial numbers ” locations 22 and the “ short messages ” locations 24 each have an associated locking control file 27 , 28 , respectively . the locking control files constitute means for read / write protecting and removing read / write protection from their associated memory locations . the locking control files 27 , 28 will typically be in the telecom directory 21 as shown , however they can be located elsewhere such as in an administration directory . [ 0040 ] fig5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the sim card 7 , which uses the specially fabricated hardware and software which has been described above to implement the operations illustrated . at lozenge 9 , messages , requests , and instructions having ecs are distinguished from those without . each of these ecs types consists of a data stream headed by a command which is one of at least four types : write commands for the messages , read commands for the requests for information , attribute commands for lock or unlock instructions and run commands for instructions to run a program . the command and data types are decoded at box 10 and acted on in one of the four paths 11 - 14 . path 11 handles the write commands to store messages starting at a location specified therein . path 12 handles the read commands ; again , the requests for information contain a location to be accessed first . successive locations are read and the data stored in a buffer until the required amount of data has been read . the data in the buffer is then encoded into the ecs format and despatched from the mobile using sms to the calling party . in path 13 , attribute commands are used to lock or unlock specified memory locations and render them accessible or inaccessible , either to calling parties or to the subscriber . in path 14 , run commands cause a program stored in the sim card to be run . the basic ecs system is expandable to up to 255 internal shell commands of which write , read , lock / unlock and run are four examples . the specific protocol used for the transfer of information is not fixed and could be iso7816 t = 0 or any other suitable protocol . the internal shell commands are a supplement to the ability of the system to create external file objects within the sim card 7 . the file objects are of two types : application data file programs ( adfp &# 39 ; s ) containing functional data which can be executed by the sim card processor and can self modify if required and application data files ( adf &# 39 ; s ) containing non - functional data which does not have these capabilities . existing adf ( p )&# 39 ; s can be modified over - the - air enabling advanced facilities such as personalization , re - personalization or downloadable phone book . the sim card 7 has a directory structure , similar to that of a computer disk , and new adf ( p )&# 39 ; s can be downloaded into any directory over the air . also over the air , directories can be created , deleted and modified , multiple tree directory operations can be carried out and adf ( p )&# 39 ; s that are no longer required can be deleted . the amount of adf ( p ) data which can be downloaded is limited only by the size of the e 2 rom memory of the card . the invention , as described , greatly extends the applications of sim cards . for example , using the value added services directory , subscribers can book hotels and airline seats over their mobiles quickly and easily . an additional advantage of this feature of the invention is that the geographical distribution of messages to cards in a specific area such as the south of france is facilitated . thus advertisers can direct their messages to all mobile subscribers in the specific area . this , is particularly useful when subscribers “ roam ” from one area to another and have no knowledge of local services . the directory enquiries download enables contact telephone or fax numbers to be delivered to a subscriber &# 39 ; s communications terminal without any intervention by the subscriber . the process of manually entering a number whilst engaged in a call to the operator is often dangerous , especially when the subscriber is driving . the ability of the system to download adf ( p )&# 39 ; s means that additional services can be added to the sim card over the air while maintaining total compatibility with the existing cellular system . thus the sim card could acquire the functions of a credit card , passport , driving licence , car park pass , membership card and so on , becoming a multi - service card . also , dynamically updatable services can be added which require a different process to be run each time a service is accessed . once the card has extra services on it , it can be used outside of the mobile phone environment if desired as a standalone item . this can be read from or written to by a dedicated piece of hardware , such as a point of sale machine . if desired , the new services can be deleted , however the card will never lose its mobile phone sim capability . in addition , if the card has extra services , they will continue to function even if the subscriber has been disconnected from the mobile phone network , unless otherwise desired . modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention . for example , the sim card can be trained only to receive messages detailing services relevant to the subscriber &# 39 ; s needs .	7
now , the present invention will be described in detail in connection with preferred embodiments thereof illustrated in the drawings . fig4 illustrates an example of photograph film based on iso which can be used for the invention , and in fig4 reference numeral 10 denotes contact elements for setting a film sensitivity provided at a predetermined location of a film cartridge 11 . the contact elements 10 are arranged in accordance with a code based upon iso and represent a film sensitivity such that when the cartridge 11 is loaded into a camera body 12 ( fig5 ), they are relatively contacted with 5 contacts 13a , 13b , 13c , 13d and 13e provided on the camera body 12 to operate a contact mechanism to convert the film sensitivity into 5 - bit parallel signals to be outputted therefrom . fig1 is a block diagram of a device illustrating an embodiment of the present invention , and in fig1 reference numeral 14 denotes a microcomputer for controlling various operations of the camera body . the microcomputer 14 is designed to control a stepping motor 17 in response to an object luminance signal from a light measuring circuit 15 to open and close a pair of sectors 18 to attain exposure corresponding to the object luminance or brightness . reference symbols dx1 to dx5 each designate a detecting or reading switch for reading a film sensitivity information provided on a film cartridge . the switch dx1 forms a common contact while the other switches dx2 to dx5 are switched on and off by the contact elements 10 ( fig4 ) provided on the cartridge corresponding to the sensitivity of the film . the switches are connected at one of their ends to an input bus of the microcomputer 14 via respective pull - up resistors ( not shown ) while the other ends thereof are grounded so that they may develop 5 - bit parallel signals therefrom . reference symbols dx6 to dx9 each denote a switch for manually setting a film sensitivity when a film cartridge has no contact elements regarding film sensitivity information provided thereon . the switches dx6 to dx9 are connected at one of their ends to the input bus of the microcomputer 14 via respective pull - up resistors ( not shown ) in a similar manner to the aforementioned reading switches dx1 to dx5 while the other ends thereof are grounded so that they may develop 4 - bit parallel signals . the operations of the device having such a construction as described hereinafter above will be described in reference to a flow chart shown in fig2 . now , if a film cartridge containing a film sensitivity code based upon iso is loaded into a camera body , the common contact dx1 and those contacts of the sensitivity detecting switches dx2 to dx5 which correspond to the sensitivity contact elements 10 on the cartridge are turned on while the other contacts remain in the off condition , thereby developing 5 - bit parallel signals comprised of low level l signals and high level h signals . at this point in time , the microcomputer 14 reads only the 4 - bit parallel signals from the sensitivity detecting switches dx2 to dx5 and at the same time adds an l signal of 1 bit to the 4 - bit parallel signals . in this case , since the film loaded in the camera body has a film sensitivity based upon iso , the 4 - bit parallel signals read always include at least one bit h signal therein . accordingly , if a 1 - bit l signal is added to the parallel signals , a carry flag will not appear . thus , the film is determined to be a film on which the sensitivity contact elements based on iso are provided from the fact that a carry flag does not appear by addition of the 1 bit . as a result , the microcomputer 14 reads a code signal from the film sensitivity detecting switches dx2 to dx5 and sets the code signal to the camera as the film sensitivity . on the other hand , if a film cartridge which does not contain an iso code is loaded , the reading switches dx1 to dx5 all remain in the off condition , thereby developing 4 - bit l signals . thus , if a 1 - bit l signal is added to the 4 - bit l signals , a carry flag appears . from this appearance of the carry flag , the microcomputer 14 determines that a film to which no iso code is applied is loaded , thereby signifying the setting of film sensitivity information by means of the manual switches dx6 to dx9 . then , the microcomputer 14 reads signals from the manual switches dx6 to dx9 and converts them into a code based upon iso to change over and set the film sensitivity of the camera body . fig3 is a block diagram of a device illustrating a second embodiment of the invention , and in fig3 reference numeral 20 designates a 4 - bit presettable counter which has parallel signal input terminals ps1 to ps4 , a pulse input terminal pin , a preset input terminal pr , and a carry signal output terminal cs . switches dx2 to dx5 for detecting a film sensitivity based on iso are connected at one of their ends to the parallel signal input terminals ps1 to ps4 of the presettable counter 20 while the carry signal output terminal cs of the counter 20 is connected to a c terminal of a d - type flipflop 21 which will be hereinafter described . the d - type flipflop 21 has a clear terminal cl to which a preset signal is inputted , and when the iso film sensitivity detecting switches dx2 to dx5 are all in the off condition , that is , when a film cartridge having no iso code is loaded , the flipflop 21 develops 4 - bit h signals therefrom . reference numerals 22 and 23 each designate a programmable logic array pla for converting an iso code into another suitable code , for example , into a code signal suitable for apex operations , to output the same to an input bus of a microcomputer . in the fig3 embodiment , if a film cartridge having an iso film sensitivity code provided thereon is loaded into a camera body , a preset signal is outputted from a camera body circuit ( not shown ) to reset the presettable counter 20 and the d - type flipflop 21 . at the same time , a common terminal dx1 and those of the switches dx2 to dx5 which oppose to the sensitivity code are turned on to develop l signals while the other switches remain in the off condition to develop h signals . as a result , 4 - bit parallel signals corresponding to the film sensitivity are preset to the presettable counter 20 . at this point in time , a pulse is inputted to the pulse input terminal pin of the presettable counter 20 . since the film based on iso is naturally loaded in the camera body , no carry signal is developed from the presettable counter 20 , and hence an h signal is developed from the d terminal of the d - type flipflop 21 . consequently , the film loaded is determined to be a film to which an iso film sensitivity code is applied , and thus the code detected by the detecting switches dx2 to dx5 is converted into another code by the programmable logic array 22 to change over the read film sensitivity . on the other hand , if a film cartridge to which no iso film sensitivity is applied is loaded , all of the iso code detecting switches dx2 to dx5 remain in the off condition so that 4 - bit h signals are preset to the presettable counter 20 . accordingly , a pulse inputted from the pulse input terminal pin causes a carry - over , and hence an h signal is developed from the q terminal of the d - type flipflop 21 . consequently , the film loaded is determined to be a film to which no iso film sensitivity which is code is applied , and the film sensitivity set by manual setting switches is read to set the film sensitivity of the camera body via the programmable logic array 23 . as apparent from the foregoing description , according to the present invention , 1 bit is added to a film sensitivity code based on iso , and it is determined if a carry - over signal appears or not due to such addition of 1 bit . accordingly , with a simplified circuit construction , it can be automatically determined whether or not a film is one based on iso only by loading a film cartridge into a camera body , thereby preventing an exposure error arising from setting of a sensitivity in error .	6
fig4 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention . referring to fig4 the display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel 401 , a scanning signal applying circuit 402 , a data signal applying circuit 403 , a scanning signal control circuit 404 , a drive control circuit 405 , a data signal control circuit 406 , a graphic controller 407 , a temperature detection element 408 , and a temperature data detection circuit 409 . data sent from the graphic controller 407 are sent via the drive control circuit 405 to the scanning signal control circuit 404 and the data signal control circuit 406 and converted into address data and display data , respectively . on the other hand , the temperature of the liquid crystal display panel is detected by the temperature detection element 408 and the temperature detection circuit 409 from which temperature data are supplied via the drive control circuit 405 to the scanning signal control circuit 404 . based on the address data and display data , a scanning signal is generated by the scanning signal applying circuit 40 and applied to the scanning electrodes in the liquid crystal display panel 401 . further , data signals are generated by the data signal applying circuit 403 based on the display data and applied to the display electrodes in the liquid crystal display panel 401 . fig5 is an enlarged view of the liquid crystal display panel 401 and shows scanning electrodes s 1 - s6 . . . s n and data electrodes i1 - i6 . . . i n which are disposed to intersect each other to form an electrode matrix . fig6 is a schematically enlarged view of a section including the scanning electrode s 2 in fig5 . referring to fig6 the display panel includes oppositely disposed substrates ( glass plates ) 601a and 601b having transparent electrodes 602a ( constituting scanning electrodes ) and 602b ( constituting data electrodes ), respectively , comprising , e . g ., in 2 o 3 or ito ( indium tin oxide ) on their opposite faces , which are further laminated with 200 to 1000 å - thick insulating films 603a and 603b ( of sio 2 , tio 2 , ta 2 o 5 , etc .) and 50 to 1000 å - thick alignment control films 604a and 604b of , e . g ., polyimide . the alignment control films 604a and 604b are rubbed in the directions denoted by arrows a and b , respectively , which are parallel and identical to each other . a ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal 605 is disposed between the substrates 601a and 601b which are spaced from each other with a spacing of , e . g ., 0 . 1 - 3 μm , which is sufficiently small to suppress the formation of a helical structure of the ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal 605 and develop a bistable alignment state of the ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal 605 . the sufficiently small spacing is held by spacer beads 606 ( of silica , alumina , etc .). a ferroelectric liquid crystal display panel of the above - described structure was subjected to continuous display of a display pattern including black display stripes 71 and white display stripes 73 for prescribed hours , after which the panel was subjected to measurement or observation of drive margin , cell thickness , color tone and occurrence of liquid crystal - void portions which are items most sensitively reflecting the occurrence of the liquid crystal molecular movement , whereby no change was observed in any of the above - mentioned items , thus showing good results . the cell thickness was measured at points 7201 - 7215 . the set of driving waveform used was one as shown in fig8 including waveforms ( scanning selection signals ) applied to scanning electrodes s 1 , s 2 , s 3 . . . and data signal waveforms including no pause period ( period of voltage zero ) applied to data electrodes i1 , i2 , i3 . . . and having a voltage amplitude of 15 volts . the surface temperature of the liquid crystal panel at that time was 20 ° c . good results with no change in any of the above - mentioned items were observed when the panel was driven by using a set of driving waveforms shown in fig9 including a pause period in an overall data signal applied to data electrodes within a period ( scanning selection period ) for a scanning line of 2δt + the pause period under two panel surface temperature conditions of 20 ° c . and 30 ° c ., respectively . further , good results with no change in any of the above - mentioned items were observed when the panel was driven by using a set of driving waveforms shown in fig1 including a pause period in an overall data signal applied to data electrodes within a scanning selection period for a scanning line of 2δt + the pause period at three panel surface temperature conditions of 20 ° c ., 30 ° c . and 40 ° c ., respectively . in contrast to the above , when the panel was driven continuously by using the set of driving waveforms shown in fig8 at a panel surface temperature of 30 ° c . and then subjected to similar measurement , whereby the change in color tone or the occurrence of liquid crystal void was not observed but the cell thickness was increased by 2 - 3 % compared with the original value at points 7211 , 7213 and 7215 ( rightmost points ) in black display stripes 71 and at points 7202 and 7204 ( leftmost points ) in white display stripes 73 , thus failing to provide a good results . at these points , an increase in threshold value was observed corresponding to the increase in cell thickness , thus resulting in an adverse effect with respect to the drive margin . further , when the panel was driven at 40 ° c . by using the driving waveform shown in fig8 the cell thickness increase was raised to 6 - 8 %, resulting in a corresponding increase in threshold value and a change in color tone . further , when the panel was driven continuously at a panel surface temperature of 40 ° c . by using the driving waveforms shown in fig9 and then subjected to similar measurement , the cell thickness was increased by 1 - 2 % resulting in a corresponding increase in threshold value , but some improvement was attained than in the case of using the driving waveforms shown in fig8 . table 1______________________________________driving panel surface temp . waveform 20 ° c . 30 ° c . 40 ° c . ______________________________________fig8 normal cell thickness cell thickness increased by increased by 2 - 3 %. 6 - 8 %. threshold value threshold value increased increased . fig9 normal normal cell thickness increased by 1 - 2 %. threshold value increased . fig1 normal normal normal______________________________________ the pulse width δt of the data signal , pause period and scanning selection period ( period of overall data signal for a scanning line ) used in the above - mentioned measurement under the temperature conditions of 20 ° c ., 30 ° c . and 40 ° c . are summarized in the following table 2 . table 2______________________________________ ( time in μsec ) 20 ° c . 30 ° c . 40 ° c . ______________________________________ ( 1 ) fig8 waveform δt 125 100 75 pause period 0 0 0 scan selection 500 400 300 period ( 4δt )( 2 ) fig9 waveform δt 125 100 75 pause period 125 175 225 scan selection 375 375 375 period ( 2δt + pause )( 3 ) fig1 waveform δt 125 100 75 pause period 250 300 350 scan selection 500 500 500 period ( 2δt + pause ) ______________________________________ as described hereinabove , according to the present invention , there is provided a liquid crystal apparatus by which an optimum drive waveform is selected depending on a detected liquid crystal panel temperature so that the liquid crystal molecular movement is suppressed to a level practically free of problem .	6
with reference to fig1 a machine assembly for the cold descaling of hot drawn metal rod 1 comprises a stand 2 for holding a roll 3 of rod , and an eye 4 through which the rod is fed to reduce snarling of the latter . the rod is fed through a primary mechanical break descaler 5 of a known type which is illustrated diagrammatically in fig1 . the primary descaler 5 includes pairs of bending rolls with the axes of certain pairs at right angles to other pairs so that some of the scale on the rod is effectively cracked off the rod . the last pair of rolls of the descaler are located to feed rod passed therethrough into descaling means 6 described more fully below . briefly , the descaling means 6 includes an enclosure 19 and means 9 for distributing separated cleaning particles therein . after the descaling means 6 , the rod passes to a drawing assembly 7 located at the outlet end of the former and which includes a drawing roll 8 . through the descaling means 6 the rod is both fed by the descaler 5 and is drawn by the drawing roll 8 so that it is positively held on opposite sides of the means . as shown in fig2 to 6 , the descaling means comprises an enclosure 19 having side and end walls 20 and 21 . the end walls 21 are downwardly and inwardly inclined near the bottom of the enclosure as shown at 22 . the bottom of the enclosure is formed by two spaced parallel wells 23 having inwardly inclined sides 24 . the enclosure is mounted on a support 25 . in this embodiment , the means 9 comprises a paddle 26 rotatably mounted in each well about a horizontal axis parallel to the length of the latter . each paddle has four blades 27 extending at right angles to one another and is coupled externally to an electric motor 39 conveniently mounted beneath the one inclined end wall 22 on the support 25 . each paddle blade 27 comprises two contiguous portions 27a and 27b releasably , and hence replaceably , attached to the paddle shaft . the attachment , in this embodiment , is accomplished by means of retaining blocks 28 secured to the paddle shaft and pins 29 which pass through apertures in the blocks and in the adjacent blade portions . the end walls 21 of the enclosure have an inlet opening 30 and an outlet opening 31 therein . an imaginary line between these openings is horizontal and parallel to the length of the enclosure . in the inlet opening 30 , a perforated guide 32 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings and is eccentrically coupled to a shaft 33 . the shaft in turn is connected to an electric motor ( 34 ). the latter is mounted on the support 25 and drives the shaft 33 through belts . preferably , the drive is arranged to be of variable speed . the aperture 35 ( fig5 ) in the guide communicates with a passage ( not shown ) extending axially through the drive shaft 33 . a guide ring 36 is secured to the inside of the other end wall of the enclosure surrounding the outlet opening 31 . the inner surface 37 of the ring tapers outwardly into the enclosure and a ball race assembly 38 is located in the ring inside and adjacent the end wall . in use , rod 1 from the primary descaler is drawn by means of the drawing roll 8 through the aperture 35 in the eccentric guide at the inlet opening and through the guide ring 36 at the outlet of the descaling means . a suitable particulate cleaning substance , for instance metal shot , sand or other abrasive , is introduced into the enclosure and gravitates to the wells 23 . the electric motor 28 coupled to th paddles is activated and the latter fling the cleaning particles up into the space defined in the enclosure . the particles are thus distributed throughout the space and are contained by the enclosure . as the particles fall down , they are directed into the wells by the inclined sides of the latter and the inclined end walls of the enclosure , whereupon they are again flung upwardly . at the same time , the electric motor 34 coupled to the eccentric guide 32 is activated to rotate the latter . as a result , the end of the rod passing through the eccentric guide is rotated in a circular path and the centrifugal force arising bows the rod portion in the housing outwardly into a bent configuration . the feed and drawing means for the rod are arranged so that a certain amount of slack is encountered in the rod to allow this bending . the bent portion is consequently flexed and rotated in a circular path about an axis extending between the eccentric guide and outlet opening . during this motion , the rod is held in tension by the centrifuging motion and by the feed rolls and drawing capstan . as the rod is drawn through the enclosure , the bend is continuously being formed and removed at the inlet and outlet openings respectively . the tapering ring 36 and ball race assembly 38 at the outlet guide the outgoing rod smoothly through the outlet opening . the rod in the enclosure is thus moved around through the cleaning particles distributed in the enclosure and is brought into contact therewith . the manner of rotation of the bent rod portion ensures that the whole surface of the rod strikes the particles and is cleaned thereby . the speed of rotation and degree of bending of the rod 1 is controlled to obtain final descaling without pitting of the rod surface . different rods may require the components and operational speeds to be varied , but the optimum conditions will be readily ascertained with a limited number of trial operations of the machine . other embodiments of the invention , although not illustrated , are envisaged within the scope of this invention . it may be necessary or convenient to provide a rubber baffle or the like at the outlet opening to prevent cleaning particles which might adhere to the rod from escaping through this opening . the eccentric could be mounted in the outlet opening instead of the inlet and , furthermore , both openings could be provided with synchronized rotatable eccentrics . other means for effecting bending and rotation of the rod are envisaged . one such alternative comprises a rotatable tube in the enclosure carrying a pair of rod guides spaced from its axis and from each other ; a slot is provided in the tube near each guide remote from the other guide and the rod is threaded into the tube , through a slot and guide and bent away and back into the tube through the other guide and slot . the means 9 provided to distribute cleaning shot or sand in a separated state within the enclosure , illustrated diagrammatically in fig1 can be any suitable arrangement . for example the enclosure could be a rotatable drum with slots to carry the shot into the upper region and allow it to fall across the interior of the enclosure . alternatively the enclosure could be pressurized in a manner which allows the cleaning particles to form a fluidized bed . in another variation the floor of the enclosure may comprise a vibrator to throw particles falling thereon upwardly into the enclosure . a jacobs ladder could also possibly be used to obtain a continuous withdrawal of material from the bottom of the enclosure and discharge of this back into the top . in all cases , however , the invention provides relatively simple mechanical means which will effect adequate descaling of a rod .	1
turning to fig1 and 2 , it will there be seen that i have shown a first embodiment of a hypodermic syringe 10 , which involves a barrel 11 equipped with a conventional needle 12 , as best seen in fig2 . it is also equipped with a plunger 14 whose end 16 remote from the needle is configured to be engaged by the thumb of the user . as is conventional , a piston - like member 18 is disposed on the end of the plunger nearest the needle , with the piston - like member being arranged to engage the inner wall of the syringe barrel 11 in a leakproof manner as an injection , such as insulin , is administered . it is the purpose of this invention to provide the user a convenient means for swabbing the skin area destined to receive the injection , and to that end i dispose a novel antiseptic dispenser 20 adjacent the needle end of the syringe in this first embodiment . as perhaps best seen in fig2 and 2a , the antiseptic dispenser in this embodiment takes the form of an encircling member such as of cotton or the like that is substantially donut shaped ; note fig2 a . although this pad could be provided dry by the manufacturer and then soaked with antiseptic immediately prior to the injection , in accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention , the antiseptic dispenser or pad is presoaked , such as with isopropyl ( rubbing ) alcohol or the like . in order to prevent a volatile antiseptic from evaporating , i provide as shown in fig1 and 2 , an envelope - like member 24 such as of foil over the needle end of the device , with this of course being installed at the factory . then , when the swabbing and thereafter the injection are to be performed , it is but a simple matter to remove the foil , which of course exposes the needle . actually , i prefer to utilize a needle guard 26 over the needle as shown in fig2 which prevents the foil from being torn by the needle during the handling procedure , and also prevents the needle from becoming bent during shipping . inasmuch as the foil 24 must fit tightly around the barrel in order to prevent evaporation of the antiseptic , i prefer to configure the barrel of the syringe to have a necked down portion 28 near the needle end of the syringe ; note fig1 a that the necked down portion may have say six sides , although it of course could be circular and of a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the syringe barrel . the foil portion contacting the barrel of the syringe is designed to coincide with the minimum cross section portion , as shown in fig1 and has an airtight relation therewith . turning to fig2 it will be noted that i have used like numbers to refer to components relatable to fig1 . in fig2 the outline of the preferred embodiment of the foil member is shown in dashed lines , although it can be somewhat larger or somewhat smaller than this if desired . it will be observed from the embodiment of the antiseptic dispenser 20 shown in fig2 a , that the radially inner portion of this device may take the form of a portion 30 of a paper tube . in other words , the manufacture of this member may be accomplished by applying cotton along one side of a strip of cardboard , plastic or the like , which strip is then formed into a circle whose inner diameter enables it to fit snugly over the end of the syringe in the manner shown in fig2 . as to the utilization of the device shown in fig1 and 2 , at the time the syringe is to be used , the user tears off the foil covering from the needle portion of the device and then removes the needleguard 26 . he or she then proceeds to fill the syringe , typically by inserting the needle through the rubber stopper of the bottle containing the drug to be injected . using the swab , which of course contains antiseptic applied at the factory , the user then proceeds to cleanse the skin area at the location where the injection is to be made . in this regard , it is most important to note that this swabbing procedure can be handled very easily by the ordinary person using only his or her two hands , and as previously explained , it is not necessary to set the syringe down in order that the swabbing can be accomplished , which of course made the procedure in accordance with prior art techniques very burdensome . after the swabbing had been completed , the injection is given . then the needleguard is replaced and using the pad , the injected area is swabbed again in order to clean up the injected area of dosage or blood . if the syringe is of the throw away type , it may now of course be discarded . turning to fig3 it will be noted that i am not to be limited to a device having an antiseptic dispenser in the form of an encircling member of cotton . rather , and as shown in fig3 the antiseptic dispenser can take the form of a pad 40 that is non - symmetrically placed on the barrel 39 of the syringe . fig3 a shows , by way of example , a pad of cotton or the like mounted upon an encircling strip 42 of cardboard or plastic , and if desired , the end of the syringe in this embodiment may be configured such that the needle 32 is not disposed on the longitudinal centerline of the syringe body 31 . rather , in accordance with this embodiment , the needle 32 is angled away from the location of the pad 40 in order to afford plenty of access during the swabbing procedure . as in the case of the proceeding embodiment , a foil covering 44 or the like is applied over the presoaked swab member 40 and the needle guard 46 in an airtight manner at the factory , which foil is removed just before the syringe is to be filled , and the swabbing and injection accomplished . as before , i may configure the syringe barrel to have a necked down portion 48 so as to enhance the likelihood of the foil member fitting in an air tight manner around the barrel 31 of the syringe . turning to fig4 it will be noted that i have shown an embodiment wherein the swabbing device 60 is disposed on the end of a piston - shaped enclosure 62 that normally serves to encapsulate the needle end of the syringe 50 . as before , i utilize an envelope member 64 applied at the factory to cover the presoaked swabbing material , needle 52 and needleguard 56 , with a necked down location 68 preferably being used on the syringe barrel 51 in order to enhance the chances of the foil material fitting around the barrel in an air tight manner . the piston shaped member 62 is typically of cardboard or plastic bent in a tubular form , with the end of such member being constructed of swabbing material 60 such as of cotton . as depicted in fig4 and 4a , the needle 52 normally protrudes through the swabbing material so that at such time as the foil and the needleguard have been removed , the user can proceed to fill the syringe by inserting the needle into the rubber stopper of the dispensing bottle . after the syringe has been filled to the desired level , the user then moves the tubular member 62 to the position shown in fig4 b , so that the swabbing procedure can commence . it is to be noted that the swabbing can be conducted either with the tubular member in place on the syringe , or else the user can entirely remove the tubular member 62 and then proceed to carry on the procedure of cleansing the area to be injected . after the injection has been accomplished , the entire syringe assembly is ordinarily discarded after the affected area has been re - swabbed . turning to fig5 it will there be noted that i have provided an embodiment in which the syringe 70 is equipped with a plunger 74 whose thumb button 76 is equipped with an encompassing member 78 equipped with a pad 80 of swabbing material . the encompassing member 78 is generally cylindrical , and is equipped with a wall 82 at its mid portion as shown in fig5 a in order that the swabbing material 80 will not move out of the desired position in which it extends somewhat beyond the cylindrical sides of the member 78 . as before , the swabbing material is preferably presoaked at the factory with a suitable antiseptic , with evaporation being prevented by an envelope - like member 84 applied around the thumb button end of the device , which envelope is of course to be torn away at such time as the swabbing procedure is to commence . because of the convenient placement of the presoaked swabbing material on the end of the syringe remote from the needle , it is but a simple matter to effect a cleansing of the area to be injected , without being necessary to set down the syringe as it was previously necessary to do . the filling of the syringe and the utilization thereof may of course commence as soon as the needle guard 86 and the member 78 have been removed from the syringe . turning to fig6 it will be noted that i have there shown an embodiment in which the end of barrel 91 nearest the needle 92 is overwrapped with swabbing material in the form of a generally flat pad 100 that has been folded prior to being wrapped around the syringe body . the swabbing material 100 may be held in place in a number of ways , but i prefer to use a clip 102 such as of metal or plastic . the swabbing material is preferably presoaked with a suitable antiseptic , and this portion of the device , including the needle 92 and the needle guard 106 are encapsulated by a suitable envelope 104 of foil or the like . as before , when the foil envelope has been torn away , the needle guard may be removed and the syringe filled . thereafter , the area to be injected is cleaned with the swabbing material and the injection given . usually the clip 102 may be removed from the swabbing material in a fairly easy manner , so that the swabbing material may be used as a compress . it is to be noted that the swabbing material 100 may optionally be separated from a syringe body prior to the injection , rather than being used for cleaning the injection site while affixed to the barrel .	0
reference is now made to fig1 which is a simplified pictorial illustration of a communications system 10 constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention . communications system 10 preferably includes a multiplicity of communications terminals 12 connectable to a communications network 14 via a multiplicity of connection media 16 , which may either be wired or wireless . communications terminals 12 are preferably operative to receive inputs from and display information to a user 18 , and to transmit and receive information via communications network 14 to and from at least one server 20 that is also connected to communications network 14 via connection media 16 . server 20 is likewise operative to send and receive information via communications network 14 . connection notification apparatus 30 is operative to receive input from communications terminal 12 , in which connection notification apparatus 30 is typically resident . communications terminal 12 signals connection notification apparatus 30 when communications terminal 12 connects to communications network 14 . connection notification apparatus 30 preferably transmits notification via communications network 14 to a connection monitor 22 , which is operative to receive input via communications network 14 , and which is typically resident in server 20 . an address extractor 26 , typically resident in server 20 , is operative to determine the source network address of the notification received by connection monitor 22 , to which address extractor 26 is operatively interconnected . address extractor 26 is operative to provide the network address to information management apparatus 28 , typically resident in server 20 , where the address is maintained . address extractor 26 is alternatively or additionally operative to communicate with communications terminal 12 , in which address extractor 26 may alternatively or additionally reside , where address extractor 26 is operative to determine the network address of connection terminal 12 when a connection to communications network 14 is established , and to provide the network address to connection notification apparatus 30 . an annunciator 24 , typically resident in server 20 , is operative to receive information maintained by information management apparatus 28 and transmit this information to communications terminal 12 . typical operation of communications system 10 is described in detail below with reference to fig1 , and 3 . reference is now made to fig1 which shows a user 18 establishing a connection to communications network 14 , typically the internet , using a communications terminal 12 via connection medium 16 . the connection to communications network 14 is typically via a leased line or dial - up line to a network communications service provider , typically an internet service provider ( isp ). at least one server 20 is typically continually connected to the communications network 14 via connection medium 16 . more than one server 20 may be provided wherein all servers are preferably continually synchronized to maintain and supply the same information . once user 18 is connected to communications network 14 , connection notification apparatus 30 notifies connection monitor 22 that user 18 is connected to communications network 14 . this notification preferably includes a unique identification code predefined for user 18 and maintained in a list of connected users by information management apparatus 28 . this unique identification code is preferably independent of the communications terminal 12 used by user 18 . preferably , this notification also comprises a user password for authentication of the unique identification code . this notification may also include other information such as the current network address for user 18 . address extractor 26 preferably determines the current network address of user 18 when the user is connected to communications terminal 12 . address extractor 26 is preferably operative to extract a network address from transmission packets used in network data transmission protocols such as tcp / ip . thus address extractor 26 may extract the current network address of user 18 from transmission packets sent by connection notification apparatus 30 to connection monitor 22 . address extractor 26 then provides the current network address for user 18 to information management apparatus 28 which maintains the address in the list of connected users . while address extractor 26 typically communicates with information management apparatus 28 as mentioned above , address extractor 26 may alternatively or additionally communicate with communications terminal 12 , providing the current network address to connection notification apparatus 30 . connection notification apparatus then transmits the network address to connection monitor 22 , which provides the address to information management apparatus 28 which maintains the address in the list of connected users . communications terminal 12 preferably provides a list of sought users predefined by user 18 to information management apparatus 28 which maintains it . communications terminal 12 may also provide instructions from user 18 to information management apparatus 28 regarding whether user 18 requests to be asked to explicitly authorize whether to reveal information relating to user 18 to a seeking user who requests this information . information management apparatus 28 maintains a list of users who request to be asked for authorization . information management apparatus 28 , upon receipt of a list of sought users from user 18 at communications terminal 12 , checks the list of connected users for any sought users that are currently connected to communications network 14 , typically for display on the terminal . if connected sought users are found , information management apparatus 28 causes annunciator 24 to transmit an annunciation to user 18 at communications terminal 12 wherein the annunciation typically includes the unique identification codes and network addresses for all users who are currently connected to communications network 14 and who user 18 is seeking . connection monitor 22 periodically polls communications terminal 12 or otherwise determines if communications terminal 12 is still connected to communications network 14 in accordance with network communications protocols well known in the art , such as tcp / ip . alternatively or additionally , connection notification apparatus 30 periodically notifies connection monitor 22 that communications terminal 12 is still connected to communications network 14 in accordance with network communications protocols well known in the art , such as tcp / ip . reference is now made to fig2 which shows a user 34 establishing a connection to communications network 14 preferably in the same manner as described for user 18 in fig1 . once user 34 is connected , information management apparatus 28 checks the list of sought users to determine if user 34 is sought by user 18 . if so , information management apparatus 28 then checks the list of connected users to determine if user 18 is still connected . if user 18 is still connected , information management apparatus 28 causes annunciator 24 to transmit an annunciation to user 18 , wherein the annunciation typically includes the unique identification code for sought user 34 , the current network address for sought user 34 , and preferably other information provided by user 18 . information management apparatus 28 preferably also checks the list of sought users to determine if user 18 is sought by user 34 and , if so , causes annunciator 24 to transmit an annunciation to user 34 as described above . according to another embodiment of the present invention information management apparatus 28 checks the list of users who wish to be asked for authorization to determine if user 34 wishes to explicitly authorize requests from seeking users for information regarding user 34 . if explicit authorization is required from user 34 , annunciator 24 transmits a request for authorization to authorization apparatus 36 , typically resident in communications terminal 12 . user 34 authorizes or declines the request from user 18 for location or other information relating to user 34 . authorization apparatus 36 then provides the authorization information to information management apparatus 28 which determines whether to cause annunciator 24 to transmit an annunciation to user 18 . reference is now made to fig3 which shows user 18 making a point - to - point connection with sought user 34 using the network address of sought user 34 as provided by annunciator 24 as described above with reference to fig1 and 2 . it is appreciated that user 18 may establish a point - to - point connection with user 34 once user 18 possesses the network address of user 34 independent of the present invention . a preferred method for constructing a communications system operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described : a ) construct a communications network such as a lan ( local - area network ) or a wan ( wide - are network ) using a network protocol such as tcp / ip or ipx / spx , or provide access to a communications network such as the internet ; b ) connect a communications terminal , such as an intel - based computer using the microsoft windows 95 operating system , to the communications network ; c ) connect a server , such as an intel - based computer operating the linux operating system , to the communications network ; d ) generate executable instructions from the computer listing of appendix a , which is a computer listing of software components typically resident on communications terminal 12 as described above with reference to fig1 and the computer listing of appendix b , which is a computer listing of software components typically resident on server 20 as described above with reference to fig1 ; e ) load the executable instructions of appendix a into the communications terminal memory and execute them ; and f ) load the executable instructions of appendix b into the server memory and execute them . it is appreciated that any of the software components of the present invention may , if desired , be implemented in rom ( read - only memory ) form . the software components may , generally , be implemented in hardware , if desired , using conventional techniques . it is appreciated that the particular embodiment described in the appendices is intended only to provide an extremely detailed disclosure of the present invention and is not intended to be limiting . it is appreciated that various features of the invention which are , for clarity , described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment . conversely , various features of the invention which are , for brevity , described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination . it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove . rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims which follow :	7
fig1 illustrates a computer network 100 for practicing one embodiment of the present invention . computer network 100 includes at least one host computer system such as a host computer 102a coupled to one or more peripheral devices such as a printer 102b , an image capture device such as a camera 102c , a telecommunication device such as a telephone 102d , an image display device such as an hdtv television 102e , an image input device such as a scanner 102f , and a sound generator device such as a stereo 102g . in addition , computer network 100 includes a peripheral database 110 for storing a profile of the capabilities for each of the one or more peripheral devices coupled to the network . in a typical implementation , host computer 102a and the one or more peripheral devices 102b - 102g are capable of unicast ( i . e . point - to - point ) or multicast communications over the network using a common network communication mechanism such as the tcp / ip protocol running under an operating system such as java / os , apple macintosh operating system , os / 9 , os / 2 , unix , mvs , vm , dos , or even a microsoft windows based operating system . as will be apparent from the discussion below , having a virtual machine instruction processor embedded in a peripheral device is one novel aspect of the present invention which facilitates distributed processing on many peripheral devices in a heterogeneous computing environment . in accordance with the principles of the present invention , host computer 102a and peripheral devices 102b - 102g include a processing unit 106a - 106g respectively . typically , each processing unit 106a - 106g implements a virtual machine instruction processor 108 for processing virtual machine instructions . for clarity , other elements in processing unit 106a - 106g discussed below and illustrated in fig2 have been omitted in fig1 . it should be understood that virtual machine instruction processor 108 need not be identical in each processing unit 106a - 106g as long the instructions executed on each virtual machine instruction processor are compatible based on a virtual machine instruction specification such as the &# 34 ; java virtual machine specification &# 34 ; included in appendix i . in one embodiment , all instructions executed on host computer 102a and peripheral devices 102b - 102g are executed on one or more virtual machine instruction processors 108 . thus , on this type of system the operating system and the applications include virtual machine instructions rather than proprietary or native processor instructions . alternatively , in another embodiment , one or more virtual machine instruction processors 108 can be used as co - processors in conjunction with proprietary instruction processors such the intel pentium and x86 processors , the sun sparc and ultrasparc processors , motorola 68000 , and powerpc processors where virtual machine instruction processor 108 executes portions of the applications and operating system which use virtual machine instructions and the proprietary instruction processor executes the remainder of instructions not using virtual machine instructions . in general , the combination of a virtual machine instruction processor embedded in a peripheral device facilitates a level of distributed computing between peripheral devices and host computers which was previously unavailable in the art . this novel design enables the sharing of resources and the distribution of processing not only between two host computers coupled to a network but between peripheral devices and host computers as well . to illustrate some of these efficiencies and benefits , a more detailed discussion below provides one method for distributing the processing of an application between a host computer and one or more peripheral devices . referring to fig2 a block diagram illustrates further details for processing unit 106b as used in a peripheral device such as printer 102b ( fig1 ) coupled to computer network 100 . processing unit 106b in fig2 includes a primary network interface 212 , a secondary network interface 211 , a virtual machine instruction processor 214 , a primary storage 216 , a secondary storage 218 , a peripheral engine interface 220 , a proprietary processor unit 222 and an input - output interface 224 which facilitates communication between these aforementioned elements . in this context , peripheral engine interface 220 couples processing units such as processing unit 106b to a core engine central to the functioning of the peripheral device . for example , the core engine in a printer is considered a print engine while the core engine in a television could be the crt ( cathode ray tube ) and all the supporting circuitry needed to generate an image on the crt . details on the specific core engine used to operate each peripheral device is not essential to embodiments of the present invention and is beyond the scope of the present discussion . primary network interface 212 is typically used to couple processing unit 106b ( fig2 ) to network 100 ( fig1 ) and facilitate communication between a peripheral device such as printer 102b ( fig1 ) and other peripheral devices or host computers on network 100 ( fig1 ). optionally , a secondary network interface 211 couples processing unit 106b ( fig2 ) to a second network ( not shown ) and facilitates communication between the particular peripheral device and other peripheral devices or host computers coupled to a second network ( not shown ). those skilled in the art will understand that primary network interface 212 or secondary network interface 211 can also be coupled to a router device ( not shown ) or switch device ( not shown ) in which case the corresponding peripheral device can communicate with a multitude of networks , host computers , and other peripheral devices . further , those skilled in the art will appreciate that primary network interface 212 and secondary network interface 211 can include both serial and parallel technologies typically used to couple peripheral devices to networks including ethernet , x . 25 , scsi ( small computer systems interface ), sdlc , hdlc , ieee 1394 (&# 34 ; firewire &# 34 ;), ieee 1284 ( enhanced communication port -- ecp ), and other high speed low - latency communication technologies . selecting the appropriate communication link will depend on the price - performance required as well as compatibility requirements for the overall design . in operation , virtual machine instruction processor 214 in fig2 is used in a peripheral device such as printer 102b ( fig1 ) to fetch virtual machine instructions from primary storage 216 through input - output interface 224 . after retrieving the virtual machine instructions , virtual machine instruction processor 214 then executes the instructions . executing these computer instructions enables virtual machine instruction processor 214 to retrieve data or write data to primary storage 216 , display information on one or more computer display devices ( not shown ), receive command signals from one or more input devices ( not shown ), or transmit the appropriate signals through peripheral engine interface 220 causing a peripheral device to operate . these virtual machine instructions can also retrieve data or write data to secondary storage 218 , host computer 102a ( fig1 ), or other peripheral devices coupled to network 100 ( fig1 ). those skilled in the art will understand that primary storage 216 and secondary storage 218 can include any type of computer storage including , without limitation , randomly accessible memory ( ram ), read - only - memory ( rom ), application specific integrated circuits ( asic ) and storage devices which include magnetic and optical storage media such as cd - rom . preferably , virtual machine instruction processor 214 implements the java virtual machine as specified in the &# 34 ; java virtual machine specification &# 34 ; in appendix i . in one embodiment , virtual machine instruction processor 214 includes any of the java based processors developed and marketed by sun microsystems , inc . or java compatible processors developed by other companies . for information on virtual machine instruction processors see u . s . patent application ser . no . 08 / 788 , 807 , entitled &# 34 ; a hardware virtual machine instruction processor &# 34 ; naming marc tremblay and james michael o &# 39 ; connor as inventors , assigned to the assignee of this application , and filed on jan . 23 , 1997 with attorney docket no . p2044 , still pending which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety . virtual machine instruction processor 214 can also be any of the sparc or ultrasparc compatible processors also available from sun microsystems , inc . of mountain view , california and other companies . alternatively , virtual machine instruction processor 214 can be based on the powerpc processor available from motorola of schaumburg , ill ., any of the pentium or x86 compatible processors available from the intel corporation or other corporations such as amd , and cyrix , or any other proprietary processor capable of executing virtual machine instructions . optionally , proprietary processor 222 can be used in conjunction with virtual machine instruction processor 214 as a coprocessor for certain specialized compute intensive virtual machine instructions relating to areas such as graphics , floating point , and digital signal processing . proprietary processor 222 can also be used as a secondary processor for running instructions which are not virtual machine instructions . in this latter capacity , proprietary processor 222 can be used to execute local processing peculiar to the local peripheral device and not suitable for distributing for execution to other host computers or peripheral devices coupled to the network . this can include the execution of memory management units , multitasking queueing operations , or any other operations typically associated with a runtime environment , an operating system , or more specifically , a kernel . for example , if proprietary processor is assisting virtual machine instruction processor 214 as a coprocessor , instructions can flow directly from virtual machine instruction processor 214 and if proprietary processor 222 is not directly assisting virtual machine instruction processor 214 , then proprietary processor 222 can act as a secondary processor wherein instructions can flow from primary storage 216 via input - output interface 224 . referring to fig2 primary storage 216 includes a peripheral api 228 ( application programming interface ), an executable computer program 226 , and optionally an operating system 230 for managing resources on the peripheral device or host computer . in one embodiment , peripheral api 228 utilizes an object - oriented , highly extensible programming language called java which is developed and marketed by sun microsystems inc . this peripheral api enables executable computer programs 226 to access functionality associated with a peripheral device such as printer 102b using hardware independent and architecturally neutral system calls . these system calls correspond to specific virtual machine instructions which execute on virtual machine instruction processor 214 in the form of bytecodes and cause the peripheral device to operate in a specified manner . this is one important aspect of the present invention which provides features and capabilities previously unavailable in the art . using peripheral api 228 , an application can request functionality from a peripheral device without knowing the specifics of how the particular device operates . essentially , the peripheral device invokes certain predetermined system calls in peripheral api 228 which in turn invokes virtual machine instructions on the virtual machine instruction processor and causes the peripheral device to operate . this benefits application developers because a single application using peripheral api 228 can run on a variety of different devices without recompiling or including special drivers or libraries . it also benefits users because they can use many devices on the network without reloading or reconfiguring their systems . further , this also benefits the peripheral device manufacturers because the peripheral device becomes compatible with a larger number of applications . each time a new peripheral device is developed the manufacturer need only port peripheral api 228 , written in java , to the to the particular peripheral device . this obviates the need to support different device drivers for each application and / or operating system combination . further details on peripheral api 228 are discussed below . depending on the resources and complexity of the peripheral device , operating system 230 can be relatively simple or very complex . typically , operating system 230 includes networking protocol stacks such as tcp / ip , x . 25 , sna , or portions of network operating systems such as netware ® 1 for controlling the transmission and receipt of data and executable programs over the network . operation system 230 can also be responsible for swapping executable computer program 226 in primary storage 216 or secondary storage 218 for execution by virtual machine instruction processor 214 . accordingly , in one embodiment , operating system 230 is the java os operating system which can be executed on virtual machine instruction processor 214 and processes java language instructions most efficiently . alternatively , operating system 230 can include the solaris operating system , the internetworking operating system ( ios ) used in cisco router devices , dos , windows nt , windows 95 , or any other operating system capable of managing resources and processing requests associated with a particular peripheral device or host computer . in general , those skilled in the art will understand that the principles discussed above and associated with processing unit 106b ( fig1 ) as used in a printer 102b can also be applied to other peripheral devices such as peripheral devices 102c - 102f as well as any other peripheral device used in a distributed computing environment . in accordance with the present invention , peripheral api 228 ( fig2 ) is used by executable computer program 226 as an interface to virtual machine instruction processor 214 which then drives a peripheral device such as peripheral devices 102c - 102g ( fig1 ) discussed above . these apis take advantage of the fact that applications typically perform the same imaging and multimedia operations over a wide range of peripheral devices . for example , an application which prints to a printer may also want to print to a fax device or to multiple display screens located in different geographic locations . using a virtual machine instruction set to implement peripheral api 228 provides additional benefits because the same code can be executed on many different peripheral devices without recompilation . for example , applications which make calls to peripheral api 228 using java can interface with different peripheral devices because the processor is either a java processor or implements the java virtual machine . to drive a peripheral device , the application need only download the application or applet into the virtual machine instruction processor located on the peripheral device . the virtual machine instructions used to implement peripheral api 228 are also beneficial because processing of the jobs can be distributed or relocated on different host computers or peripheral devices . for example , using peripheral api 228 described below enables a first peripheral device to request a second peripheral device ( not shown ) to process data and return the image for further processing on the first peripheral device . therefore , well written applications can perform peripheral operations in parallel and improve the effective performance of a given peripheral device . an exemplary embodiment of peripheral api 228 has been provided below which is well suited for printer devices and digital camera devices . in this embodiment , peripheral api 228 includes the following categories : 1 ) text handling ; 2 ) font handling ; 3 ) image processing ; 4 ) 2d & amp ; 3d graphics processing ; 5 ) color processing ; 6 ) matrix handling ; 7 ) device handling ; 8 ) connection handling ; 9 ) administration ; 10 ) job handling ; and 11 ) connectivity with other digital devices . those skilled in the art will understand that these general concepts and techniques are not limited solely to printer devices and the like and can be used directly or indirectly to develop peripheral apis for devices not explicitly mentioned herein . in most peripheral devices , a significant portion of the information being input , output , or manipulated by the peripheral device is text . this category of routines deals with the manipulation of text by changing the size of the text , the style of the text , and also allows for operations on the rotation of the text using a textmatrix () routine . for example , an application which wants to change the text font to italic on a printer device will call the textstyle () routine with a &# 34 ; italic &# 34 ; argument in the parameter list . this instruction will be executed by the virtual machine processor in the peripheral device which will cause the correct font to be downloaded over the network or off a local storage device and used for printing . the fontlocation ( fontid ) and fontload ( virtual -- location ) are particularly interesting system calls because they enable an application to direct the printer to download a font from a remote location rather than downloading the font directly from the host computer running the application . these functions can result in significant cost and time savings . for example , a host computer printing a job can download into the printer the url location of a particular font located on the world wide web which is to be used in a given document . this saves storage space because only a few central repositories of fonts need be located on a given network and actual font data is not replicated on each host system in a network . instead , each reference to a given font is downloaded from a server containing hundreds and thousands of fonts . the user experiences improved performance because fonts are downloaded by the peripheral device and not the host computer . another interesting system call is readthirdpartyfont ( fontid ) which allows the peripheral device to process fonts provided by a third party vendor and not supported in the native peripheral api . for example , a font designer using pcl fonts may provide an applet which processes pcl fonts for use in a particular application . this applet would be downloaded into the peripheral device from an appropriate place on the network when the application requires pcl fonts . this system call provides flexibility in which fonts are used by a peripheral device and allows the personality of the peripheral device to be configured dynamically . in one embodiment , the following api routines can be used to manipulate text on a peripheral device . note : this will be subsituted by third party vendor image processing the other information typically processed by a peripheral device displaying or processing visual information is images . these images are typically digitized into pixels and when displayed have different colors , textures , and other visual features . often , they come in many compression and encoding formats such as gif , tiff , jpeg , html , or adobe acrobat . in one embodiment , several system calls allow the peripheral device to convert between these different compression and encoding formats . the user can also request that the peripheral device add certain background patterns to the image generated by a peripheral device using the pattern selection system calls . further , the user can also request the peripheral device to perform sophisticated image manipulation using the image operation set of system calls . the user can even request a peripheral device such as a digital camera only detect certain objects by using sophisticated image analysis routines as described in the image analysis and recognition system calls . in general , this set of apis enables a user to perform intense image processing routines on a remote peripheral device and off - load processing on the host computer . accordingly , in one embodiment , the following routines could be used to perform various image processing tasks . with the increase in high - end simulations and games , most applications display images having 2 - d and 3 - d attributes . often these routines are most difficult to implement because the human eye must be tricked into believing objects on a 2 - d screen have 3 - d attributes . this requires a great deal of control over the graphic processing routines . further , it would be advantageous if processing required by these routines are off - loaded to the peripheral device thus freeing up processing on the host computer . for example , users playing a virtual reality game on a system having numerous display terminals could download the graphical rendering routines into each display terminal thus distributing the 3 - d graphics processing load from the host machine . further , a user wishing to capture a particular scene during the virtual reality game could download the particular scene to a printer device having a virtual instruction processor which would then process the information and print out the 3 - d scene as desired . the 3d graphics system calls are particularly interesting because they allow the peripheral device to perform a 2d to 3d conversion . in the past , the host computers converted 3d graphics into 2d images and transferred the resulting bit maps onto the peripheral devices such as a printer . using 3d graphics calls enables the host processor to request that the peripheral device perform these conversions instead . this allows the host processor to transfer 3d graphics to the printer directly without the 3d to 2d conversion . in one embodiment , the following routines can be used to control 2d and 3d graphics : processing on peripheral devices : color processing is another important feature in peripheral devices because it directly affects the realism or aesthetic appeal of the output . different color processing routines can render images more quickly than others and also have better resolution and visual acuity . also , color matching heuristics are used to ensure the colors which appear on one peripheral device , such as a display terminal , closely match the same colors which appear on another peripheral device , such as a color printer . if these color processing applications are written in a virtual machine instruction language such as java and used in embodiments of the present invention , many peripheral devices can take advantage of the available features . the thirdpartycolormanagementselect system call is an interesting feature which enables a user or application to install different color management heuristics . this feature allows the user to select the color matching technique which works best for the particular peripheral device and image being rendered . this allows the user or application to take advantage of newer and improved color matching techniques as they are developed and improves on the prior art techniques where the color matching techniques were hardcoded into firmware of the peripheral device . accordingly , the following api is one embodiment for providing these functions to a color peripheral device . image processing and image enhancement is also another important area of peripheral device management and usage . these types of functions enable the user to manipulate the data using matrices and modify some characteristic of the appearance . the global matrix settings set the default behavior for all pages , text , and images used on a particular peripheral device . in contrast , the matrix operations are used to perform individual operations on different pieces of image data . in some cases , the matrix may be used to create a special effect and make the end result look surrealistic or fabricated . in other cases , the matrices can be used to improve the accuracy of an image and make it look more real . matrices can also be used to perform rotations of an image for printing an image in landscape mode as well as portrait mode . the following is one embodiment of the system calls and functions useful in matrix operations . the device handling system calls provide a general interface for changing the operating characteristics of a peripheral device without knowing specific information about the device . in the past , a user or application could not modify the operation of a peripheral device without having special knowledge of the peripheral devices operation . moreover , it was difficult to change the operation of a peripheral device between jobs . accordingly , these apis deal with configuring a peripheral device to operate in a specific manner and perform certain functions . the &# 34 ; query &# 34 ; set of functions below allow the application running on the host computer to determine what the capabilities of the device are directly . this is then used to set the device accordingly . for example , the nupquery () system call can be used to determine how many pages the printer can print on single page . the result from this query helps the application provide the user with the appropriate type of options for printing . the sendpage () and sendpageaddress () are particularly interesting system calls because they allow one peripheral device to distribute processing to one or more other peripheral devices . essentially , the sendpage () system call instructs the peripheral device processing a request to send the output , typically a bit map , to another host as indicated by the sendpageaddress (). this can be useful in providing peripheral device output previews such as printer preview actually calculated on the target peripheral device . if the peripheral device is an expensive color printer , this can save resources because the color printer will only generate a bit map and send the results back to a host processor for review by a user rather than actually printing the image . connection handling allows for the application to determine which protocols a peripheral supports and the type of communication the peripheral device uses to function . for example , the protocolsupport () system call can be used to determine whether the peripheral device supports tcp / ip communications . peripheral devices provide some of the most difficult tasks in managing a computer network . many times printers will fail to work because a device driver attempting to change the personality or attributes of a printer fails and causes the printer to jam . in other instances , the user can not use a printer because the requested printer is out of paper and no one is aware of it . embodiments of the present invention provide a method for peripheral devices to communicate status information to users , system administrators , and peripheral device management routines which facilitate effective peripheral device administration . the firm ware update system calls include several interesting routines which enable a peripheral device to obtain the latest firmware updates . in one embodiment , these routines cause the peripheral device to download the latest firmware updates at a predetermined time interval over a url location on the world wide web . alternatively , the manufacturer can &# 34 ; push &# 34 ; the firmware updated onto the peripheral device over the internet or over an intranet when the firmware is released . either model improves peripheral device administration by making sure the peripheral devices have the latest firmware upgrades . job handling system calls include routines which allow the peripheral devices to manage their jobs and decide how the jobs should be processed . these routines off - load some of the processing associated with queueing jobs on the host machine and allows the host to process other more imminent tasks such as running an application . instead , these routines enable each individual peripheral device to manage their own queue and request a new job when the peripheral device becomes available . essentially , peripheral devices can operate autonomously instead of relying on a queue on the host device . in one embodiment , each peripheral device has a queue managed on the individual peripheral device and does not require the host computer to manage the processing of jobs . an alternative embodiment , uses the host computers to store jobs in a queue but allows the peripheral device to request jobs from the queue and otherwise manage the queueing process . the job process system calls provided below are particularly interesting because they allow peripheral devices to redistribute jobs over multiple peripheral devices and host computers . specifically , the jobsplitinparallel allows a requesting peripheral device to delegate processing of a job to multiple peripheral devices or host computers . typically , the peripheral devices and host computers assist the requesting peripheral device process data as needed for the particular peripheral device to operate . for example , a printer peripheral device can print a large document much more quickly with the jobsplitinparallel system call which uses multiple printers and host devices to calculate the bit maps for the document and then have the resulting bit maps sent back . further , the printer can also use a system call such as jobsplitincolor to send the color portion or portions of a print job to color printers while the black and white or non - color portion of the print job is printed on a black and white printer . this saves expensive color printer toner and supplies and increases the overall speed of printing a color and black and white document . the jobpreprocess system call and jobpostprocess system call are also interesting routines because they allow the printer to determine if the particular job should be sent to a different peripheral device . for example , the jobpreprocess system call can be used to query other peripheral devices and send a job to another peripheral device before the peripheral device begins processing . typically , the user or application will be given a predetermined time period to approve or disapprove of this transfer before it occurs . similarly , the jobpostprocess system call operates similarly except that the job is sent after processing has begun on the peripheral device . this routine also allows a peripheral job to be re - routed to a different peripheral device and started over again . these set of system calls are useful in integrating the output from one type of peripheral device with the input of another peripheral device and vice - versa . referring to fig3 ., a flow chart diagram illustrates the general steps used by one embodiment of the present invention to distribute processing of an application between a host computer and one or more peripheral devices . this technique is advantageous because it suggests a peripheral device for use by a user or application based upon a predetermined set of characteristics . for example , a user or application can automatically locate a printer device based on print speed and print capacity rather than the name of the printer . initially , this process assumes that each peripheral device coupled to the network executes a post ( power on self test ) or equivalent application which upon boot up time inserts into peripheral database 110 ( fig1 ) information concerning the capabilities of the particular peripheral device . typically , the post application would be a java application which queries the functions available on the peripheral device and reports capabilities and status to the peripheral database 110 . those skilled in the art will understand that peripheral database 110 can be centrally located as illustrated in fig1 or can be distributed over many smaller databases located on the network or even within each of the peripheral devices . accordingly , references to querying the peripheral database can be unicast ( i . e . point - to - point ) requests to a central peripheral database or can be broadcast or multicast ( many - to - many ) requests to each of the smaller databases located on the network . the process typically begins when a user initiates execution of an application in which a portion of the application requests operation of a peripheral device . in accordance with principles of the present invention these instructions are usually virtual machine instructions generated using the java programming language . at step 302 in fig3 the application uses a predetermined selection criteria to query the peripheral database 110 ( fig1 ) and determine which peripheral device is best suited for performing the desired peripheral operation . processing transfers from step 302 to step 304 , where the method automatically selects a peripheral device for performing the requested job based upon the predetermined selection criteria . in one embodiment , step 304 will provide the user with a prioritized list of peripheral devices and prompt the user to decide which peripheral device should be used . if the user does not respond within a predetermined time period , the peripheral device will automatically operate on the highest priority peripheral device . for example , assume that three printers are coupled to the network and are capable of low - resolution color , high resolution black and white , and high - resolution color printing . an application or user selects a high - resolution color printer in an application running on a host computer . this causes the method to query the peripheral database , determine where the high - resolution color printer is located and then request the high - resolution color printer to perform the operation . however , if the color printer selected is unable to perform the operation , due to lack of resources such as toner or paper , the printer will then download a response application back to the requesting host machine requesting the user or application to select a different set of criteria for printing the job . in response , the user or application can then select the high - resolution black and white printer to print the job instead . next , once an appropriate peripheral device is selected , processing transfers from step 304 to step 306 where the portion of the application concerned with using the functions associated with the peripheral device is downloaded into the peripheral device . this application is then executed on the virtual machine instruction processor embedded in the peripheral device . typically , the data will be transferred to the selected peripheral device along with a portion of the application consisting of virtual machine instructions . in an alternative embodiment , the application is already stored in the peripheral device and step 306 only downloads the data for the peripheral device to operate . in one embodiment , these virtual machine instructions can instruct the peripheral device to perform necessary conversions , image processing routines , font changes , or any other operations necessary for operating on the data before it is suitable for operation by the peripheral device . in one embodiment , the peripheral device is a &# 34 ; thin client &# 34 ; which includes only the minimum hardware and software necessary to execute java applications . the downloading step discussed above then provides the code necessary for the peripheral device to operate . for example , assume a java based printer initially only includes a java virtual machine instruction processor and a java / os capable of executing java applets or applications . accordingly , to print , postscript step 306 would download a postscript interpreter applet and data into the java printer . similarly , to print fax information , step 306 downloads the appropriate ccitt group fax routine and data into the java printer . essentially , step 306 enables the java printer to operate on different types of data by dynamically reconfiguring the printer with different printing personalities as needed by the particular application . processing then continues from step 306 to step 308 where the peripheral device application executes on the peripheral device . typically , the virtual machine instructions associated with the application are executed at step 308 . after a predetermined time period passes , determination step 310 determines if the application executing on the peripheral device is complete . if the application executes to completion , processing transfers from step 310 to the end and the process is complete . however , if for some reason the peripheral device has not completed execution , these instructions can be delegated for execution on another host machine or other peripheral device . accordingly , processing transfers from step 310 to step 312 if the processing on the peripheral device is not complete . initially , step 312 establishes a bidirectional communication between the selected peripheral device and the host computer for transmitting and receiving real - time information generated while the peripheral device is operating . in one embodiment , this is accomplished using object oriented features of the java programming language which allow for socket based communication protocols over tcp / ip to take place between a host computer and a peripheral device coupled to a network . unlike prior art solutions , the bi - directional communication link of the present invention allows enhanced administration and managing of peripheral devices with a reduced amount of overhead and down time . many typical causes of a peripheral device failing to operate or going down , such as out of paper or toner low , could be anticipated , reported , and corrected before they cause a major impact on a group of users . further , in one embodiment , the status information provided at step 312 is used to determine if processing should be distributed on several peripheral devices or host computers . essentially , the decision on whether to migrate the remainder of the application to another peripheral device occurs at determination step 314 . in one embodiment , a peripheral device decides to use the processing power of another machine to perform certain functions in parallel and speed up the peripheral device processing . for example , a high - resolution color printer may need to perform some image enhancements on an image before printing the output . this color printer may delegate these calculation intensive routines to a host computer on the network while the color printer is laying out the format of the page . this type of flexible distributed processing is a powerful feature of the present invention . in an alternative embodiment , the user can determine whether the peripheral device should migrate to another peripheral device or host computer . typically , the application executing on the peripheral device prompts the user to make this determination . if the user decides not to migrate the application to one or more peripheral devices , processing continues on the same device and control passes from step 314 to step 308 . this approach can take longer because only one processor is used for processing the output or input . alternatively , the user may decide to migrate the peripheral application to one or more different devices . if this latter choice is made , processing would transfer from step 314 to step 302 where the above steps 302 through 312 would be repeated . this would potentially reduce the time it takes to perform the particular operation on the peripheral device . for example , a user can print a large job which includes color drawings by distributing the print job over a number of different printers . the black and white pages can be sent to one or more high speed black and white printers while the color print job is sent to a relatively slow color printer . this arrangement overlaps the color printing with the black and white printing and decreases the time to print the job . it also conserves resources by reserving the more expensive colors and pigments used on the color printer for color printing rather than printing black and white . referring to fig4 ., a flow chart illustrates the general steps used by an alternative embodiment of the present invention to distribute processing of an application between a host computer and one or more peripheral devices . this technique is similar to the previous technique discussed above and illustrated in fig3 except that the user or application requests a specific peripheral device which is located nearby or well known to the user . like the previous technique discussed above , processing can be distributed on one or more peripheral devices or host computers . initially , the process illustrated in fig4 assumes that each peripheral device coupled to the network executes a post ( power on self test ) or equivalent application which upon boot up time inserts into peripheral database 110 ( fig1 ) information concerning the capabilities of the particular peripheral device . typically , the post application would be a java application which queries the functions available on the peripheral device and reports capabilities and status to the peripheral database 110 . this operates similar to the technique discussed above . this process typically begins when a user initiates execution of an application in which a portion of the application requests operation of a peripheral device . in accordance with principles of the present invention these instructions are usually virtual machine instructions generated using the java programming language . at step 402 in fig4 the user selects a specific peripheral device by name to perform the given operation . processing transfers from step 402 to step 404 , where the method then selects and configures the peripheral device to perform the requested operation . in one embodiment , this step will attempt to configure the peripheral device at the best possible settings under the circumstances and notify the user or application accordingly . for example , if the user requests 3000 dpi from a 1200 dpi printer device , step 404 will set the requested peripheral device to 1200 dpi and notify the user that a lower setting is being used . if the user does not respond within a predetermined time period , the peripheral device will assume the user is happy with the modification . next , once an appropriate peripheral device is selected and configured , processing transfers from step 404 to step 406 where the portion of the application concerned with using the functions associated with the peripheral device is downloaded into the peripheral device . this application is then executed on the virtual machine instruction processor 108 ( fig1 ) embedded in the peripheral device . typically , the data will be transferred to the selected peripheral device along with a portion of the application consisting of virtual machine instructions . in an alternative embodiment , the application required for operating the peripheral device is already downloaded into the peripheral device and step 406 need only download the data for the peripheral device to operate . step 406 operates in a manner similar to step 306 in fig3 discussed above . processing then continues from step 406 to step 408 where the peripheral device application executes on the peripheral device . typically , the virtual machine instructions associated with the application are executed at step 408 . after a predetermined time period , determination step 410 determines if the application executing on the peripheral device is complete . if the application executes to completion , processing transfers from step 410 to the end and the process is complete . however , if for some reason the peripheral device has not completed execution , these instructions can be transferred to another host machine or other peripheral device . accordingly , processing transfers from step 410 to step 412 if the processing on the peripheral device is not complete . initially , step 412 establishes a bidirectional communication between the selected peripheral device and the host computer for transmitting and receiving real - time information generated while the peripheral device is operating . step 412 operates in a manner similar to step 312 in fig3 discussed above . essentially , the decision on whether to migrate the remainder of the application to another peripheral device occurs at determination step 414 in fig4 . like step 314 in fig3 discussed above , if the user or application decides not to migrate the processing to one or more peripheral devices , processing continues on the same device and control passes from step 414 to step 408 . alternatively , the user or application may decide to migrate the peripheral application to one or more different devices . if this latter choice is made , processing transfers from step 414 to step 416 where a predetermined selection criteria is used to query peripheral database 10 ( fig1 ) and determine which peripheral device is best suited for performing the desired peripheral operation . processing then transfers from step 416 to step 402 , where the method automatically selects a peripheral device for performing the requested job based upon the predetermined selection criteria . in one embodiment , this step will provide the user with a prioritized list of peripheral devices and prompt the user to decide which peripheral device should be used . if the user does not respond within a predetermined time period , the peripheral device will automatically operate using the highest priority peripheral device . c . exemplary applications for distributed processing on host and peripheral devices using systems designed in accordance with the present invention , numerous applications previously unavailable in the art can be developed which simplify peripheral device operation and management . these peripheral device applications automatically adapt to most networks , hosts , or peripheral devices because , in part , each device is capable of executing the same set of virtual instructions . large complex drivers used to convert data formats and drive hardware signals on a peripheral device are replaced with general purpose virtual machine instruction applications written in languages such as java . typically , these general purpose virtual machine instruction applications are self - contained and therefore can be executed on almost any peripheral device or host device on the network for processing . for example , a user who wants to print a particular graphic format file such as a jpeg file on a printer does not have to use a driver to convert the jpeg file into the format prescribed by the printer such as postscript . instead , the application used to print the particular graphic file will down load an application , or applet , into the printer for printing jpeg along with the data to be printed . the printer will then execute the jpeg applet and print the file on the printer . moreover , applications developed using embodiments of the present invention perform load distribution based on the requirements of each application . these applications are not limited to the processing power available on either a host computer or a peripheral device but can distribute the load between many host computers and peripheral devices . a portion of the processing suitable for the host computer , such as extensive floating point calculations , can be performed on the host computer while relatively straightforward conversion routines can be performed on one or more peripheral devices . for example , a user having a large print job can use a printing application to distribute portions of the print job to different printers in a printer pool without reconfiguring the printers or reloading special device drivers . instead , the applications will query the peripheral device database to determine the number of printers available and then download a printing applet and the corresponding data into the various printers . essentially , this dynamically distributes a print job for parallelized printing . for efficiency , the application can also detect which pages of a print job are color and send them to a slower , higher resolution color printer while sending the black and white portions of the file to higher speed , lower resolution black and white printers . these techniques have increased economic efficiencies and relieve the user from tedious configuration details . peripheral device management and diagnosis applications can also exploit the novel features provided in systems of the present invention . for example , self - administered peripheral devices can be developed which reduce the need for extensive service and monitoring by administrative personnel . at a predetermined time period , an application running on a host computer can download applications , or applets , into each peripheral device and gather very detailed information on the peripheral device operation . the peripheral device , such as a printer , can execute the applet and determine what areas of the peripheral device need repair or are close to being depleted . next , the peripheral device can establish a bi - directional communication link to provide status on the peripheral device . if the peripheral device is a printer , this information may include information on the amount of paper available , amount of toner , time remaining before a service , or cleaning . using this information , the application running on the host can determine which peripheral device should be used and which peripheral device should not be used . in another aspect , these applications are advantageous because a single vendor can develop one application which interoperates with all peripheral devices having a virtual machine instruction processor and adhering to teachings provided by the present invention . systems of the present invention also facilitate the development of applications which allow remote administration and use of printers over a network or other bidirectional communication mechanism . in one embodiment , a remote administration application includes a skelatal remote administration applet located on a host computer and a series of smaller control applets located on each peripheral device . typically , the control applet is developed by the peripheral device manufacturer . the control applets located on each peripheral device are capable of controlling the peripheral device they are stored on and can be plugged into the skelatal remote administration application on demand when a particular peripheral device must be configured or checked . this modular approach to managing peripheral devices allows for access to the features of each peripheral device without requiring the loading of different proprietary software applications . in operation , the remote administration application downloads virtual machine instruction applet over a network connection into the peripheral device which requests the peripheral device &# 39 ; s control applet . upon execution in the peripheral device , the downloaded virtual machine instruction applet then instructs the peripheral device to locate and return the control applet within the peripheral device which understands the operation of the device . the control applet is then plugged into the skeletal remote administration application and enables a person to manage the particular peripheral device . in one embodiment , the remote administration application is a java enabled brouser running the java virtual machine and the applets downloaded from the peripheral device are written in java virtual machine instruction bytecodes . essentially , almost any peripheral device can be managed from almost any location on a network because the control applet is retrieved from the peripheral device on demand . further , the skeletal remote administration application can be used on almost any host computer because the host computer and peripheral devices run compatible virtual machine instructions . applications developed using systems of the present invention also facilitate peripheral devices which are self - configuring and capable of performing automatic upgrading / updating . in this application , a peripheral device registers a peripheral profile with a peripheral database when the device is attached to the network and performs a power on self - test ( post ). after post , an applet stored in non - volatile memory ( nvram ) or other storage medium of the peripheral device requests a configuration applet from the peripheral database . in response , the peripheral database downloads an applet of virtual machine instructions which automatically configures the peripheral device to work in a predetermined manner . for example , an applet could be downloaded into a printer peripheral device which causes the printer device to use a timesroman font , print landscape , and use papers initially from tray 1 . this self - configuring option would speed up initial printer configuration significantly and allow for printer devices to be relocated on a network with minimal impact on the user community . further , in another embodiment of the present invention a peripheral device checks a host computer over the internet or an intranet at a predetermined time interval , for example once a month , for updates and software upgrades . if an upgrade exists , the peripheral device automatically downloads the upgrade and begins executing it . alternatively , the peripheral device downloads a notification applet to the appropriate personnel on the host computer requesting that the upgrade or update be made . upgrading or updating the peripheral device in this instance is user initiated and not automatic . for example , assume the manufacturer of a digital camera having a virtual machine processor discovers a better method for dithering and interpolating pixels in the digital camera which improves the visual acuity and resolution of the camera output by 10 %- 50 %. on the first of each month , the digital camera contacts the manufacturer &# 39 ; s web site on the internet and checks for upgrades . when the digital camera discovers the upgrade , the camera establishes a bi - directional communication with an application on the web site verifying serial numbers and warranty information thus authorizing the upgrade . next , the camera receives the upgrade in the form of an application having virtual machine instructions and begins executing the instructions immediately . further , if the method is in the public domain , almost any digital camera having a virtual machine instruction processor could engage in a similar process and download the upgrade and therefore take advantage of the new discovery as well . this technique is a significant improvement over current techniques in which the user must manually load upgrades or must obtain and install a new prom into the peripheral device . in yet another embodiment , peripheral devices are coupled together directly to process information and do not require intervention by a host computer or similar central processing device . for example , a printer device having a virtual machine instruction processor is coupled directly to a digital camera without using a host computer . this allows the camera to take pictures and print them directly on the printer . specifically , the camera captures the image data in digital form and then downloads the virtual machine instruction application for printing the particular data format , such as postscript , along with the actual image data into the printer . the printer would then execute the virtual machine instruction application and use the data to print the information out . while specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration , various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . those skilled in the art understand that the present invention can be implemented using a variety of different networking protocols and is not limited to computer systems coupled to a network using the tcpip protocol . alternative embodiments substantially similar to the embodiments discussed above could be implemented except that the network protocol would be sna , appletalk , ipx , x . 25 , slip , or ppp . those skilled in the art understand that computer systems running tcp / ip can also communicate with other computer systems running other diverse network protocols such as sna ( systems network architecture ), ipx , appletalk , or x . 25 . furthermore , another alternative embodiment substantially similar to the embodiment discussed above could be implemented except that the virtual machine processor is simulated using a processor executing a proprietary instruction set such as the x86 architectures by intel , inc . of sunnyvale , or the powerpc architecture by motorola of schaumburg illinois . yet another alternative embodiment substantially similar to the embodiments discussed above could be implemented except that they operate in an environment using virtual machine instructions other than the java language and environment . accordingly , the invention is not limited to the above described embodiments , but instead is defined by the appended claims in light of their full scope of equivalents . ## spc1 ##	6
these and other objects and features of the invention will appear from the following written description , and from the drawings , in which fig1 is a schematic view of the apparatus of the invention , showing the beginning of a test cycle with the compensation bladders prefilled and the membrane in its neutral position ; fig2 is a view showing the bladders inflated more in response to the membrane bulging in ; fig3 is a view showing the bladders deflated in response to the membrane bulging out ; referring first to fig1 a preferred embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at 10 . a walled enclosure or shed 12 of known interior volume contains a vehicle 14 . as vehicle 14 sits over time , and especially as the air surrounding it is heated and cooled , the fuel system will emit fuel vapor . since the interior volume is a given , the mass of fuel emitted over a set test cycle can be calculated if the beginning and ending concentrations of fuel vapor are known , and if the air exchange has been insignificant over the test period . instruments exist to measure fuel vapor concentrations . however , it is difficult or impossible to make a test shed as large as 12 leakproof . if the temperature is increased or decreased substantially within shed 12 , or if a barometric change occurs , the attendant pressure increase or decrease in the interior air will cause an air exchange across any potential leak path . this can seriously jeopardize the accuracy of the emissions calculations . still referring to fig1 the additional structure and componentry that is added to shed 12 to compensate is illustrated . a plurality of four airtight compensation bladders , two of which are illustrated at 16 , are airtight bags made of a non fuel vapor absorbing plastic material . each is large enough to hold up to 65 cubic feet of air . the bladders 16 are connected by a hose 18 to an outside source of forced air comprising a supply of pressurized shop air 20 and a pair of so called air amplifiers , an inflating amplifier 22 and an exhausting amplifier 24 . the shop air 20 can be selectively supplied to either air amplifier 22 or 24 by opening or closing solenoid valves 26 and 28 , respectively . likewise , the air amplifiers 22 and 24 can be selectively exposed to ambient air by opening or closing solenoid valves 30 and 32 , respectively . the air amplifiers 22 and 24 act to increase the airflow available from the shop air source 20 by drawing outside air with a venturi effect . thus , air can be quickly and forcibly added to , or withdrawn from , compensating bladders 16 . an airflow meter 34 is present between the inflating air amplifier 22 to measure the flow that initially inflates bladders 16 . the structure that controls flow in or out is described next . referring next to fig1 and 2 , an easily flexed rectangular membrane 36 is incorporated in a wall of shed 12 . membrane 36 is a rectangular panel , about three feet by five feet , formed of the same airtight , non - adsorbent material as bladders 16 . membrane 36 will respond quickly to an incipient pressure change in shed 12 by bulging in or out from a neutral , substantially flat condition shown in fig1 . for example , in fig2 a pressure decrease has caused membrane 36 to go concave . a pair of proximity switches , an upper switch 38 and lower switch 40 , are located next to membrane 36 , and arranged so that one is open and one is closed when membrane 36 is in the neutral position . then , when membrane 36 bulges in or out , only one of the switches changes condition . for example , upper switch 38 can change from open to closed as membrane 36 bulges in , while lower switch 40 can change from closed to open as membrane 36 bulges out . it is arbitrary which switch , 38 or 40 , changes with which motion of membrane 36 , but the general pattern described allows each of the three possible positions of membrane 36 to be uniquely sensed . a standard computer controller 42 is programmed and wired so as to recognize the three possible membrane 36 positions sensed by the switches 38 and 40 , and to respond as described next . referring next to fig1 through 3 , the general operation of the apparatus 10 is illustrated . in the fig1 neutral position of membrane 36 , all valves are closed , and no outside air is being added to or subtracted from the bladders 16 . if the pressure in shed 12 begins to drop relative to the ambient air pressure outside shed 12 , due , for example , to a test induced temperature drop , membrane 36 bulges inwardly to the concave position shown in fig2 . controller 42 is programmed to open the previously closed valves 26 and 30 , but to leave the valves 28 and 32 closed . this exposes shop air 20 to the inflating amplifier 22 , and the bladders 16 are inflated . this continues until the volume deficit is made up , and membrane 36 returns to the neutral , substantially flat position . the valves 26 and 30 are then closed again , and no air is added or withdrawn . if the pressure in shed 12 begins to increase , due to a temperature increase , membrane 36 bulges outwardly to the convex position shown in fig3 . controller 42 opens the valves 28 and 32 , leaving 26 and 30 closed . shop air 20 is thereby sent to the exhausting amplifier 24 , and the bladders 16 are deflated . this continues until the volume surplus is compensated , and membrane 36 again returns to neutral . the programmer 42 is also programmed to &# 34 ; take a look &# 34 ; at the switches 38 and 40 only at discrete intervals , approximately every 5 seconds , so that the system does not turn on and off too frequently . during the design process , the expected volume deficit and surplus for any given test cycle would be calculated from the required temperature changes and expected barometric changes , and the internal volume of shed 12 . the bladders 16 would be made large enough to accommodate the expected volume change . before the test cycle , the bladders 16 would be prefilled with enough air to accommodate the expected volume surplus , and would have enough expansion room left to accommodate the expected volume deficit . for the particular size shed 12 shown , and considering the deliberately induced temperature change that would be involved in the test , it was calculated that a volume change of as much as 125 cubic feet would be needed to keep the interior pressure substantially constant . the bladders 16 are more than sufficient in volume to provide that volume differential . at the start of a test cycle , the meter 34 would be used to measure the necessary prefill . then , an initial fuel vapor concentration inside shed 12 would be measured , and multiplied by the shed volume , minus the volume of the bladder prefill , to calculate initial emissions mass . when the test is commenced , shed 12 need not be monitored , since the system operates passively and automatically , keeping pressure relatively constant , and avoiding leaks . therefore , when the shed 12 is returned to its starting temperature , the bladders 16 will automatically return to their prefill volume , or very close to it . final emissions mass would be calculated on the basis of a new concentration reading times the same net volume figure . again , the air inside the bladders 16 , since it is totally isolated from the interior of shed 12 , need not be measured in any way in the final calculation . variations in the embodiment disclosed could be made . a passively operating volume surplus and deficit sensor other than the membrane 36 could be used . for example , a balloon type structure within shed 12 would grow with a pressure drop and shrink with a pressure rise . this could trigger proximity switches or similar sensors , as does membrane 36 , to signal that inflating or exhausting of bladders 16 was needed to keep the pressure constant . the key to sensing is an automatic , passive , and physically sensible response to the incipient pressure change . more or fewer bladders 16 could be used , depending on their size and the expected temperature changes . therefore , it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to just the embodiment disclosed .	6
referring to fig1 the illustrated device is shown as a cup - shaped member 10 having a generally hemispherical shape and a flat , annular underside , with a round rim carrying a pointed stub 12 . stub 12 can be used as a visual guide for consistently orienting the device and also has a visual appeal in that the shape is reminiscent of the shape of a chestnut . mounted in member 10 is a retractable element 14 ( illustrated further hereinafter ). element 14 is shown with a bowl - shaped underside ( also referred to as an engagement surface ) and a cruciform channel 16 . a cutter 18 is visible inside the cruciform channel 16 . referring to fig2 and 3 , the concave underside of cup shaped member 10 is shown embossed with a cruciform socket 20 , designed to hold a pair of crossed cutters ( illustrated further hereinafter ). the internal wall bordering socket 20 contains four internal grooves 22 . each of the grooves 22 has a main groove section 22a , bordered by a graded slot 22b , shown in the form of a rampway . this rampway 22b enables a subsequently illustrated tongue to slide into the main section 22a of the groove . referring to fig4 two of the four tongues 24 are illustrated herein as wedges in the form of triangular prisms mounted at four equiangularly spaced positions on the cylindrical periphery of retractable element 14 . the wedges 24 act as a ramp to allow the retractable element to snap into the previously illustrated grooves ( grooves 22 of fig2 ). an annular groove 26 encircles the cruciform channel 16 and acts as a receptacle for a spring to be illustrated hereinafter . referring to fig5 the previously illustrated , cup - shaped member 10 contains the retractable element 14 , shown with its tongues 24 slidably mounted in position at the bottom of internal grooves 22a . the joint between tongue 24 and groove 22a is herein referred to as a tongue and groove joint . cutter 28 is shown herein as a pair of crossed blades mounted in the cruciform socket 20 . cutter 28 may be formed from sheet steel stampings that are linked to make a crossed form . the projecting lower edges of cutter 28 are sharpened for the purpose of cutting nuts , as described presently . cutter 28 is shown partially occupying the cruciform channel 16 formed in retractable element 14 . a resilient means is shown herein as spiral spring 30 . spring 30 is mounted between the concave underside of cup - shaped member 10 and the annular groove 26 in retractable element 14 . constructed in this fashion , retractable element 14 can reciprocate coaxially within member 10 . spring 30 , however , urges the element 14 outwardly in a direction herein referred to as the thrust direction . in operation , the device of fig6 is placed over a nut n with the retractable element 14 resting atop nut n . thereafter , cup - shaped member 10 is manually depressed , causing cutter 28 to pierce nut n as illustrated . the descent of cutter 28 is limited when cruciform socket 20 abuts the top of retractable element 14 . since the elevation of retractable element 14 is limited by engagement atop nut n , the descent of member 10 is likewise limited . as cutter 28 penetrates nut n , element 14 progressively retracts to unsheath cutter 28 , as wedge 24 slides up groove 22 as illustrated . in this embodiment , the maximum depth of penetration is as illustrated in fig6 . this penetration depth will always be achieved , except for smaller nuts , wherein the depth of penetration will be limited by the minimum distance between the lowermost edge of cutter 28 and the lowermost portion of member 10 . for nuts having a height just slightly greater than this distance , the penetration will be only slight . referring to fig7 an alternate device is illustrated having a cup - shaped member 32 slidably mounted inside a retractable element 34 . the underside of element 34 is shown with a domed partition 36 perforated by a cruciform channel 38 . a cutter 40 is partially visible in channel 38 . the external surface of partition 36 is referred to as an engagement surface . referring to fig8 the concave underside of cup - shaped member 32 is shown embossed with a cruciform socket 42 , designed to hold the previously mentioned cutter ( cutter 40 of fig7 ). two of the four equiangularly spaced wedges 44 ( also referred to as tongues ) are shown mounted on the cylindrical periphery of cup - shaped member 32 . these wedges 44 engage subsequently illustrated grooves in the retractable element . referring to fig9 and 10 , internal grooves 46 are shown for accepting the previously mentioned wedges ( wedges 44 of fig8 ). internal grooves 46 are shown having a shallow section 46b bordering a deeper section 46a . shallow section 46b provides a transition for facilitating assembly so that the previously mentioned wedges can be guided over the shallow portion 46b into the deeper portion 46a of groove 46 . retractable element 34 is shown with an annular wall 48 joined to a floor featuring previously mentioned domed partition 36 , shown here perforated by cruciform channel 38 . visible in fig9 is the fact that the base of retractable element 34 has a round rim with a pointed stub 33 . referring to fig1 and 12 , previously illustrated cup - shaped member 32 is shown slidably mounted within annular walls 48 of retractable element 34 . wedges 44 are shown sliding within the internal grooves 46 to form a tongue and groove joint . accordingly , cup - shaped member 32 can coaxially slide within the retractable element 34 in a thrust direction . a resilient means is shown herein as a spiral spring 50 . spring 50 is mounted between the concave underside of member 32 and the internal floor of retractable element 34 , around domed partition 36 . in operation , the device of fig1 and 12 is placed over a nut n as illustrated in fig1 . the nut n is sized to fit under the domed portion 36 of element 34 with both element 34 and the nut both resting on the same work surface . for larger nuts , the device will be elevated above the work surface . on the other hand , smaller nuts will leave clearance between the underside of partition 36 and the nut . when the user depresses member 32 , cutter 40 extends through the channel 38 in domed partition 36 . the extension of cutter 40 continues until the bottom of member 32 abuts the internal floor of element 34 , as shown in fig1 . accordingly , the amount of extension of cutter 40 will be uniform . for small nuts , part of the upper portions of the exposed blade will not affect the nut . however , for nuts as large as shown in fig1 or larger , the depth of penetration will be the constant amount illustrated there . when the user releases member 32 , spring 50 lifts member 32 and retracts cutter 40 . consequently , the cutter 40 is pulled out of nut n . referring to fig1 - 16 , a third alternative device is shown , again with a cup - shaped member 52 ( also referred to as a plunger ) having on its concave underside a cruciform socket 54 for holding a pair of crossed blades 56 that operate as a cutter . member 52 is shown having an inside annular partition 58 and a shorter , outside coaxial annular partition 60 ( both partitions being generally cylindrical ). tongues or wedges 62 ( only two of the four are visible in each view ) are shown in the form of triangular prisms embossed at four equiangular positions along the cylindrical periphery of outside annular partition 60 . similarly grooves 64 ( two of four visible ) are shown mortised at four equiangularly spaced positions on the cylindrical interior of inside partition 58 . referring to fig1 and 14 , an annular skirt 66 is shown in the form of an annular channel having a floor 68 bordered by an outside annular wall 70 and an inside annular wall 72 . wall 72 is shown breached by three equiangularly spaced notches 74 . outside wall 70 has a trio of equiangular spaced grooves 76 ( similar in shape to groove 46 of fig1 ). referring to fig1 , 14 and 15 , retractable element 78 is shown as a disc - like member with a bowled underside 80 ( also referred to as an engagement surface ) and an upper surface having an annular groove 82 . retractable member 78 is perforated by a cruciform channel 84 . a trio of splines 86 radially project from three equiangularly spaced positions on the cylindrical periphery of element 78 . splines 86 are mostly rectangular , but each has a single wedge 88 which is part of a tongue and groove joint . specifically , wedge 88 is slidably mounted in groove 64 mortised inside annular partition 58 of plunger 52 . plunger 52 is coaxially mounted to telescopically slide within the skirt 66 . the wedges 62 are slidably mounted in the internal grooves 76 on the walls 70 of skirt 66 . the joints between wedge 62 and groove 76 and between wedge 88 and groove 46 are referred to as tongue and groove joints . a resilient means is shown herein as spiral spring 90 . spring 90 is mounted between the concave underside of plunger 52 and the annular groove 82 in retractable element 78 . spring 90 therefore tends to urge element 78 outwardly in a thrust direction . an extension means is shown herein as spiral spring 92 . spring 92 is mounted between floor 68 of skirt 66 and the underside of plunger 52 , specifically , between walls 58 and 60 . in operation , the device may work with a relatively large nut n1 as shown in fig1 . accordingly , the device is placed over nut n1 as illustrated with the retractable element 78 over nut n1 and skirt 66 encircling nut n1 . next , the user manually depresses the upper convex surface of plunger 52 causing cutter 56 to extend past retractable element 78 . thus unsheathed , cutter 56 pierces nut n1 as illustrated . as shown , the plunger 52 rides down through skirt 66 so that wedge 62 travels less than half way through groove 76 . the retractable element 78 , however , retracts fully and abuts the cruciform socket 54 . thus , cutter 56 can extend beyond retractable element 78 only a limited amount . after manual pressure is released from plunger 52 , the device returns to the condition illustrated in fig1 . significantly , the retractable element 78 , again sheaths cutter 56 to push nut n1 off cutter 56 . referring to fig1 , a relatively small nut n2 is shown pierced by cutter 56 . in this arrangement , the retractable element 78 does not abut cruciform socket 54 . thus , cutter 56 is unsheathed to a limited extent and pierces nut n2 to a lesser extent . thus unlike the operation of fig1 , the downward motion of plunger 52 is not restrained by plunger 52 abutting the retractable element 78 . instead , inside wall 58 of plunger 52 abuts floor 68 of skirt 66 to limit the depth of penetration of cutter 56 into nut n2 . referring to fig1 and 20 , a fourth alternative device is shown having many functional and structural similarities to the device of fig1 . accordingly , similar components have the same reference numeral but incremented by 100 . thus , plunger 152 is telescopically and slidably mounted within skirt 166 . the outside wall 160 has a wedge 162 slidably mounted in the internal groove 176 on outside annular wall 170 . skirt 166 is again a channel - like structure having a floor 168 , an inside wall 172 and an outside wall 170 . retractable element 178 is configured and mounted differently and uses a different spring combination . specifically , the splines previously illustrated in fig1 are replaced by a trio of spokes 194 , equiangularly spaced along the outside periphery of element 178 . spokes 194 terminate in wedge - like projections 196 . wedges 196 are shown in fig1 slidably mounted in a groove 197 formed on the inside of wall 160 of plunger 152 . as before , the inside annular wall 172 of skirt 166 has a trio of notches 174 , sized to slidably receive spokes 194 . the wedges 196 on spokes 194 are slidably mounted in grooves 197 formed on the inside of walls 160 of plunger 152 . thus , retractable element 178 can slide with respect to both the skirt 166 and the plunger 152 . with this configuration , springs can be placed in direct opposition around spokes 194 of retractable element 178 . specifically , a spiral spring 199 ( a resilient means ) is mounted between spokes 194 and the concave underside of plunger 152 , while an opposing spiral spring 198 ( an extension means ) is mounted between spokes 194 and the floor 168 of skirt 166 . accordingly , in the neutral position illustrated in fig1 , spring 199 , which is stronger than spring 198 , causes retractable element 178 to extend to the illustrated position , wherein wedge 196 reaches the bottom of groove 197 . in this position cutter 156 is fully sheathed by retractable element 178 . the combination though of plunger 152 and retractable element 178 is kept elevated by spring 198 , which pushes wedge 162 to the top of groove 176 . in operation , plunger 152 may be depressed as shown in fig2 , which shows the operation with a relatively small nut n2 . as illustrated , plunger 152 is depressed about two - thirds , so that wedge 162 descends about two - thirds of the way along groove 176 . this causes a penetration by cutter 156 to a limited depth . the depth is limited when cruciform socket 154 of plunger 152 abuts the top of retractable element 178 . since element 178 has an elevation that is limited by nut n2 , the descent of plunger 152 is likewise limited . when plunger 152 is released , the device returns to the position illustrated in fig1 . specifically , retractable element 178 is extended by spring 199 , which again sheaths cutter 156 and pushes the nut off the cutter . it is to be appreciated that various modifications may be implemented with respect to the above described preferred embodiments . while tongue and groove joints are typically shown , other embodiments may employ smoothly mating cylindrical surfaces with stops of various types for holding the cup - shaped member and retractable element together . while crossed blades are shown as a cutter , in other embodiments single blades or blades of other shapes can be used instead . also while a retractable element having a disc - like or cylindrical shape is illustrated , in other embodiments a rectangular or other shape may be used instead . moreover , the various components can be formed of plastic , metal , ceramics , or other appropriate materials depending upon the desired strength , rigidity , etc . while helical springs are illustrated , in other embodiments elastomeric devices , or other types of devices may provide the urging force . furthermore , the various dimensions can be altered depending upon the expected size of the nut , the desired weight , strength , etc . obviously , many 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 .	0
in fig1 an exposure meter em is shown on the left hand side , associated with an analog computer ac . as such analog computer may be used a summing amplifier as , for example , disclosed on page 59 in the &# 34 ; handbook of operational amplifier applications &# 34 ; 1963 edition . on the right hand side of the figure , a timer t for forming the exposure time , is illustrated , controlling a relay r which triggers conventionally the closing operation of the camera shutter at the end of the exposure time . the timer t may be a combination of a schmitt - trigger with an rc circuit . furthermore , a binary counter bc is part of the block circuit diagram , controlled by multivibrator mv which latter , in turn , is activated when a switch s is actuated . the multivibrator may be of the type disclosed in fig3 a , page 354 in the rca handbook on solid state , 1973 edition . as the binary counter may be used a counter offered for sale under type no . cd 4024 by the rca corporation . a digital - to - analog converter designated d / a in the fig1 is connected after the binary counter . this digital - to - analog converter is simply a resistor network as indicated in the drawing . furthermore , a comparator c is provided in the circuit , serving for voltage comparison , as well as an indicating instrument m ( which can be switched over together with switch s by a switch s 1 . the comparator c may , for example , be a micro power operational amplifier as offered for sale by the rca corporation under type no . ca 3078 . these components are connected in the following way and with the following function : a light flux l impinging on the exposure meter em produces therein a voltage u bv proportional to the logarithm of the brightness value of the object to be photographed . this voltage u bv is fed to the analog computer ac , to which are applied furthermore additional voltages , e . g ., u av and u fs proportional to the aperture value and the film sensitivity . from all of these voltages , the analog computer ac forms a voltage u t which is analogous to the logarithm of the exposure time proportional to the brightness of the object under consideration of the selected diaphragm and the film sensitivity . this analogous voltage u t appears at the output of the analog computer and is fed from there to one of the inputs of comparator c . of course , u t is present only as long as light impinges on the exposure meter em . if this is not the case , for example because a photoconductive cell pertaining to the exposure meter and not illustrated herein is pivoted out of the beam path , then this voltage breaks down . however , for the short term holding of this voltage , a capacitor c . sub . 1 is furthermore provided , which holds the voltage after opening a switch s 2 coupled with the camera shutter button at least until the storage operation has been completed . it is also possible to provide a meter m for the voltage u t in the circuit , which meter is directly calibrated in exposure time units , so that the person using the camera can constantly read off the exposure time to be expected . the switch s is connected , in a way not important to the invention and thus not illustrated in detail , to a storage key at the camera . this key can either be a separate push button , or it can also be constructed as a forward extension of the shutter release . when the key is actuated , the switch s is changed over . thereby the binary counter bc is reset to zero condition and at the same time the multivibrator mv is activated by way of a flip - flop 20 . the pulses of the multivibrator are fed to the binary counter bc . digital signals appear at the outputs of the binary counter and are fed to the digital - to - analog converter . the latter forms from these digital signals a summed - up analog voltage which is applied to the second input of the comparator c . the comparator c compares this stepwise accumulating added voltage with the voltage u t , and , if both are identical , a 1 signal appears at the output of the comparator . this signal is fed to the flip - flop 20 , which is switched over and , in turn , stops the multivibrator mv , so that no pulses can pass to the binary counter . thus , a voltage has been retained at the output of the digital - to - analog converter which is identical to the voltage u t and which is applied to the timer t by the connection 10 for forming therefrom an analogous exposure time if the voltage u t has already broken down . the meter m is switched over by means of the switch s 1 , which is coupled with the switch s , namely away from the output of the analog computer ac to the input of the timer t . thereby , prior to the storage command , the time indication follows all variations and on the other hand , indicates the stored time after the storage step has been effected . fig2 shows a second embodiment of the invention which is distinguished in that electronic means are included which retain the voltage analogous to voltage u t only for a short time , and then erase the binary counter and again allow the analogous voltage to accumulate . thereby , a constant adaptation to any possible changing object brightness is made possible . besides , the circuit is illustrated in greater detail in the zone of the binary counter . in this circuit , there are again the exposure meter em , the analog computer ac , as well as the timer t with the relay r connected thereafter . the steps of the binary counter are designated by the numerals 1 - 7 , associated with transistors 8 - 14 as illustrated in the drawing . the collector currents of these transistors flow via the resistors r 8 - r 14 . these resistors are coupled together and are commonly connected to the inverting input of a first operational amplifier 15 . the output of the operational amplifier 15 leads to the non - inverting input of a second operational amplifier 17 , to whose inverting input the voltage u t is applied . the pulses from a pulse generator g are fed to the binary counter 1 - 7 via an nand gate 31 . the other input of this nand gate is connected to the output of a flip - flop 20 , receiving pulses from a one - shot multivibrator 32 . the latter is , in turn , connected to a multivibrator mv vibrating at a comparatively low frequency of , e . g ., 10 hz . the binary counters 1 - 7 are assumed to be at first in the zero state , i . e ., the transistors 8 - 14 are assumed to be conductive . consequently , currents flow through the resistors r 8 - r 14 . accordingly , 0 volt is present at the output of the operational amplifier 15 ( r 15 = r 16 ). if u t is larger than 0 volt , then the output of the operational amplifier 17 is negative , an associated transistor 18 is nonconducting . the transistor 18 becomes conductive and thus sets the flip - flop 20 , as soon as voltage identity has been reached at the operational amplifier 17 by the accumulation of the binary counters . the flip - flop stops the pulse sequence via the nand gate 31 , which sequence is conducted from the generator g to the binary counter 1 - 7 . this logic gate 31 can , of course , also be present in the generator proper , in the manner shown in fig3 a . while the two inputs of one nand gate 30 are connected with each other and the gate thus operates as a simple inverter , one input of the other nand gate 31 is connected to the output of the flip - flop 20 . the generator can be arrested via this logic circuit input . the multivibrator mv vibrates constantly at a frequency of , for example , 10 hz . the one - shot multivibrator 32 is excited by means of the negative flank of the multivibrator pulses which appear every 100 milliseconds . this one - shot multivibrator applies a short resetting pulse to the binary counters 1 - 7 and to the flip - flop 20 . thereafter , a new cycle begins with the accumulation of the binary counters . fig5 shows , for example , the curve of the voltage as it accumulates at the true input of the comparator 15 . fig3 shows the same circuit as fig2 but this time it is equipped as a circuit wherein the voltage is only accumulated once . the binary counters are first at any arbitrary value . upon triggering the release , shortly prior to the opening of the shutter , the flip - flop 20 is set with switch s 3 via a capacitor c 1 , so that the binary counter can accumulate the value to be stored within a short period of time , and thus the voltage for the taking of the photograph is made available . a test storing for reading off the exposure time to be expected may be accomplished in the same way via a switch s 3 &# 39 ; but s 3 &# 39 ; is only connected to the storage key , i . e ., no exposure operation is yet conducted . while the embodiments in fig2 a , and 3b require a maximum of 2 7 = 128 steps until the input signal is stored , the storage state can be reached in the embodiment of fig4 a after 2 × 7 steps . whereas the functions of the operational comparator 43 , as well as the meter m , the transistor 46 , and the output of the exposure meter part are the same as those of the corresponding structural groups in fig2 a , and 3b , the other components operate as follows : among the outputs a - k of a stepping switch mechanism only one output in each case carries a 1 signal . as shown in fig4 b , the stepping switch mechanism consists , for example , of a pulse generator g , with the elements 52 - 57 , an associated four - stage binary counter 58 with decoder 59 , and a delay member dm , with the elements 60 - 65 . as the four stage binary counter there may be used a counter as sold by rca corporation under the type no . cd 4024 . this counter has actually seven outputs , however , only the four lower numbered ( q 1 - q 4 ) may be used . the reset input is not used either and therefore connected to zero potential . the 4 to 16 decoder 59 may be of conventional construction . if not available two 4 to 8 decoders may be used as sold by rca corporation under type no . cd 4028 . the two decoders must then be connected in the manner shown in fig4 b . it should be noted , however , that the input d requires an inverter 35 to decide which one of the two decoders should carry the 1 signal at one of its outputs . the delay member dm is a network of inverters 60 ; 65 plus a transistor 64 and a rc combination 62 ; 61 . the h - output of the decoder 59 is fed directly to the delay member and has the effect that for approximately 100 milliseconds the connection between the inverter 65 and the pulse generator g carries a 0 signal which stops the generator . further a switch s 4 is provided therein the opening of which also causes a 0 signal in said connection , thus also blocking the generator g . the outputs a - h of the decoder assume successively a 1 signal corresponding to the frequency of the multivibrator . the 1 signal at the output h then blocks the multivibrator over a period ( 100 milliseconds ) formed by the resistor 62 and the capacitor 61 . the following output k resets all flip - flops 71 - 77 , whereupon a new evaluation cycle begins . the resistors 81 - 87 are in each case increased by the factor 2 . upon the cycle a , the flip - flop 71 is first placed into the 1 state . if the voltage obtained thereby at the input of the comparator 43 is too high , then the flip - flop 71 is again reset with the subsequent cycle a &# 39 ;. in contrast hereto , if the voltage thus obtained is still too low , then the cycle a &# 39 ; does not become further effective . with cycle b , the balancing then begins , made more sensitive by the factor 2 , until finally the balancing step is terminated with the cycles g or g &# 39 ;, respectively . at this point , the delay of , for example , 100 milliseconds occurs , effected by the cycle h . during this pause , the storage step is thus conducted . if no new balancing cycle is to begin , the switch s 4 is opened . the function of the circuitry of fig4 a will best be understood with references to fig4 c . first be it assumed that a voltage u t , which in logarithmically condensed form corresponds to the required exposure time , is present at the true input of the comparator 43 , and further be it assumed that the pulse generator g constantly generates pulses . this can be done because the current consumption of the generator is extremely low so that no undue drainage of the battery occurs . under these conditions the outputs a - k of the decoder 59 assume successively a 1 signal . first the output a carries a 1 signal which triggers the flip - flop 71 so that a voltage appears at the inverted input of the comparator 43 the magnitude of which depends on the resistance value of the resistor 81 . if this voltage exceeds the voltage u t in magnitude as shown in fig4 c a 1 signal appears at the comparator output and consequently also in the connection 101 from the transistor 46 to the flip - flops , especially to flip - flop 71 . if now , subsequently , the decoder output a &# 39 ; carries a 1 signal this 1 signal plus the 1 signal from the connection 101 will reset the flip - flop 71 to its nondonductive state . as a result no more voltage potential will be present at the inverted input of the comparator 43 . then the output b will carry a 1 signal which sets the flip - flop 72 to its conductive state . since the resistor 82 has twice the resistance value of the resistor 81 -- because the resistors 81 - 87 are in each case increased by the factor 2 -- the voltage appearing at the comparator input will only have half of the magnitude of that of the previous voltage . this voltage potential , however , does not reach the magnitude of the voltage u t . consequently no 1 signal appears in the connection 101 , which rather continues to carry a 0 signal . as a consequence thereof , the flip - flop 72 is not reset to its nonconductive state when , subsequently , the output b &# 39 ; carries a 1 signal . then the output c carries a 1 signal which sets the flip - flop 73 to its conductive state . this causes a voltage of half of the magnitude of the previous voltage to appear at point 102 and to be added to the voltage already present at the comparator input . if , now , the sum of the two voltages exceeds the voltage u t in magnitude a 1 signal will appear in the connection 101 which , together with the subsequent 1 signal in the output c &# 39 ; will reset the flip - flop 73 to its nonconductive state so that the second voltage will disappear . then the output d will carry a 1 signal and a voltage corresponding to the resistor 84 will be added . if the sum of the voltages does not yet reach the magnitude of u t the flip - flop 74 will remain in its conductive state . otherwise , it will be reset as shown in fig4 c . from the foregoing it will be comprehended that by successively providing a 1 signal in the outputs a - g a stepwise accumulation of voltages is obtained which in total will just equal the voltage u t ( or remain below the voltage only to a negligible amount ; the accumulated voltage would always exactly equal the voltage u t if a decoder with an infinite number of outputs would be used ). this voltage is then also supplied to the timer t which forms therefrom the shutter time in a known manner . the delay member dm has the effect that the penultimate 1 signal in this sequence -- which appears in the h output -- blocks the generator g for a certain period of time , namely for the discharging time of the capacitor 61 , e . g ., for 100 milliseconds . thus , for these 100 milliseconds a voltage equal to the voltage u t appears at the input of the timer t and the whole circuitry is at a pause . then the subsequently following 1 signal in the output k resets all flip - flops to their nonconductive state and the described cycle begins again . the accumulated voltage may be maintained for a longer period of time at the input of the timer t if the switch s 4 in the delay member dm is opened . as already described the opening of the switch also blocks the generator g . the switch s 4 is therefore connected to the camera release button and forms a forward extension thereof so that when the release button is pushed the switch s 4 is opened well in advance of the actual shutter release . for sake of simplicity the elements shown in fig4 b , i . e ., the pulse generator g , the binary counter 58 , the decoder 59 and the delay member dm are in fig4 a all encased in one common box named &# 34 ; stepping switch &# 34 ; and designated ssw .	6
high frequency recording of a waveform is accomplished by recording the output waveform under the required measuring condition and subsequently interrupting the input signal to decrease heat - generation due to eddy current loss and to minimize the error resulting from heat - generation . therefore , a greater importance should be given to high frequency measuring techniques for the field , so that the problem can be solved with a full automation of the measuring as the frequency becomes higher by interconnecting the input data to a computer . also , a computer is indispensable for processing the measured data regardless of how well the measuring equipment is automatized . of course , even in the conventional high frequency measurement a computer has been used . however , a system is not fully automatized except for only a partial automation such as an output portion . so the method is ineffective from the point of work - performance due to processing the data by inputting them again into a computer . fig1 is a block diagram showing a whole system of the present invention , a system including : a signal generator 1 for outputting a select waveform ; a power amplifier 2 for amplifying the waveform outputted from the signal generator ; a shunt 7 for converting current applied to the first coil 4 into a high frequency voltage , and outputting the waveform of that waveform and a digital oscilloscope 6 for measuring the frequency and the maximum value of the high - frequency voltage waveform of high frequency voltage waveform channels , which measured valued are sampled into a digital form and then stored in the memory of the oscilloscope as well as analyzed therein . one of the waveforms received via the first channel is magnetic field intensity ( h ) converted from the shunt 7 , and the other waveform received via the second channel is magnetic flux density ( b ) of a sampler material 3 . the system also has a computer 8 which controls the whole system , such as finally deciding an output of the signal generator 1 by feeding back the signal generator output as the measured values of the digital oscilloscope 6 , storing the voltage waveform equivalent to each h and b magnetic field generated by the set signal from the generator 1 in the digital oscilloscope 6 , and calculating a value of h and b waveform and high - frequency hysteresis curve . a computer can calculate various magnetic properties from the stored values in the digital oscilloscope 6 . a gpib ( general purpose interface bus ) cable 9 interconnects the devices and acts as a built - in communication interface for connecting the computer 8 to other equipment , here shown as oscilloscope 6 and signal generator 1 . gpib handles control instructions and numerical data . in operation , the present inventive system may amplify the signal waveform at a power amplifier 2 when the output of the signal generator 1 is received therein before being applied to the first coil 4 . the h magnetic field can be produced by the amplified current flow in the first coil 4 of a sample material 3 . since the magnetic flux density b can be produced in the sample material 3 by the magnetic field intensity h , the induced voltage is generated in the second coil 5 . the voltage converted through the shunt 7 into the current of the first coil 4 can be input on the first channel of the digital oscilloscope . the induced voltage of the second coil 5 can be input on the second channel of the digital oscilloscope . the high - frequency waveforms inputted in each channel of the digital oscilloscope 6 are sampled into digital form and then stored in its own memory . then , the frequency and the maximum value , etc . of the waveform are measured with an analysis of the voltage of each waveform . each process step for the measurement is managed and controlled by the computer 8 . at first , the computer receives the parameters for the measuring condition from and operator and drives the output of a signal generator 1 the measured valued of the digital oscilloscope 6 are used to obtain the waveforms equivalent to the measuring condition . finally , the computer controls or determines the output of the signal generator 1 depending on the measured values from the digital oscilloscope 6 . this process step is repeated in a step by step manner . further , the computer 8 may store the waveforms equivalent to each h and b magnetic field produced by the determined signal output of the signal generator 1 and received by the digital oscilloscope 6 . the computer reads the stored waveform from a built - in memory and there obtains the measured value , the h and b curves and the high - frequency hysteresis curve through the numerical calculation such as an integration . for example , as is well known in the art , integration of the magnetic flux density provides a value for core - loss . a series of control commands and the flow of the numerical data are achieved through the gpib cables 9 connecting the signal generator and the digital oscilloscope to the computer . in the present inventive system , it computes the output waveform from a signal input within about 1 - 2 seconds . the required time to calculate the measured value and the magnetic hysteresis curve may take about 30 seconds . most important to the system is to decrease the time taken to complete the recording of the waveform after a signal is applied because heat generation may occur in a short period in the high frequency system . a measuring frequency range is decided by the consideration of the frequency range of the signal generator 1 and of the cut - off frequency of the power amplifier 2 , as well as consideration of the sampling frequency of the digital oscilloscope , which usually rang about 10 hz to 20 mhz . since a signal generator has the functions to selectively output a sine - wave , a triangular - wave , a square - wave and so forth , the measuring range of a core - loss can be widened through application of various input waveforms . further , as the equipment used in the present invention such as the signal generator , the power amplifier and the digital oscilloscope are for general purpose use , it is very easy to construct , modify and update them . also , gpib ( general purpose interface bus ) is a standard communication protocol , thereby software accompanying the hardware modification and compatibility of the added devices to the existing devices operates extremely well . thus , the system has a high compatibility of data between devices and an easy process of use and updating . generally , in view of observing the result of a b - h curve measurement , the curve is not symmetrical in the origin and a material having a high permeability has more nonsymmetrical curve particularly . this is due to the decreasing effect of the operating magnetic flux density and an increasing effect of the existing current , and thus an error from the core - loss value can be reduced . so in the present system , symmetrical characteristics of the h signal can be investigated to correct the above error through operation of software design in the computer . it is necessary to have a function which adjusts the symmetrical b - h curve by programming a dc - offset into the signal generator output based on the data from the oscilloscope 6 . thus , a more precise measuring value can be obtained by performing the modification and calculating the dc - offset in the software of the system . fig2 through 5 respectively show an illustration of the high frequency magnetic properties measured according to the present invention because they are related to the measuring system of the high - frequency magnetic properties according to the present invention . only the title of each component is described immediately below in relation to fig2 - 5 omitting the detailed explanation of its effect . fig2 shows a waveform of a b - h magnetic field which has performed a sampling by the digital oscilloscope , thus having a cycle consisting of 256 data points . fig3 shows a magnetic hysteresis curve of the amorphous ribbon type sample by the change of the operating magnetic flux density at a frequency of 10 khz , which curve measured at 0 . 1 t , 0 . 2 t , 0 . 3 t and 0 . 4 t respectively . fig4 shows b - h curves of the amorphous ribbon type core measured under the condition of 0 . 4 t operation magnetic flux density at a 10 khz frequency . fig4 shows a variation of the b - h curve when the h - waveform applied as sine wave and a square wave . fig5 shows a b - h curve of a ferrite ring core measured at 0 . 1 t operating magnetic flux density and 1 mhz frequency . fig6 shows an asymmetrical b - h curve by deviation of the h magnetic field signal , which is indicated an asymmetrical deformation by deviation in a &# 34 ;+&# 34 ; direction of the h magnetic field when it was measured at 0 . 3 t operating magnetic flux density and 10 khz frequency . fig7 shows a symmetrical b - h curve modified by an automatic adjusting function in fig7 the adjusting function produces a symmetrical b - h curve which is a modification of the fig6 curve . with a combination of the general purpose measuring devices such as a signal generator , an amplifier , a digital oscilloscope and the like , the present invention has a configuration and a function as mentioned above which addresses the drawbacks in the prior art . one effect of the present invention is highly improved performance and reduced economic expense due to constructing a system by the selective adoption of measuring devices having different functions . another effect is the easily performed modification and upgrading of the measuring system . the effects of modification can be minimized by modifying the software following a hardware modification in the system . the proper software parameters are set following the hardware modification , since the compatibility of the software following a hardware modification , i . e . adding a device , is easily achieved by installing the gpib interface as the standard communication protocol . a further effect is obtained in measuring the precise and accurate measuring value and the like . this is achieved by being able to analyze the core - loss as a properly selected waveform for measuring , for example , a square wave , a triangle wave , a saw - tooth wave , a wave formed optionally and the like , as well as by modifying the asymmetrical phenomena of the b - h curve through the modifying function according to the software design . thus , the inventive system provides an improved apparatus and method for measuring the effects of a high frequency signal on a sample material . the system operates in a more efficient manner than prior measuring systems by acquiring a digital sample set representing the b - h curve at a higher frequency . the digital sample set is initially stored in the digital oscilloscope and then transferred to a computer for further processing . although the particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes , it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus , including the rearrangement of parts , lie within the scope of the present invention .	6
the preferred embodiment of the invention uses a computer software package to facilitate and enable the primary features of the instant invention . the software includes a basic word processing program such as microsoft word ®, a database program such as microsoft access ®, fox pro ® or a visual basic ®, and a system for providing data entry , such as computer terminals with keyboards , document scanners , and a digital signature device . real estate professionals , such as attorneys , settlement agents , title companies and financial institutions will primarily use this method and system . with reference to the embodiment illustrated in fig1 , the anticipated software package provides an opening screen . as with most screens described herein , navigation is done using well known point and “ click ” features that are common to windows ® based software . the “ add / update a file ” button 100 is generally the starting point for a new file . as soon as a file is received , information from that file should be input to the system . this button is also selected when file information must be changed or updated . the “ schedule a closing ” button 200 uses the scheduling features of the instant invention to reserve a time and place for the closing to take place . the “ tracking and reporting ” button 300 allows a user to keep track of what closings are taking place on a particular date or in a particular location . also , this button is used to check information relating to the funding or financing involved in a particular file . other data tracking features are accessed through this button as will be discussed below . when a user is ready to generate a hard copy of the real estate closing documents , this feature would also be used . the “ setup system preferences ” button 400 is used to setup the system with the most basic information regarding the company or real estate professional using the software . this feature is also used for updating the system with basic information regarding other companies and professionals that are commonly involved in real estate transactions . finally , the “ exit ” button 999 is used once a user wishes to shut down the software program described herein . other standard windows ® type features can be seen along both the top and bottom of the screen shown in fig1 . fig2 illustrates the screen that is displayed when the “ setup system preferences ” button 400 from fig1 is selected . prior to using the software described herein for real estate transactions , a user must setup several supporting databases , which are indicated in fig2 . the “ order more closings ” button 410 can be selected to update the system to enable and allow additional closing transaction . a licensee of the instant invention will be provided a code to enter , which allows a set amount of transactions or closing to be entered in the system . in order to enter additional transactions or closings , the licensee must re - subscribe or renew the licensee . after renewal , the licensee will be given a new code , which allows more closings to be entered using the system . the database of the instant invention contains embedded codes which correlate to the codes given to licensee &# 39 ; s , thus they will act as a key to the system . the “ bank database ” button 420 should be selected when setting up lender information . the “ bank checking account ” button 430 is used to setup checking accounts from which funds can be drawn . the “ investor database ” button 440 is used to setup mortgage investor information . the “ warehouse database ” button 450 is used to setup warehouse bank information . large institutional lenders generally have “ cash on - hand ” to fund loans they close . smaller lenders will typically “ borrow ” the monies required to fund a closing loan from warehouse lenders , at least until the loan is purchased by a mortgage investor . the “ sub - servicer database ” button 460 is used to enter information relating to all individuals or entities that are not considered mortgage banks , mortgage investors or warehouse banks . examples of sub - servicers are attorneys , title companies , mortgage brokers and real estate brokers . the “ set - up employees ” button 470 is used to setup employee designations , such as job titles or duties and is used for setting up passwords that will be used throughout the system . the “ set - up schedules ” button 480 is used to customize the closing schedule screens described below . the “ set - up til programs ” button 490 is used for entering loan program information for the printing of a truth in lending form . finally , a “ back ” button 888 is provided which will take the user back to the previous screen , which in this case is the opening screen . the “ back ” button 888 is seen in numerous other screens , unlike the exit button 999 that is only available on the opening screen . fig3 illustrates the screen that is displayed when the “ bank database ” button is pressed on the set - up system preferences screen discussed above . normally , when a user gets to this screen most of the fields are filled - in . in effect , all the fields on this screen will contain information from the first bank whose information is in the existing database . when a user wishes to select a different bank they can use the search box 4215 to select a bank that has been previously entered into the database . one can use the drop - down arrow to select the other banks already in the database . if a desired bank is not already in the database , the user can select “ add new ” button 4210 which , can be used to enter information for a new bank . when the “ add new ” button is selected , all the fields visible on this screen will go blank allowing a user to enter new data . the first section on this screen 4220 contains the basic name , address and telephone number information relating to a specific bank . the fields are somewhat self - explanatory so that a user can enter information more easily and with little training . the second section titled “ officer of record information ” 4230 can be used to track information concerning the primary officer or contact at a bank . the “ record and return information ” section 4240 , “ assignment information ” section 4250 , and “ payment information ” section 4260 are self - explanatory and are used to track specific information relating to the same bank displayed in the first section 4220 . additionally , some of the fees associated with a bank and its transactions can be listed in the lower section 4270 . the program even allows for three miscellaneous field boxes 4275 for entering special fees that would be particular to that banking institution . finally , the miscellaneous information section 4280 is used to track other marketing and basic banking information . fig4 is the bank checking accounts screen . this screen is accessed by clicking the “ bank checking account ” button 430 on the set - up system preferences screen ( see fig2 ). once again as with the previous screen , when a user first arrives at this screen most of the fields should contain data relating to the first record from the database . the information from the bank checking account screen can be used in a mortgage closing for disbursing funds . a feature that is discussed in more detail below is the check writing ability of this invention . the bank checking account fields contain the critical information required to write checks . in other words , this information can be used during a real estate closing to produce the actual checks needed for the closing by both the buyers and sellers . approval must be obtained from any banking institutions whose checks will be used in connection with this feature . if a user wishes to search for a particular account that is available within the program , he or she is able to click the down arrow on the search field 4315 and select from the drop - down list . once an account is selected from the drop down list , it and its corresponding information will appear in the fields on this screen . when a user desires to create a new account , they can use the add new button 4310 to clear all the fields and allow data input . the general bank account information fields 4320 on this screen are used miscellaneous bank account information . these fields must be completed if the check writing capabilities were going to be used . once set of fields that is important to note is the authorized signor &# 39 ; s fields 4330 , which are used to provide the user with a list of people who are authorized to perform transactions from the bank account in question . fig5 illustrates a data screen that is used for showing mortgage investor information . this screen is accessed by clicking the “ investor database ” button 440 on the set - up system preferences screen ( see fig2 ). during real estate transactions that involve a mortgage , it is not uncommon for smaller mortgage bankers to sell their loans to mortgage investors . in fact , most loans that are sponsored by smaller mortgage companies are approved for purchase from mortgage investors prior to the actual closing . other than the basic information fields 4420 , this screen can contain important information relating to assignment requirements , such as the requirements fields 4440 and 4460 . a few blank requirements fields are included to allow for unusual assignment requirements that a particular mortgage investor might have . as these fields are subject to frequent change , it is helpful to have last updated fields 4430 or 4450 . further , as with previous screens an add new button 4410 and a search field 4415 are provided to create new records and access already stored records . additionally , a promotions field 4470 is provided to track scheduled contacts with these investors . promotions can include cards or gifts sent to the investor or even invitations to parties and other invents . there are various methods used by mortgage bankers and lenders to fund a loan and a small mortgage banker does not have to be used . larger mortgage bankers or lenders can also be used to finance a loan . a large mortgage bank is one that typically has “ cash - on - hand ” to fund a loan , whereas smaller mortgage banks need to “ borrow ” the monies they use to fund a closing before it is purchased by a mortgage investor . the small mortgage bankers typically “ borrow ” their monies for this intermediate phase from what are referred to as warehouse lenders . fig6 shows a screen that can be used to track information relating to such warehouse lenders . this screen is accessed by clicking the “ warehouse database ” button 450 on the set - up system preferences screen ( see fig2 ). in keeping with previous screen formats , an add new button 4510 and search field 4515 are provided to create new and edit existing warehouse investor records . in addition to the general warehouse investor information fields 4540 , each such investor is provided an identification number that is displayed in the warehouse id field 4520 . additionally , a routing number field 4530 is provided for reference during a loan closing . finally , as above a promotions field 4550 is also provided for warehouse investors . there are numerous entities other than mortgage bankers , warehouse lenders and investors that can be involved in real estate transactions . all these other entities are referred to as sub - servicers . fig7 illustrates the “ sub - servicer database ” screen and is used to track information relating to these other entities such as attorneys , title companies , mortgage brokers , real estate brokers and others . this screen is accessed by clicking the “ sub - servicer database ” button 460 on the set - up system preferences screen ( see fig2 ). as with other screens , the sub - servicer information screen contains an add new button 4610 , a search field with drop down list 4615 , general information fields 4640 , promotions fields 4660 and even an identifying number field 4620 . additionally , this screen can track tax identification numbers 4630 and includes a field to indicate the type of sub - servicer , such as those mentioned above . additionally , information relating to employees of the company or organization using the software package envisioned by the instant invention must also be maintained . this information , like that of the other screens is important throughout the program when using the drop down boxes that are available . thus , as will be discussed more fully below , when using the scheduling features of the instant invention the drop down lists can be used to schedule employees to handle numerous real estate closings . fig8 is the set - up employee screen and is accessed by clicking the “ set - up employees ” button 470 on the set - up system preferences screen ( see fig2 ). on this screen , the employee &# 39 ; s name is entered in the name field 4720 and the type of duty they are capable of performing is selected from the drop down box in the type field 4730 . similar to the previous screens , there is an add new button 4710 , which allows information regarding new employees to be entered . when a user wishes to delete an employee from the database , they can click on the employee name they wish to delete and then click the “ delete record ” button 4715 . if a user intends on using the scheduling features of the instant invention the schedule maintenance screen must be used , see fig9 . this screen is accessed by clicking the “ set - up schedule ” button 480 on the set - up system preferences screen ( see fig2 ). this screen allows a user to define different schedules for each location at which closings can be conducted . as with previous screens , there is a create new record button 4810 and a search field 4815 . otherwise , the screen should be rather straight forward in that it provides the name of the selected schedule in a field 4820 and a smaller spread sheet area containing columns for room or location name information 4830 and rows for scheduling times 4840 . a company or institution using this software package may also want to secure access to information contained in various parts of the database disclosed herein . this can be done by using passwords to secure those parts or screens of the database and can be done through the set - up passwords screen . clicking the “ set - up passwords ” button on the set - up system preferences screen accesses this screen . although the “ set - up passwords ” button is not shown in fig2 , it would be visible using the scroll - bar provided on the set - up system preferences screen . this screen provides a screen name field that shows a user all the screens that are available to restrict access using a password ( including the set - up passwords screen ). the scroll bar can be used to access the additional screen names not immediately visible on this screen . the passwords must be entered in the password field immediately below the corresponding screen . where no value is entered , no restrictions will be placed on that screen and thus no password is required for that screen . once a user has finished setting - up the system or is otherwise ready to enter information relating to a particular closing they can use the “ add / update a file ” button 100 found on the opening screen . fig1 shows the add / update a file screen which tracks each file with a control number and an associated name and social security number . fig1 also illustrates a varied embodiment that uses , rather than a back button 888 , uses a button 8880 which performs the same feature but more clearly indicates to where or what screen the user would go back . as with previous screens , there is provided a search feature . this screen shows an additional alternate embodiment that uses a search button 1030 that leads to a small pop - up window that can either use a drop list or more free form blank search fields that are used to perform a textual search of all records maintained . various fields should be provided for a free form blank search field search in order to allow a user different ways to search for a particular file , in addition to just the control number or name associated with the file . as with previous screens , a new file button 1010 is provided to enter additional file names and which will automatically generate a control number . each file uses one row 1050 on this screen with a unique control number . although all files would be visible on this screen using the scroll bar , a search feature is useful as a company or institution using this software is likely to accumulate a large number of files that would be tedious to scroll through in order to find a particular file . once a particular file is selected , either after using the find file button 1030 or by clicking on the desired record , that record can be changed , viewed or updated using the update file button 1040 or even deleted using the delete file button 1015 . the delete button should contain a verification request before actually deleting a record to avoid accidental deletions . also , this delete button can be restricted using the passwords discussed above . further , the delete button should not allow deletions of files or loans that have already closed . the update file button 1040 is actually the primary button used on the add / update a file screen as it provides access to numerous other screens containing additional information relating to that file . also , until now the screens described above have dealt primarily with general set - up of the system , where updating a file starts to track information about a specific loan or real estate closing . once a file is selected and the update file button 1040 is clicked , a user will see the borrower information screen seen in fig1 . unlike previous screens , this screen now contains a button / tab system for navigating the various information screens associated with a particular file or loan . a user can go to each desired screen using the navigation bar 1100 , which includes a back button 888 that leads back to the add / update a file screen . the borrower information screen is where the input for each borrower is done . the illustrated embodiment allows for up to four ( 4 ) borrowers per loan , but providing for either a greater or lesser number of borrowers is anticipated . additionally , this screen and most of the screens accessible on the navigation bar 1100 contain a conversations log button 1110 . this button allows a user to maintain a log of telephone conversations conducted relating to a particular file and most of the details from that conversation . most of the remaining fields on this screen are self - explanatory , such as the general / main borrower information fields 1120 and the co - borrower fields 1140 . the attorney information fields should be used to select an attorney , if any , being used by the borrower ( s ) in a particular file . a drop down list is provided to select from the attorneys previously entered in the sub - servicer database screen . the general attorney information fields 1130 will display data pertaining to the selected attorney or law firm . if a desired attorney or law firm is not already entered in the database , the add button 1135 can be used to add attorneys or law firms to the database . most fields on this screen must be completed as they contain information required for the closing documents . just a few fields such as the salutation or e - mail fields , though not required , can provide valuable information throughout the closing process and with regard to post closing marketing or promotions to these borrowers . the seller screen , seen in fig1 , is used for entering and viewing information relating to the sellers involved in the selected file . this screen contains analogous fields to those found on the buyer information screen , including general seller information fields 1210 , attorney information fields 1230 and 1235 , and provides for up to three co - sellers and information fields 1240 relating to them . providing for either fewer or greater co - sellers is anticipated . it should be noted that the navigator bar 1100 does not display a navigation button to the screen being displayed as this would be unnecessary and reduces the amount of space available to display the other navigation buttons . the loan screen , seen in fig1 a and 13 b , is used for entering and viewing information relating to the loan involved in the selected file and is one of the most extensive input screens . it should be noted that fig1 a and 13 b depict a compilation of four views from the same screen with each view comprising a different scroll bar position . the screen allows quick reference to all the major components of the loan . first in the general loan information fields 1320 & amp ; 1330 , then the payment information fields 1340 , then the adjustable information fields 1330 , the home equity information fields 1360 , the buy - down information fields 1370 , and finally the meca / payoff information fields 1380 . the initial fields in the general information fields 1320 contain drop down lists to select an attorney , a bank , a broker or an investor associated with a particular loan . as previously mentioned in the borrower information screen description above , and in particular the attorney information fields 1135 , info and refresh buttons are provided to add or update information relating to the respective lists . this screen demonstrates the usefulness of entering that information ahead of time . what is more , this feature prevents the redundant entry of this type of information since once it is in the database ; it only need be amended or selected . this screen further displays the control number fields 1050 and 1310 . the control number fields 1310 reflect the selections made in the general information fields 1320 . further still , the loan opening date , status and status date fields 1315 are provided to track information regarding when a money issue has been initiated , what the status of the loan is and when that status was last posted . the property screen , seen in fig1 , is used for entering and viewing information relating to the property associated with a selected file . this screen also contains general information fields 1410 . also , were a cooperative group or organization is involved , co - op information fields 1420 are provided . such groups or organizations would be considered sub - servicers and could already be entered in the database . if not already entered , info and refresh buttons 1425 are provided to update the database . additionally , pud ( planned urban development ) fields 1430 and a condominium name field 1440 is provided for that information , if applicable . the title screen , seen in fig1 , is used for entering and viewing information relating to the legal title to the property involved in the selected file . the general title information fields 1520 track information relating to the receipt and review of the documentation relating to legal title to the property and the documents generated during the closing . included in such information is a brief description of the status of the title , such as “ awaiting co for the deck ” or “ needs inspection by lender .” such information can be used in generating reports as discussed more fully below . the “ subs ” button 1510 provides direct access to the sub - servicer screen where assigned subservices are displayed , ie , homeowner , flood and other insurance companies . finally , any conditions to passing legal title can be indicated in the conditions fields 1530 . those conditions can not only be described , but information as to when the condition was imposed , whether it was met or received and whether it is a condition that is required for the closing can be entered . this information is also important in generating reports as discussed more fully below . the closing schedule screen , seen in fig1 , is used for selecting and viewing when and where the closing will take place . the date and location fields 1620 can be used to select that information . although any future date can be selected , only locations already set - up in the database can be selected using the drop list provided . by entering the control number in the desired room column 1631 the other related fields 1630 will be automatically filled - in . it should be noted that fields for the subsequent time slots for each room 1632 could be accessed using the scroll bar . this screen also provides a schedule printout function through the print button 1610 . such a printout can be provided to the parties as notification or a reminder of the closing time and location . further , the delete button 1615 can be used to clear all the information relating to a scheduled closing for a particular file . this feature can be used if it is desired to reschedule a closing . the check information screen , seen in fig1 , is used for entering and viewing information relating to the funds necessary for the closing to take place and the checks that must be issued for that event . some of the information displayed on this screen is obtained when the hud - 1 form / screen is completed , which is discussed further below . by selecting the closing account id from the drop down list 1710 the money fields 1730 are automatically filled - in . these numbers can be edited , the checks printed ( if proper approval has been received for this by the issuing bank ) and reports can be generated using the check buttons 1720 . in viewing the checks involved in a loan and the totals required for the closing , this screen allows a user to reconcile the entire funding of a loan . net funded items and items paid by a bank are input in the funding fields 1740 . this screen , when used in conjunction with the funding screen discussed in the next paragraph can ensure each closing has been funded properly . additionally , if funds are to be wired for the borrower as opposed to writing a check , the funds source check boxes 1750 can be used to indicate such . when using one of the check boxes 1750 indicates a wire transfer , an additional pop - up window 1760 will come up requesting information regarding the wire transfer . the funding screen , seen in fig1 , is used for entering and viewing information relating to the funding required for the closing for a selected file . this screen is used to account for expenses , funds required to close and actual funding deficiencies . a wire / funding deficiency report can be generated using the tracking and reporting features discussed below . this screen allows a user to attribute a warehouse lender to the loan using the warehouse name field 1770 and the info and refresh fields 1775 if the required warehouse lender is not already in the database . additionally , amount needed for mortgage taxes , assignment fees , broker premiums and other bank expenses can be entered in the additional funding fields 1780 . the one government form that is required in all residential real estate closings is the hud - 1 , issued by the department of housing and urban development . this form , page one of which is seen in fig2 , contains a basic breakdown of all the monies required from both the buyers and sellers involved in a real estate transaction . fig1 illustrates the first of two screens dedicated to entering hud - 1 information . fig2 shows the second of the two hud - 1 screens . these screens are designed to look and feel just like the actual form . the information entered in the fields on these screens is used to display information on various other screens , such as the checks and funding screens . once again , redundant input is eliminated or minimized . if the hud - 1 cannot be initially completed using the instant system , a blank hud - 1 form can be printed out using the instant invention to allow manual entry of this data for subsequent conversion to electronic form . also , the instant invention anticipates allowing for the input of electronic signatures so that the hud - 1 and other required forms could be truly completed by the closing date completely in electronic form . the closing documentation is more easily stored and transferred if it is entirely in electronic form . as such , all such documentation can be stored on cd - rom or other electronic storage medium . additionally , a package or loan portfolio of these documents can be compiled and transmitted electronically using a global communications network or other means of data transfer . it should be noted that when viewing the hud - 1 pages one and two screens ( fig1 & amp ; 20 ) that the navigation bar 1105 is different from the previously seen navigation bar 1100 . in particular , access to hud - 1 page two screen is available from the hud - 1 page one screen and vise versa . additionally , the aggregate and truth in lending screens are accessible only through the hud - 1 screens . the aggregate screen , seen in fig2 , is used for entering and viewing the aggregate adjustment values required for the hud - 1 form . lines 1001 through 1009 from the hud - 1 include all aggregate adjustment information . by entering information in the general hud - 1 requirements fields 1860 , the hud - 1 gets filled - in . the list 1870 found on the lower section of this screen provides a ready reference as to a description of the relevant hud - 1 line numbers . similar to the above mentioned federally required hud - 1 , financial institutions are required to produce a completed truth in lending form that must be reviewed and executed by a mortgagee for such a loan to be binding on that mortgagee . fig2 illustrates an example of such a truth in lending form that can be generated . other loan information reports , such as amortization schedules , can also be printed . all this information is compiled and organized using the database of the instant invention . after the closing it is important to track information regarding the documents involved in the closing , such as the documents sent for recording , the progress of the loan and any final document information . fig2 illustrates the post - closing screen , which tracks this type of information . the file location field 1910 is provided to track the physical location of the major part of the file associated with a particular loan . this screen anticipates the ability to deliver completed copies of the closing documents electronically . the eld / edd button 1915 would be used to make such electronic transmissions of documents . much of the other information fields , is very important for tracking and reporting of information relating to a file . the shipping information field 1920 , the closing conditions field 1930 , the final document information field 1940 , the problem information field 1950 and the recording information field 1960 all are just such fields . fig2 illustrates the screen that is displayed when the eld / edd button 1915 is clicked on the post - closing screen . the electronic loan / document delivery screen is used to electronically transmit closing documents to various warehouses , lenders , investors and other institutions . additionally , this screen can be provided with features for importing data or even documents from various sources . in this way seller , borrower , property or even loan information can be entered into the system while reducing the redundancy and problems of data input . this data transfer can take place using a global communications network such as the internet or any other means of electronic communication . alternatively , the add / update a file screen could provide access to this import / export data feature . fig2 shows the print screen ( also referred to as the document generation / transmition screen ). this screen is accessed from the navigation bar 1100 , and is used to generate final document sets containing a complete loan portfolio along with any ancillary scanned documents and documents that have electronically integrated signatures . the tracking and reporting screen , seen in fig2 is used for generating reports relating to accounting , production and workflow . it is anticipated that these reports can be of various formats so as to display the data entered in all the fields discussed above . the databases used in the instant invention provide for selective sorting and filtering of the desired data so as to provide the ability to truly generate custom tailored reports . the screen shown in fig2 , illustrates particular management reports or analysis screens that assist in maintaining higher levels of productivity in conducting real estate transactions . as is seen in fig2 , the information being tracked or analyzed is broken down into three categories ; accounting , production and work flow . the accounting section refers almost entirely to the funds transferred between parties during a real estate transaction . the production section is a catch - all section that relates to the outstanding items or details of real estate transactions that must be followed - up on and reviewed . the work flow section refers to the handling of numerous real estate transactions being performed by more than just a few of real estate professionals , or closers . with respect to the accounting section , the check register button leads to screens and not reports that display information relating to the checks issued to cover the payments associated with a closing . these payments include not only the payment to the seller , but also numerous other payments such as various taxes , insurance and other fees . virtually , any payment that needs to be made in order to close the transaction can be made through the system . most commonly , these payments include mortgage , title , flood and homeowner &# 39 ; s insurance ; recording and real estate taxes ; appraisal , broker , attorney and other professional fees . the disbursement report button generates reports that track the funds that need to be disbursed and on what dates . this is necessary not only because numerous checks are being issued , but also because very often the funds for one closing are disbursed on more than one day . this is common , as many lenders required a waiting period before funds will be released , due to a buyer &# 39 ; s right of rescission for a number of days after the closing . the wire / funding deficiency button generates reports that track the amounts of money being disbursed , through check writing , versus the amount of money funded by the lender . although these numbers should be the same , they are more often not . this happens because of the many last minute adjustments and because lenders sometimes hold back a portion of the funds until after the right of rescission period . since the borrower needs the money at the closing , the system can issue all the needed funds and then track that deficiency until the lender releases the additional funds . another reason for this imbalance of funds is that prior to the closing , the calculated loan amount is just an estimate . the accounting miscellaneous screen , seen in fig2 is used as a catchall for additional information that needs to be maintained throughout this process . customized reports , such as “ pat &# 39 ; s hanover report ” can be accessed through this screen . such a customized report can contain organized information relating to any of the fields of information collected by this instant system in all the previously mentioned screens . the “ over / under ” button can generate a deficiency report that is similar to the “ wire / funding deficiency ” button discussed above . since it is in a report format , the information can be presented differently . in other words , the “ over / under ” report is presented in an accounting format . the attorney fees collected ” button can generate a report that shows what attorneys fees were paid . the “ positive pay ” buttons , generates a report for the licensee of the method and system of the instant invention , which is electronically sent to financial institutions . these reports indicate what checks were electronically generated during the transactions of the instant invention for each particular financial institution issuing such checks . since more than one check writing account can be maintained with each financial institution , it is anticipated that all accounts relating to one particular financial institution will be transmitted simultaneously . the financial institutions would match these reports with their records of checks cleared for transactions from the licensee sending the report . as can be seen in fig2 , buttons can be designated for particular financial institutions . alternatively , one button can be provided , which leads to another screen where the financial institution can be selected . all data transfers should be done electronically to minimize redundant data entry , as is a general theme of the instant invention . the first set of reports within the production section is the “ management reports .” these reports are designed for managers to track information organized by financial institution , real estate brokers , scheduling and the employees that schedule and participate in closing loans . as is seen on the management reports screen , the reports are listed . the different reports can be broken down into two sections ; the new business or closed loans . the new business reports all are keyed or organized off of the date each file was opened or started . the closed loans reports all are keyed off of the closing date for the loan relating to each file . the “ banker ” reports show each borrower &# 39 ; s name , listed in date order and organized by bank ( the bank or banker corresponds to the financial institution making the loan to each borrower ). the “ sum ” report is an abbreviated version of the earlier report , only providing the number of transactions involving each bank , broker or scheduler . the “ broker ” and “ scheduler ” reports are similar to the “ banker ” reports , but organized by real estate broker and the scheduler ( the persons scheduling the closings ), respectively . the “ scheduler reports ” button ( located back on the tracking and reporting screen ) leads to a group of reports that show the status of loans and real estate transactions , but organizes the information according to bank , broker and scheduler . additionally , other screens , such as the scheduler reports screen can be provided to show reports for tracking bank and specific loan officer inventory ( i . e ., loans ). although not shown , a button could be added to generate a report that tracks inventory or loans , organized by broker . these reports differ from the management reports in that they are limited to active files . the “ post closing reports ” button leads to a group of reports relating to information regarding the closed loans and anything that needs to done after the closing . the “ shipping report ” provides information about the physical transfer of the hardcopy files , including the negotiable instrument ( the loan note ), which makes up the loan . since the notes are sent to warehouse lenders , under cover of bailee letter , their transfer must be documented and tracked . the “ final doc report ” lists any documents requested , but not available at the closing . such unavailable documents include but are not limited to homeowner &# 39 ; s or flood insurance policies or other documents required for passing of the title to the property . the “ problem reports ” relate to similar information as the final doc report , but tracks information across all closings , as opposed to a single closing . these reports are designed to assist management in determining what areas or parts of the loan closing procedure need to be improved . these reports can reveal items missed by a closer , hud - 1 &# 39 ; s that need to be redone , unassigned or missing documents and even misspellings or typographical errors made on documents that need to be corrected . the open and closed versions of these reports related to open and closed files . the “ recording report ” shows assignments , deeds and mortgages that have been filed with the county clerk . currently , it is required that these filings be physically done at the local county clerk &# 39 ; s office . it is anticipated , that in the near future , such filings can be done electronically , either to the local county clerk or to a national repository for such electronic documents . the “ client reports ” button is dedicated to customized reports required or requested by particular lending institutions or other clients . these reports can contain virtually any information contained within the database of the instant invention . the “ archive closed files ” button allows maintenance of the database , in that closed files can be taken off the list of active files . this process , known as archiving , will impact reports that address only active files . the archiving is done by closing date , so that any files closed on or before the entered date will be archived . the final section relates to work flow . the names to these reports explain their contents . basically , the “ closing schedule ” shows a schedule or outline of all closings set to take place . the “ scheduler for closers ” organizes the closing schedule report by the closer ( the individual managing that actual closing ). this report provides the same as the information available on the closing schedule screen . the “ print closing screen ” report will print the closing schedule screen directly . finally , the ordering more closings screen , seen in fig2 is used to limit the number of mortgage closings that can be performed by users of the instant system and method . it is anticipated that the database and software package will be licensed for a limited number of uses . a licensee , after paying an agreed upon fee , will be given a new user code 4100 and refill code 4110 which will provide a set amount of additional transactions . once entered , a user would click go 4120 and the system will be reset . it is further anticipated that programs can differentiate the types of codes that could be given and entered to reset the system in order to allow customers varied amounts of additional transactions , depending on their license agreement . thus it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention that fully satisfies the objects , aims and advantages set forth above . while the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof , it is evident that many alternatives , modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description . accordingly , it is intended to embrace all such alternatives , modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention .	6
hereinafter , referring to the drawings , exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail . as those skilled in the art would realize , the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways , all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention . description of components that are not necessary for explaining the present invention will be omitted , and the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in this specification . fig1 is a block diagram of a system for idle charge of a hybrid vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention . referring to fig1 , a system for idle charge of a hybrid vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an soc detector 10 , an idle charge counter 20 , a charging controller 30 , and an hsg ( hybrid start and generator ) 40 . the soc detector 10 detects an soc of a battery that changes according to a driving condition and transmits information corresponding thereto to the charging controller 30 . the idle charge counter 20 counts entering times to the idle charge control according to the driving condition and transmits information corresponding thereto to the charging controller 30 . the charging controller 30 sets an entering point and a releasing point of the idle charge control based on the soc of the battery received from the soc detector 10 and the entering times to the idle charge control for a predetermined period received from the idle charge counter 20 . the charging controller 30 starts the engine and performs the idle charge through the hsg 40 if the soc of the battery reaches the variably - decided entering point of the idle charge control , and stops the engine and releases the idle charge if the soc of the battery reaches the variably - decided releasing point of the idle charge control . as the number of times that the vehicle enters the idle charge control during the predetermined period increases , the charging controller 30 lowers the entering point of the idle charge control and raises the releasing point of the idle charge control . that is , the charging controller 30 enlarges an idle charge control region . the hsg ( hybrid start and generator ) 40 is operated as a motor and starts the engine forcibly according to the control of the charging controller 30 , and is operated as a generator and performs the idle charge by torque of the engine if the engine is started . a method for idle charge of a hybrid vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail . fig2 is a flowchart of a method for idle charge of a hybrid vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention . in a state that the hybrid vehicle to which an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied is running , the charging controller 30 detects the soc of the battery through the soc detector 10 at a step s 101 , and detects the entering times to the idle charge control for the predetermined period according to the driving condition through the idle charge counter 20 at a step s 102 . after that , the charging controller 30 calculates minimum and maximum variable regions δl and δh according to the entering times to the idle charge control for predetermined period at a step s 103 , and sets the idle charge control region based on the soc of the battery and the variable regions δl and δh calculated according to the entering times to the idle charge control at a step s 104 . if the idle charge control region is set at the step s 104 , the charging controller 30 determines whether the soc of the battery reaches the entering point of the idle charge control at a step s 105 . if the soc of the battery reaches to the entering point of the idle charge control at the step s 105 , the charging controller 30 starts the engine forcibly through the hsg 40 at a step s 106 . if the engine is started at the step s 106 , the hsg 40 is operated as the generator and generates electricity by the torque of the engine . therefore , the hsg 40 performs the idle charge at a step s 107 . after that , the charging controller 30 determines whether the soc of the battery reaches the releasing point of the idle charge control decided from the entering times to the idle charge control at a step s 108 . if the releasing point of the idle charge control is reached at the step s 108 , the charging controller 30 stops the engine and completes the idle charge at a step s 109 . referring to fig3 , a method for idle charge of a hybrid vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in further detail . one example of the entering point of the idle charge control and the releasing point of the idle charge control is shown in this specification , but the scope of the present invention is not limited to this . as shown in fig3 , an initial entering point of the idle charge control is set as 50 % of a maximum soc of the battery , and an initial releasing point of the idle charge control is set as 55 % of the maximum soc of the battery . if the soc of the battery detected by the soc detector 10 is lower than 50 % of the maximum soc of the battery which is the entering point of the idle charge control when the hybrid vehicle runs at an ev mode , the charging controller 30 controls the hsg 40 so as to start the engine forcibly and operates the hsg 40 as the generator so as to perform the idle charge . if the soc of the battery exceeds the 55 % of the maximum soc of the battery which is the releasing point of the idle charge control through the idle charge , the charging controller 30 stops the engine and is released from the idle charge control . at this time , the charging controller 30 counts the entering times to the idle charge control , and sets the variable regions δl and δh for entering and being released from the idle charge control by applying the entering times to the idle charge control for the predetermined period to the predetermined map . for example , if the entering times to the idle charge control for the predetermined period is 2 , the variable regions are set as δl = 5 and δh = 5 from the predetermined map . therefore , the entering point of the idle charge control is changed to 50 − δl of the maximum soc of the battery ( i . e ., 45 % of the maximum soc of the battery ), and the releasing point of the idle charge control is changed to 55 + δh of the maximum soc of the battery ( i . e ., 60 % of the maximum soc of the battery ). after that , the charging controller 30 starts the engine forcibly and enters the idle charge control if the soc of the battery is lower than 45 % of the maximum soc of the battery . the charging controller 30 stops the engine and releases the idle charge control if the soc of the battery is higher than 60 % of the maximum soc of the battery . meanwhile , as the frequency of entry into the idle charge control within the predetermined period increases , the variable regions expand become and the changes in the engine states become less frequent . as described above , since the entering point and the releasing point of the idle charge control are changed , the frequency change of the engine states is reduced . therefore , a driver may not feel a sense of incompatibility and marketability may improve according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention . while this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments , it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments , but , on the contrary , is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims .	1
the construction members constructed in accordance with the present invention may be utilized for various types of buildings depending upon the particular application to which they are put . in addition , these members may be utilized in constructing dividers , partitions , interior walls for office space , and the like , as a particular application may require . for purposes of simplicity and ease of clarity of illustration and description , a shelter for use in mass transit systems has been chosen . such a structure may for example be of the type illustrated in fig1 of which reference is hereby made . as is therein illustrated , front corner posts 10 and 12 and rear corner posts 14 and 16 are each secured to base members 18 , 20 , 22 and 24 , respectively , which are fastened to an appropriate pad 26 or similar structure . a left lower horizontal member 28 extends between the vertical posts 10 and 16 while a similar member 30 extends between the posts 12 and 14 . a rear horizontal member 32 extends between the rear posts 14 and 16 . a rear upper horizontal member 34 also extends between the posts 14 and 16 while a vertical mullion 36 extends centrally between the lower and upper rear horizontal member 32 and 34 , respectively . an upper horizontal member 38 extends from the rear post 14 over front post 12 and extends outwardly to form an overhang for the roof structure . a similar member to that shown at 38 extends from the rear post 16 over the front post 10 and also extends outwardly . however , such member is not shown in fig1 . a center roof support 40 also extends outwardly from the upper horizontal member 34 . a member similar to that shown at 34 is also supported along the front edge of the roof structure although such is again not visible in fig1 . side panels , top panels or glazing are secured in the open spaces between the vertical and horizontal members as shown at 42 through 52 . these panels may be formed of any desired material and as shown in the drawing , may be constructed of a transparent polycarbonate or plexiglass , if such is desired . in addition to the foregoing , the structure as illustrated in fig1 includes a fascia member 54 extending around the outer periphery of the roof structure . referring now to fig2 there is illustrated in cross - section a construction member utilized to fabricate structures of the type shown in fig1 . as is shown in fig2 there is provided an extrusion member having a hollow body 60 including four surfaces 62 , 64 , 66 and 68 . extending outwardly from the surfaces 62 and 68 are a pair of ribs or fins 70 , 72 , respectively . each of the fins includes a base portion 74 and 76 , respectively , which is integrally formed with the body 60 of the hollow extrusion member . the fins 70 and 72 have a reduced thickness along their entire lengths at the base 74 and 76 as is illustrated at 78 and 80 , respectively . the purpose of the reduced thickness will be described in more detail hereinbelow . a construction member as illustrated in fig2 may be used in a structure such as that shown in fig1 for the rear posts 14 and 16 . as will be recognized , this structure is adaptable for utilization at any point where panel members extend at 90 ° from two surfaces of the body of the extrusion member . referring now to fig3 there is illustrated in cross - section an additional construction member of extruded material . this construction material again includes a body member 90 having four surfaces 92 , 94 , 96 and 98 . extending from the surfaces 92 and 96 are outwardly extending ribs or fins 100 and 102 . as before , each of the fins has a base 104 and 106 , respectively , and the thickness of the fins is reduced along the entire length thereof at the base as is illustrated at 108 and 110 , respectively . a member such as that shown in fig3 may be utilized at any position where a panel member is extending outwardly from opposed surfaces of the extruded construction member . for example , a member such as that illustrated in fig3 is adaptable for utilization as the center mullion 36 in a structure such as that shown in fig1 . referring now to fig4 there is shown yet another extruded construction member in cross - section in accordance with the present invention . as is therein illustrated , there is shown a hollow body 112 having surfaces 114 , 116 , 118 and 120 . extending outwardly from the surface 120 is a rib or fin 122 having a base 124 which is integrally formed with the body 112 . along the entire length of the fin 122 , there is a reduced thickness as illustrated at 126 which is at the base 124 thereof . a structure as illustrated in fig4 may be utilized for receiving a panel member wherein such extends outwardly from only one surface of the extrusion member . such a structure as that illustrated in fig4 for example may be utilized with a structure as that shown in fig1 for the corner posts 10 and 12 and for the horizontal members 32 , 34 , 28 , 30 , 40 , and the member opposite 40 which cooperates with the left , front and rear posts to receive the side panel 48 . thus , it will be recognized that by utilizing only three different extrusions , a shelter of the type shown in fig1 ( without the fascia ) may be fully constructed . although each of the members shown in fig2 - 4 is rectangular in cross - section , it will be understood that any geometric configuration desired may be employed . referring now to fig5 the structure as illustrated in fig1 is shown in a partially exploded view . the various parts in each of fig1 and 5 utilize the same reference numerals . the upper horizontal member opposed to 38 is shown at 39 in fig5 and the forward horizontal member opposed to 34 is shown at 35 in fig5 . as will be noted from the structures illustrated in fig5 the various members are constructed from hollow extrusions of the types illustrated in fig2 and 4 and above described . for example , the right rear corner post 14 is shown with the outwardly extending fins 130 and 132 which corresponds to the structure shown in fig2 . the lower horizontal members 28 , 30 and 32 each show an upwardly extending fin 134 , 136 and 138 , respectively , which is the type of structure as illustrated in fig4 . the center mullion 36 would be of the type of structure illustrated in fig3 although the outwardly extending fins therefrom are not visible on both sides in fig5 . the fascia structure 54 as is illustrated in fig5 is seated upon the top horizontal members 34 , 35 , 38 and 39 and is fastened in place thereabout as by rivets , self - threading screws , or the like , as may be desired in any particular application . the fascia structure will be described in greater detail below . it will be recognized that in assembly of structures such as that illustrated in fig5 the fins 130 and 132 which extend along the rear corner post 14 necessarily would interfere with the attachment of abutting members such as the top horizontal members 34 and 38 , and the side and rear horizontal members 30 and 32 . however , such assembly is rendered simple , expedient and inexpensive through utilization of the extrusion members for construction and the method of assembly in accordance with the present invention . to assemble a unit such as illustrated in fig5 and for example with respect to the members just referred to above , one would measure along the corner post 14 from the bottom 140 thereof up to the point where the upper edge 142 of the horizontal member 30 will extend . a similar measurement would be made with respect to the horizontal member 32 . thereafter , the fins 130 and 132 would be cut through their entire width , that is , from the outer edge thereof as shown at 71 and 73 in fig2 to the base 74 and 76 respectively thereof . a worker would then bend the fins extending downwardly from the cut toward the end 140 in either direction as indicated by the arrow 81 in fig2 . such bending in either direction causes the fin to shear at the base 74 and cleanly depart from the surface 62 of the body 60 of the extrusion member . when such has occurred , the horizontal member to be joined may readily and easily be affixed to the corner post 14 by any means known to the art . a similar operation will occur at each of the positions where such is required throughout the entire structure . when assembly has then been concluded an inwardly directed fin for receiving the panel member thereagainst extends around the entire inner periphery of the opening defined by horizontal and vertical members of the structure , for example as illustrated in fig5 . the final assembly of the panel members with the structural members will be better understood by reference to fig6 and 7 . the illustration in fig6 may be a cross - section taken for example along the lines 6 -- 6 of fig5 assuming the panel 150 were in place in fig5 . likewise , the fig6 may be taken along any of the upper or lower horizontal members or along the vertical members 10 and 12 as may be desired . as is illustrated in fig6 an extrusion member 152 of the type shown in fig4 having a fin 154 formed integrally therewith and further has positioned thereon a side panel member such as a clear plastic glazing material 150 . the panel 150 which may have any thickness desired for the particular application is placed in position so that it abuts the inner surface of the fin 154 . thereafter , a securing member such as an angle clip 156 is pressed into place along the surface 158 of the extrusion member 152 so that the clip 156 firmly seats against the panel 150 causing the rear surface 160 of the panel to firmly abut the outwardly extending fin 154 . thereafter , the fastening device such as a rivet 162 is used to fasten the angle clip 156 firmly in place , thus permanently securing the panel 150 into the structure . as will be readily recognized through utilization of the clip 156 , any thickness of panel may be accommodated by merely positioning the clip on the extrusion at the proper position to seat against the surface of the panel member . the clip 156 may be any length desired but in most embodiments will extend along the entire length of the extrusion member 152 commensurate with the panel member . by reference now to fig7 a cross - section is illustrated taken for example along the center mullion 36 of the structure as shown in fig5 . as is therein illustrated , a member of the type shown in fig3 is utilized and includes a body 170 having outwardly extending fins 172 and 174 formed integrally with the body 170 . the plastic panels 176 and 178 are positioned so that they abut the inner surfaces of the fins 172 and 174 and thereafter are held in place by properly positioning the angle clips 180 and 182 as above described , and then fastening the same in place with the rivets 184 and 186 or such other fasteners as may be desired , such for example as self - threading screws . it will now be recognized by those skilled in the art that a similar structure to that shown in fig6 may exist with respect to the surface 162 if a corner post such as 16 in fig5 were being utilized , that is , an extrusion construction member of the type shown in fig2 . by referring now to fig8 there is illustrated a cross - section of the fascia 54 taken about the lines 8 -- 8 of fig1 . as is shown , the upper horizontal member 39 has an appropriate fin 190 extending downwardly therefrom . a side panel 48 is seated against the inner surface 192 of the fin 190 . an angle clip 194 is seated against the inner surface of the panel 48 and securely holds the same in place as a result of securing the clip 194 to the wall 198 of the member 39 by means of the rivet 196 . the fascia body 43 includes a center web 200 having a downwardly depending flange 202 . the flange 202 locates the web 200 on the top portion 204 of the extrusion member 39 . an upwardly extending flange 206 from the web 200 is utilized to define an open area on the wall 204 to receive the roofing panel member 52 which may be a translucent plastic or the like . once the roofing member 52 is seated in place upon the side wall 204 of the member 39 an angle clip 208 is positioned along the upper surface thereof and abutting the upwardly extending flange 206 to thereby secure the roofing member 52 in place . once properly seated , a rivet or other fastener 210 is used to secure the angle clip 208 in place . as above pointed out , the structure described allows a roofing member to be of any thickness desired for the particular application without the necessity of a special construction member or fascia being provided . as is more clearly shown in fig9 the fascia assembly consists of four distinct members , two of which are shown at 54 and 55 . these members are brought together at a miter joint 212 and are fastened in place with 90 ° strap member 214 which may be constructed from a stamping or the like . the strap 214 is seated in place along the inwardly directed ribs 216 and 218 on the fascia bodies 54 and 55 . once seated , openings are provided in the strap and in the ribs , and rivets or other fasteners are utilized to secure the strap to the ribs thereby permanently securing the fascia assemblies 54 and 55 together . for drainage purposes , there may be provided an appropriate cutout 220 at spaced intervals along the flange 206 . thus , rain or melting snow or ice will be permitted to drain into the gutter - like area 222 and from there can fall through spaced openings as shown at 224 . as will now be recognized , any of the outwardly extending fins formed with the extruded construction members may be cut and removed as desired for assembly or other purposes . such is allowed by the reduced thickness at the base of the fins or ribs as above described . by properly cutting through the rib or fin and then bending the same , the desired portion is surprisingly easily removed and leaves little residue thus allowing immediate assembly without necessity of dressing or other cleaning operations . furthermore , through use of the ribs and the angle clips , there is provided a simple and expedient method of adjustment to thereby accommodate roof or side panel members of varying thicknesses or material . for example , side panels having different thicknesses may be used in the same structure by employing the construction members and method of the present invention .	4
reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention . wherever possible , same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps . the drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale . the word ‘ couple ’ and similar terms do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections , but also include connections through intermediate elements or devices . for purposes of convenience and clarity only , directional ( up / down , etc .) or motional ( forward / back , etc .) terms may be used with respect to the drawings . these and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope in any manner . it will also be understood that other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention , and that the detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense , and that elements may be differently positioned , or otherwise noted as in the appended claims without requirements of the written description being required thereto . various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn , in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention ; however , the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent . referring now to fig1 a and 1b , a proposed cleaning system 1 is provided with a container 2 for retaining , and optionally removably retaining one or more brushes 8 relative to an animal limb 5 ( a paw is shown ) to be cleaned . container 2 includes threads 7 about an outer upper surface thereof for removable engagement with a cleaning cover 3 , or a sealing lid or cover 4 , as will be discussed . during a use , limb 5 is thrust within container 2 and agitated with bristles 8 b of brushes 8 for removal of debris and detritus . additional solutions may be added , including water , detergent , and other types , without departing from the scope and sprit of the present invention . additionally referring now to fig2 and 3 , wherein system 1 is provided with a threadably secured cleaning cover 3 having a cleaning opening 3 a for receiving limb 5 therein . as shown in fig2 and 3 , the inner surface of cleaning opening 3 a additionally contains a brush element 8 with bristles 8 b facing inwardly . additionally , in fig3 , sealing lid 4 is provided having an interior threading section 7 ( as shown ) which may threadably engage an additional outer threaded section on the outer surface of cleaning lid 3 , see fig3 for this version . as will be appreciated in fig3 , an entire system 1 may be modified to have , in combination container 2 , cleaning lid 3 , and sealing lid 4 , or ( as shown in fig2 ) system 1 may including container 2 and cleaning lid 3 , without a cover . in either case , cleaning cover 3 may be readily modified to have threads 7 , on an inner or outer surface , or both , without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention . additionally , it will be noted that threads 7 may be replaced with sealing tabs ( not shown ) sealing frictio - rings ( like a sealing lid ), or any other type of engagement system to secure cover 3 or lid 4 to container 2 , without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention . additionally referring now to fig4 and 4a , wherein a cross section and top - section view are provided of a system 1 , engaged and containing solution 6 , which may be any suitable fluid component , or combination of components for washing , sterilizing , etc . and may contain antimicrobial , antibiotic , anti - fungal , or other curative and assistive components , and solutions within the scope of the present invention . for example , medical treatment components may be added to solution 6 . as will be appreciated each brush 8 contains a brush base sa that spaces the respective brush 8 , having bristles 8 b from the outer container 2 . base 8 a contains flow openings 8 c both on a side leg region and a base region supporting bristles 8 b . it will therefore be recognized by those of skill in the art having studied the present invention , that solution 6 may flow readily between bristles 8 b , base 8 a , flow holes 8 c and brush 8 during a use , and may slosh throughout system 1 to aid in treating , cleaning , rinsing , or contacting an animal limb 5 during a use . see for example the flow arrows noted in fig4 and 4a . it will also be understood , that solution 6 may be of any level in system 1 . it will also be understood that any debris or detritus removed from an animal limb 5 during use , may remain within container 2 post - use , so as to allow for easy removal and rinsing - out by removal of cleaning cover 3 . it will additionally be understood , that the proposed system 1 may function suitably without a cleaning cover 3 ( as is shown in fig1 a , 1 b . for example , where an especially large animal limb 5 is used , cover 3 may be unduly restricting , and may be removed . referring now to fig5 and 6 , it will be noted that instead of a roundish , brush 8 ( central brush 8 shown in fig2 - 4a , several component member brushes 8 may be used for similar effects without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention . for example , as seen in fig5 , four brushes 8 may be arranged ( one on the bottom and three in triangle form ). for another example , as seen in fig6 , six brushes 8 may be arranged ( one on the bottom and five in pentagon form ). in the examples in fig5 and 6 , it will be understood , that a plurality of brushes 8 , or a continuous brush 8 , may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention . in an alternative embodiment regarding fig2 and 3 , it will be understood that side and bottom brushes 8 maybe formed as a single integral unit , that is slidably removable from within container 2 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention . for example , a unitary replacement brush unit ( not shown ) may be slidable removable in and out of container 2 within the scope of the present invention . additionally , a further example would involve a brush - carrier unit ( not shown ), wherein a plurality individual brushes 8 ( linear , arc shaped or otherwise ) may be removably retained in a brush - carrier unit ( not shown ) that is slid within container 2 for holding replacement brushes . in one aspect of the present invention , surgical scrub brushes are employed in the container and cleaning lid derived from scrub care ® which is a surgical scrub brush - sponge / nail cleaning mixed with exidine ® 4 a type of germicidal solution ; allegiance heathcare corporation , mcgaw park , ill . 60085 us , ( ndc 63517 - 007 - 25 ). in this use , the surgical brushes are constructed from a suitable plastic ( polyethylene ( pe ), high density pe ( hdpe ), medium density pe ( mdpe ), low density pe ( ldpe ), or any other type of plastic suitable for the purposes intended . additionally , the brushes are not limited to plastic , but may be constructed from suitable natural materials , including but not limited to , fibers , hair , bristles , and any other type of natural brush - like fiber that would be suitable for the purposes intended . additionally , a brush may be constructed from a combination of materials without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention . for example , a brush backing may be of plastic and bristles may be boar - hair or other natural material , and vice - versa . it is another alternative aspect of the present invention , that a the brush construction / bristle construction shown within the container may be formed in alternative shapes without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention . for example , a continuous bounding surface of bristles may be provided ( e . g ., a circular bristle surface ), or any other related shape . additionally , a brush may be removed from a floor / bottom surface of the container as a modification thereof . additionally , a brush - holding cradle may be inserted into the container , so that the brush - holding cradle may be removed from the container ( the brushes not being fixed to the container wall , but fixed to a brush - holding cradle ( noted but not shown ). as a result , it will be apparent to those of skill in the art having studied the present disclosure that the method and system may be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention . it will also be understood , that as used herein the device may be used with any cleaning solution , soap , detergent , germicidal or antiseptic for dispersion or surface scrubbing known within the surgical or veterinarian arts without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention . it will be understood that the present invention relates to a method and system for cleaning pet paws or other animal appendages including feet , hooves , and limbs . it will be understood that a dog - paw may be conveniently used , but also conveniently a sheep hoof may be cleaned , or a rabbit foot — all with differing shapes and needs for cleaning , but all ready cleaned by adaptive us of the present device . therefore , it will be recognized by one of skill in the art having studied the present disclosure , that the present device using a plurality of flow - through type brushes may be easily used to clean a range of animals . for example , cleaning sheep hooves for serious medical treatment or disease prevention or cleaning a pet - dog foot following a simple walk during a winter or muddy day . more particularly , the present invention provides a method and system for cleaning pet appendages that is readily transported and stored between uses , readily adapts to specific uses , and environments proximate that treatment surface is not limited . having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings , it will be apparent to those skills that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments , and that various modifications and variations can be made in the presently disclosed system without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention . thus , it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents .	0
in the following description , embodiments of system and method to enable the use of traditional single notch crankshaft and crankshaft position sensor with fuel injection system are set forth as preferred examples . it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications , including additions and / or substitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention . specific details may be omitted so as not to obscure the invention ; however , the disclosure is written to enable one skilled in the art to practice the teachings herein without undue experimentation . referring to fig1 . fig1 shows a time - magnitude chart of crankshaft position sensor pickup signals ( 101 ), intake manifold air pressure measurements ( 102 ), and correctly timed spark - triggering signals ( 103 ) over a period of two complete combustion cycles . there are four ordered strokes in a complete combustion cycle of a four - stroke engine : intake , compression , combustion ( or power ), and exhaust . since the entire fuel injection and ignition timing is to be synchronized with the combustion cycle , which in turn bears direct relationship with the crankshaft &# 39 ; s rotational angle , the scheduling time horizon for the fuel injection and ignition timing can be expressed in crankshaft &# 39 ; s rotational angles . in one complete combustion cycle , the crankshaft would have rotated 720 ° or two complete turns ; at the same time , the crankshaft position sensor for a traditional single notch crankshaft would have generated two pickup signals , one at about 720 ° ( or 0 °) and the other at about 360 °. however , the spark triggering should only occur before the piston reaches the top of the compression stroke . because a crankshaft position sensor pickup signal is generated at either half of the complete combustion cycle , the correct point of spark triggering cannot be determined solely from the crankshaft position sensor pickup signals . to synchronize the ignition with the combustion cycle , in accordance to one embodiment , the presently claimed invention monitors additionally the intake manifold air pressure and determines the present stroke of the combustion cycle from both the crankshaft position sensor pickup signals and intake manifold air pressure measurements . as can be seen in fig1 , the intake manifold air pressure begins to drop at the beginning of an intake stroke then returns to constant pressurized state starting from the end of the intake stroke through the compression stroke . the correct point of spark triggering can then be determined to be at or approximately after the crankshaft position sensor pickup signal that immediately follows the rising edge of the intake manifold air pressure measurement . there is a small delay from the time of the igniting the fuel - air mixture to the time when the fuel - air mixture is completely burning and the pressure in the combustion chamber reaches its maximum . if the spark is triggered right when the piston reaches the top of the compression stroke , the piston will have already moved down part of the way into its power stroke before the combustion chamber has reached its highest pressure . thus , to achieve better efficiency and maximum power , the spark should be triggered before the piston reaches the top of the compression stroke . the time to completely burn the fuel - air is roughly constant . but the speed of the pistons increases as the engine speed increases . this means that the faster the engine goes , the earlier the sparks have to be triggered . this is referred to as spark advance . therefore , after the initial synchronization of the ignition with the combustion cycle shortly after the engine start , the ignition timing needs to account for the varying spark advance when the engine runs at varying speed . in order to determine the amount of spark advance needed for each combustion cycle , the engine speed needs to be monitored . since the engine speed bears a direct relationship to the crankshaft rotational ( or angular ) speed , two or more successive crankshaft position sensor pickup signals can be used in its computation . however , abrupt engine speed change can happen in between two instances of crankshaft position sensor pickup signals . furthermore , external interference can cause false and missing signals . thus , using only the immediate two prior crankshaft position sensor pickup signals to predict the next crankshaft position sensor pickup signal generation time and crankshaft angular velocity in the next combustion cycle is prone to serious miscalculation . referring to fig2 . in accordance to one embodiment , the presently claimed invention provides a method of crankshaft angular velocity prediction comprising the following steps : 1 . ( 201 ) compute the current period of interrupt , which is the current lapse time ( t n ), which is the time lapsed since the last crankshaft position sensor pickup signal until the current crankshaft position sensor pickup signal . 2 . ( 202 ) compute the time during difference ( δt ) between the last period of interrupt ( t n − 1 ) and the current period of interrupt ( t n ). 3 . ( 203 ) compute a predicted next period of interrupt ( t n + 1 ) by : t n + 1 = t n + δt * α , where α is a reasonable weighing factor . 4 . ( 204 ) compute the next capture window , which is the zone of likelihood of occurrence of the next crankshaft position sensor pickup signal ( w n + 1 ) using the predicted next period of interrupt ( t n + 1 ), wherein the capture window is a configurable period of time centered around an instance of time that is the predicted next period of interrupt ( t n + 1 ) past the occurrence time of the current crankshaft position sensor pickup signal . 5 . ( 205 ) compute the current crankshaft angular velocity , which is inversely proportional to the current period of interrupt ( t n ). 6 . ( 206 ) determine whether the current crankshaft position sensor pickup signal occurred within the current capture window , which is the zone of likelihood of occurrence of the current crankshaft position sensor pickup signal ( w n ). 7 . ( 207 ) if within the current capture window ( w n ), it means the current crankshaft angular velocity computed is reasonably accurate and that the current crankshaft position sensor pickup signal is reasonably reliable ; repeat the process from step 1 . 8 . ( 208 ) if not within the current capture window ( w n ), it means that the current crankshaft angular velocity computed is inaccurate and that the current crankshaft position sensor pickup signal is unreliable ; and ( 209 ) the ignition timing is reset to the half - synchronization state , which is conditioned on having reasonable readings of crankshaft position sensor pickup signals but without the readings of intake manifold air pressure measurements for a fully synchronized ignition timing . ( 210 ) once both crankshaft position sensor pickup signals and intake manifold air pressure measurements can be read properly , the ignition timing is re - synchronized using the aforementioned technique . in accordance to one aspect of the presently claimed invention , ignition synchronization can be done even when it fails to correctly measure the air pressure in the intake manifold , which can be more likely to occur during engine start . this aspect is to perform a series of continuous successive spark - triggering , each following the crankshaft position sensor pickup signal . in the series of spark - triggering , each spark - triggering has a probability of being at the correct ( during the compression - power stroke transition ) or incorrect point ( during the exhaust - intake stroke transition ) in the combustion cycle . if the spark - triggering lands on the correct point in the combustion cycle , the engine accelerates and the corresponding crankshaft angular velocity change can be detected by the crankshaft position sensor . on the other hand , if the spark - triggering lands on an incorrect point in the combustion cycle , the engine tends to remain at the same speed . this way , the correct point for the next spark triggering can be predicted and the generation of the signal for the next spark - triggering can be adjusted accordingly . basically , if the crankshaft rotation accelerates , then it means that the spark - triggering corresponding to the crankshaft position sensor pickup signal before the present or most recent one landed on a correct point in the combustion cycle ; a spark is to be triggered again for the immediately next crankshaft position sensor pickup signal , and then every other crankshaft position sensor pickup signal . the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented using general purpose or specialized computing devices , computer processors , or electronic circuitries including but not limited to digital signal processors ( dsp ), application specific integrated circuits ( asic ), field programmable gate arrays ( fpga ), and other programmable logic devices which can be generally referred to as engine control unit ( ecu ) configured or programmed according to the teachings of the present disclosure . computer instructions or software codes running in the general purpose or specialized computing devices , computer processors , or programmable logic devices can readily be prepared by practitioners skilled in the software or electronic art based on the teachings of the present disclosure . in some embodiments , the present invention includes computer storage media having computer instructions or software codes stored therein which can be used to program computers or microprocessors to perform any of the processes of the present invention . the storage media can include , but are not limited to , roms , rams , flash memory devices , or any type of media or devices suitable for storing instructions , codes , and / or data . the foregoing description of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description . it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed . many modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art . although the present invention has been described to be implementable in motorcycle engines , the present invention can be adapted to be implemented in other small engines , particularly those below 250 cc in size that are commonly used in scooters , three - wheeled motorcycles , all terrain vehicles , snow mobiles , marine vessels , lawn tractors , lawnmowers , trimmers , tillers , edgers , chain saws , generators , pumps , and industrial and farm machineries . the embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application , thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated . it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalence .	5
reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention , examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings . a digital cable broadcast under an open cable and a cable ready standards observes an atsc standard . therefore , the caption_service_descriptor the eit or the pmt within the psip , included in the digital cable broadcast signal is prescribed by the atsc standard ( a65 , program and system information protocol for terrestrial broadcast and cable ). fig2 is a view showing a syntax of the caption_service_descriptor under the open cable and the cable ready standards according to the present invention . “ descriptor_tag ”, which is a parameter for checking a type of a descriptor , is described by 8 bits . “ descriptor_length ”, which is a parameter representing a length of the whole structure , is described by 8 bits . “ number_of_services ” represents a number of provided caption services and is described by 5 bits . “ language ” represents language information of a relevant caption , such as english for a service 1 and spanish for a service 2 , and is a 3 - byte language code under iso 639 . 2 / b , each letter of which is coded with 8 bits and inserted into a 24 - bit field . “ cc_type ” represents a kind of caption . if cc_type == 1 , it is a digital caption ( advanced caption ) and if cc_type == 0 , it is an analog caption ( analog caption under the eia 708 or the scte 20 ( dvs 157 )). the “ cc_type ” is described by 1 bit . “ analog_cc_type ” represents a kind of an analog caption . if analog_cc_type == 1 , it means caption data transmitted through a line 21 of the vbi under the eia 708 , and if analog_cc_type == 0 , it means caption data transmitted through other line except the line 21 of the vbi according to the scte 20 or the dvs 157 . “ line_offset ” represents a number of the vbi line including the caption data in case caption data under the scte 20 or the dvs 157 is transmitted , namely , in case the analog_cc_type == 0 , and is described by 5 bits . “ line_field ” represents whether the caption data is included in an even field or an odd field . that is , if line_field == 0 , it means the caption data is included in an odd field and if line_field == 1 , it means the caption data is included in an even field . “ caption_service_number ” represents 1 - 63 caption service numbers in case it is a digital caption , namely , in case cc_type == 1 . and is described by 6 bits . “ easy_reader ” is a flag representing whether it is a caption easily read by a user or not . “ wide_aspect_ratio ” is related to a screen ratio , and more particularly , is a flag representing whether a received caption data is intended for a 16 : 9 screen or not . if cc_type == 0 , a received caption is an analog caption . as described above , for the analog caption there exist an analog caption under the eia 708 standard , and an analog caption under the scte 20 or the dvs 157 standard . however , since the analog caption under the eia 608 standard is a pure analog caption , not a closed caption for a digital tv mentioned in the present invention , the analog caption under the eia 608 standard is excluded . therefore , an analog caption for the case cc_type == 0 , is either an analog caption under the eia 708 standard or an analog caption under the scte 20 or the dvs 157 standard . “ analog_cc_type ” represents whether a received caption is an analog caption under the eia 708 standard or an analog caption under the scte 20 or the dvs 157 standard . if analog_cc_type == 0 , it means that the relevant caption is included in a video data region in form of user data under the scte 20 or the dvs 157 , which are standards on the digital cable broadcast . in that case , since to which line of the vbi the received caption is assigned , is not known in view of characteristics of the cable broadcast , the line_offset describes to which line of the vbi the received caption is included . if analog_cc_type == 1 , it means that an analog caption under the eia 708 standard is included in a video data region in form of user data . in that case , since the caption is assigned to a 21 st line of the vbi , a line_offset value is not required . therefore , 5 bits assigned to the line_offset becomes a reserved bit and 1 bit is assigned to the line_field representing whether a caption is a caption included in an even field or a caption included in an odd field . if line_field == 0 , it means a caption is included in an odd field and if line_field == 1 , it means a caption is included in an even field . as described above , whether a caption included in the digital cable broadcast is an analog caption or a digital caption is judged on the basis of information included in the caption_service_descriptor . further , if the received caption is an analog caption , whether the caption is an analog caption under the eia 708 standard or a caption for a cable broadcast under the scte 20 or the dvs 157 standard , is judged . if the received caption is a caption under the scte 20 or the dvs 157 standard , in which line of the vbi the caption data is included , is judged . if the received caption is a digital caption , information as to which service the caption includes among sixty - three services , is checked . a broadcast station generates caption information including the above described various information and adds the caption information to a broadcast signal . a broadcast receiver detects caption information included in a broadcast signal provided from the broadcast station , and judges various characteristics of the received caption data on the basis of parameter values included in the detected caption information . fig3 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention . referring to fig3 , a mpeg demultiplexer 501 receives a mpeg - 2 transport stream from a cable and decodes the transport stream so as to extract video data , audio data , and supplementary information . further , the mpeg demultiplexer 501 detects an eit and a pmt included in the supplementary information . the detected pmt is stored in a pmt buffer 502 and the detected eit is stored in an eit buffer 503 . here , the detected pmt or eit includes caption information , namely , caption_service_descriptor . a controller 504 receives caption information from the pmt buffer 502 or the eit buffer 503 and detects caption data included in the transport stream on the basis of the caption information . a video parser 505 receives video data decoded by the demultiplexer 501 and separates the video data into user_data and mpeg - 2 video data . an analog caption decoder 506 receives user_data from the video parser 505 and detects analog caption data from the user_data on the basis of a signal outputted from the controller 504 . a digital caption decoder 507 receives the user_data from the video parser 505 and detects digital caption data from the user_data on the basis of a signal outputted from the controller 504 . a mpeg - 2 video decoder 508 decodes mpeg - 2 video data generated by the video parser 505 . a graphic block 510 outputs a signal for generating a gui ( graphic user interface ) such as an osd ( on screen display ) menu including information provided from the controller 504 . the graphic block 510 displays , on a screen , various characteristics of the received caption data , for example , a number of caption services , a national language of a caption , a type and a standard of the received caption data , vbi line information and field information that correspond to the caption data , a difficulty level of the caption , a picture ratio of the caption . a video combiner 509 receives analog caption data from the analog caption decoder 506 or receives digital caption data from the digital caption decoder 507 . further , the video combiner 509 receives video data from the mpeg - 2 video decoder 508 and receives a signal outputted from the graphic block 510 . the video combiner 509 combines the received signals so as to generate data that will be possibly displayed . a video reconstructor 511 encodes an analog caption data decoded by the analog caption decoder 506 , at a 21 st line of the vbi . operation of the digital broadcast receiver as described above according to the present invention will now be described . fig4 illustrates a method for processing a caption according to the present invention . if a mpeg - 2 transport stream transmitted through a cable is received , the mpeg demultiplexer 501 divides the received transport stream into video data , and audio data , supplementary information . the supplementary information includes a psip defining electronic program guide ( epg ) and system information ( si ). the psip includes a plurality of tables including information for transmitting / receiving a / v ( audio / video ) data made in a mpeg - 2 video and ac - 3 ( audio coding - 3 ) audio formats , and information regarding channels of each broadcast station and information regarding each program of channel . among them , information regarding the pmt and information regarding the eit are stored in the pmt buffer 502 and the eit buffer 503 , respectively . under the atsc standard , the digital cable broadcast signal must include a caption_service_descriptor in its pmt or eit . the controller 504 reads a caption - related option stored in a memory ( not shown ) and determines a caption - related option selected by a user ( s 11 ). for example , the caption - related option includes various options such as “ caption off ”, “ caption service selection ( cc1 , cc2 , cc3 , . . . )”, “ english caption display ”, “ korean caption display ”, “ size of caption ”, “ color of caption ”. if a user selects “ caption off ”, the controller 504 does not display the received caption . if a user selects “ english caption display ”, the controller 504 controls the caption decoders 506 and 507 so that only the caption written in english may be displayed on a screen . further , the controller 504 controls the caption decoders 506 and 507 so that the received caption data may be processed according to a set size and a set color of a caption . the controller 504 receives the caption information and judges characteristics of the received caption data on the basis of parameter values included in the caption information ( s 12 ). the controller 504 judges a number of caption services on the basis of the caption information . for example , the controller 504 judges whether a synchronous caption , an asynchronous caption service , a letter information service are provided . the controller 504 judges a language of the received caption on the basis of the caption information . for example , the controller 504 judges whether the received caption is english , japanese , or korean . the controller 504 judges a type of the received caption data on the basis of the caption information . for example , the controller 504 judges whether the received caption data is digital caption data or analog caption data ( s 13 ). the controller 504 determines a standard of the received caption data on the basis of the caption information . for example , if the received caption data is analog caption data , the controller 504 judges whether the received caption data is caption data under the eia 708 standard or the scte 20 or the dvs 157 standard . further , the controller 504 judges a vbi line number and a field including the received caption , a difficulty level of the received caption , and a picture ratio of the received caption on the basis of the caption information . to judge whether the received caption data is digital caption data in the step of s 13 , the controller 504 judges whether the digital caption data is included in the video data on the basis of the caption information . if digital caption data under the eia 708 is included in the video data ( if cc_type == 1 ), the controller 504 detects a service id that corresponds to the caption data from the caption information ( s 14 ) and transmits the detected service id to the digital caption decoder 507 . the service id can be known from a capto_service_number included in the caption information . the digital caption decoder 507 extracts and decodes caption data that corresponds to the service id from user_data of a picture header transmitted from the video parser 505 ( s 15 ). subsequently , the extracted caption data is transmitted to the video combiner 509 . the video combiner 509 combines the extracted caption data , video data outputted from the mpeg - 2 video decoder 508 , and signals outputted from the graphic block 510 . if analog caption data is included in the video data ( if cc_type == 0 ), the controller 504 judges whether the received caption data is analog caption data ( analog_cc_type == 1 ) under the eia 708 standard or analog caption data ( analog_cc_type == 0 ) under the scte 20 or dvs 157 standard ( s 16 ). at this point , the controller 504 determines a standard of the received analog caption data on the basis of the caption information . if the received caption data is analog caption data under the scte 20 or the dvs 157 , the controller 504 checks vbi line information described in 5 bits by a line_offset included in the caption information . the vbi line information represents a position of the caption data . further , the controller 504 judges a field where the caption data exists on the basis of line_field information included in the caption information . if line_field == 0 , the caption data exists in an odd field and if line_field == 1 , the caption data exists in an even field . after that , the controller 504 transmits the above checked vbi line information and the line field information to the analog caption decoder 506 . if the received caption data is analog caption data , user_data outputted from the video parser 505 is not processed by the digital caption decoder 507 . the analog caption decoder 506 finds out ( s 18 ) analog caption data made in the scte 20 or the dvs 157 standard from user_data inputted from the video parser 505 on the basis of the vbi line information and the line field information , and decodes the analog caption data ( s 19 ). the analog caption data found by the analog caption decoder 506 is transmitted to the video combiner 509 . the video combiner 509 combines the analog caption data , video data outputted from the mpeg - 2 video decoder 508 , and signals outputted from the graphic block 510 . signals outputted from the video combiner 509 are transmitted to the video reconstructor 511 . the video reconstructor 511 reconstructs a caption by encoding analog caption data outputted from the analog caption decoder 506 , at a vbi 21 st line . the reconstruction of a caption is to prevent analog caption data from being an open caption in case of storing , data , as it is , outputted from the video combiner 509 in a storage medium such as a vcr ( video cassette recorder ). if the received caption data is analog caption data under the eia 708 standard ( if analog_cc_type == 1 ), the controller 504 transmits line_field information included in the caption information to the analog caption decoder 506 . since analog caption data under the eia 708 standard is positioned at a vbi 21 st line , a line_offset value is not required . at this point , the digital caption decoder 507 extracts a 2 - byte analog data in user_data including digital caption data from the video parser 505 and transmits the analog data to the analog caption decoder 506 . subsequently , the analog caption decoder 506 finds out ( s 17 ) analog caption data present in a vbi 21 st line from the 2 - byte analog data on the basis of the line_field information and decodes the analog caption data ( s 19 ). the found analog caption data is combined with video data from the mpeg - 2 video decoder 508 and signals from the graphic block 510 by the video combiner 509 . the video reconstructor 511 reconstructs a caption by encoding analog caption data from the analog caption decoder 506 at a vbi 21 st line . if analog caption data under the eia 708 and analog caption data under the scte 20 and the dvs 157 are all present in the user_data , the analog caption data under the eia 708 is processed . further , if digital caption data under the eia 708 and analog caption data under the eia 708 are all present in the user_data , the digital caption data is processed . as described above , the present invention judges a type of caption data on the basis of caption information included in the received broadcast signal and automatically processes the caption data according to the type , thereby providing convenience to a user . further , the present invention judges various characteristics of the received caption data such as a standard of caption data , a number of caption services being received and provides the characteristics to a user . furthermore , the present invention can store caption - related options selected by a user and display the caption being received according to the caption - related options . it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention . thus , it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents .	7
in the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention , numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific materials , machines , and methods in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention . it will be apparent , however , to one skilled in the art that these specific details need not be employed to practice the present invention . in other instances , well known materials , machines , or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention . u . s . pat . no . 6 , 794 , 119 ( application ser . no . 10 / 074 , 562 ) herein incorporated by reference describes a prototypical fabrication sequence for building interferometric modulators . in general , interferometric modulator fabrication sequences and categories of sequences are notable for their simplicity and cost effectiveness . this is due in large part to the fact that all of the films are deposited using physical vapor deposition ( pvd ) techniques with sputtering being the preferred and least expensive of the approaches . the materials used are common throughout the liquid crystal display ( lcd ) industry . this is significant because this industry represents the most cost effective means for manufacturing large area arrays of devices and provides a prime infrastructure for use in building displays and other devices based on interferometric modulators or other mem devices . this characteristic is described in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 867 , 896 herein incorporated by reference . the materials may be etched using low - cost wet etching processes , or higher cost dry etching techniques depending on the demands of the display application and the need for dimensional control . photolithography may be achieved using low - cost imaging tools or higher cost step and repeat machines , also dependent on the dimensional requirements of the application . the dimensional requirements are primarily dictated by the resolution of the display in display - centric applications . fig1 a - 1f illustrate one embodiment of an interferometric modulator fabrication sequence which utilizes 9 masking steps . step 1 shows the deposition of a stack of films 100 on a substrate 102 . the stack 100 is used in the definition of a black mask . more detail on how a black mask may be incorporated into an interferometric modulator array is described in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 741 , 377 ( application ser . no . 10 / 190 , 400 ) herein incorporated by reference . the stack 100 is nominally deposited by sputtering and is subsequently patterned in step 2 . patterning refers to a class of techniques which usually include a lithographic step , a development step , and a material etch step . these are well known in the art and described in detail in the aforementioned patents and patent applications . in step 3 , an insulator 106 , an optical film 108 , and a conductor 1010 are deposited also using sputtering and are of a thickness and composition which has been described in the aforementioned patents and patent applications . examples of the insulator , optical film , and conductor include silicon dioxide , chrome , and aluminum respectively . the optical film 108 and the conductor 1010 have been subsequently patterned in step 4 . for interferometric modulator matrices that are to be multi - color displays , some mechanism must be provided for depositing and patterning sacrificial layers with multiple heights . the height of the sacrificial layer is what determines one of the color modes or states of the interferometric modulator during operation . typical full color displays require matrices capable of display in at least three colors , red , green , and blue . fig1 b begins with step 5 where the conductor 1010 has been further patterned to form the conductor rails . these rails are used to enhance the conductivity of the underlying chrome and thereby improve the performance of the overall display by reducing r / c time constants . in step 6 , an insulating film or films 1012 has been deposited . step 7 reveals where insulator films 1012 have been patterned to expose the optical film 108 as a lead 1014 for bonding at a later step . fig1 c reveals the deposition of a first sacrificial layer 1016 in step 8 using sputtering and its subsequent patterning in step 9 . step 10 shows the deposition of a second sacrificial layer 1018 also using sputtering . fig1 d begins in step 11 with the patterning of sacrificial layer 1018 followed by the deposition of a third sacrificial layer 1020 in step 12 . in step 13 , an etch step is performed , the goal of which is to define support post vias 1022 . this may be done using either wet or dry etching techniques as all of the previous etches may be accomplished . fig1 e reveals the definition of support posts 1024 . more detail on how this process can be accomplished is contained in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 794 , 119 herein incorporated by reference . in one embodiment , a negative acting photosensitive material is spun onto the structure and is exposed through the post support vias through the backside of the wafer illustrated by incident light arrows 1026 . the post support vias are transparent to the light because the sacrificial layers are designed to be opaque . thus the sacrificial layers act as a mask and save on an additional masking step . step 14 shows support posts 1024 that are formed in each support post via 1022 . the support posts 1024 may be polymeric , though they could be of any photo - definable material or material matrix . step 15 shows the definition of a planar cover material 1027 which is used to smooth the topology presented by conductor rails 1010 . this is accomplished using standard lithography . in step 16 a mechanical film / s 1030 has been deposited . fig1 f begins with step 17 where the mechanical layer 1030 has been patterned to form the interferometric modulator matrix red , green , and blue columns which are distinguished by the different sacrificial layer heights , 1032 , 1034 , and 1036 . finally , in step 18 , the sacrificial layer has been removed using one of a variety of etching techniques . the preferred technique uses xef 2 gas to spontaneously etch the sacrificial material . more detail on this approach can be found in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 794 , 119 herein incorporated by reference . steps 8 - 12 of the previous sequence represent the sacrificial layer subprocess , i . e . the sequence of steps whereby the sacrificial layer heights are defined and patterned . this is an additive approach . fig2 illustrates an alternative sacrificial layer sub - process that includes a subtractive approach . referring to fig2 , substrate 200 is coated with a multilayer sacrificial stack which comprises two different materials which are both etchable using xef 2 , but which are wet etched , or potentially dry etched , using different chemistries . silicon and molybdenum are two candidates , though there are others , for both these substances can be etched using xef 2 however , silicon can be wet etched by hot solutions of tetramethylammonium hydroxide ( among other etchants ) while molybdenum can be etched using solutions of phosphoric , acetic , and nitric acid . step 1 shows the multilayer stack deposited on substrate 200 , with silicon layers 202 and 204 acting as an etch stop , and molybdenum layers 206 , 208 , and 210 acting as the height definition layers . the first resist layer 212 has been defined in step 2 and in step 3 , the first patterning step has been accomplished using this layer with the pattern then transferred to the molybdenum layer 206 . the next resist layer 214 has also been defined in step 3 . step 4 shows the subsequent patterning step which involves a two stage etch step . masked by resist layer 214 , the first stage molybdenum layer 208 is patterned using the appropriate etchant , and in the second stage , silicon etch stop layer 204 has been etched through . finally , in step 5 , molybdenum layer 210 has been etched by virtue of being masked by a resist layer 216 . because of the existence of etch stop layers 202 and 204 , the etchant can be used to pattern the height definition layers without concerns about overetching . the material may be exposed for as long as possible to insure complete etching of the feature with fear of etching into the next height definition layer which would compromise the overall process . the sub - process of fig2 requires three separate lithography steps . using gray - scale lithography this may be reduced . fig3 illustrates a variation on this theme which exploits gray - scale lithography to reduce the number of masking steps to one . referring to fig3 a multilayer etch stack 310 has been deposited on substrate 312 and is identical to the etch stack of fig2 . a gray - scale mask 300 which is like a normal lithographic mask except that regions on it may be defined to have variable levels of transmission as opposed to binary levels in traditional masks is positioned over the stack 310 . there are numerous ways of preparing such masks as is well known in the art . for this case , three regions have been defined with three different transmission levels shown with zero transmission at a region 302 , moderate transmission at a region 304 , and the highest at a region 306 . in step 1 when a photoresist layer 308 over the stack 310 is exposed , a well - timed development stage will result in the photoresist below region 306 developing first . the developer stage is a standard part of patterning where photoresist or other photosensitive material , which has been exposed to light , is dissolved away in a chemical solution specially designed for this task . the consequence of the first development stage is that the multilayer etch material under region 306 is exposed . in step 2 the first etch step is accomplished which defines the first height . in step 3 , after another developer stage , the material under region 304 is exposed and etched appropriately while the region under 306 is etched to the next level . finally a solvent or other resist removal process is used to finish off the process . fig4 a - 4c , 5 a - 5 b , and 6 a - 6 b illustrate reduced mask fabrication sequences . these sequences differ from the sequence of fig1 a - 1f in that they do not contain a black mask , a conductor , or a conductor planarization layer . certain applications and device designs may eliminate or reduce the need for a black mask . other applications may not require the addition of a conductor or may have their conductivity sufficiently increased by the presence of a transparent conductor . fig4 a - 4c illustrate a sequence that uses 4 mask steps . beginning with step 1 in fig4 a , optical film / s 402 are deposited on a substrate 400 . the optical films may or may not include a transparent conductor 404 . in step 2 these films are patterned and in step 3 an insulating film or films 406 is / are deposited followed by the deposition of a sacrificial material 408 in step 4 . fig4 b begins with step 5 where post support vias 410 have been etched into the sacrificial spacer 408 . spacer posts 412 are formed in step 6 according to the processes described above , and a mechanical film 414 has been deposited in step 7 . fig4 c starts in step 8 where sacrificial layer 408 has been etched back , optional etch hole 410 has been formed , and insulator 406 has been etched subsequently in step 9 to expose optical film 402 for later bonding . the sacrificial layer has been removed in step 10 . fig5 a - 5b illustrate a 3 mask step process . starting with step 1 in fig5 a a starter stack 502 has been deposited on substrate 500 . the starter stack 502 comprises optical / conductor films 504 , insulator 506 , and a sacrificial layer 508 . step 2 shows the etching of the entire starter stack which constitutes the step consolidation that removes a mask step , and provides support post vias 510 . in step 3 , the support posts 512 have been formed and a mechanical film 514 is deposited in step 4 . fig5 b shows in step 5 the etching of the mechanical film 514 , the sacrificial layer 508 , and etch hole 516 . step 6 illustrates the etching of the insulator 506 . finally the sacrificial layer is removed using xef 2 in step 7 . steps 5 and 6 represent the consolidation of a mask step in this sequence since only one mask step is required to accomplish both . fig6 a illustrates a 2 mask step process . referring to fig6 a , in step 1 a starter stack comprising a substrate 602 , optical / conductor films 604 , an insulator 606 , and a spacer 608 is patterned to form support post vias 610 . in step 2 , the vias 610 are filled with a support post material 612 , and a mechanical film layer 614 is deposited in step 3 . in step 4 , the mechanical layer 614 , the spacer 608 , and the insulator 606 are etched to expose optical film layers 604 for subsequent bonding . step 5 is a final step where the sacrificial layer 608 is removed . fig7 illustrates a further means for consolidating mask steps by combining the process for forming the support post vias with the formation of the support posts themselves . this approach relies on a technique which is known in the industry as lift - off . basically this means that a pattern can be formed in a deposited material not by etching it after deposition , but by forming the pattern during the deposition . one way of achieving this is explained in fig7 . in step 1 of fig7 , a starter stack 702 has been deposited on a substrate 700 and a negative photoresist 704 has been has been spun on . while positive photoresist may be used , negative resist has the property that a so - called “ re - entrant ” profile may be formed . a re - entrant profile is one in which the top of the resist is effectively undercut during development . negative resist differs from positive resist in that exposed negative resist remains during the development process . mask 710 serves to block light 708 and prevent the exposure of the photoresist below . however diffractive effects actually cause some of the incident light to be redirected underneath the mask . this redirected light 706 produces a “ lip ” 712 and associated re - entrant profile during step 2 , which shows in the resist after development . the opening in the resist is used as a mask to define the support post via 714 when it is etched into the starter stack 700 . step 3 illustrates a lift - off process for establishing the support posts which in this case are deposited using some form of physical vapor deposition ( pvd ) technique as opposed to being spun on and photopolymerized using topside or backside exposure . because of the reentrant profile , a distinct break is formed between the post material in the hole 718 and the excess post material on the surface of the photoresist 716 . thus in step 4 , the excess material is removed in a lift - off process which uses a liquid solvent to dissolve the remaining photoresist and remove all post material which resides on top of it . in another embodiment , the fabrication process is further streamlined by the elimination of the support posts . this is shown in fig8 and involves the use of the mechanical film in a self - supporting role . beginning in step 1 a starter stack , comprising optical films 802 and sacrificial film 804 , is shown deposited on substrate 800 . by proper application of etching techniques , a via , 806 , is etched onto the stack which exhibits a sloped profile . that is to say , the sidewalls of the via have a profile which is opposite that of the re - entrant profile described in fig7 . because of this , when mechanical film 808 is deposited as in step 3 , the resulting film is conformal and covers the slopes of the via without any break . when the sacrificial film , 808 , is removed in step 4 , the mechanical film remains standing because it supports itself by being attached to the substrate . this technique may be utilized in all of the process sequences described within this patent application . advanced interferometric modulator architectures such as those described in patent application ser . no . 08 / 769 , 947 filed on dec . 19 , 1996 , now abandoned ( a divisional application of which is u . s . pat . no . 6 , 680 , 792 herein incorporated by reference ), may also be fabricated using extensions of the previously described process sequences . in this architecture the support structure for the movable mirror is defined separately and positioned in such a way as to be hidden from view . such a design offers improvements in fill factor , and uniformity in performance . referring now to fig9 a - 9d of the drawings , beginning with step 1 in fig9 , optical films 900 and 902 have been deposited and subsequently patterned in step 2 . step 3 reveals the deposition of insulator film 904 , followed by the deposition of a sacrificial layer , 908 , and a mirror material , 906 . the mirror is shown after it has been patterned in step 5 , and an additional sacrificial material , 910 , has been deposited in step 6 . step 7 illustrates how the supports and mechanical connections are formed . the patterning which occurs in this step is such that vias 912 etch until stopped by mirror 906 , while vias 914 are etched , in the same step , until stopped by insulator film 904 which may be an oxide layer . in this way , and as shown in step 8 , polymer supports 916 are formed using backside exposure techniques to expose the vias 914 . step 9 reveals how a mechanical support layer 918 , is deposited and consequently forms a mechanical connection to mirror 906 at the junctions indicated by 920 . in step 10 , etch holes 22 are formed , and the entire structure is released in step 11 using a gas phase etchant . the fabrication sequences above are meant to illustrate various methods for building interferometric modulator matrices using different mask counts . they are not meant to be limiting in any way in terms of materials used , steps consolidated , or order of steps .	6
the ski binding 1 illustrated in fig1 has a front sole holder 2 and a heel holder 3 which hold a sole 4 of a conventional downhill ski boot or of a touring ski boot on a plate 5 . the release function , the mechanics and adjustability of said front sole holder 2 and of the heel holder 3 are basically known and are therefore not described in more detail here . the plate 5 can be pivoted upward about a front axis 6 , as known per se . in this case , said axis 6 is arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the ski below the front sole holder 2 on a bearing part 7 fixed on the ski . in order to achieve said pivotability of the plate 5 , the rear end of the plate 5 has to be freely movable upward in the arrow direction “ t ”, i . e . has to be able to be positioned from a locked position into an unlocked position . in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig1 , the ski binding 1 according to the invention therefore has front locking elements 8 and rear locking elements 9 which are arranged below the plate 5 . the locking elements comprise a lever mechanism 10 which is arranged on the ski and has two connectors 11 , 11 ′ which are fixed at their one end on a rotary disk 12 and at their other end on locking pins 13 , 13 ′. the front locking element 8 is preferably arranged below the ball region of the boot sole and the rear locking element 9 is preferably arranged below the heel region in order to permit a good transmission of force to the ski . this arrangement has the further advantage that the locking elements are located within the binding region or the region of the boot sole and not outside it , and therefore there is virtually no negative influence on the natural sag of the ski . recesses 14 , 14 ′, in which the locking pins 13 , 13 ′ engage in order to lock the plate 5 to the ski , are now provided in bearing elements 15 , 15 ′ on the plate 5 . of course , instead of two recesses and locking pins , as illustrated in fig1 , just one recess and in each case one locking pin can also be provided . the locking pin may also have a different shape than shown in the exemplary embodiment . in order to unlock the plate 5 for touring , the rotary disk 12 merely has to be rotated in the direction of rotation “ a ” ( see fig2 ). in the process , the connectors 11 , 11 ′ which are fixed to the rotary disk 12 are rotated at the same time and therefore the locking pins 13 , 13 ′ are synchronously pushed out of the recesses 14 , 14 ′. the locking elements 8 and 9 are then unlocked , and the plate 5 can be pivoted together with the boot in the arrow direction “ t ” for touring . in order to lock the plate 5 again for skiing downhill , the operation has to take place in the opposite sequence to the sequence described previously . in order to be able to easily actuate the rotary disk 12 , the latter has a handle ( not illustrated specifically ) which can protrude laterally from the ski binding . of course , other operating means are also possible without departing from the scope of the present invention . fig3 and 4 illustrate a further exemplary embodiment in which the ski binding 1 likewise has front locking elements 8 and rear locking elements 9 . however , in contrast to the exemplary embodiment described previously , here the entire plate 5 is displaced out of the bearings 15 , 15 ′ fixed on the ski or out of the recesses 16 , 16 ′ thereof in the longitudinal direction of the ski ( see arrow “ b ”). in the process , the locking webs 17 , 17 ′ which are fastened below the plate are displaced out of the locked position , which is illustrated in fig3 , for downhill skiing into the unlocked position which is illustrated in fig4 , for touring skiing such that a pivoting of the plate upward is also possible here . in order to be able to displace the locking webs 17 , 17 ′ and therefore also the plate 5 in the arrow direction “ b ” and vice versa , a lever mechanism ( not illustrated specifically ) is provided which , as in the case of the exemplary embodiment according to fig1 , may be formed from a crank mechanism but also from any other adjusting mechanism . furthermore , it is also possible in this exemplary embodiment to also only provide one locking element , for example in the central region of the plate . it is pointed out that the present invention is not restricted to the embodiment described and illustrated but that modifications apparent to a person skilled in the art are also to be included . with reference to fig5 to 11 , a particularly preferred embodiment is described below , in which use is made very substantially of the construction principles illustrated with reference to fig3 and 4 . two flexible base plates 21 and 22 ( not illustrated in fig5 ) are fastened consecutively in the longitudinal direction of the ski to the ski 20 by means of screws 19 and are designed in such a manner that they do not provide any significant resistance to flexing movements of the skis 20 . guide rails 21 ′ and 22 ′ are integrally formed on said base plates 21 and 22 , said guide rails being , for example , in the form of angled profiles with in each case a vertical leg integrally formed on the associated base plate 21 or 22 and a horizontal leg integrally formed on the upper edge of the vertical leg , with it being possible for said horizontal legs to point outward in directions facing away from each other . the bearing part 7 is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner on the guide rails of the front base plate 21 in the longitudinal direction of the ski . for this purpose , the bearing part 7 has guide elements 23 which are formed in an essentially complementary manner to the guide rails and which engage around and below the abovementioned horizontal legs of the guide rails such that the bearing plate 7 is secured on the front base plate 21 in a virtually play - free manner by means of a form - fitting connection to the guide rails in the transverse and vertical directions . the bearing part 7 can be displaced by means of a hand lever 24 between a front end position in the longitudinal direction of the ski and a rear end position in the longitudinal direction of the ski when the hand lever is folded over from its one position resting on the top side of the ski into the other position resting on the top side of the ski . the hand lever 24 is mounted pivotably about an axis parallel to the transverse axis of the ski on small bearing blocks arranged fixedly on the front base plate 21 or on the top side of the ski , and forms an assembly in the manner of a toggle lever together with a leaf spring 25 , the one end of which is connected fixedly to the bearing part 7 and the other end of which is coupled to the hand lever 24 by means of a transverse axis 26 . the leaf spring 25 is designed with a certain amount of prestressing in such a manner that the leaf - spring end connected to the hand lever 24 in an articulated manner attempts to tension the hand lever 24 in each case into a position in which it is placed onto the upper side of the ski , with the toggle lever assembly formed from the leaf spring 25 and the hand lever 24 being in a dead - center position or position beyond the dead center when the hand lever 24 is placed in the one or other direction onto the top side of the ski . accordingly , the bearing part 7 , depending in each case on the end position which is taken up by the hand lever 24 and which rests on the top side of the ski , is secured immovably in the front or rear position in the longitudinal direction of the ski . the standing plate 5 is arranged on the bearing part 7 in a manner such that it can pivot about the transverse axis 27 . in this case , the standing plate 5 is secured virtually immovably on the top side of the ski when , with the standing plate 5 placed onto the top side of the ski , the bearing part 7 is displaced out of its rear end position in the longitudinal direction of the ski into the front end position in the longitudinal direction of the ski . during this forward displacement of the standing plate 5 placed onto the upper side of the ski , guide elements 28 which are arranged on the lower side of the standing plate 5 and are formed in a similar manner to the guide elements 23 of the bearing part 7 , interact in a locking manner with the horizontal webs of the guide rails 21 ′ on the front base plate 21 and with identical guide rails 22 ′ on the base plate 22 . if the standing plate 5 is placed onto the top side of the ski in the rear position of the bearing part 7 in the longitudinal direction of the ski , the guide elements 28 arranged in the vicinity of the front end of the standing plate 5 take up a position behind the rear ends , in the longitudinal direction of the ski , of the guide rails 21 ′ of the front base plate 21 while the guide elements 28 , which are arranged further to the rear , of the standing plate 5 each take up a position at corresponding cutouts of the horizontal legs of the guide rails 22 ′ of the rear base plate 22 . if the bearing part 7 is now displaced forward in the longitudinal direction of the ski by the hand lever 24 being folded over from its one position resting on the top side of the ski through approximately 180 . degree . into its other position resting on the top side of the ski , then the guide elements 28 are each displaced into a position in which they engage around and under the horizontal webs of the guide rails 21 ′ and 22 ′ of the base plates 21 and 22 such that the standing plate 5 is secured on the base plates 21 and 22 in a manner such that it is free from play in the transverse and vertical directions , but remains displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the ski . this displaceability in the longitudinal direction of the ski is of importance for flexing movements of the ski . since the standing plate 5 is at a more or less large vertical distance from the neutral bending zone of the ski , during flexing movements of the ski relative displacements inevitably occur in the longitudinal direction of the ski between the standing plate 5 and the base plates 21 and 22 , with , in particular , the relative movements between the rear base plate 22 and the standing plate 5 being relatively large because the region of the rear base plate 22 is at a relatively large distance from the bearing plate 7 which is secured in a virtually immovable manner by the leaf spring 25 and the hand lever 24 resting on the top side of the ski . as soon as the bearing part 7 has been adjusted by means of the hand lever 24 into its rear position in the longitudinal direction of the ski , the standing plate 5 takes up its state , as desirable for touring , in which it can be pivoted upward about the transverse axis 27 relative to the ski 20 , i . e . can be raised from the top side of the ski . after the standing plate 5 is raised from the top side of the ski , a supporting clip 29 can be pivoted from the inoperative position , illustrated in fig6 , into a first or second latchable operative position by pivoting in the clockwise direction through approximately 90 . degree . or 180 . degree . in the clockwise direction . in the first operative position , the heel - side end of the standing plate 5 is supported at a distance , which is predetermined by the length of the long leg 29 ′ of the supporting clip 29 , from the upper side of the rear base plate . this is advantageous in particular if very steep slopes are to be overcome during the touring . in the second operative position , i . e . when the supporting clip 29 has been pivoted from the inoperative position of fig6 through 180 . degree . in the clockwise direction , the heel - side end of the standing plate is supported in relation to the top side of the rear base plate 22 or the top side of the ski at a distance predetermined by the length of the short leg 29 ″ of the supporting clip 29 . this setting is selected if comparatively shallow slopes are to be overcome during touring . since , during touring , i . e . with the standing plate 5 pivoted up relative to the ski 20 , the bearing part 7 takes up its rear position in the longitudinal direction of the ski , it is readily ensured that the center of gravity of the ski 20 is located in the longitudinal direction of the ski in front of the transverse axis 27 , about which the standing plate 5 pivots on the bearing part 7 , and always attempts to drop the ski tip downward when the skier lifts the foot and therefore the respective ski . the abovementioned center of gravity position of the ski is advantageous in particular for kick turns or similar maneuvers . if appropriate , depressions can be arranged on the top side of the rear base plate 22 , into which the supporting clip 29 can be lowered when placed onto the base plate 22 . as a result , the standing plate 5 which is placed onto the base plate 22 by the supporting clip 29 obtains increased stability in the transverse direction of the ski . the front sole holder arrangement 2 is fastened together with the standing plate 5 to the bearing part 7 by the transverse axis 27 , with a securing of the housing of the front sole holder arrangement 2 in a stationary manner relative to the standing plate 5 being ensured by a form - fitting connection between the housing of the sole holder arrangement 2 and the front end of the standing plate 5 . if a ski boot is inserted into the ski binding 1 , the front sole end of the ski boot is secured by the sole holders 30 of the front sole holder arrangement 2 , with the sole holders 30 engaging around or over the front sole end laterally and from above . ski boots for downhill skiing have standard thicknesses , and therefore , by means of corresponding adaptation of the shape of the sole holders 30 , vertical play - free securing can readily be ensured . the conditions for touring ski boots are different . in this case , in comparison to boots for downhill skiing , the sole thicknesses may differ greatly . the front sole holder arrangement 2 is therefore combined with a supporting arrangement 31 which can be adjusted in the vertical direction . said supporting arrangement has a slide 32 which is guided displaceably by means of lateral guide elements 33 on lateral guide webs 34 of the standing plate 5 . the guide webs 34 are arranged obliquely with respect to the plane of the standing plate 5 such that , during longitudinal displacement in the direction of the guide webs 34 relative to the standing plate 5 , the slide 32 is also adjusted in the vertical direction . the position of the slide 32 on the guide webs 34 can be set by means of an adjusting screw 35 , the head of which is mounted axially and radially on the bearing part 7 and the threaded section of which is screwed into a nut 36 which is secured on the slide 32 radially and axially with wobbling mobility . a slide plate 37 which can be displaced in the transverse direction is arranged on the top side of the slide 32 and is tensioned into a central position by means of a helical compression spring 38 . the slide plate 37 is preferably guided on the slide 32 on a curved path , the center of which drops into the heel region of the ski boot . by means of appropriate selection of the materials , it can readily be ensured that the slide plate 37 can be displaced smoothly on the slide 32 . the front end of the ski boot sole is then also supported relative to the front sole holder arrangement 2 with smooth mobility in the transverse direction , as is desirable for a satisfactory release function of the front sole holder arrangement 2 . this smooth displaceability is ensured even if the lower side of the boot sole is to have an anti - slip rubber profile . the heel holder arrangement 3 , which , according to fig5 , is combined with a ski break arrangement , is arranged displaceably in the longitudinal direction on the standing plate 5 . for this purpose , lateral guide webs 39 are arranged on the standing plate 5 and interact in a form - fitting manner with guide elements 40 , i . e . the heel holder arrangement 3 is secured in a play - free manner in the vertical and sideways directions on the guide webs 39 . the securing of the heel holder arrangement 3 in the longitudinal direction of the standing plate 5 takes place by means of an adjusting screw 41 which is mounted rotationally within a housing part of the heel holder arrangement 3 and is tensioned by a thrust spring 42 against a stop 43 fixed on the housing . the adjusting screw 41 has a worm - like external threaded section , the threaded web of which engages in transverse slots of a toothing belt 44 which is arranged nondisplaceably on the top side of the standing plate 5 below the housing of the heel holder arrangement 3 , which housing can be displaced in the guide webs 39 . for this purpose , the toothing belt 44 engages with angled ends in corresponding recesses on the top side of the standing plate 5 . by means of a rotational adjustment of the adjusting screw 41 , the adjusting screw 41 is displaced together with the heel holder arrangement 3 on the toothing belt 44 and therefore in the longitudinal direction of the standing plate 5 . accordingly , the heel holder arrangement 3 can be positioned in a manner matched to the respective length of the ski boot sole . in this case , the heel holder arrangement 3 remains displaceable relative to the adjusting screw 41 counter to the tensioning force of the thrust spring 42 , which is designed as a helical compression spring , such that the ski boot sole can be clamped in a play - free manner in the longitudinal direction of the sole in such a manner that the thrust spring 42 keeps the heel - side sole holder 45 resiliently in contact with the rear sole end in a basically known manner . as can be gathered in particular from fig7 and 8 , firstly , and fig9 and 10 , secondly , the hand lever 24 can be arranged in front of or behind the bearing part 7 in the longitudinal direction of the ski . when it is arranged behind the bearing part 7 , there has to be a corresponding cutout 46 in the standing plate 5 in order to be able to accommodate the hand lever 24 in a pivotably adjustable manner on the top side of the ski or on the top side of the front base plate 21 .	0
referring to fig1 to 3 , a light - emitting diode ( led ) lamp 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown . the led lamp 100 includes a frame 10 , a light bar 20 , a driving module 30 , a lamp cover 40 and two side plates 50 . referring to fig4 and 5 , the frame 10 is elongated and has a cross section with an upper u - shaped sub - frame and two trapezium - shaped mounting portions 13 extending downwardly from two lateral sides of the u - shaped sub - frame . the frame 10 is made of a material exhibiting excellent thermal conductivity and light reflectivity , such as aluminum wherein the frame 10 can be formed by aluminum extrusion . the upper sub - frame of the frame 10 includes a supporting plate 11 and two sidewalls 12 extending upwardly from two opposite edges of the supporting plate 11 . the supporting plate 11 is elongated and substantially rectangular . the supporting plate 11 includes a first surface 111 and a second surface 112 opposite the first surface 111 . the two sidewalls 12 each extend from a lateral side of the second surface 112 of the supporting plate 11 . the two sidewalls 12 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the supporting plate 11 . the two sidewalls 12 extend along a length direction of the supporting plate 11 . the two sidewalls 12 and the second surface 112 of the supporting plate 11 together define a receiving room 14 . the two mounting portions 13 each have a hollow structure , thereby reducing a weight of the frame 10 and increasing a heat - dissipating area of the frame 10 . the two mounting portions 13 are spaced from each other and extend along the length direction of the supporting plate 11 . each mounting portion 13 includes an outer wall 131 , an inner wall 132 and a middle wall 133 interconnecting bottom ends of the outer and inner walls 131 , 132 . the outer wall 131 extends obliquely ( i . e ., downwardly and inwardly ) from an outer side of the first surface 111 of the supporting plate 11 . the outer wall 131 extends along the length direction of the supporting plate 11 . the inner wall 132 extends obliquely ( i . e ., outwardly and downwardly ) from a middle portion of first surface 111 of the supporting plate 11 . the middle wall 133 is parallel to the supporting plate 11 and interconnects the outer wall 131 and inner wall 132 . the middle wall 133 faces downwardly . the mounting portion 13 has a trapeziform shape in cross section . the two spaced inner walls 132 and a portion of the first surface 111 of the supporting plate 11 between the inner walls 132 together form a reflecting cup 15 . the inner walls 132 extend away from each other along a lighting direction of the light bar 20 . the reflecting cup 15 extends along the length direction of the supporting plate 11 for reflecting light emitted from the light bar 20 . to further increase a reflectivity of the reflecting cup 15 , a reflecting material can be coated thereon . the receiving room 14 and the reflecting cup 15 are at two opposite sides ( i . e ., top and bottom sides ) of the supporting plate 11 . alternatively , a reflecting film 60 is attached on each of the inner walls 132 to enhance the reflectivity . two l - shaped appendages extend downwardly from the middle walls 133 , respectively to thereby define two clipping grooves 134 each of which is defined below the middle wall 133 of one of the mounting portions 13 . each clipping groove 134 extends from each middle wall 133 away from the supporting plate 11 and extends horizontally away from the other middle wall 133 . as shown in fig5 , the clipping groove 134 extends downwardly from the middle wall 133 and extends horizontally and outward . the clipping groove 134 extends along the length direction of the supporting plate 11 . the clipping grooves 134 are used for receiving edges of the lamp cover 40 to thereby assemble the lamp cover 40 to the frame 10 . the edges of the lamp cover 40 clip into the clipping grooves 134 . a part of the inner wall 132 of the mounting portion 13 which is close to the supporting plate 11 is recessed towards the outer wall 131 of the corresponding mounting portion 13 to define a slot 135 . the slots 135 extend along the length direction of the supporting plate 11 . an opening of the slot 135 faces an opening of the other slot 135 for receiving the light bar 20 . a screw groove 136 is defined on an inner surface of the outer wall 131 of each of the mounting portions 13 . the screw groove 136 is formed in the hollow mounting portion 13 and extends along the length direction of the supporting plate 11 . the screw groove 136 is c - shaped in cross section . the screw groove 136 is used for fixing the side plate 50 to the frame 10 . the light bar 20 includes a substrate 21 and a plurality of leds 22 arranged on the substrate 21 in a matrix . the substrate 21 is elongated and substantially a rectangular plate . in this embodiment , the plurality of leds 22 are arranged in a row along a length direction of the substrate 21 . a thickness of the substrate 21 of the light bar 20 is corresponding to a height of each of the slots 135 of the frame 10 , whereby the substrate 21 can be fixed to the frame 10 by inserting lateral edges of the substrate 21 into the slots 135 . referring to fig4 , the driving module 30 is fixed on the second surface 112 of the supporting plate 11 of the frame 10 and is received in the receiving room 14 . two wiring junctions 70 are mounted on the supporting plate 11 and each of the wiring junctions 70 is deposited on one side of the driving module 30 . the driving module 30 is electrically connected to the light bar 20 via one of the wiring junctions 70 and is electrically connected to external power via the other wiring junction 70 . a length of the lamp cover 40 matches that of the supporting plate 11 . the lamp cover 40 is substantially semicircular in cross section , or the lamp cover 40 is substantially c - shaped in cross section . a hook 141 is formed on each edge of the lamp cover 40 . the hooks 141 extend from the edge of the lamp cover 40 inwardly and horizontally along a length direction of the lamp cover 40 . each hook 141 is clipped in the clipping groove 134 of the frame 10 to fix the lamp cover 40 on the frame 10 firmly . the lamp cover 40 also acts as a dustproof cover for the plurality of leds 22 . the side plate 50 is mounted on each of two lateral sides of the frame 10 and the lamp cover 40 . the side plate 50 includes a barrier sheet 51 and a folding sheet 52 . the folding sheet 52 extends outward and horizontally from a top of the barrier sheet 51 . two screw holes ( not labeled ) corresponding to the screw grooves 136 are defined in the barrier sheet 51 . the side plate 50 is fixed on a lateral side of the frame 10 and the lamp cover 40 by screws . another screw hole ( not labeled ) is defined in the folding sheet 52 for fixing the led lamp 100 onto a wall or a ceiling . referring to fig3 and 5 again , in assembly of the led lamp 100 , the light bar 20 is inserted into the slots 135 of the frame 10 , by pushing the light bar 20 into the slots 135 from a lateral side of the supporting plate 11 until the light bar 20 is totally received in the slots 135 of the frame 10 , thus mounting the light bar 20 to the frame 10 . by this , the light bar 20 is fixed on the supporting plate 11 of the frame 10 . the light bar 20 can be easily dismounted from the frame 10 by pulling the light bar 20 out of the slots 135 . the driving module 30 and two wiring junctions 70 are fixed on the supporting plate 11 via screws . wires are soldered on the light bar 20 to electrically connect the light bar 20 to the wiring junctions 70 and the driving module 30 . the reflecting films 60 are attached on the inner walls 132 of the mounting portions 13 . the lamp cover 40 is pushed towards the frame 10 from a lateral side of the frame 10 until the hooks 41 of the lamp cover 40 are totally received in the clipping grooves 134 , thus mounting the lamp cover 40 to the frame 10 . the lamp cover 40 can be easily dismounted from the frame 10 by pulling the lamp cover 40 away from the frame 10 until the hooks 41 are totally out of the clipping grooves 134 . the side plates 50 are fixed on two lateral sides of the frame 10 via screws . since the light bar 20 can be easily pulled out of the frame 10 to separate the light bar 20 from the frame 10 , a replacement or a maintenance of the light bar 20 can be easily performed . in the aforementioned embodiment , since the light bar 20 is mounted on the frame 10 in an easily dismountable way , the led lamp 100 can change different light bars conveniently to generate different light distributions to meet different light distribution requirements without the necessity of redesigning the led lamp 100 . therefore , the manufacturing cost of the led lamp 100 can be lowered . it is to be understood , however , that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the exemplary embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description , together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments , the disclosure is illustrative only ; and that changes may be made in detail , especially in matters of shape , size , and arrangement of parts within the principles of the embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed .	5
with reference to fig1 , the stator 2 of a low - speed large - diameter electrical generator contains 288 equally spaced winding slots 4 a - 4 d formed in its inner surface . each winding slot contains a portion of a distributed connection armature winding that includes 144 coils ( i . e . p = 144 ). the winding slots 4 a - 4 d are separated by teeth 6 . the coil 8 shown in fig1 is a single - layer coil ( also known as a ‘ concentric ’ coil ) that is formed from one or more insulated conductors as a complete loop and has several turns . the coil 8 includes axially - extending runs 10 that are located in a corresponding pair of winding slots 4 a , 4 d and endwindings 12 that protrude out of the ends of the stator 2 . the distributed connection armature winding may be a two - tier or three - tier winding where the endwindings of the coils forming the inner tier or tiers ( i . e . the tier or tiers closest to the end of the stator ) are bent away from the axis of the stator by up to 90 degrees so that they may pass over the coils forming the outer tier or tiers . the endwindings of the coils forming the outermost tier do not need to pass over other coils and can be substantially parallel to the axis of the stator or bent away from the axis of the stator by up to 90 degrees . in practice , it will be readily appreciated that the distributed connection armature winding can use any suitable type of coil . in addition to the single - layer , multiple - turn coils mentioned above , these include single - layer , single - turn coils ; two - layer coils with a single turn or multiple turns per coil ; single - and two - layer round wire coils ( also known as ‘ mush ’ coils ); bar windings ; and lap and wave windings , for example . the armature winding shown in fig1 has one coil in each group but other configurations are possible . a rotor ( not shown ) is rotatably mounted within the stator 2 and has 88 magnet poles mounted around its outer rim . the electrical machine therefore has 44 pole - pairs . the magnet poles provide a magnet field that interacts with the armature winding in use . other field means for providing a magnetic field can be provided on the rotor . the number of coils per pole - pair for the electrical machine is 144 / 44 ( i . e . n = p / 44 = 144 / 44 ). the number of winding slots per pole - pair for the electrical machine is 288 / 44 . in practice , designs with a few as 5 slots per pole - pair are feasible and there is no upper limit . the angle between adjacent winding slots in the presence of the 44 pole - pair field ( i . e . the winding slot pitch ) is 55 electrical degrees . as shown in fig2 , the distributed connection armature winding has four independent circuits , each circuit having 36 coils with identical sets of phase angles . the coils for each circuit are connected together in series and are distributed through the winding slots as shown in table 1 therein where the coils in the first circuit are labelled a 1 , a 2 . . . a 26 , the coils in the second circuit are labelled b 1 , b 2 . . . b 36 and so on . the distributed connection armature phase winding has 36 plates , which is significantly more than the number of coils per pole - pair ( i . e ., 144 / 44 ). the winding slots 4 a , 4 d that receive the axially - extending runs of the coil shown in fig1 are separated by two intermediate winding slots 4 b , 4 c ( i . e . the coils have a ‘ pitch ’ of three winding slots ). with reference to the first circuit , it can be seen that coil a 1 is received in winding slots 1 and 4 . this gives a pitch for coil a 1 of 165 electrical degrees ( i . e . 3 × 55 = 165 electrical degrees ). coil a 2 is received in winding slots 27 and 30 and is therefore displaced by 26 slots from the coil a 1 . the electrical angle between the coils a 1 and a 2 is 1430 electrical degrees ( i . e . 26 × 55 = 1430 electrical degrees ) and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . coil a 3 is received in winding slots 53 and 56 and is therefore displaced by 26 slots from the coil a 2 . the electrical angle between the coils a 2 and a 3 is 1430 electrical degrees and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . successive coils a 1 . . . a 36 in the first circuit are therefore displaced by 26 slots to give a retrogressive circuit with successive coils being separated by − 10 electrical degrees . coil a 36 is received in winding slots 47 and 50 and is connected to coil a 1 to form a closed - loop . coils a 36 and a 1 are separated by 46 slots in the reverse direction and the electrical angle between them is − 2530 degrees ( 46 ×− 55 =− 2530 ) electrical degrees and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . the coils a 1 . . . a 36 in the first circuit are therefore separated from adjacent coils by a number of slots that is significantly more than the number of winding slots per pole - pair ( i . e . 288 / 44 ). with reference to the second circuit , it can be seen that coil b 1 is received in winding slots 73 and 76 . this gives a pitch for coil b 1 of 165 electrical degrees ( i . e . 3 × 55 = 165 electrical degrees ). coil b 2 is received in winding slots 99 and 102 and is therefore displaced by 26 slots from the coil b 1 . the electrical angle between the coils b 1 and b 2 is 1430 electrical degrees ( i . e . 26 × 55 = 1430 electrical degrees ) and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . coil b 3 is received in winding slots 125 and 128 and is therefore displaced by 26 slots from the coil b 2 . the electrical angle between the coils b 2 and b 3 is 1430 electrical degrees and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . successive coils b 1 . . . b 36 in the second circuit are therefore displaced by 26 slots to give a retrogressive circuit with successive coils being separated by − 10 electrical degrees . coil b 36 is received in winding slots 119 and 122 and is connected to coil b 1 to form a closed - loop . coils b 36 and b 1 are separated by 46 slots in the reverse direction and the electrical angle between them is − 2530 degrees ( 46 ×− 55 =− 2530 ) electrical degrees and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . the coils b 1 . . . b 36 in the second circuit are therefore separated from adjacent coils by a number of slots that is significantly more than the number of winding slots per pole - pair ( i . e . 288 / 44 ). the third and fourth circuits are formed in a similar manner . each circuit contains 36 coils ( i . e . s = 36 ) defining 36 phase angles with equally spaced electrical angles between 0 and 360 electrical degrees and as a result the net voltage around each circuit is zero at all times and there are no circulating currents . each circuit extends slightly more than three times around the circumference of the stator . the number of independent circuits and the number of coils in each circuit will depend on the number of poles and the number of winding slots of the electrical machine . the coils of each circuit are connected in series and each circuit has 36 points of coil interconnection ( i . e . the interconnections between adjacent pairs of coils ). although not shown , an electronic commutator circuit may include 36 switching stages , each switching stage being connected between a respective one of the points of coil interconnection and first and second dc terminals . each switching stage will typically include a first semiconductor power switching device having its anode connected to the first dc terminal and a second semiconductor power switching device having its cathode connected to the second dc terminal . the first and second semiconductor power switching devices may be thyristors or reverse blocking devices that are capable of being turned on and off by gate control ( e . g . gate turn off thyristors or gtos ) as described in ep 1798847 . in practice , it will be readily appreciated that any suitable electronic commutator circuit can be used . alternative arrangements would have a switching stage between every second or third coil to reduce the total number of semiconductor power switching devices . the four independent circuits may be connected together to form the complete distributed connection armature winding . the circuits can be connected externally at the dc side of the electronic commutator circuits or at the ac side of any associated inverters ( not shown ). the circuits can also be connected internally . any suitable method of external or internal connection can be used . for example , when the external connection is made at the dc side of the electronic commutator circuit then the circuits can be connected in series , parallel or an appropriate combination of both . when necessary , the electronic commutation circuits would include components to limit any circulating current to an acceptable level . when the connection is made internally then a parallel connection between two or more circuits can be achieved by adding interconnections between all of the respective points of coil interconnection or only between those respective points of coil interconnection to which a switching stage is connected . it is also possible for coils in two or more circuits to be connected together in series . for example , coils a 1 and b 1 can be connected in series , coils a 2 and b 2 can be connected in series , coils a 3 and b 3 can be connected in series and so on , followed by connecting coils a 2 and b 1 in series , coils a 3 and b 2 in series , coils a 4 and b 3 in series and so on . this would result in a single circuit with twice the voltage . it can be seen from table 1 of fig2 that the circuits are interleaved and that each circuit extends slightly more than three times around the circumference of the stator . an alternative ( or ‘ concentrated ’) distributed connection armature winding is shown in table 2 of fig3 where each circuit is concentrated on a portion of the stator circumference . for an armature winding having four circuits , each circuit may be concentrated on approximately a quarter of the stator circumference , there will be a slight overlap of circuits at the ends and the extent of this depends on the pitch of the coils . coil a 1 is received in winding slots 1 and 4 . this gives a pitch for coil a 1 of 165 electrical degrees ( i . e . 3 × 55 = 165 electrical degrees ). coil a 2 is received in winding slots 27 and 30 and is therefore displaced by 26 slots from the coil a 1 . the electrical angle between the coils a 1 and a 2 is 1430 electrical degrees ( i . e . 26 × 55 = 1430 electrical degrees ) and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . coil a 3 is received in winding slots 53 and 56 and is therefore displaced by 26 slots from the coil a 2 . the electrical angle between the coils a 2 and a 3 is 1430 electrical degrees and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . if each circuit is allocated a quarter of the slots then it will be readily appreciated that the first circuit is to be concentrated in slots 1 to 72 . coil a 4 is received in winding slots 7 and 10 and is therefore displaced by 26 slots from the coil a 3 ( i . e . slots 53 to 72 and 1 to 7 ). the electrical angle between coils a 3 and a 4 is 1430 electrical degrees and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . successive coils a 1 . . . a 36 in the first circuit are therefore displaced by 26 slots to give a retrogressive circuit with successive coils being separated by − 10 electrical degrees and concentrated in approximately a quarter of the stator circumference . the only overlap is with coil a 12 where one of the axially - extending runs is received in winding slot 74 . coil a 36 is received in winding slots 47 and 50 and is connected to coil a 1 to form a closed - loop . coils a 36 and a 1 separated by 46 slots in the reverse direction and the electrical angle between them is − 2530 degrees ( 46 ×− 55 =− 2530 ) electrical degrees and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . the coils a 1 . . . a 36 in the first circuit are therefore separated from adjacent coils by a number of slots that is significantly more than the number of winding slots per pole - pair ( i . e . 288 / 44 ). with reference to the second circuit , coil b 1 is received in winding slots 73 and 76 . this gives a pitch for coil b 1 of 165 electrical degrees ( i . e . 3 × 55 = 165 electrical degrees ). coil b 2 is received in winding slots 99 and 102 and is therefore displaced by 26 slots from the coil b 1 . the electrical angle between the coils b 1 and b 2 is 1430 electrical degrees ( i . e . 26 × 55 = 1430 electrical degrees ) and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . coil b 3 is received in winding slots 125 and 128 and is therefore displaced by 26 slots from the coil b 2 . the electrical angle between the coils b 2 and b 3 is 1430 electrical degrees and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . if each circuit is allocated a quarter of the slots then it will be readily appreciated that the second circuit is to be concentrated in slots 73 to 144 . coil b 4 is received in winding slots 79 and 82 and is therefore displaced by 26 slots from the coil b 3 ( i . e . slots 125 to 144 and 73 to 79 ). the electrical angle between coils b 3 and b 4 is 1430 electrical degrees and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . successive coils b 1 . . . b 36 in the second circuit are therefore displaced by 26 slots to give a retrogressive circuit with successive coils being separated by − 10 electrical degrees and concentrated in approximately a quarter of the stator circumference . the only overlap is with coil b 12 where one of the axially - extending runs is received in winding slot 146 . coil b 36 is received in winding slots 119 and 122 and is connected to coil b 1 to form a closed - loop . coils b 36 and b 1 are separated by 46 slots in the reverse direction and the electrical angle between them is − 2530 degrees ( 46 ×− 55 =− 2530 ) electrical degrees and this is equivalent to − 10 electrical degrees . the coils b 1 . . . b 36 in the second circuit are therefore separated from adjacent coils by a number of slots that is significantly more than the number of winding slots per pole - pair ( i . e . 288 / 44 ). the third and fourth circuits are formed in a similar manner and are concentrated in slots 145 to 216 and 217 to 288 , respectively . each circuit contains 36 coils defining 36 phase angles with equally spaced electrical angles between 0 and 360 electrical degrees and as a result the net voltage around each circuit is zero at all times and there are no circulating currents . in examples described above , the number of winding slots per pole - pair is 288 / 44 and the number of coils per pole - pair is 144 / 44 . the distributed connection armature windings shown in tables 1 and 2 have 36 phases and this is significantly more than the number of coils per pole - pair . if the electronic commutator circuit has 36 switching stages then the distributed connection armature winding will provide 36 commutating events per pole - pair . this is also significantly more than the number of coils per pole - pair . a dc electrical machine that incorporates a distributed connection armature winding will have significantly less torque ripple than a similar size machine with fewer phases and fewer commutating events per pole - pair .	7
a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached figures . first , the schematic construction of the power transmission apparatus of a vehicle will be described with reference to fig2 . as is shown in fig2 a transmission t / m is connected to an engine e via a clutch mechanism 1 . the clutch mechanism 1 consists of a fluid coupling 2 and a wet type multi - plate clutch ( speed - change clutch ) 3 . the fluid coupling 2 is disposed at an intermediate point in the power transmission path that extends from the engine e to the transmission t / m , on the upstream side of this power transmission path , and the wet type multi - plate clutch 3 is disposed in series on the downstream side of the same power transmission path . note that the term “ fluid coupling ” used here has a broad meaning that includes torque converters , and a torque converter is also actually used in the present embodiment . the fluid coupling 2 comprises a pump part 4 which rotates integrally with a casing 18 that is connected to the output shaft ( crankshaft ) 1 a of the engine e , a turbine part 5 which is caused to face the pump part 4 inside the casing 18 , and which is connected to the input side of the clutch 3 , and a stator part 6 which is interposed between the turbine part 5 and the pump part 4 . furthermore , this fluid coupling 2 has a lock - up device 20 consisting of a lock - up clutch 7 which couples and separates the pump part 4 and turbine part 5 , and a hydraulic circuit 19 that operates this lock - up clutch 7 . the input side of the wet type multi - plate clutch 3 is connected to the turbine part 5 via an input shaft 3 a , and the output side is connected to the input shaft 8 of the transmission t / m so that this clutch engages and disengages the fluid coupling 2 and transmission t / m . ordinarily , this clutch is driven in the disengaging direction by a spring ( not shown in the figures ), and is engaged by hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic circuit 19 . the transmission t / m has an input shaft 8 , an output shaft 9 which is disposed coaxially with this input shaft 8 , and a countershaft 10 which is disposed parallel to these other shafts . an input main gear 11 is provided on the input shaft 8 . a first - speed main gear m 1 , second - speed main gear m 2 , third - speed main gear m 3 , fourth - speed main gear m 4 and reverse main gear mr are respectively shaft - supported on the output shaft 9 , and a sixth - speed main gear m 6 is fastened to the output shaft 9 . an input counter gear 12 which engages with the input main gear 11 , a first - speed counter gear c 1 which engages with the first - speed main gear m 1 , a second - speed counter gear c 2 which engages with the second - speed main gear m 2 , a third - speed counter gear c 3 which engages with the third - speed main gear m 3 , a fourth - speed counter gear c 4 which engages with the fourth - speed main gear m 4 , and a reverse counter gear cr which engages with the reverse main gear mr via an idle gear ir , are fastened to the countershaft 10 , and a sixth - speed counter gear c 6 which engages with the sixth - speed main gear m 6 is shaft - supported on the countershaft 10 . in this transmission t / m , when the sleeve s / r 1 which is spline - engaged with the hub h / r 1 fastened to the output shaft 9 is spline - engaged with the dog dr of the reverse main gear mr , the output shaft 9 rotates in reverse , and when the abovementioned sleeve s / r 1 is spline - engaged with the dog d 1 of the first - speed main gear m 1 , the output shaft 9 rotates at a speed corresponding to the first speed . furthermore , when the sleeve s / 23 that is spline - engaged with the hub h / 23 fastened to the output shaft 9 is spline - engaged with the dog d 2 of the second - speed main gear m 2 , the output shaft 9 rotates at a speed corresponding to the second speed , and when the abovementioned sleeve s / 23 is spline - engaged with the dog d 3 of the third - speed main gear m 3 , the output shaft 9 rotates at a speed corresponding to the third speed . furthermore , when the sleeve s / 45 that is spline - engaged with the hub h / 45 fastened to the output shaft 9 is spline - engaged with the dog d 4 of the fourth - speed main gear m 4 , the output shaft 9 rotates at a speed corresponding to the fourth speed , and when the abovementioned sleeve s / 45 is spline - engaged with the dog d 5 of the input main gear 11 , the output shaft 9 rotates at a speed corresponding to the fifth speed ( direct coupling ). furthermore , when the sleeve s 6 that is spline - engaged with the hub h 6 fastened to the countershaft 10 is spline - engaged with the dog d 6 of the sixth - speed counter gear c 6 , the output shaft 9 rotates at a speed corresponding to the sixth speed . the abovementioned respective sleeves s are manually operated by the shift lever 21 inside the driver &# 39 ; s compartment via a shift fork and shift rod ( not shown in the figures ). furthermore , when gears are to be changed by the shift lever 21 , the wet type multi - plate clutch 3 is first disengaged by the operation of the shift lever 21 so that the sleeve s that was spline - engaged prior to the shifting operation is separated from the corresponding dog d , thus placing the transmission in neutral . then , after the rotation of the dog d of the main gear m to which a shift is to be made and the rotation of the sleeve s of the [ corresponding ] hub h are matched ( as will be described later ), the sleeve s is moved and spline - engaged with the corresponding dog d so that the transmission is shifted from the neutral position to the gear stage of the speed to which this shift is being made , and the wet type multi - plate clutch 3 is engaged . the neutral and gear positions resulting from the operation of this shift lever 21 are detected by a shift sensor and stroke sensor ( not shown in the figures ), and this information is inputted into a control device 22 . furthermore , the amount by which the accelerator pedal 23 is depressed is detected by a sensor 24 , and this amount of depression is inputted into the control device 22 . moreover , the amount of depression of the brake pedal 25 is detected by a sensor 26 , and this amount of depression is inputted into the control device 22 . a rotation sensor 27 a which detects the rpm of the input main gear 11 of the transmission t / m or the rpm of the input counter gear 12 that engages with the input main gear 11 , a rotation sensor ( vehicle speed sensor ) 27 b which detects the rotation of the output shaft , a rotation sensor 28 t which detects the rotation of the engine , and a rotation sensor 28 c which detects the rotation of the clutch 3 , are provided , and the detection values of these rotation sensors 27 a , 27 b , 28 t and 28 c are inputted into the control device 22 . a rotation matching braking device 70 which is used as an automatic clutch transmission rotating matching mechanism , and which also serves as a gear parking brake ( braking device ), is disposed on the input shaft 8 of the transmission t / m . lock - up control of the control device 22 is accomplished as follows : in a gear - in state , the lock - up device 20 of the fluid coupling 2 is switched to the disengaged side when the engine rpm is ( for example ) 800 rpm or less , and the lock - up device 20 is switched to the engaged side when the engine rpm is 1000 rpm or greater . next , details of the fluid coupling 2 , lock - up device 20 , wet type multi - plate clutch 3 and rotation matching braking device 70 will be described with reference to fig3 . in fig3 the pump part 4 of the fluid coupling 2 is integrally disposed in the casing 18 that is connected to the output shaft ( crankshaft ) 1 a of the engine . the pump part 4 is installed by means of bearings 29 so that the pump part 4 is free to rotate relative to the input shaft 3 a of the clutch 3 . furthermore , inside the casing 18 , the turbine part 5 is connected to the input shaft 3 a of the clutch 3 so as to face the pump part 4 . note that for ease of explanation , the stator part 6 has been omitted from the figures . a clutch disk 31 is connected to the turbine part 5 via a damper spring 30 . the clutch disk 31 is installed facing the casing 18 so that this clutch disk 31 can slide in the axial direction relative to the turbine hub 32 of the turbine part 5 , and a clutch facing 33 is mounted on the outside part of the clutch disk 31 that faces the abovementioned casing 18 . as a result of [ the installation of ] this clutch disk 31 , an outside chamber 34 is formed between the casing 18 and the clutch disk 31 , and an inside chamber 35 is formed between the turbine part 5 and the clutch disk 31 . an inside passage 36 is formed in the input shaft 3 a , and an outside passage 37 is formed around the outer circumference of this input shaft 3 a . in this fluid coupling 2 , when the lock - up device 20 is disengaged , hydraulic fluid flows from the inside passage 36 into the outside chamber 34 between the casing 18 and the clutch disk 31 , and this hydraulic fluid flows from the outside chamber 34 through the turbine part 5 and pump part 4 as indicated by the arrow 38 shown in the figures . a portion of this hydraulic fluid flows into the outside passage 37 via the bearings 29 , and transmits the rotation of the pump part 4 to the turbine part 5 . furthermore , when the lock - up device 20 is engaged , the flow of the hydraulic fluid is switched to the reverse of the abovementioned flow . specifically , the hydraulic fluid flows from the outside passage 37 through the pump part 4 and turbine part 5 via the bearings 29 , as indicated by the arrow 39 shown in the figures , and then flows into the inside chamber 35 . as a result , the clutch facing 33 of the clutch disk 31 makes frictional contact with the casing 18 , so that the rotation of the casing 18 is transmitted to the turbine part 5 from the clutch disk 31 via the damper spring 30 , and the pump part 4 and turbine part 5 are mechanically coupled . in the wet type multi - plate clutch 3 , respective pluralities of clutch plates 41 are differently spline - engaged with the input side and output side inside a clutch casing 40 filled with oil , and engagement and disengagement of the clutch are accomplished by pressing these clutch plates 41 against each other , or releasing the clutch plates 41 , by means of a clutch piston 42 . the clutch piston 42 is constantly driven in the direction of disengagement by a clutch spring 43 , and the clutch 3 is engaged when a hydraulic pressure that exceeds this driving force is applied to the clutch piston 42 . furthermore , the rotation matching braking device 70 consists of a friction plate 94 which rotates together with the drum 91 side ( input side ) between a drum 91 installed on the input shaft 8 of the transmission t / m and the housing 92 ( fixed side ) of the transmission t / m , a pressing plate 93 which is installed on the side of the housing 92 so that this pressing plate 93 can move toward or away from the friction plate 94 , and a pushing piston 74 which is disposed on the side of the housing 92 of the transmission t / m so that this pushing piston 74 presses the friction plate 94 and pressing plate 93 together . under ordinary conditions , the friction plate 94 and pressing plate 93 are joined together as a result of the pushing piston 74 being pushed by a spring 73 , whereby the braking performed by the gear - in parking brake is driven into a constant operating state . furthermore , the braking is released ( disengaged ) by supplying hydraulic fluid to the cylinder chamber 98 of the pushing piston 94 from a fluid pipe channel 97 used for hydraulic fluid supply . [ 0044 ] fig4 shows details of the hydraulic circuit 19 that operates the fluid coupling 2 , lock - up device 20 , wet type multi - plate clutch 3 and rotation matching mechanism ( braking device ) 70 . as is shown in fig4 oil from an oil tank 45 is sucked in and discharged by a hydraulic pump op via a filter f . the discharge pressure is regulated by a relief valve 47 so that the hydraulic fluid that is supplied to the hydraulic fluid supply line 46 is maintained at a constant pressure . a lock - up five - way valve 49 which switches the hydraulic fluid to the fluid coupling 2 is connected to the hydraulic fluid supply line 46 via a line 48 . a hydraulic fluid return line 50 which returns the hydraulic fluid to the oil tank 45 is connected to this lock - up five - way valve 49 ; and a throttle valve 51 , cooler 52 and opening - and - closing valve 53 are connected to the hydraulic fluid return line 50 . the opening - and - closing valve 53 is ordinarily closed , and is opened by hydraulic fluid from a pilot line 54 that is connected to the hydraulic fluid supply line 46 . the switching of the lock - up five - way valve 49 is controlled by a lock - up clutch solenoid 56 that is connected to the pilot line 55 of the hydraulic fluid supply line 46 . under ordinary conditions ( when the lock - up clutch solenoid 56 is off ), hydraulic fluid from the line 48 flows from the line 57 into the outside passage 37 explained in fig2 and flows into the turbine part 5 and pump part 4 ; this hydraulic fluid passes through the line 58 from the inside passage 36 , and is returned to the hydraulic fluid return line 50 via the lock - up five - way valve 49 . furthermore , when the lock - up clutch solenoid 56 is actuated , the lock - up five - way valve 49 is switched by hydraulic fluid from the pilot line 55 , so that the hydraulic fluid from the line 48 flows into the inside passage 36 from the line 58 , and flows into the pump part 4 and turbine part 5 . this hydraulic fluid is supplied to the line 57 , and the side of the line 57 is closed . in this case , a portion of the oil that is supplied to the line 58 is returned to the hydraulic fluid return line 50 via the throttle valve 59 . furthermore , the wet type multi - plate clutch 3 is connected to the hydraulic fluid supply line 46 via a line 60 , and a clutch switching three - way valve 61 is connected to this line 60 . the actuation of this clutch switching three - way valve 61 is controlled by a variable - speed clutch control solenoid 63 which is connected to the pilot line 62 of the hydraulic fluid supply line 46 . in this wet type multi - plate clutch 3 , the clutch switching three - way valve 61 is in a closed position under ordinary conditions . in this state ; the clutch is driven in the direction of disengagement by the spring 42 . when a pilot control three - way electromagnetic valve 63 is actuated in the opening direction , the clutch switching three - way valve 61 is opened by hydraulic fluid from the pilot line 62 so that hydraulic fluid is supplied to the wet type three - way clutch 3 , and the clutch is actuated in the direction of engagement . in the rotation matching braking device 70 , a braking force is applied by the spring 73 under ordinary conditions . when the pushing piston 74 is actuated , the gear parking brake force is released so that the device can be disengaged . furthermore , the braking force can be regulated by regulating the degree of advance and retraction of the pushing piston 74 . specifically , the pushing piston 74 is connected to the hydraulic fluid supply line 46 via a line 75 . a braking three - way valve 76 is connected to this line 75 , and the actuation of this braking three - way valve 76 is controlled by a brake control solenoid 78 that is connected to the pilot line 77 of the hydraulic fluid supply line 46 . when the duty ratio of the pulse signal that is sent to the brake control solenoid 78 is 0 %, the control device 22 places the brake control solenoid 78 in a state in which the port shown in fig4 is connected . accordingly , the pushing piston 74 is not actuated but maintained in an extended state by the spring 76 , so that the braking force of the rotation matching braking device 70 is maintained . then , when a signal with a duty ratio of 100 % is outputted to the brake control solenoid 78 , the port of the brake control solenoid 78 is switched , and the braking three - way valve 76 is switched , whereby hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid supply line 46 is supplied to the pushing piston 74 via the line 75 and hydraulic fluid supply line 97 . consequently , the pushing piston 74 is retracted , so that the braking force of the rotation matching braking device 70 is released . furthermore , in the regulation of the braking force , the control device 22 can regulate the amount of hydraulic fluid that is sent to the pushing piston 74 from the braking three - way valve 76 by outputting a duty pulse signal , whose duty ratio is appropriately varied between 0 and 100 %, to the brake control solenoid 78 ; in this way , the control device 22 can regulate the braking force . furthermore , the lock - up clutch solenoid 56 and the variable - speed clutch control solenoid 63 are also actuated by electrical signals from the control device 22 . next , the operation of the driving force transmission device of the present embodiment will be described . in this driving force transmission device , the driving force of the engine e is transmitted via the fluid coupling 2 , wet type multi - plate clutch 3 and transmission t / m , in that order . when the vehicle starts moving , the lock - up clutch 7 and the wet type multi - plate clutch 3 are disengaged . when the driver shifts to the starting gear by operating the shift lever 21 , the wet type multi - plate clutch 3 is engaged . in this state , the turbine part 5 of the fluid coupling 2 is stopped from the side of the driven wheels ; accordingly , only the pump part 4 rotates , so that a creeping force is generated . afterward , when the brake pedal 25 is released or the accelerator pedal 23 is depressed , the turbine part 5 rotates so that the driving force is transmitted to the side of the transmission t / m . after starting , speed - change operations are performed using the shift lever 21 ; in each case , the wet type multi - plate clutch 3 is disengaged and engaged . [ 0059 ] fig1 shows a flow chart of the rotation matching mechanism of the automatic clutch type transmission when up - shifting is performed by the control device 22 shown in fig2 . first , the control device 22 detects the engine rotation by means of the rotation sensor 28 t , and detects the vehicle speed by means of the rotation sensor 27 b . furthermore , in regard to the operating state of the shift lever 21 , the control device 22 detects the gear and neutral position from the shift sensor and stroke sensor . as is shown in fig1 the control process starts ( 80 ), and the up - shift signal is detected ( 81 ). after the gear is shifted into neutral ( 82 ); the envisioned rpm a based on the speed to which this shift is to be made (= gear ratio of the next shift stage × vehicle speed × a constant ) is calculated ( 83 ). next , in the judgement made in step 1 , the actual engine rpm and the envisioned rpm a are compared , and if the envisioned rpm a is higher than the engine rpm ( yes ), a command is sent ( 84 ) indicating that the duty ratio of the duty pulse that is outputted to the brake control solenoid 78 is to be b %. as a result , the pushing piston 74 shown in fig4 returns an amount of the oil accumulated inside the cylinder chamber corresponding to a duty ratio of b % to the tank 45 by way of the braking three - way valve 76 , so that the spring 73 is extended by the pushing piston 74 , thus causing a braking force that corresponds to a duty ratio of b % to be applied . consequently , the rotation on the side of the input shaft 8 is braked . afterward , the processing returns to the judgement of step 1 , and the engine rpm and envisioned rpm a are compared ; here , if the envisioned rpm a is higher ( yes ), a command is sent ( 84 ) indicating that the duty ratio of the duty pulse successively output to the brake control solenoid 78 is to be b %, so that the braking force of the rotation matching braking device 70 is regulated . when the engine rpm drops below the envisioned rpm a in the judgement made in step 1 , that is , when synchronization is achieved ( no ), the duty ratio of the brake control solenoid 78 is returned to 0 % ( 85 ), so that the braking force of the rotation matching braking device 70 is released ; accordingly , a shift is made ( 86 ) to the next shift stage , and control is ended ( 87 ). thus , when up - shifting , the rotation of the input shaft 8 is braked using the braking force of the rotation matching braking device 70 , so that the rotation of the dog d of the gear stage to which a shift is being made and the rotation of the hub h of the sleeve s that is being shifted can by synchronized . in particular , as is shown in fig3 this rotation matching braking device 70 is located on the side of the fluid coupling 2 and wet type multi - plate clutch 3 , so that atf can be used for brake lubrication . accordingly , superior frictional characteristics are obtained , and a gear - in parking function in cold areas can also be used . furthermore , rotation matching when up - shifting was described in the abovementioned embodiment . however , rotation matching is also performed when down - shifting ; in this case , the control device 22 controls the rotation of the engine so that synchronization is obtained . to summarize , in the present invention , as a result of the installation of a rotation matching mechanism used for the synchronization of rotation on the input shaft side of the transmission , a small size and superior frictional characteristics are obtained , and a gear - in parking function in cold areas can also be utilized .	5
unless defined otherwise , all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs . although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention , the preferred methods and materials are now described . all publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference . the term &# 34 ; continuous cell line &# 34 ; as used herein means that the cell line grows continually without senescence when cultured in vitro in a suitable growth medium . the &# 34 ; derivatives &# 34 ; of the liver cell line ( s ) of the present invention include cells which have been further genetically altered by adding , for example , genes for drug metabolizing enzymes , other oncogenes , anti - oxidant genes , etc . thereby creating a continuous derivative of the cell line . the term &# 34 ; immortalized &# 34 ; as used herein means that the cell line grows continually without senescence when cultured in vitro in a suitable growth medium . the successful culturing of liver epithelial cells in the medium of the present invention results from the unexpected finding that ornithine , fatty acids , insulin , egf , hydrocortisone , transferrin , cholera toxin , aqueous pituitary extract and denatured serum and conditioned with hepg2 medium to provide factors necessary in the successful proliferation of liver cells . basal pfmr4 medium prepared is as described in lechner , j . f . et al . normal human prostate epithelial cell cultures are described in harris , c . c ., trump , b . f ., stoner , g . d . ( eds ) methods in cell biology , vol . 21b , academic press , new york , pp . 195 - 225 . normal human hepatocytes were cultured from immediate autopsy liver tissue ( as described by hsu et al ., in vitro cell develop . biol ., 21 : 154 - 160 ( 1985 )). the cells in culture for 24 hours were transfected with recombinant plasmid containing sv40 virus large t antigen gene driven by rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat , p - rsv - t ( brash et al ., molec . cell biol ., 2031 - 2034 ( 1987 ) and reddel et al , cancer research , 48 , 1904 - 1909 ( 1988 )). the cells were easily recognized morphologically using phase contrast microscopy . foci of the transformed cells were trypsinized and serially passaged . the cells were characterized and found to be positive for keratin and t - antigen expression . in all cases the life span of the cell cultures was considerably increased to as many as 40 to 50 cell divisions . in all cases the life span of the colonies of cells transformed was extended as compared to normal liver epithelial cell cultures . the p - rsv - t has been transfected into human mesothelial cells ( r . r . reddel , submitted ) human prostate epithelial cells ( m . e . kaighn , j . f . lechner , and r . r . reddel , submitted ) and human bronchial epithelial cells ( r . r . reddel et al , can . res ., 48 : 1904 - 1909 ( 1988 )). during culturing most of the cells underwent a long period ( 3 to 4 months ) of senescence , referred to as &# 34 ; crisis &# 34 ; in which time replication ceased . with continued culture some of the cells are expected to survive and replicate showing an unlimited potential for growth . expression of sv40 large t antigen : cells were grown on tissue culture chamber slides ( lab - tek ). the cells were fixed in absolute methanol at 4 ° c . for 30 min . indirect immunofluorescence was done by exposing cells to a monoclonal antibody for sv40 large t antigen ( oncogene science , mineola , n . y .) for 30 min at room temperature followed by a secondary anti - mouse immunoglobulin labeled with either fluorescein isothiocyanate ( fitc ) or tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate ( tritc ). expression of albumin , keratin , α fetoprotein , α 1 antitrypsin , α 2 macroglobulin : cells were grown on lab - tek slide chambers . the cells were fixed by immersion of rinsed slides in a phosphate buffer containing 4 parts formaldehyde and 1 part glutaraldehyde for 1 hr to determine expression of albumin , α fetoprotein , α 1 antitrypsin and α 2 macroglobulin , or fixed in 100 % methanol for 30 min for keratin expression . the slides were washed and the appropriate blocking serum was placed on the slides for 30 min . the primary antibody ( igg ) against albumin ( 1 : 25 ), α fetoprotein ( 1 : 20 ), α1 antitrypsin , α macroglobulin ( 1 : 20 ), general cytokeratin ( 1 : 15 ) and cytokeratin 18 , 19 ( 1 : 20 ) were applied to slides and incubated for 1 hr at 37 ° c . secondary antibodies labeled with fitc or tritc were placed on rinsed slides at a dilution of 1 : 32 for 1 hr at 37 ° c . clonal growth assay : the ability of transformed liver epithelial cells to undergo clonal growth was determined according to methods previously described . monolayer cultures were dissociated into single cells and clonal cultures were initiated by seeding 1000 cells / 60 mm dish ( 100 cells / cm 2 ) whose surface had been coated with collagen . after 10 days in culture , the cells were fixed with 10 % formalin and stained with 0 . 25 crystal violet . the growth rate was defined as average population doublings / clone / day , as measured by the log 2 of the number of cells in 20 randomly selected colonies . dna synthesis assay : transformed liver epithelial cells ( tle ) were seeded at clonal density ( 200 cells / cm 2 ) onto collagen coated costar 6 well dishes . after 24 hrs of culture , the culture medium was supplemented with 0 . 5 μci if [ 3 h ] thymidine / ml . after 24 hrs of growth , the medium was removed and the cells were washed with a phosphate buffered saline solution and dissolved in 1 ml of 0 . 2 naoh containing 40 μg / ml of calf thymus dna . this cell - naoh mixture was then poured onto whatman 25 mm gf / c acid soaked glass filters . the filters were then rinsed with 1n hcl followed by a rinse with 95 % ethanol . the radioactivity was quantified using an lkb scintillation counter . assays were performed in triplicate . the medium was prepared in three steps . step 1 was the preparation , by a commercial source of &# 34 ; basic medium &# 34 ; which contains the basic nutrients and some other components . the second step was the addition to the medium of various key ingredients and salts which if included in the &# 34 ; basic medium &# 34 ; when prepared by the commercial source would curtail the shelf life of the product . therefore , step 2 is usually conducted only shortly before the medium is to be used . the third step was the conditioning of the medium on certain cells to extract factors which are essential for the medium . the medium is formulated in accordance with good laboratory procedure as known in the art . table ii______________________________________1 . basic mediumthe formula is as follows : a custom basal medium pfmr4 ( lechner et al , methodsin cell biol ., 21 , 195 ( 1980 )) is commercially availablefrom facilities such as biological research faculty & amp ; facility , inc ., ijamsville , md 21754 . the custom mediumused omitted certain ingredients specified in lechner , above , e . g ., arginine ( has been taken out of the basemedium because fibroblasts present in the originalisolation cannot live without arginine and so the culturebecomes almost totally hepatocytes ), calcium ( has been usedat different concentrations so it is not added into theoriginal medium ), glutamine ( left out due to shelf lifedegradation of the glutamine ), trace elements and iron ( tend to precipitate out of solution after long periods oftime so they are added fresh ). the main reason for theomission is to obtain a longer shelf life for the &# 34 ; basicmedium &# 34 ;. ______________________________________the custom basal medium contains : ingredient mg / liter______________________________________essential amino acidsl - cystine . 2hcl 47 . 0l - histidine 41 . 9l - isoleucine 7 . 9l - leucine 26 . 2l - lysine . hcl 73 . 0l - methionine 9 . 0l - phenylalanine 9 . 9l - threonine 23 . 8l - tryptophan 4 . 1l - tyrosine . 2na . 2h . sub . 2 o 15 . 7l - valine 23 . 4nonessential amino acidsl - alanine 17 . 8l - asparagine . h . sub . 2 o 30 . 0aspartic acid 26 . 6glutamic acid 29 . 4l - glycine 15 . 0l - proline 69 . 1l - serine 21 . 0or derivativesamino acid derivativesputrescine . 2hcl 0 . 32water soluble vitaminsand coenzymesd - biotin 0 . 07folic acid 1 . 32dl - a - lipoic acid ( thioctic ) 0 . 21nicotinamide 0 . 04d - pantothenic acid 0 . 24pyridoxine . hcl 0 . 06riboflavin 0 . 04thiamine . hcl 0 . 34vitamin b12 ( cynacobalamine ) 1 . 36carbohydrate / derivativespyruvic acid 174 . 0sodium acetate 295 . 6nucleic acid derivativeshypoxanthine 4 . 1thymidine 0 . 7lipids / derivativecholine chloride 14 . 0i - inositol 18 . 0bulk inorganic ions ( salts ) nacl 5844 . 0kcl 283 . 3na . sub . 2 hpo . sub . 4 126 . 4kh . sub . 2 po . sub . 4 58 . 5mgso . sub . 4 19 . 3mgcl . sub . 2 . 6h . sub . 2 o 105 . 7inorganic trace elementscuso . sub . 4 . 5h . sub . 2 o 0 . 002buffers and indicatorshahco . sub . 3 1176 . 0hepes buffer ( made by 7149 . 0biofluids ) phenol red 1 . 1______________________________________ table iii______________________________________2 . additional substancesto the commercial medium the following substances wereadded to bring the final concentration to the indicatedconcentrations : item amount______________________________________l - glutamine 2 mminsulin 10 μg / mlhydrocortisone 0 . 2 μmepidermal growth factor 5 . 0 ng / mltransferrin 10 μg / mlphosphoethanolamine 0 . 5 μmcholera toxin 25 ng / mltriiodothyronine 10 nmretinoic acid 10 nmornithine 2 mmcacl . sub . 2 0 . 4 mmglucose 2 . 0 mg / mlbovine pituitary extract 7 . 5 μg / ml &# 34 ; ex - cyte ® v ( miles 312 μg / mldiagnostics , pentex products , kankakee , il ) feso . sub . 4 . 7h . sub . 2 o 2 . 7 μmznso . sub . 4 . 7h . sub . 2 o 0 . 5 μmfactor free serum 10 %( van zoolen et al ., j . cell physiol ., 123 : 151 ( 1985 ) na . sub . 2 seo . sub . 3 3 . 0 × 10 . sup .- 8 mmncl . sub . 2 . 4h . sub . 2 o 1 . 0 nmna . sub . 2 sio . sub . 3 . 9h . sub . 2 o 5 . 0 × 10 . sup .- 7 m ( nh . sub . 4 ). sub . 6 mo . sub . 7 o . sub . 24 . 4h . sub . 2 o 1 . 0 nmnh . sub . 4 vo . sub . 3 5 . 0 nmniso . sub . 4 . 6h . sub . 2 o 0 . 5 nmsncl . sub . 2 . 2h . sub . 2 o 0 . 4 nmgentamicin 50 μg / ml______________________________________ unless otherwise indicated , the quantities may be varied by a factor of 1 log or plus or minus 20 % depending on toxic effect of the ingredient at higher levels and minimal requirements for growth ; which modifications are considered to be &# 34 ; about &# 34 ; those required to function as does the listed formula . fetal bovine serum ( fbs ; flow laboratories , irvine , scotland ) was incubated with 100 mm dithiothreitol ( dtt ; boehringer , mannheim , gfr ) for 2 hr at room temperature while stirring , resulting in turbid solution . the suspension was then dialyzed ( molecular weight cutoff 8 - 10 kda ) overnight at 4 ° c . against a 50 - 100 fold excess of phosphate - buffered saline without ca ++ and mg ++ ( pbs ; 137mm nacl , 2 . 7 mm kcl , 6 . 5 mm na 2 hpo 4 , 1 . 5 mm kh 2 po 4 , ph 7 . 4 ). subsequently iodoacetamine ( sigma , st . louis , mo ., usa ) was added at 5 g / liter , and the suspension incubated for another 2 hr at room temperature while stirring , followed by dialysis for 2 days against several aliquots of pbs , and an additional day against pbs containing in addition 0 . 9 mm cacl 2 and 0 . 5 mm mgcl 2 . subsequently , the sh - fcs was centrifuged at 25 , 000 g for 30 min at 4 ° c ., and the supernatant again at 100 , 000 g for 60 min at 4 ° c . the clear supernatant was sterilized by passage through a millex - gv 0 . 22 nm filter ( millipore , bedford , mass ., usa ). ( prepared from protocol in van zoelen et al , j . cell physiol ., 123 , 151 - 160 ( 1985 )). ______________________________________the ex - cyte ® used had the following characteristics - pentex ® ex - cyte ® v , 50xgrowth enhancement media supplementalbumin enriched ( salt poor ) ______________________________________protein 786 mg / g powderby biuretcholesterol ( 1 ) 64 . 3 mg / gby enzymatic assay powdersodium chloride 5 . 0 mg / gph ( 7 % solution ) 7 . 9 mg / gendotoxin level 0 . 03 ng / mgby limulus amebocyte lysatemoisture less than 5 % by karl fischer when packagedstorage - 20 ° c . or belowreconstitute with ( 2 ) pyrogen - free h . sub . 2 o or redissolve directly in nutrient medium______________________________________ ( 1 ) it has been previously determined that there is approximately a 1 : 1 ratio of phospholipids and cholesterol in excyte preparations . ( 2 ) 625 mg of powder is sufficient for one liter of final nutrient medium containing 40 μg cholesterol / ml and 0 . 49 mg albumin / ml . endotoxin leve at working concentration of cholesterol and albumin is 0 . 02 ng / ml . the conditioned medium is prepared by placing the hgm medium on medium density monolayer cultures of 1 ) hepg2 hepatoblastoma cells ( american type tissue collection # hb80 - 65 ) or 2 ) human liver epithelial cells transformed by transfection with sv - 40 dna ( nci / nih , patent pending ) for 72 hours . this conditioned medium is added to normal hgm at a 35 % concentration . normal human hepatocytes were isolated from immediate autopsy tissue from non - cancerous individuals by a combination of perfusion and digestion techniques as described by hsu et al ., in vitro cell develop . biol ., 21 : 154 - 160 ( 1985 ). the left lobe of the liver was removed from non - cancerous patients within 2 hr of cessation of cardiac function , immersed in ice cold lebowitz - 15 cell medium ( l - 15 ) and transported to the site of liver cell isolation . the hepatocytes were dissociated into cell suspensions by perfusing the liver with a calcium and magnesium free hank &# 39 ; s balanced salt solution containing 0 . 5 mm edta , and 0 . 05 m hepes at 37 ° c . at a flow rate of 30 - 40 ml / min for 15 min . the perfusate was then changed to a digestion solution containing collagenase ( 185 - 200 u / ml ) at 37 ° c . at a flow rate of 30 - 40 ml / min for 20 min . the dissociated hepatocytes were purified from debris and red blood cells by 3 successive washes with l - 15 and filtration through a 10 μ nylon filter . the hepatocytes were suspended in waymouth &# 39 ; s medium supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum ( fbs ), 1 μg / ml insulin and 50 μg / ml gentamicin . the yield estimated counting the cells with a hemocytometer were 1 - 2 × 10 7 cells / g of liver tissue . over 90 % of the hepatocytes excluded trypan blue . following isolation the cells ( hepatocytes ) were seeded into t - 75 tissue culture flasks ( lux , miles scientific . naperville , ill .) whose surfaces had been coated with collagen ( michalopoulos , g . and pitot , h . exp . cell res . 94 : 70 - 73 , yr ) ( flow lab , rockville , md .) at 3 - 5 × 10 5 cells / flask using waymouth &# 39 ; s cell medium with insulin ( 1 μg / ml ), gentamicin ( 50 μg / ml ), and fetal bovine serum ( 10 %). twenty - four hours after initial seeding ( isolation ), the medium was changed to serum - free medium hgm ( hepatocyte growth medium ) pfmr4 described below . the medium is made without arginine and supplemented with ornithine ( 2 mm ), insulin ( 10 μg / ml ), hydrocortisone ( 0 . 2 μm ), epidermal growth factor ( 5 ng / ml ), transferrin ( 10 μg / ml ), phosphoethanolamine ( 0 . 5 μm ), cholera toxin ( 25 ng / ml ), triiodothyronine ( 10 nm ), bovine pituitary extract ( 7 . 5 μg / ml ) and factor - free serum ( 10 %). additionally , this medium was supplemented ( 35 %) with conditioned medium obtained by placing medium described above in contact with high density cultures of human hepatoblastoma cell line ( hepg2 ) for 72 hrs . forty - eight hours after the original isolation and 3 hours prior to transfection the cells were fed with 10 ml of lhc - 9 cell medium ( lechner , j . f . and laveck , m . a ., tissue cult . method ., 9 : 43 - 48 ( 1985 )). the cells were transfected with a plasmid prsv - t ( obtained from nci ) which contained sv40 ori - construction containing the sv40 early region genes and the rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat ( ltr ). transfection was accomplished by using the strontium phosphate co - precipitation method described by brash , d . et al , molec . cell biol ., 7 : 2031 - 2034 ( 1987 )). 3 - 5 × 10 5 cells / flask ( t - 75 cm ) were transfected with 10 μg of dna precipitate at ph 7 . 8 . after two hours of exposure , the hepatocytes were rinsed twice with serum - free cell medium at 37 ° c . prior to glycerol shock ( 15 % glycerol for 3 minutes ). two weeks following transfection , the cells were passaged . thereafter , upon confluence the cells were passaged twice more . the appearance of transformed colonies occurred 6 - 8 weeks following original transfection in passage 3 . the transformed colonies primarily contained epithelial looking cells , however , the morphology of cells in the foci was variable , some cells having a fibroblastic appearance . the transformation frequency of the cultured liver epithelial cells was 1 × 10 - 4 . attempts to clone single cells or foci from the original cultures resulted in death of the cells within 2 - 3 days . thereafter , the flasks were serially passaged . the first two passages following foci appearance were passaged using the collagenase / dispase solution used for original isolation , due to the extreme sensitivity of the cells to trypsin , and the remaining passages were done with a pvp - trypsin - egta solution . with increasing passage , the cells became more homogeneous , and at the 5th passage following transfection , virtually 100 % of the cells expressed sv40 large t antigen . with increasing passage the cells became more homogenous and at passage 8 virtually all the cells expressed sv40 large t antigen ( as determined by indirect immunofluorescence ), as well as cytokeratin 18 ( a cytokeratin known to be expressed in normal human hepatocytes ( moll , r . w . et al , cell , 31 : 11 - 24 ( 1982 )). all subsequent culture of the liver epithelial cells was in hgm , and these cells continued to proliferate for about 14 weeks at which time the culture senesced ( i . e ., entered crisis ). currently , 3 months after the cells entered crisis , colonies of dividing cells are present but have not been characterized . to establish the expression of sv40 large t antigen , cells from passage 3 were grown on culture chamber slides and using indirect immunofluorescence , the culture was found to contain approximately 30 % t antigen positive cells . by passage 5 , the transformed liver cells were found to be uniformly positive for t antigen as determined by immunofluorescence . t antigen expression was maintained throughout subsequent culturing . to establish that these transformed liver cells were epithelial , cells from early and late passages were examined for keratin expression using a general cytokeratin primary antibody and a fluorescent secondary antibody and found to be uniformly positive in both early ( p . 3 ) and late ( p . 11 ) passages . further examination using monoclonal antibodies against cytokeratin 18 and 19 was performed . at early and late passage the liver cells were positive for cytokeratin 18 but negative for cytokeratin 19 . however , in late passages ( p . 10 and 11 ) some cells became positive for cytokeratin 19 as well as 18 . we examined the transformed liver epithelial cells for the production of proteins that are expressed by normal hepatocytes . the transformed cells were analyzed using fluorescent immunocytochemistry for expression of albumin , α1 antitrypsin and α2 macroglobulin . albumin was detected in several colonies on the slide . overall , approximately 20 % of the cells taken from passage 9 were positive for albumin expression . when the cells were exposed to serum containing medium for 48 hrs prior to staining , more cells were positive for albumin expression ( 30 - 40 %). materials used in this example include dispase ( 0 . 5 u / mg ) obtained from boehringer mannheim ( indianapolis , ind . ), collagenase ( 156 u / mg ) from worthington biochemical corp . ( freehold , n . j .) and standard tissue culture media and components from biofluids inc . ( rockville , md .). epidermal growth factor from collaborative research inc . ( bedford , mass .). trypsin inhibitor , dnase and chemicals from sigma chemical co . ( st . louis , mo .) pfmr4 cell culture medium and factor free serum were prepared by biological research faculty and facility ( ijamsville , md .). ex - cyte ® v ( miles laboratories , diagnostics division ) a bovine lipoprotein , was used as a source of lipoprotein cholesterol , phospholipids and fatty acids with low endotoxin . fetal calf serum ( fcs ; flow laboratories , irvine , scotland ) was incubated with 100 mm dithiothreitol ( dtt ; boehringer , mannheim , gfr ) for 2 hr at room temperature while stirring , resulting in turbid solution . the suspension was then dialyzed ( molecular weight cutoff 8 - 10 kda ) overnight at 4 ° c . against a 50 - 100 fold excess of phosphate - buffered saline without ca ++ and mg ++ ( pbs ; 137 mm nacl , 2 . 7 mm kcl , 6 . 5 mm na 2 hpo 4 , 1 . 5 mm kh 2 po 4 , ph 7 . 4 ) . subsequently iodoacetamide ( sigma , st . louis , mo ., usa ) was added at 5 g / liter , and the suspension incubated for another 2 hr at room temperature while stirring , followed by dialysis for 2 days against several aliquots of pbs , and an additional day against pbs containing in addition 0 . 9 mm cacl 2 and 0 . 5 mm mgcl 2 . subsequently the sh - fcs was centrifuged at 25 , 000 g for 30 min at 4 ° c ., and the supernatant again at 100 , 000 g for 60 min at 4 ° c . the clear supernatant was sterilized by passage through a millex - gv 0 . 22 nm filter ( millipore , bedford mass ., usa ). prepared from protocol in van zoelen et al , j . cell physiol ., 123 : 151 - 160 ( 1985 ) the final serum - free medium ( lechner et al , methods in cell biol ., 21 , 195 ( 1980 )) was prepared without arginine , calcium , glutamine , trace elements and iron . the medium was supplemented with : ______________________________________l - glutamine 2 mminsulin 10 μg / mlhydrocortisone 0 . 2 μmepidermal growth factor 5 . 0 ng / ml ( collaborative research inc . bedford mass . ) transferrin 10 μg / mlphosphoethanolamine 0 . 5 μmcholera toxin 25 ng / mltriiodothyronine 10 nmretinoic acid 10 nmornithine 2 mmcacl . sub . 2 0 . 4 mmglucose 2 . 0 mg / mlbovine pituitary extract 7 . 5 μg / ml &# 34 ; ex - cyte &# 34 ; ® v ( miles 312 μg / mldiagnostics , pentex ® productskankakee , il ) ( ex - cyte is the brand name of an aqueousmixture of lipoprotein , cholesterol , phospholipids andfatty acids with low endotoxin ). feso . sub . 4 . 7h . sub . 2 o 2 . 7 μmznso . sub . 4 . 7h . sub . 2 o 0 . 5 μmfactor free serum ( van 10 % zoolen et al ., j cell physiol ., 123 : 151 ( 1985 )) na . sub . 2 seo . sub . 3 3 . 0 × 10 . sup .- 8mncl . sub . 2 . 4h . sub . 2 o 1 . 0 nmnasio . sub . 3 . 9h . sub . 2 o 5 . 0 × 10 . sup .- 7 m ( nh . sub . 4 ). sub . 6 mo . sub . 7 o . sub . 24 . 4h . sub . 2 o 1 . 0 nmnh . sub . 4 vo . sub . 3 5 . 0 nmniso . sub . 4 . 6h . sub . 2 o 0 . 5 nmsncl . sub . 2 . 2h . sub . 2 o 0 . 5 nmgentamicin 50 μ g / ml______________________________________ the conditioned medium was isolated from high density monolayer cultures of hepg2 hepatoblastoma cells ( american type tissue collection # hb80 - 65 ) for 72 hours . this conditioned medium is added to normal hgm at a 35 % concentration . alternatively , human liver epithelial cells transformed by transfection with sv - 40 dna ( nci / nih , patent pending ) in contact with hgm may be used instead of hepg2 . isolation of hepatocytes : human hepatocytes were isolated by a combination of perfusion and digestion as previously described . upon removal of human livers , the tissue was kept in ice cold l - 15 medium and transported to the site of liver cell isolation . the hepatocytes were dissociated into cell suspensions by perfusing the liver with a calcium and magnesium free hank &# 39 ; s balanced salt solution containing 0 . 5 mm edta , and 0 . 05 m hepes at 37 ° c ., at a flow rate of 30 - 40 ml / min for 15 min . the perfusate was then changed to a digestion solution containing collagenase ( 185 - 200 u / ml ) at 37 ° c . at a flow rate of 30 - 40 ml / min for 20 min . the dissociated hepatocytes were purified from debris and red blood cells by three successive washes with l - 15 and filtration through a 10 μ nylon filter . the hepatocytes were suspended in waymouth &# 39 ; s medium supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum ( fbs ), 1 μg / ml insulin and 50 μg / ml gentamicin . the yield estimated counting the cells with a hemocytometer were 1 - 2 × 10 7 cells / g of liver tissue . over 90 % of the hepatocytes excluded trypan blue . primary culture of human hepatocytes : following isolation , all hepatocytes were seeded into collagen coated flasks ( flow lab , rockville , md .) in t - 75 tissue culture flasks ( lux , miles scientific , napperville , ill .) at a density of 5 × 10 5 cells / flask . all flasks were maintained in a 3 . 5 humidified incubator at 37 ° c . twenty - four hrs after isolation , the medium was changed to a semi - defined serum - free medium consisting of a basal medium pfmr4 made without arginine and supplemented with ornithine ( 2 mm ), insulin ( 10 μg / ml ), hydrocortisone ( 0 . 2 μm ), epidermal growth factor ( 5 ng / ml ), transferrin ( 10 μg / ml ), phosphoethanolamine ( 0 . 5 μm ), cholera toxin ( 25 ng / ml ), triiodothyronine ( 10 nm ), bovine pituitary extract ( 7 . 5 μg / ml ) and factor - free serum ( 10 %). after two weeks , this medium was supplemented ( 35 %) with conditioned medium obtained by placing the medium described above in contact with high density cultures of human hepatoblastoma cell line ( hepg2 ) for 72 hrs . these cells continued to proliferate slowly for about 15 weeks at which time the culture scenesced . the original culture was subcultured four times and the cells underwent approximately 12 replications . these cells were keratin positive and 20 % retained the ability to produce albumin as demonstrated by immunocytochemistry . normal human hepatocytes were isolated from non - cancerous individuals by combination of perfusion and digestion techniques previously described by hsu et al , in vitro cell develop . biol ., 21 : 154 - 160 ( 1985 ). the left lobe of the liver was removed within two hours of cessation of cardiac function , immersed in ice cold lebovitz - 15 medium and transported to the site of liver cell isolation . the hepatocytes were dissociated into cell suspensions by perfusing the liver with a calcium magnesium free hank &# 39 ; s balanced salt solution containing 0 . 5 mm edta , and 0 . 05 m hepes at 37 ° c . at a flow rate of 30 - 40 ml / min for 15 min the perfusate was then changed to a digestion solution of collagenase ( 185 - 200 u / ml ) at 37 ° c . at a flow rate of 30 - 40 ml / min for 20 min . the dissociated hepatocytes were purified from debris and red blood cells by three successive washes with l - 15 . the hepatocytes were suspended in waymouth &# 39 ; s medium supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum , 1 μg / ml insulin and 50 μg / ml gentamicin . the yield was estimated by counting the cells with a hemocytometer , and was 1 - 2 × 10 7 cells / g of liver . over 90 % of the hepatocytes excluded trypan blue . following isolation , the cells ( hepatocytes ) were seeded into t - 150 tissue culture flasks ( lux , miles scientific , naperville , ill .) whose surfaces had been coated with collagen ( michalopoulos , g . and pitot , h ., exp . cell . res ., 94 : 70 - 73 ( 1975 ) ( flow lab , rockville , md .) at 6000 cells / cm 2 using waymouth &# 39 ; s medium with insulin and gentamicin as previously described . twenty - four hours after the initial seeding , the medium was changed to a serum - free medium lcm ( liver cell medium ) described below . the medium is made from pfmr4 basal medium ( kaighn , m . e . et al , proc . natl . acad . sci ., 78 : 5673 - 5676 ( 1981 )) without arginine and supplemented with ornithine ( 2 mm ), insulin ( 10 μg / ml ), hydrocortisone ( 0 . 2 μm ), epidermal growth factor ( 5 ng / ml ), transferrin ( 10 μg / ml ), phosphoethanoloamine ( 0 . 5 mm ), cholera toxin ( 25 ng / ml ), triiodothyronine ( 10 nm ), bovine pituitary extract ( 7 . 5 μg / ml ) and factor serum ( 10 %). additionally , this medium was supplemented ( 35 %) with conditioned medium obtained by placing the lcm described above in contact with high density cultures of human hepatoblastoma cell line ( hepg2 ) for 72 hours . one week following the original isolation , the liver cells were infected with an amphotropic sv40 - t antigen virus . this virus was produced using a psi 2 sv40 - t antigen packaging cell line received from r . mulligan ( jat , p . et al , molec . cell . biol ., 6 : 1209 - 1217 ( 1986 )). the psi 2 cells were grown in dmem medium supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum . supernatant of confluent cultures of these cells was employed to infect the amphotrophic packaging cell line pa317 ( miller , a . d ., molec . cell biol ., 2 : 2895 - 2902 ( 1986 )). subsequently , the pa317 cells were selected for neomycin resistance and 10 resistant clones were expanded for the isolation of amphotrophic virus . for the virus isolation , the pa317 clones were grown in dmem medium supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum , grown to confluence and , twenty - four hours prior to collection , the medium was changed to pc - 1 ( ventrex laboratories , inc ., portland , me .). the collected virus was titered on nih3t3 cells in the presence of 8 μg / ml polybrene . primary cultures of hepatocytes were infected in pc - 1 medium supplemented with 8 μg / ml polybrene for 2 hrs . with virus obtained from seven pa317 clones releasing sv40 t - antigen virus . afterwards , the cultures were washed and incubated with lcm medium . the cells infected with sv40 t - antigen virus grew very well for 6 weeks at which time they began to decrease their population doubling rate . at this time the lcm medium was supplemented with arginine and 0 . 25 % fetal bovine serum . the infected liver cells have undergone more than 50 population doublings , have a doubling time of 24 hrs , and express both cytokeratin 18 and t - antigen . the cells are currently still growing and have been deposited at the american type culture collection ( 12301 parklawn drive , rockville , md .) ( atcc designation crl 10149 ) in accordance with the conditions of the budapest treaty . ( 1 ) identification of potential chemotherapeutic drugs : these cells are useful for screening chemicals suitable for the treatment of cancer and related diseases , by growing them in vitro in medium containing the chemical to be tested and then , after a suitable period of exposure , determining whether and to what extent cytotoxicity has occurred , e . g . by trypan blue exclusion assay or related assays ( paterson , methods enzymol , 58 : 141 ( 1979 )), or by growth assays such as colony forming efficiency ( macdonald et al , exp . cell . res ., 50 : 417 ( 1968 )), all of which are standard techniques well known in the art . ( 2 ) investigation of the controls of differentiation and identification of chemical and biological agents that induce terminal differentiation . chemical and biological substances are screened for their ability to induce terminal differentiation by adding them to the growth medium of these liver cells and then after a suitable period of time , determine whether a complex of changes , including cessation of dna synthesis , and production of liver specific proteins ( as determined by in situ hybridization techniques ) occurs . induction of terminal differentiation may be an effective way of controlling the growth of cancer . ( 3 ) studies of metabolism of carcinogens and other xenobiotics : carcinogens and other xenobiotics may be added to the growth medium of these cells and the appearance of metabolic products of these compounds may be monitored by techniques such as thin layer chromatography or high performance liquid chromatography and the like , and the interaction of the compounds and / or their metabolites with dna is determined . ( 4 ) studies of dna mutagenesis : substances known or suspected to be mutagens may be added to the growth medium of the cells and then mutations may be assayed , e . g ., by detection of the appearance of drug resistant mutant cell colonies ( thompson , methods enzymol , 58 : 308 , 1979 ). ( 5 ) studies of chromosome damaging agents : substances known or suspected to cause dna or chromosomal damage may be added to the culture medium of these cell lines , and then the extent of chromosomal damage may be measured by techniques such as measurement of the frequency of sister chromatic exchange ( latt et al . in : tice , r . r . and hollaender , a ., sister chromatic exchanges , new york : plenum press , pp , 11 ff . ( 1984 )). 1 . 33258 hoechst fluorescence ( s . a . latt et al ., proc . natl . acad . sci . usa 70 : 3395 ( 1973 ); s . a . latt et al ., cytochem . 25 : 913 ( 1977 )) a . staining . slides are successively dipped in pbs ( 0 . 14 m nacl , 0 . 004 m kcl , 0 . 01 m phosphate , ph 7 . 0 ) ( 5 &# 39 ;), 0 . 5 μg / ml 33258 hoechst in pbs ( 10 &# 39 ;), pbs ( 1 &# 39 ;), pbs ( 5 &# 39 ;), and h 2 o ( two to three changes ). stock solutions of dye ( 50 μg / ml ) in h 2 o can be stored at 4 ° c . in the dark for at least 2 weeks . samples of 33258 hoechst were originally obtained from dr . h . loewe , hoechst ag , frankfurt , germany , although the dye can now be purchased from calbiochem . b . observation . microscopic observation of 33258 hoechst fluorescence is guided by the position of the high wavelength absorption band of the dye - dna complex ( maximal near 350 nm and appreciable up to or slightly beyond 425 nm ). while excitation under dark - field conditions is certainly possible , excitation with incident illumination , using a ug - 1 ( 360 nm peak ) bandpass and tk 400 ( reflect ≦ 400 nm ) dichroic mirror is especially convenient and effective . a 460 nm high wavelength pass filter in the observation pathway removes most unwanted exciting light from the fluorescence , which peaks near 475 nm . for optimal quenching of dye fluorescence by incorporated brdurd , the slides are mounted in a buffer of moderate ionic strength at or slightly above neutrality , for example , ph 7 . 5 mcilvaine &# 39 ; s buffer . primarily because of the specificity of the stain , under these conditions , for ( a - t rich ) dna , and because the free dye has very weak fluorescence , slides observed as described above show little background fluorescence . however , the fluorescence of 33258 hoechst bound to brdurd - substituted chromatin fades rapidly , and photography requires speed . using a microscope with incident illumination , acceptable photographs can be obtained in 5 - 10 sec ( e . g ., kodak tri - x film ). reduction of the mounting medium ph shifts the dye fluorescence color from blue toward green or yellow , and the fluorescence fades less rapidly ; but specific quenching due to brdurd substitution is decreased . 2 . 33258 hoechst plus giemsa ( adapted from p . perry and s . wolff , nature 261 : 156 ( 1974 ); s . wolff ( 1981 ), measurement of sister chromatid exchange in mammalian cells . in dna repair : a laboratory manual of research procedures , volo 1 , part b ( e . c . friedberg and p . c . hanawalt , eds . ), dekker , n . y .) a . staining . slides are stained with 10 - 4 m 33258 hoechst in one - third strength pbs ( or a comparable buffer with a ph near 7 ). a cover slip is applied and the slides are then placed in a petri dish containing excess buffer to ensure that the slides remain moist , and the slides are exposed to light for a period of time that depends on the illuminating conditions . for example , approximately 6 - 12 hours of exposure is sufficient after the slides are positioned 6 cm from a sylvania 20 watt cool white bulb ( latt et al ., cytochem . 25 : 913 ( 1977 )). the slides are then rinsed in h 2 o , incubated at 65 ° c . in 2 x ssc buffer ( 0 . 30 m nacl , 0 . 03 m na citrate , ph7 ) for 15 min ., rinsed thoroughly with h 2 0 , and stained with giemsa as before . contrast can be heightened by increasing the time during which slides are exposed to light . b . observation . for photographs slides can be mounted in a standard embedding mediums or immersion oil can be applied directly to the slide without a cover slip . a 544 nm interference filter can be used to enhance contrast , and the optical image is recorded using , for example , high contrast copy film . while there is a wealth of methods for differentiating between sister chromatids , a few simple techniques can suffice for most studies . representative techniques , employing 33258 hoechst fluorescence or 33258 hoechst followed sequentially by illumination , ssc incubation , and giemsa staining are detailed . procedural details for sce analysis have also been presented by ( wolff , s . ( 1981 ), measurement of sister chromatid exchange in mammalian cells . in dna repair : a laboratory manual of research procedures , vol . 1 , part b ( e . c . friedberg and p . c . hanawalt , eds . ), dekker , n . y .) it should be noted that other techniques , related to those described above , can work equally well and dna damage can be determined by the measurement of unscheduled dna synthesis ( mirsalis , j . c . banbury report vol . 13 , p 83 - 99 ( 1982 ). the procedures for this assay have been previously described ( j . c . mirsalis et al . environ . mutagen 4 ( in press )). fischer - 344 rats are treated with chemicals by a suitable route of exposure , and at selected times after treatment , their livers are perfused with a collagenase solution . a single - cell suspension of hepatocytes is obtained by combing out the cells of the perfused liver into a petri dish containing collagenase solution , cells are seeded into culture dishes containing coverslips and williams medium e supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum , allowed to attach to the coverslips , and incubated with a solution of 10 μci / ml 3 h - thymidine ( 3 h - dt ) for 4 hours . following overnight incubation ( 14 - 18 hr ) in 0 . 25 mm unlabeled thymidine , cells are swelled , fixed , and washed ; coverslips are mounted on microscope slides and dipped in kodak ntb - 2 photographic emulsion . after being exposed for 12 - 14 days , slides are developed and the cells are stained . quantitative autoradiographic grain counting is accomplished using a colony counter interfaced to a microscope via a tv camera ; data are fed directly into a computer . fifty morphologically unaltered cells from a randomly selected area of the slide are counted . the highest count from three nuclear - sized areas over the cytoplasm and adjacent to the nucleus is subtracted from the nuclear count to give the net grains / nucleus ( ng ). the percentage of cells in repair indicates the extent of damage throughout the liver and is calculated as those cells exhibiting & gt ; 5 ng . ( 6 ) studies of malignant transformation by chemical , physical and viral agents , and transferred genes including oncogenes and high molecular weight genomic dna from tumors , using standard assays such as anchorage independent growth or tumor formation in athymic nude mice . for example , a cloned viral oncogene n - ras ( an oncogene present in many liver cell cancers ) can be introduced into the liver epithelial cells using strontium phosphate transfection . the subsequent ability of the newly transfected cells to form tumors in mice as well as grow in an anchorage - independent fashion can be assessed . ( 7 ) use of cells altered by transfer of oncogenes as in paragraph ( 6 ) above to screen for potential chemotherapeutic agents ( by the techniques described in paragraph ( 1 ) above ) especially those which may be specific for cells transformed by the activation of particular oncogenes or combination of oncogenes . ( 8 ) studies of cellular biochemistry , including changes in intracellular ph and calcium levels , as correlated with cell growth and action of exogenous agents including but not limited to those described in paragraphs ( 1 ) through ( 7 ) above . to study intracellular ph and calcium levels , cells in suitable culture vessels are exposed to fluorescent indicator dyes and then fluorescence emissions are detected with a fluorescence spectrophotometer ( grynkiewicz et al , j . biol . chem ., 260 : 3440 - 3450 ( 1985 )). ( 9 ) studies of cellular responses to growth factors and production of growth factors : identification and purification of growth factors important for growth and differentiation of human liver epithelial cells . these cells are particularly useful for such an application since they grow in serum - free media . therefore , responses to growth factors can be studied in precisely defined growth medium and any factors produced by the cells may be identified and purified without the complication of the presence of serum . ( 10 ) use of recombinant dna expression vectors to produce proteins of interest . for example , the gene encoding a protein of therapeutic value may be recombined with controlling dna segments ( i . e . containing a promoter with or without an enhancer sequence ), transferred into the cell ( e . g ., by strontium phosphate transfection ) and then the protein produced may be harvested from the culture supernatant or a cellular extract by routine procedures well known in the art . ( 11 ) studies of intracellular communication e . g ., by dye scrape loading assays , to determine whether the cells growing in vitro have the ability to communicate via gap junctions . the cultures may be scraped , e . g ., with a scalpel , in the presence of a fluorescent dye in the growth medium . cells at the edge of the wound are mechanically disrupted and therefore take up dye ; whether intercellular communication has occurred may be ascertained by determining whether cells distant from the wound also contain dye . ( 12 ) characterization of cell surface antigens : the cells are incubated with an antibody against the cell surface antigen of interest , and then reacted with a second antibody which is conjugated to a fluorescent dye . the cells are then evaluated using a fluorescence activated cell sorter to determine whether they are fluorescent and therefore posses the cell surface antigen . ( 13 ) cell -- cell hybrid studies for identification of tumor suppressor activity ( stranbridge et al , science , 215 : 252 - 259 ( 1982 )). to determine whether these cell lines contain tumor suppressor genes , they are fused to malignant tumor cells . the presence of tumor suppressor genes is indicated by loss of malignancy e . g ., as detected by loss of ability to form tumors in athymic nude mice , in the hybrid cells . ( 14 ) identification of novel genes , including transforming genes in the naturally occurring cancer described in paragraph ( 6 ) above , growth factor genes as described in paragraph ( 9 ) above , tumor suppressor genes as described in paragraph ( 13 ) above , using standard molecular biological techniques ( davis et al , methods in molecular biology , new york : elsevier ( 1986 )) and techniques such as cdna subtraction cloning and similar processes . ( 15 ) growth of replicating hepatitis virus ( as e . g ., hbv , non - a non - b , hav and other livertropic virus , e . g ., cmv ). establishment of a clonal cell line of human liver epithelial cells containing replicating hepatitis virus using methods of transfection established for human liver cancer cells lines ( sells , m . a . et al , proc . natl . acad . sci ., 84 : 444 - 448 ). using human liver epithelial lines which contain hbv , the ability of hbv alone as well as in conjunction with chemical liver carcinogens such as aflatoxin b , can be evaluated for malignant transformation using anchorage independent growth assays as well as growth in athymic nude mice . cell -- cell hybrid techniques similar to those in paragraph ( 13 ) can be used to evaluate possible inactivation of tumor suppressor genes by fusion with malignant cells before and after hbv transfection . the screening kits are easily assembled as other screening kits containing cell lines with other conventional components and labeling instructions for performing the test . ( 16 ) the transformed or transfected cells may be used as a way of expanding cells for liver transplant and liver function assist devices , both implanted and extracorporeal . also , these cells can have additional genes transfected / infected into them for organ transplant for therapy of inherited metabolic disorders , especially those diseases associated with hepatic degradation ( i . e ., certain diseases are due to a deletion or abnormality of a particular gene ). this gene could then be transfected into our cells , and the cells then expanded for organ transplant . ( 17 ) studies of cytotoxicity of drugs , carcinogens , xenobiotics : drugs , carcinogens , xenobiotics may be added to the growth medium of the cells and the viability of the cells as a function of time of exposure may be ascertained using dye exclusion , enzyme leakage , colony forming efficiency , etc . assays . ( 18 ) studies of putative tumor promoters and agents that may inhibit tumor promotion : putative tumor promoters may be added to the growth medium of the cells and the state of transformation of the cells as a function of time of exposure may be ascertained using anchorage independence growth , matrix invasion , cell to cell communication assays and / or nude mice tumorigenicity assays . tumor promoters may be added with putative anti - tumor promoting agents to the growth medium of the cells and the state of transformation of the cells as a function of time of exposure may be ascertained using anchorage independence growth , matrix invasion , cell to cell communication assays and / or nude mice tumorigenicity assays . ( 19 ) studies of liver parasites : the cultured cells could prove efficacious for studying the life cycle of parasites that invade hepatocytes . it is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims .	2
throughout the specification , the terms hair styler and hair styling apparatus are used interchangeably for a device which is used to style hair , i . e . to straighten or curl hair . as the skilled person will appreciate , during styling , hair is under tension between the user &# 39 ; s head and the styling apparatus . in some of the figures , styled hair is shown exiting the styling apparatus curled — this is purely for illustrative purposes to shown the effect on the hair once it has moved through the styling apparatus . during styling to create curls , the shape of the curl is retained in the plastic memory of hair and the curl appears when the hair is no longer under tension , i . e . when the hair is released from the styling apparatus . conventional hair straighteners / stylers typically comprise a pair of arms hinged together at one end with each arm supporting a heatable plate . the arms are moveable between a closed position in which the opposed ends of the arms are adjacent each other so that the heatable plates are in contact with hair clamped between the arms and an open position in which the opposed ends of the arms are spaced apart . variants may not comprise a hinge , but still allow for the arms to be moved between open and closed positions . fig1 diagrammatically illustrates a conventional approach to hair curling using a hair straightener . the hair straightener comprises a pair of arms each carrying a heatable plate 144 . the arms are shown in the closed position clamping a quantity of hair 10 between the hot heatable plates 144 . to style hair , the apparatus is moved relative to the hair in the direction of arrow 212 . arrow 212 shows the direction of movement of the hair although the straightener moves in the opposite direction . hair is kept under tension through the heatable plates which form a heating zone 116 from t 0 - t 1 . as the hair passes through the heating zone , this prepares the hair for styling . once the temperature of hair exceeds the hair glass transition temperature of approximately 147 ° c ., the hair becomes mouldable ( plastically deformable ). if the hair is simply passed straight through the heatable plates this would mould the hair into a straightened form . to use such a hair straightening device to curl hair , the hair straightener / styler is turned through approximately 180 ° or more after clamping the hair between the arms and before moving the styler relative to the hair . as shown , this rotation pulls some of the hair 10 across the casing of one arm ( from t 1 - t 2 in fig1 ). the curved outer surface of the hair straightener is then used to form a curl . between t 1 ( exit from heatable plates ) and t 2 ( point of maximum curvature on the casing ) and along the path of arrow 214 , the hair begins to cool , taking the form of the curved surface as the hair falls below the glass transition temperature . thus , this zone may be termed a cooling zone 114 . beyond t 2 , the hair is straight under gravity and moves in the direction of arrow 216 . the casing for such conventional hair straighteners is typically made from a plastics material , such as rynite . such plastic materials are generally poor thermal conductors and so the heated hair cools slowly . as explained in more detail in relation to fig8 a and 8 b below , such inefficient cooling means that the hair does not efficiently retain the shape of the casing . furthermore , a user needs to rotate the device to create the curls and care needs to be taken regarding the direction of the turn to create curls curling in the same direction . fig2 a to 6 show an illustrative arrangement of a hair styling apparatus which may incorporate one or more of the embodiments of the invention described in more detail below . the apparatus comprises a pair of arms 20 , 22 which are hinged together at one end 24 . the arms are moveable between a closed position in which the opposed ends of the arms from the joined end are adjacent each other as shown in fig2 b and an open position in which the opposed ends of the arms are spaced apart as shown in fig2 a . variants may not comprise a hinge , but still allow for the arms to be moved between open and closed positions . the first arm 20 is shaped so that the end of arm which is adjacent the end of the second arm 22 in the closed position fits into a corresponding recess 24 in the second arm . the recess 24 is a generally elongate open - ended channel which extends along the portion of the second arm which is in contact with the first arm . the axis of the channel is aligned with the axis of the arm , i . e . the channel extends longitudinally along the arm . the channel has a base and sides . the first arm 20 has a generally elongate section 26 which fits within the recess 24 . as shown in more detail in fig3 a to 5 the first arm 20 has a pair of heating zones 16 with each heating zone 16 arranged to extend along at least a significant part of one long side of the elongate portion . the second arm also has a pair of heating zones 16 ′ with heating zone 16 ′ arranged to extend along at least a significant part of one long side of the recess 24 . thus , the heating zones 16 , 16 ′ extend longitudinally along the apparatus , i . e . parallel to the length or long axis of the apparatus . the heating zones 16 on the first arm are adjacent and generally in contact with the heating zones 16 ′ on the second arm in the closed position . the contacting surfaces of the heating zones 16 , 16 ′ are aligned so that they are generally parallel to the direction of opening and closing the first and second arms . each heating zone is heated by a respective heater 28 . each heating zone has a generally planar contacting surface and may be formed as a heating plate , e . g . from ceramics or metal , e . g . aluminium , which may / may not have a thermal coating . the use of two parallel planar plates on each arm joined by a curved section is a general approximation to a pair of semi - circular heating plates . curved heating plates do not generally achieve good contact with hair and curved portions in the heating zone can crimp the hair which is undesirable . moreover , it is more practical to manufacture planar heating plates with greater engineering reliability . accordingly , planar heaters should ideally be used in the heating zones . however , the approximation in fig2 a means that there is not a continuous curve and through the turn , across the top of the elongate section , the hair may be flattened . insulators 520 are attached above the two heating zones of the first arm 20 . as explained in more detail below with reference to fig1 a and 17 b , the insulators may prevent the apparatus forming an unwanted crimped band on hair which is on the top of the elongate section as the first and second arms are closed . as shown in more detail in fig3 a , 4 and 6 , the second arm 22 also has a pair of cooling zones 14 which are arranged with one adjacent to each heating zone 16 ′. the cooling zones 14 extend along the upper edges of the channel . the cooling zones are curved to curl hair which passes through the device . by providing a pair of cooling zones , hair can be curled by pulling the apparatus in either direction along the hair . there is a thermal zone 530 between each cooling zone 14 and each heating zone 16 to minimise unwanted heating of the cooling zone by the adjacent heating zone . each cooling zone also has a heat pipe 502 passing therethrough which connected to a heat sink ( not shown ). this provides passive or active cooling so that the temperature in the cooling zones is positively reduced by a thermal control system rather than just by cooling to ambient air as explained in more detail below . the first arm 20 is formed with a flange 32 on either side which extends along the elongate portion 26 . the flanges 32 are curved with a shape , i . e . a concave curve , that is complementary to the curved cooling zones 14 , i . e . the convex curve , on the second arm . however , the flanges 32 are relatively short and only extend across a part of the curved cooling zones on the second arm . as explained in more detail in relation to fig3 a and 3 b , the flanges help to guide the hair onto the curved cooling zones when the apparatus is in the curling orientation but allow the hair to be straightened when the apparatus is in the straightening orientation . in this embodiment , the flanges 32 are not positively cooled in contrast to the cooling zones on the second arm . the lack of positive cooling may reduce the risk of an experienced user creating a curl on the flange which is in a different direction to that of the curl created on the cooling zone of the second arm . however , in an alternative embodiment , the flanges could be cooled to form cooling zones on the first arm . fig3 a and 3 b show how a user may use the apparatus to style hair . in both arrangements , a user places a lock of hair between the arms of the apparatus and moves the apparatus in a linear motion across the hair . as the hair moves relative to the apparatus , it passes first over a first cooling zone and then through the two plates of the first heating zone which make contact with the hair to heat the hair . it then passes through the two plates of the second heating zone with stress imparted on the hair as the hair exits the second heating zone . in fig3 a , the apparatus is held in a curling orientation to curl hair . in the curling orientation , hair is in contact with and passes over the curved cooling zone after it exits the second heating zone . as shown , the curved cooling zone faces upwards so that the hair rests on the curved cooling zone under gravity . the flanges 32 help to guide the hair onto the curved cooling zone . the cooling accelerates the retention of the shape it is held in and the curl is held in the plastic memory of the hair memory while under tension . keeping tension on the hair helps to keep the hair on the curved cooling zone . although a schematic curl is shown in fig3 a , this would not appear until the hair was released from the device . the direction of opening and closing the arms is generally parallel to the direction of movement across a user &# 39 ; s hair in the curling orientation . in other words , the plane of the planar heating zones is generally perpendicular to the direction of movement across the hair . this creates stress on the hair as it exits the second heating zone . as explained below , creating stress is a key factor in generating curls . in fig3 a , the apparatus is held in a straightening orientation to straighten hair . in the straightening orientation , hair is held away from the curved cooling zone after it exits the second heating zone . as shown , the curved cooling zone faces sidewards so that the hair which is in tension has no or minimal contact with the curved cooling zone . this is permitted because of the relatively small size of the flanges 32 compared to the curved cooling zone . it will be appreciated that if the flanges extended across a significant proportion or all of the curved cooling zone , the hair would necessarily be cooled in the curved cooling zone . however , the use of the flanges allows a user to rotate the apparatus into an orientation in which the hair can avoid the curved cooling zone and can thus be straightened by the device . the direction of opening and closing the arms is generally perpendicular to the direction of movement across a user &# 39 ; s hair in the straightening orientation . in other words , the plane of the planar heating zones is generally parallel to the direction of movement across a user &# 39 ; s hair . this does not impart any stress on the hair instead the hair is pulled straight under tension and cools naturally in the ambient temperature to straighten the hair . in both arrangements , the hair may be considered to be travelling from an inlet to an outlet of the device . the first cooling and heating zones are adjacent to the inlet and the second cooling and heating zones are adjacent to the outlet . thus , as shown in fig3 a , if the styler is moved in the direction of arrow a across the hair 10 , i . e . from right to left , the inlet 38 is on the right side of the styler and the outlet 36 is on the left side of the styler . as shown in fig3 b , the inlet 38 is on the upper side of the styler and the outlet 36 is on the lower side of the styler because the styler is rotated through 90 degrees relative to the orientation shown in fig3 a . the apparatus is simple to use . the arms are opened and a lock of hair placed between the arms which are then closed . depending on the orientation of the apparatus , the apparatus is then pulled across the hair to create a curl or straighten the hair . the motion is linear . unlike conventional devices , there is no need to twist hair around the apparatus , style , release , then twist a further section of hair as required with conventional curling tongs with cylindrical heaters . however , a skilled user is not prevented from wrapping the hair around the device if they desire to create a different style . even though the device is simple to use , there is a potential problem in that hair placed within the apparatus may accidently slide off the heater plates within the heating zones . accordingly , a guide 30 is attached to at least one of the arms to keep the user &# 39 ; s hair in place . as shown in fig5 , the guide 30 is in the form of a pair of projections which project from the upper surface at opposed ends of the elongate portion 26 . thus , in this arrangement the projections are either side of the insulators 520 on the heating zone . the hair is retained between each projection to guide it through the heating zones . it will be appreciated that other guides could also be used to achieve the same effect . as will be appreciated , the projections define a minimum spacing ( typically 2 mm clearance to allow for thick hair ) between the first and second arms 20 , 22 when the arms are closed . thus , the height of the projections may be selected so that the upper surface of the elongate portion 26 of the first arm does not contact the lower surface of the recess 24 on the second arm . this will assist in preventing friction between these two surfaces which may damage the insulators 520 and / or reduce friction on hair within the apparatus . in this minimum spacing , the arms are not pressing on the hair . it will be appreciated that the projections may also be formed on the surface of the recess or there may be projections on one or both arms . as set out above , in the closed position , the heating zones 16 on the first arm are generally in contact with the heating zones 16 ′ on the second arm . too much contact between the heating zones 16 , 16 ′ may cause the contacting surfaces to scratch each other which may damage the contacting surfaces which are the working surfaces . there also needs to be a small gap to allow the hair to pass through the device . accordingly , as shown in fig6 , a spacer mechanism 34 may be used to ensure that a minimum spacing between the first and second arms is maintained , particularly for the elongate portion 26 within the recess 24 . in this arrangement , the spacer mechanism 34 is in the form of two pairs of projections ; one pair for each heating zone . the projections in each pair are at opposed ends of the recess , either side of a heating zone . it will be appreciated that the projections may also be formed at either end of the elongate portion on the first arm or there may be projections on one or both arms . it will also be appreciated that other combinations of projections or other arrangements could also be used to achieve the same effect . the use of the projections for the guide and / or spacer mechanism ensures that the surfaces which are in contact and thus bearing against each other are either plastic on plastic or plastic on metal . this reduces damage to the heater plates in the heating zones . fig7 a shows a schematic cross - section of a styling apparatus 1600 comprising a variation of the heating / cooling zone arrangement of fig2 a . the styling apparatus comprises a pair of arms each having a heating member 3144 a , 3144 b which together define a heating zone and a pair of cooling members 3146 a , 3146 b and 3246 a , 3246 b either side of each heating member to define a pair of cooling zones ; one before and one after the heating zone . the apparatus comprises thermal insulation 3148 a , 3148 b , 3248 a and 3248 b forming a thermal zone which is preferably included to reduce heat transfer between the heating and cooling zones . an optional heat bridge 3160 a , 3160 b on each arm transfers heat between the cooling zones on the same arm . it will be appreciated that this can optionally be included in all embodiments . an outer casing 3162 a on the upper arm , and outer casing 3162 b on the lower arm cover the heat bridge . as in the arrangement of fig2 a , the contacting surfaces of each arm each have a complementary shape . however , in contrast to fig2 a embodiment , the arms have a complementary shape through both the heating and cooling zones and not just the heating zones . fig7 b shows another variant of the hair styling apparatus 162 in which the heating zone is angled relative to the direction of opening and closing the arms . hair moves through styling apparatus along a generally “ s ” shaped path from first cooling ( preheating ) zone to heating zone , then a reversed “ s ” shaped path from the heating zone and through the cooling zone . the apparatus still comprises complementary profiles for the contacting surfaces but the planar contacting surfaces in the heating zones are set at an angle and thus each arm has a different cross - section . one arm has a generally domed central section which fits into a corresponding recess in the other arm . the planar contacting surfaces of the heating zones define the sides of the domed section . in this illustrative embodiment the hair enters and exits the hair styling apparatus along the same plane , although this is not essential on each arm , the heating zone may be formed from two separate heating members 4244 a , 4144 a , 4244 b , 4144 b , each having a central portion having a generally planar contacting surface and angled or curved portions in the form of flanges either side of the central portion . in this embodiment , there are two separate heating members on each arm and thus only one curved portion of each heating member is adjacent a cooling member 4246 a , 4146 a , 4246 b , 4146 b ; the other curved portions of the heating members are adjacent a curved portion of the adjacent heating member . at adjacent sides , the cooling zone and heating zone curve in the same direction . thus , the heating zone “ flows ” into the cooling zone through a continuous curve ( or angle ) in the same direction , with bending of the hair commencing in the heating zone , before entry into the cooling zones . both the heater zone arrangements of fig2 a and 7 b impart a turn on the hair which is not possible with the arrangement of fig7 a . imparting a turn makes it easier for a user to style curls . both the arrangements in fig2 a and 7 b may have heater path lengths of approximately 20 mm . in fig7 b , three examples of pulling hair 150 through the styler 160 are show : one with a 0 ° turn , another with a 90 ° turn and another with a 180 ° turn . the greater the turn , the longer the period of contact the hair has with the cooling member , leading to a greater curl factor . in use , the longer periods of contact may be achieved by turning the hair styler relative to the head . depending on the skill of the user , they may then be able to control or adjust the curl factor by varying the level of turning of the hair styler relative to a person &# 39 ; s head . as set out above , a skilled user may also use these turns with the embodiment of fig7 a . however , one benefit of the arrangement in fig2 a or 7 b is that hair may exit the styler in the same direction as it enters , meaning that the styler can be “ slid ” along the hair , without any relative rotation of the styler to the hair or head . this is shown by the 0 ° hair path line in fig7 b . the term “ curl factor ” is used to define the ratio of the length of straight to curled hair . the higher the curl factor , the greater the curl . generally speaking , the smaller the radius ‘ r ’ of the curved cooling member ( see fig3 a ), the tighter the curl produced , i . e . the curl factor improved as the radius of the curved cooling members decreases . moving from a 16 mm radius to a 10 mm improves the curl factor by approximately 20 % meaning that tighter curls are produced . moving from a 16 mm radius to a 6 mm radius curve on the cooling members improves the curl factor by approximately 60 %— even tighter curls . setting the cooling members in the cooling zone to a radius between 2 mm to 10 mm has been observed to provide pleasing curls . one preferred radius ‘ r .’ of the curve cooling members is 6 mm . these described radii similarly apply to all arrangements comprising curved cooling zones . however it has also been observed that other factors have an effect on this curl factor ; these include variations in the heating , cooling , and curving of the hair in the styling appliance as well as changing the stress point radius on the heater outlet . the chart in fig8 a plots the change in hair temperature and the change in hair stress ( dashed line ) as hair is pulled through the hair styling apparatus of fig2 a . the left vertical axis defines hair temperature and the right vertical axis defines hair stress ( the force applied to bend hair into the curled form ). the change in stress is plotted below the change in hair temperature which is shown relative to ambient temperature . the horizontal axis defines the hair path or time through the styler . the horizontal axis is further divided into zones , denoted by vertical dotted lines dividing up the chart . each zone signifies a different region relative to the hair styler . from left to right : first zone denotes characteristics of the hair before it enters the styling apparatus ; second zone denotes characteristics of the hair as it is pulled through the first cooling zone ; third zone ( thermal zone ) denotes characteristics of the hair as it is pulled through the first thermal zone ; fourth zone ( heater ) denotes characteristics of the hair as it is pulled through the first heating zone ; fifth zone ( apex ) denotes characteristics of the hair as it passes across a thermal insulation zone separating the first and second heating zones ; sixth zone ( heater ) denotes characteristics of the hair as it is pulled through the second heating zone ; seventh zone ( thermal zone ) denotes characteristics of the hair as it is pulled through the second thermal zone ; eighth zone denotes characteristics of the hair as it is pulled through the second cooling zone after it has been heated ; and final zone denotes characteristics of the curled and styled hair after it has exited the hair styling apparatus . as set out above , the change in temperature is plotted relative to ambient temperature which is thus the lowest value on the left vertical axis . the cooling zones may initially be at ambient temperature when the power is off , but over time the temperature may change depending on the heat absorbed from the hair and the level of cooling and efficiency of heat extraction . by way of illustration the temperature of the cooling zones is therefore shown at an elevated temperature , above ambient . preferably the cooling zones are cooled to allow hair to be cooled to around 90 ° c . or possibly more . in embodiments this may be achieved by limiting the temperature of the cooling zones in arrangements to a maximum 40 to 50 ° c . at a room temperature of 25 ° c . ( or a temperature which is 25 degrees above ambient , preferably less ). in fig8 a , the cooling zone is marked as having a temperature of approximately 50 ° c . in general , the cooling zones should reach equilibrium temperature of about 20 degrees above ambient when the product is switched on but not styling hair and about 25 degrees above ambient when in use . the hair glass transition zone is illustrated on the graph with a dotted line . this zone defines the range of temperatures , between t g1 and t g2 , in which the hair starts to become pliable and mouldable . the hair glass transition temperature is initially approximately 145 ° c . but as the hair is heated , the glass transition temperature rises . it rises more quickly for a slow rate of use and is more steady for a high rate of use because the high rate of use does not heat the hair to as high a temperature . the amount of energy which is absorbed by hair decreases with temperature . the specific heat capacity of hair is 1 . 3 j / gk as it is heated up to 100 ° c . but drops to 0 . 94 j / gk above 100 ° c . the temperature of the heating zones is at an elevated temperature , for example 147 ° c . or higher , and in this example is marked at 185 ° c . for both zones . this elevated temperature is above the upper limit for the glass transition zone so that hair can be heated to above the lower limit for the glass transition zone . the first higher plot line in fig8 a illustrates the change in temperature of a section of hair that is pulled through the hair styler of fig2 a at a first rate to generate curls . there is only a small increase in the temperature of the hair as it passes through the first cooling zone and the first thermal zone . this first rate of pulling hair through the styler is sufficiently slow such that the hair is heated to above the glass transition zone in the first heating zone . in the insulation zone , the temperature drops a little and drops below the glass transition temperature which has increased because the hair has been heated . accordingly , it is necessary to further heat the hair in the second heating zone to bring the temperature of the hair back above the glass transition zone temperature so that the hair is now pliable and ready for styling . on exiting the heating zone , the hair begins to cool as it is first no longer heated in the thermal insulation zone , then cooled in the cooling zone . the hair is still above the upper limit for the glass transition zone when it enters the cooling zone and is thus still pliable . as shown , there is then a rapid temperature drop in the second cooling zone which increases curling performance . the second lower plot line in fig8 a illustrates the change in temperature of a section of hair that is pulled through the hair styler at a faster , second , rate than the other plot line . again , there is only a small increase in the temperature of the hair as it passes through the first cooling zone and the first thermal zone . furthermore , the rate is too fast for the hair to be heated above the glass transition zone in the first heating zone . there is a small change in temperature through the insulation zone and here it can be observed that the upper limit for the glass transition is only just reached in the second heating zone because the hair has remained between the contacting surfaces of the heating members for only just enough time . however , it is still above the lower limit for the glass transition zone as the hair enters the cooling zone . as a consequence of pulling hair through the hair styling apparatus too quickly , the temperature of the hair dips does not have a large temperature drop in the cooling zone and thus wavy or less curly hair is generated . a faster rate of pulling , faster than this second rate , could result in the hair being insufficiently heated and / or insufficiently cooled in order to effectively style . this may then lead to poor quality curling and / or reduced curling performance that fails to last . for curling , a suitable rate may be between 10 and 45 mm / s with the slower rate shown in fig8 a being 10 mm / s and the higher rate 45 mm / s . a typical speed may be 20 mm / s . at a speed of 20 mm / s , the period of styling each section of hair ( for normal length hair ) will be approximately 57 seconds . this is the time taken by a typical professional user which includes the use and preparing for the next section . clearly the time will also be dependent on the length of hair . it will be appreciated that these rates and times are dependent on many factors , particularly on the mass of hair being pulled through the device . the example rates above are for a typical section of hair , i . e . 0 . 15 g / cm . using small sections of hair , for example 0 . 075 g / cm will enable faster product use . the user may thus be able to create tighter or looser curls by altering the rate at which they draw the product through the hair . the amount of hair within the styler will also clearly affect the curls created . for example , if a user places 0 . 12 g / cm of hair within the styler , beach waves ( i . e . curls of large radius ) may be created . at 0 . 047 g / cm , mid tightness curls may be created and tight curls may be created by placing on 0 . 028 g / cm within the styler . the general principles described in relation to fig8 a may apply to all embodiments , in particular the heating and cooling temperatures mentioned above . the right vertical axis defines the relative stress applied to the hair . imparting the correct stress is key to efficiently forming curls . as shown , the apparatus is designed so that the stress on the hair is reduced as the hair passes over the insulation zone but there is a rapid increase ( step change ) at the exit of the second heating zone . there is also an increase through the thermal zone and into the second cooling zone . the two plot lines in fig8 b are generally representative of embodiments of the prior art styling apparatus , e . g . as shown in fig1 . fig8 b is broadly representative of what happens if the heated path length is too long . as explained in more detail below , tg rises meaning the hair does not curl which imbalances the efficiency of the system , placing more demand in heating , stress and cooling power . as an example , this will happen for heater path lengths of approximately 70 mm or greater having a temperature of 185 degrees c . however , with a 40 mm heater path at 185 degrees c . the curling performance is still poor . by contrast , fig8 a represents a total heater path length of approximately 20 mm at 185 degrees c . which is a reasonable balance of all the conflicting requirements . fig8 b shows that at a first , slower rate of use the hair temperature rises quickly in the heating zone and then plateaus . similarly , at a second , slower rate of use , the hair temperature rises less quickly and peaks just before the hair enters the thermal zone . at both rates , the hair glass transition temperature rises as the hair heats up and in both scenarios , the glass transition temperature is higher than the temperature to which the hair is ultimately heated . accordingly , the hair is not above the glass transition temperature as it passes into the stress point at the heater outlet and across the thermal zone and thus the hair cannot be curled . moreover , the hair is heated for too long and begins to dry out which will also prevent curling . thus , in summary , the preferred process is to heat hair to above its glass temperature , i . e . above t g1 ; commence bending and curling of the hair when hair is at its hottest temperature and still within the heating zone ( or insulating / thermal zone ); followed by cooling about a continuing curved surface of the cooling zone in order to retain the curl shape . the stress imparted at the hair also needs to be at a maximum just as the hair exits the heating zone and passes into the cooling zone . as set out above , the hair styler is easy to use with hair simply being placed between the two arms . however , the hair which is inserted first into the hair styler , typically the hair near the root , is generally exposed to heat for longer than the rest of the hair . for example , this may be caused by the user pausing for a moment after clamping the hair or simply because of the time it takes to close the arms . as a result , the hair which is initially placed in the hair styler is raised to a higher temperature and may even be raised to a temperature which is too high for styling hair . one solution to this problem may be to change the heater path length , i . e . the time which the hair is in contact with the heating zones . one solution to this problem may be to change the heater path length , i . e . the time which the hair is in contact with the heating zones . as explained with reference to fig1 a and 17 b , the heater path length can be optimised . however , there are limits imposed on the heater path length by compliance requirements for creepage and clearances for electrical connections . accordingly , it can be challenging and difficult to fine tune the heater path length . moreover , different path rates are optimal for different rates , e . g . a path length of 16 mm on an aluminium heater may be optimal for a 20 mm / s rate and a path length of 18 mm for a 30 mm / s rate . an alternative solution is to reduce the temperature within the heating zone when the hair styler is not being used to curl hair . for example , the temperature may be reduced from say 185 degrees c . ( which is the typical styling temperature ) to between 140 to 180 degrees c . a schematic illustration of a circuit to achieve this solution is shown in fig9 . fig9 a shows a processor 1000 ( e . g . a microprocessor ) which controls the heating system 1010 which provides the power to the heaters in the heating zones . several sensors ( heating system sensor 1012 , heating zone sensor 1014 and cooling zone sensor 1016 ) are connected to and provide sensor data to the processor 1000 . these sensors are located in the respective component within the styler and a sensor may be embedded in the processor . for example as shown in the arrangement of fig1 a , the heat pipes are adjacent the pcb and thus a sensor could be embedded on the pcb to sensor the temperature within the heat pipes . for example , the heating zone sensor 1014 may be a sensor 503 as shown in fig1 a or may be a thermocouple embedded in the heating plate . it will be appreciated that a single sensor is merely indicative and a plurality of sensors may be used where needed . there are also some optional systems , a high pressure air system 1018 for delivering high pressure air and a product system 1020 for delivering products such as wet line products . the cooling system 1022 may be active , e . g . a fan , and may thus be controlled by the processor in a similar manner to the heating system . an automatic or non - self - resetting thermal cut - out 1024 is placed between the processor and the cooling system which is described in more detail in relation to fig9 d . as shown in the flowchart of fig9 b , the processor 1000 is configured to control the heating system 1010 based on the received sensor data ( step s 100 ). the processor processes the sensor data to determine when the styler switches between an active state in which a user is curling hair and a passive state in which a user is getting ready to use the styler and vice versa . as illustrated , one method for doing this is to determine what state the styler is in ( step s 102 ) and then to determine whether or not the state has changed ( step s 104 ). if there is no change , the process loops back to the start . when the processor detects that the styler has switched from the passive state to the active state ( step s 106 ), the processor is configured to increase the power to the heating system to increase the temperature within the heating zones ( e . g . to 185 degrees c .) ( step s 110 ). when the processor detects that the styler has switched from the active state to the passive state ( step s 106 ), the processor is configured to reduce the power to the heating system to reduce the temperature within the heating zones ( e . g . to between 140 - 180 degrees c .) ( step s 112 ). after any power changes , the process loops back to the start , for example every 1 to 5 seconds or more quickly if needed . for example , the processor may be configured to determine that the styler is in the active state by one or more of the following methods : a ) the heating zone sensor 1014 measures the temperature within the heating zone and the processor determines that the temperature has dropped between subsequent sensor measurements ; b ) the cooling zone sensor 1016 measures the temperature within the cooling zone and the processor determines that the temperature has risen between subsequent sensor measurements ; c ) the heating system sensor 1012 measures the current and / or power consumption within the heating system and the processor determines that the current / power consumption has increased between subsequent sensor measurements ; other mechanisms may also be used to provide the processor with the information to determine the state of the styler , e . g . a micro switch which may detect contact between the arms , a light dependent resistor which is placing in an area which receives no light when the arms are in the closed position or a vibration sensor to detect an impact as the arms are closed . by reducing power consumption to the heating system when the styler is not being used , the thermal efficiency of the cooling system is also improved because less waste heat energy passes through the thermal zone . furthermore , the risk of the hair which is initially placed in the hair styler rising to a temperature above t g2 is reduced . another advantage is that the embodied water within the hair is retained . as explained in more detail below in relation to fig1 a , there is a minimum threshold of moisture content which is required if the hair is to be stressed and then cooled ( generating a curl ) and if the hair is heated for too long , the moisture content will reduce below this minimum threshold ( reducing the efficiency of the curling process ). fig9 c is another flowchart illustrating how the circuit of fig9 a can be used to further improve water retention within the hair . this is only suitable with the ambidextrous systems in which there are two heating and cooling zones . the processor 1000 is configured to control the heating system 1010 based on the received sensor data ( step s 200 ). the processor processes the sensor data to determine the direction of movement of the styler ( step s 202 ). once the direction of movement is determined , the processor reduces the power to the heating zone on the inlet side ( s 204 ), i . e . the processor reduces the power to the first heating zone through which the hair passes . simultaneously , the processor increases the power to the heating zone on the outlet side ( s 206 ), i . e . the processor increases the power to the second heating zone through which the hair passes . there may not be separate increases and decreases in power but the processor ensures that the temperature in the second heating zone ( outlet side ) is higher than that in the first heating zone ( inlet side ). once the changes are made , the process loops back to the beginning in case on the next pass , the user alters the direction of the styler . the processor may be configured to determine that the direction of movement by one or more of the following methods : a ) the heating zone sensor 1014 measures the temperature within each heating zone and the processor determines that there is a differential temperature drop between sensor measurements , e . g . the temperature in the first heating zone has dropped more than that in the second heating zone . this is because the first heating zone through which the hair has passed will have worked harder to heat the hair . b ) the cooling zone sensor 1016 measures the temperature within each cooling zone and the processor determines that there is a differential temperature rise between sensor measurements , e . g . the temperature in the second cooling zone has risen more than that in the first cooling zone . this is because the second cooling zone through which the hair has passed will have worked harder to cool the heated hair . c ) the heating system sensor 1012 measures the current and / or power consumption within the heating systems for each heating zone and the processor determines that there is a differential increase between subsequent sensor measurements for the different heating zones , e . g . the power has changed more in the heating system for the first heating zone . again , this is because the first heating zone through which the hair has passed will have worked harder to heat the hair . by reducing the temperature in the first heating zone ( inlet side ) relative to that in the second heating zone ( outlet side ), the time that the hair is exposed to high temperatures is reduced and thus the level of embodied water is preserved . the adjustments can be fine - tuned to optimise the curling performance . if the styler had more than two heating zones , the processor may ensure that the heating zones progressively increase in temperature from inlet to outlet side . fig9 c also shows a couple of optional steps . for example , at step s 208 , the processor is configured to trigger a high pressure air system to deliver air to the most efficient position which may be the inlet or outlet side . alternatively or additionally , at step s 210 , the processor is configured to trigger a product system to deliver a complementary product , e . g . a wet line product , to the most efficient position which may be the inlet or outlet side . as shown in fig9 d , the processor may also be configured to isolate the styler if the temperature of the styler is too high . if the cooling system or the thermal insulation fail in the styler , the temperature of the styler may rise above safe limits . for example , the styler may be too hot to hold or the processor ( pcba ) itself may be raised above the safe operating temperature . this may be prevented as shown in fig9 d . the processor is configured to receive the sensor data s 300 and process it to determine whether or the temperature is above a threshold s 302 . the threshold is a limit between 70 to 100 degrees c ., more preferably between 80 to 85 degrees c . thus the threshold is lower than the safety limit . if the temperature is ok , the process loops back to the start . otherwise , the thermal cut - out 1024 is activated . this isolates the power to the heating system . the processor may be configured to determine the temperature by one or more of the following : b ) receiving sensor data on the current in the fan and determining the temperature therefrom c ) receiving sensor data on the rpm of the fan and determining the temperature therefrom fig1 a and 10 b show one arrangement by which the two arms may be joined together . the arrangement may be termed a shoulder 50 . the styler may be held by a user around the shoulder and / or around the arms 20 , 22 . thus , the arms and / or shoulder may be considered to be a handle . the shoulder of fig1 and 11 incorporates a leaf spring 40 . as shown , the leaf spring extends from the shoulder into the first arm 20 ( although it will be appreciated that it could extend into the second arm 22 ). the leaf spring 40 biases the first arm 20 away from the second arm 22 . thus , the leaf spring 40 biases the arms in the open position . a user has to exert force against the leaf spring 40 to close the arms . the leaf spring 40 is connected to the heat sink 210 in the shoulder 50 . this means that the leaf spring 40 also assists in drawing heat away from the first arm and into the heat sink 210 . this reduces the need for a separate heat sink in the first arm and thus results in a smaller styler having reduced material mass and reduced manufacturing cost . the spring force of the leaf spring must be such that it biases the arms in the open position . moreover , the force must be balanced between being too high so that a user cannot close the arms and too low so that the user can close the arms too easily . the spring force must also be greater than any frictional forces on the hair to avoid the styler jamming shut on a section of hair . accordingly , the spring force of the leaf spring needs to balance these different requirements . a suitable range of spring force is between 1 and 5 newtons , with a spring force of 1 to 2 newtons giving an acceptable result . fig1 a and 10 b also show that a fan assembly 42 may be optionally incorporated in the shoulder 50 . the fan assembly 42 provides an active cooling system for the cooling zones at the opposed end of the arms . the fan is used to circulate an appropriate forced air convection cooling through the rear heat sink which in turn cools the entire cooling system . the fan &# 39 ; s air flow v &# 39 ; s pressure performance typically could be ˜ 60 pa at its stall point and a minimum of 0 . 1 m 3 / min at “ free air ” or 0 pa . typically the operating duty point of the fan could be 10 pa @ 0 . 95 m 3 / min . there is at least one inlet 50 for the fan assembly through the housing of the arms . in this arrangement , the inlet 50 is in the form of a meshed grid having a plurality of apertures through which air may pass . the apertures are small enough to prevent too much debris being drawn in to the system . moreover , the inlet 50 is on an inner surface of the second arm 22 . thus , the user is unlikely to contact and thus block the inlet 50 . there is also an outlet 48 for the fan assembly which vents out of the styler through the housing of the shoulder . the outlet 48 is around the electrical connector 44 for the power cable . there may also be an additional outlet 43 which vents through the housing of the styler , e . g . through the side wall of the shoulder 40 . there is also a passive cooling system for the cooling zones provided by at least one heat pipe 502 which connects to a second heat sink 501 . although the cooling system is termed passive ; both the passive and active cooling systems positively ( or actively ) draw heat away from the cooling zones to improve performance . in other words , the apparatus contains cooling means to ensure that the cooling zones are reduced in temperature without merely relying on ambient cooling . indeed , cooling the hair over a conductive surface alone has been shown to be insufficient . during use , the cooling zones will increase in temperature and without a thermal management system ( otherwise termed a cooling system ) to reduce the temperature in the cooling zones , the temperature in the cooling zone rises above 100 degrees c . which is too hot to provide the curling . if the cooling zones are not actively cooled , it would be necessary to wait for a large amount of time between curling each section of hair to allow each cooling zone in the system to cool to a viable temperature for curling hair . the heat sink 501 comprises a plurality of fins to increase the surface area and thus improve cooling . the surface area may be a minimum of 6790 mm 2 . there may be multiple heat pipes , e . g . two , for example as described in more detail below . each heat pipe may be connected to its own separate heat sink . the second heat sink 501 may be thermally connected to the heat sink 210 which is integrated with the fan to improve cooling performance . the fan assembly may also be embedded into the heat sink 210 . heat pipes are typically a more effective method of cooling than an aluminium heat bridge or the use of pumped fluids . as an example , the cooling power required from a thermal management system : each heat sink has a maximised thermal mass and thermal conductivity , e . g . ideally at least 150 w / mk . the heat sink may be made from an aluminium alloy . the heat sink must also have a maximised emissivity , for example by using a black surface which may be matt . the overall mass of the heat sinks may be maximised to accommodate spikes in thermal transfer during use . for example , a minimum of 45 g may be necessary . however , this is a hand - held product and thus too great a mass would be detrimental to user experience . it may also be beneficial for the user experience to balance the mass of the two arms . the heat sink in the handle should not cause the handle to become too warm for the user . this can be avoided by appropriate positioning of the heat sink and also by ensuring that there are not bare metal surfaces on the handle . as explained above , the best results are achieved when the contacting surfaces are planar and are substantially parallel to one another . furthermore , the contacting surfaces of the heating zones 16 , 16 ′ on the first and second arms need to have a good contact with the hair to ensure efficient heating . up to a certain threshold , the greater the pressure on the hair , the more efficient the styler is at styling the hair . however , if the pressure is too high and is beyond the threshold , there is too much friction between the heating plates and the hair . this means that the product is difficult and unpleasant to use . fig1 a to 12 b illustrate one mechanism for achieving parallel contacting surfaces with a desired pressure on the hair . the mechanism operates regardless of the orientation of the device ( e . g . curling / straightening orientation ). in this arrangement , each heating zone 16 of the first arm 20 comprises a heater plate which is mounted on a resilient suspension as described in more detail below . the resilient suspension allows relatively small movement of the heater plate which improves the pressure on the hair between the heating zones of the two arms and thus the heat transfer to the hair . depending on whether the styler is in the curling or straightening orientation , the resilient suspension may also improve the stress imparted on the hair at the heater outlet . the resilient suspension is designed to balance the conflicting requirements of too much friction and good heat transfer . a suitable level of force applied to the hair by the resilient suspension is 1 . 8 n because this has no / low frictional forces on the hair . the force may be up to 3 . 9 n but beyond this the friction ( stiction ) is too high ). in either case is critical to specify a resilient suspension , e . g . a spring , with a low as possible rate , so that force applied to the hair between the heater plates is as uniform and as independent as possible from the thickness of the hair section that is between the contacting surfaces . by contrast , each heating zone of the second arm also comprises a heater plate but these are fixed relative to the housing of the second arm . in both arms , rotation of the heaters may be prevented by mounting the heaters in a rigid frame within which the heaters can slide or ‘ float ’ slightly to absorb mechanical tolerances . even though the resilient suspension allows only relatively small movements , there is the possibility that the contacting surface 52 of the heating zone 16 may not be aligned with the contacting surface of the corresponding heating zone 16 ′ on the second arm . accordingly , as shown in more detail in fig1 b to 12 c , the resilient suspension is formed as a biasing mechanism to ensure that the contacting surfaces 52 are held parallel to those of the second arm . the heater plates ( and other internal components of the first arm which are not shown ) are supported in a housing 56 . in this arrangement , the biasing mechanism comprises four springs 60 , one at each corner of the heater plates . the housing 56 comprises a plurality of projections 59 and one projection 59 is received in each end of each spring 60 . in this way , each spring is connected at one end to the heater plate in the first heating zone and at the other end to the heater plate in the second heating zone . a pair of end caps 58 are connected one at each end of the housing 56 by a fixing mechanism 64 , which may be any standard mechanism , e . g . screw . as shown in fig1 a and 12 b , each end cap 58 comprises a pair of recesses 62 each of which receive a corresponding spring 60 . the recesses 62 control the movement of the springs 60 by constraining the movement of the springs to be perpendicular to the contacting surface . hence the movement of the contacting surfaces is controlled and maintained parallel to the contacting surfaces on the second arm . it will be appreciated that in this arrangement the biasing mechanism is only shown in the first arm but that it could alternatively or additionally be incorporated into the second arm and the heater plates of the first arm could be held fixed . fig1 is a schematic cross - section showing the heat pipes 502 , 502 a , 502 b which may be used to cool the cooling zones . heat pipe 502 is a continuous pipe which passes through the cooling zone 14 on one side of the apparatus along the handle , passes around a large bend at one end of the handle and extends back along the handle to and through the cooling zone 14 on the other side of the apparatus . thus , the heat pipe 502 provides a thermal link between the two cooling zones albeit a thermal link which extends along the length of the apparatus rather than merely across the width ( e . g . as shown in fig7 a ). such a continuous heat pipe 502 links both cooling zones and thus maximises transfer of heat between the zones , i . e . allows the cooling zone through which the unheated hair passes before being heated to draw heat from the cooling zone through which the heated hair is passed for cooling and curling . the heat pipe thus minimises the temperature difference across the system . it is essential to have a continuous pipe and this necessitates bends in the pipe , particularly at the opposed end of the apparatus to the heating / cooling zones . however , any bend results in significant losses and thus a heat pipe having a large diameter ( e . g . 6 mm or more ) is required to transfer sufficient heat . a large pipe is costly , may result in increased production times and may also increase the overall size of the apparatus . fig1 also shows an alternative arrangement in which the single heat pipe 502 is replaced with two separate heat pipes 502 a , 502 b which each extend through only one of the cooling zones , through the handle to a heat sink at the end of the apparatus . in this way , the large bend is eliminated and thus the two separate pipes are more efficient in transferring heat than the single pipe 502 . accordingly , the diameter of each separate pipe may be relatively small , e . g . 3 to 6 mm and the for the passive cooling of external surface area of the heat pipe and heat sinks should be between 90 cm 2 to 350 cm 2 , preferably around 210 cm 2 . this is a relatively high surface area which is difficult to achieve in a hand held product because of the size , weight and cost . accordingly , the heat pipes are typically used in conjunction with active fan cooling to achieve the necessary active cooling . a smaller diameter may result in a more cost effective design because less material is required to manufacture the heat pipe . furthermore , if the diameter of the heat pipe is reduced , the size of the thermal zone may be increased without any overall increase in the size of the apparatus ( therefore reducing the cooling requirements of the heat sink ). accordingly , thermal efficiency and control of temperature increases in the cooling zone may also be improved further . however , it will be appreciated that the separate pipes slow the rate of heat transfer from one cooling zone to the other . this is because the heat from one cooling zone is transferred via the heat pipe through the heat sink and back into the other heat pipe to the other cooling zone . the heat sinks should typically be a few degrees cooler than the cooling zones . however , the temperature differential across the heat pipes should only be a couple of degrees when operating correctly . if the thermal power the heat pipes are transferring becomes too high , the heat pipe may dry out , causing excessive temperature differences along the length of the heat pipe ( resulting in poor heat transfer ). this may be avoided by increasing the mass of the heat sink or the diameter of the heat pipes to facilitate greater heat transfer . however , as set out above , this needs to be balanced against cost , weight and size constraints in the device . the heat pipes may be coated with a low friction and / or corrosion resistant material . fig1 to 17 a show another variant of the apparatus of fig2 a in which the heating zone is angled relative to the direction of opening and closing the arms . features in common are labelled with the same reference number where possible . the general concept is similar and the skilled person will recognise that many features may be used on both the embodiments . thus as in the embodiment of fig2 a to 6 , the heating apparatus comprises a first arm having a pair of heating zones 16 and a second arm having a pair of heating zones 16 ′ which are in contact with the heating zones 16 on the first arm . the contacting surfaces of the heating zones 16 , 16 ′ are aligned so that they are generally parallel to the direction of opening and closing the first and second arms . this is achieved by the second arm having a groove running along at least part of its length and the first arm having a profile which is a snug fit within the groove so that the first arm and second arm have complementary profiles to ensure contacting surfaces along at least part of their length . when the arms are in the open position , hair is placed between the two arms and the arms are closed so that the first arm is received within the second arm which at least partially surrounds the first arm . hair 10 is thus clamped between the first and second arms . fig1 shows that the apparatus comprises four heaters 506 a , 506 b , 506 c and 506 d . two of the four heaters 506 b and 506 c are on the first arm and the other two heaters 506 a , 506 d are on the second arm . the use of four heaters maximises the amount of heat imparted to the hair and also ensures that the apparatus may be used in either direction . it would be possible to omit the heaters on the first arm ( relying on the heaters on the second arm ) or vice versa . such an arrangement would still enable the device to be used in either direction . however , the hair would only be heated on one surface which is not efficient as explained in more detail below . alternatively , the contacting heaters 506 a and 506 b ( or 506 c and 506 d ) may be removed . however , this would mean that the hair could only be curled by passing through the apparatus in the direction of arrow a . there are thermal zones 530 between the heating zones 16 ′ and cooling zones 14 on the second arm . there is also a heat pipe in the cooling zone which may be a continuous pipe or two separate pipes as described in relation to fig1 . the pair of heaters 506 b and 506 c on the first arm are preferably mounted for movement relative to each other . this ensures that the surface of each heater 506 b , 506 c is always in firm , good contact with the contacting surface on the other arm ( which in this case is also the surface of the heaters 506 a , 506 d respectively ) when the arms are in the closed position but also allows for the arms to move relatively easily between the open and closed position . as explained previously , the hair has to be held between two surfaces in the heating zone , particularly at its outlet ( which may be curved as explained above ) to impart the necessary stress to the hair when the hair is above its glass transition temperature . this generates the curl that is retained by the cooling zone . it is also desirable to maximise the time that the hair has to cool on the cooling zone . both these requirements mean that there could be a small draft angle of between 0 and 10 degrees . draft is typically defined as the amount of taper perpendicular to the parting line . in this case , the draft angle is measured between the direction of opening and closing ( i . e . vertical as shown in the drawings ) and the plane of the contacting surfaces . although 10 degrees would be the simplest mechanical system to ensure ease of opening and closing ; minimal curling performance would be observed because the hair would not be clamped tightly between the contacting surfaces . an inverted ( or reversed ) draft angle at the transition from the heating zone to the cooling zone ( i . e . at the heater outlet ) would provide the best curling performance . however , such an inverted ( or reversed ) draft angle means that it is difficult to move the two arms between the open and closed position because of the frictional forces between the two close fitting contacting surfaces . moreover the cost and mechanical complexity would be high . accordingly , a draft angle of approximately 0 degrees provides the best balance of curling performance and mechanical cost . fig1 shows one mechanism 507 for achieving this relative movement which comprises mounting each end of each heater 506 b , 506 c in a mounting block 510 . it is noted that fig1 only shows one end of the heater but the mechanism is repeated at the opposed end . the two mounting blocks are joined by a resilient member ( not shown but indicated by the double headed arrow ) which allows the mounting blocks to “ float ” relative to each other . the resilient member may be a spring or other flexible material such as silicone . each mounting block 510 is housed in a housing 511 and can slide within a groove in the housing 511 . the resilient member allows the heaters 506 b , 506 c to move inwards stopping the hair from experiencing high friction between the contacting surfaces and / or to allow a user to open the product . the block and housing constrains movement in the correct direction . fig1 a and 16 b show one mechanism for simplifying the manufacture of the heating assembly which may be used in any of the embodiments , e . g . fig1 . each heating assembly comprises a housing 516 which has a profile matching that of the heater 506 to be housed within the housing 516 . in this case , the profile has a cross - section which is generally a square u but other profiles may be used . the housing has a base from which two side walls extend ( generally perpendicular to the base ). the base and side walls together define an open cavity . there is no top for the housing leaving an opening into which the heater can be inserted . the housing may be an extrusion of a thermally conductive material , e . g . aluminium . the housing 516 may also be provided with features to allow for variation in the heater and / or extrusion tolerances in the housing . for example , the profile may comprise a notch 518 or groove running along the length of the base of the housing which acts as a hinge to allow some movement of the sides of the housing relative to each other . another tolerance improvement which could be used together or separately from the notch is to gradually decrease the thickness of the protruded material from the centre of the base ( i . e . from the notch ) towards the opening into which the heater is inserted . such tapering of the material thickness along the length of the material may minimise the risk of work hardening the material ( e . g . aluminium ) over time . the heater itself may comprise several layers laminated together . for example , as shown in fig1 a , the heater may comprise a heating layer having a ( one or more heating elements ) plurality of heating elements 505 and a sensor layer having a ( one or more ) plurality of sensors 503 . the heater is arranged in the apparatus with the sensor layer between the hair and the heating layer . the sensors may collect sensor data about a user &# 39 ; s hair and this sensor data may be used to adjust the heating to prevent or minimise damage to a user &# 39 ; s hair . placing the sensor between the hair ( load ) and the heating element also allows the apparatus to maximise the thermal response . the heating assembly may further comprise an optional thermal layer between the heater and the housing to improve thermal conductivity between the heater and the housing . as shown in fig1 a , this may be in the form of a thermally conductive sheet ( e . g . graphite ) which surrounds the heater in the housing . alternatively , a thermal grease may be used in place of the sheet . fig1 a shows that the thermal sheet is placed over the housing and the heater is pushed into place in the housing to assemble the heating assembly . all of the features shown in fig1 a , namely the relative arrangement of the sensor layer and the heating layer , the materials selected for the housing and thermal layer , the profile of the housing contribute to a heating assembly which is easy to manufacture and is as small and powerful as possible . it will be appreciated that not all of these features are required to achieve a satisfactory result . it is noted that traditional heaters are assembled in a sandwich principal to allow good and uniform pressure ( and good heat transfer to be achieved ). however , these typically result in an assembly which is too large for this apparatus . there is a minimum threshold of moisture content which is required if the hair is to be stressed and then cooled ( generating a curl ) and if the hair is heated for too long , the moisture content will reduce below this minimum threshold ( reducing the efficiency of the curling process ). moreover , as explained above , the hair needs to be at a temperature above the glass transition temperature . both these requirements can be achieved by heating the hair along a short heater path length , for example along a path of less than 70 mm , preferably approximately 20 mm . however , as explained previously , the apparatus may be pulled along the hair in any direction to achieve curling . as a result , the hair must be heated twice , a first time between one pair of contacting surfaces of the heating zones and again between the other pair of contacting surfaces of the heating zones . fig1 a and 17 b show how the heater path length is reduced in the arrangements of fig1 and 2 a respectively by placing an insulated curved section between the two heater paths . the insulated section comprises a pair of insulators 520 , one insulator 520 mounted on top of the heater 506 b in the first heating zone in the first arm and one insulator mounted on top of the heater 502 c in the second heating zone on the first arm . the insulators 520 are made from any insulating material , e . g . plastics , and have a curved profile along the contacting surface . as shown in fig1 a , a further layer of insulation 522 ( e . g . aerogel ) may be provided between the insulator 520 and the heater 506 b , 506 c to reduce heat transfer to the insulator 520 and to minimise direct contact between the heater and the insulator . furthermore , the connector 524 which attaches the insulator to the heater 506 b , 506 c may be designed to further reduce heat transfer . for example , the connector may be designed with turns and other complexities to increase the distance heat must travel and / or maximise the heat resistance . such a connector may be termed a labyrinth connector and may be made from any insulating material such as plastics . as shown in fig1 b , the insulators 520 are relatively thin so as to define an air gap between the insulator 520 and the heater which prevents heat transmission . the curved profile reduces conflicting directions of stress to the hair ( helping the quality of curl ) in contact with this section . furthermore , when hair is initially placed between the arms and the arms are closed , there is a slight time delay before a user begins to move the apparatus across the hair . accordingly , hair is in contact with the contacting surfaces for longer than hair which is just pulled through the apparatus . the curved profile also helps to avoid a kink or straight band in the hair which could be caused by this slightly prolonged clamping between the contacting surfaces . use of an insulator ensures that the heat transfer to the hair from the heaters is minimised . the aim is to keep the apex ( top surface ) of the elongate section of the first arm as cool as possible . as explained in relation to fig8 a , when hair passes relatively slowly through the apparatus , the temperature of the hair drops in this insulated zone but rises slightly when the hair passes through more quickly . at a slower rate , the hair is effectively not heated in this section thereby reducing the heater path length . the hair is then only heated for curling purposes as it passes through the final pair of contacting heating surfaces . thus , the heater path length is defined by the contacting surfaces of the heaters and the heater power needs to be maximised , e . g . using the heater assembly described in detail in fig1 a and 16 b . an unwanted straightened band can also be created in the hair ( which may be termed bending / banding / kinking of the hair ) along the inlet / outlet to the heating zones as the arms are closed . fig1 c shows one arrangement designed to minimise this unwanted effect . as described above , each heater on the first arm may optionally be fitted with an insulator along the apex of each heater . in fig1 c , each heater on the second arm is fitted with an insulation section 502 a , e . g . a plastic tip . the insulation section runs along the edge of the heater which is at the inlet / outlet to the channel , i . e . along the opposed edge to the edge within the channel . as shown in fig1 c , the heater has a channel into which a corresponding projection on the insulation section fits . it will be appreciated that other known methods of securing the insulation section to the heater may be used . fig1 c also illustrates in more detail other features of the cooling zone 14 which are applicable to all embodiments , particularly the one shown in fig2 a . a tangential line at the point of the first portion 536 of the curved cooling zone , i . e . the portion adjacent the heating zone is at an angle of approximately 25 degrees to the plane of the surface of the heating zone . moreover , the first portion of cooling zone preferably terminates in a point 538 or at least has a significantly reduced cross - section , e . g . just 0 . 5 mm , where it is adjacent to the heating zone . this reduces heat transfer . to further reduce heat transfer , there is also a small air gap 534 , e . g . 0 . 5 mm between the closest points on the heating and the cooling zones . the gap should be small enough so that there is no loss in curling because curling is no longer starting at the point of maximum stress but also not too small otherwise tension in the hair may close the gap so that the heating zone contacts the cooling zone . there is also the thermal zone 530 between the heating and cooling zones as described above . the thermal zone 530 may comprise two layers of pyrogel ( or similar insulator ). each layer may be 2 . 5 mm thick . these layers may be attached to the opposed faces of the heaters to the surface contacting the hair . significant heat is emitted from the rear ( non contacting surface of the heater ) and this needs to be controlled ). low emissivity coatings could also be used on the heaters to reduce heat transfer to the cooling zone . the inside edge 532 of the cooling zone navigates around the thermal zone . a second portion 540 of the cooling zone follows on from the first portion of the cooling zone . the first portion 536 has a radius of curvature of approximately 7 mm and the second portion 540 has a radius of curvature of approximately 12 mm . the cross - section 542 of the second portion is thus as generous as possible , in part to accommodate the heat pipe 502 . fig1 c shows the detail of the second arm . however , it will be appreciated that if the heating zone on the first arm contacts the cooling zone , heat will be transferred . this can be prevented by preventing yaw or other movement at the hinge ( or other mechanism ) which controls the relative movement of the two arms . as explained above , the radius of curvature determines the nature of the curl and a preferred radius of curvature is 7 mm . as shown in fig1 c , the cooling zone preferably has this preferred radius for the first 90 degrees of the path over the cooling zone . alternatively , the cooling zone may have a reduced radius immediately adjacent the heating zone , e . g . 3 mm , to reduce stress on the hair . thereafter , the radius of curvature may be increased , e . g . to 12 mm , to increase the volume of the cooling zone . the curvature is continued though to provide a curved path length for as far as possible . for example , by rotating the apparatus , a skilled user could rotate the device to maintain the hair on the curved surface for longer . however , the increase in curvature is important because it increases the cross - section of the cooling zone to maximise heat transfer and to create an adequate thermal mass to minimise thermal spikes in the cooling zone in use . moreover , the cross - section of the cooling zone is thus large enough to incorporate the heat pipe described above . the cooling zone is made from a conductive material to provide a thermal path from the hair to the heat sink to draw heat from the hair into the cooling zone and through to the heat pipe . any suitable conductive material can be used , e . g . aluminium . fig1 a and 18 b show the full length of the apparatus both from the top and side with fig1 c showing a cross - section of the handle . the apparatus comprises a first arm having a heating zone 16 and a second arm having both a heating zone and cooling zones 14 either side of the heating zone 16 . the two arms are joined together by a hinge at the opposed end to the heating and cooling zones to allow the arms to be brought into contact with each other in the heating and / or cooling zones . handle portions for each arm extend between the hinge and the heating / cooling zones . a thermal zone 530 is positioned between the handle portion and the heating zones to prevent heat being transferred to the handle portion . similarly , a thermal zone 530 is connected between the heating zone ( s ) and the end portion at the opposed end to the hinge . the second arm ( in this example the upper arm ) has cooling zones 14 and thus the arm also has cooling along the length of the handle in the form of heat pipes 502 a , 502 b drawing heat away from the cooling zones 14 to the heat sinks 528 at either end of the apparatus . one heat sink 528 is thus integrated into the hinge area of the handle and is thus an efficient use of materials . control 532 for the heating elements is also integrated into the handle portion of each arm . the control 532 may be a pcb and may be designed to allow control of a heater having multiple heating zones and / or to allow for low voltage power . in this way , the handle portions provide function but are designed with a form ( i . e . shape ) which is comfortable and attractive for a user . if necessary , a plastic ( or other insulating material ) may be used to provide a cover 536 to increase the insulation on the handle to reduce the touch temperature . similarly , the heating and cooling zones are mounted on plastics ( or other insulating materials ) support structure to reduce heating and ensure that the cover of the apparatus is not too hot to touch in the region of the heating and cooling zones . in all the embodiments , direct contact between two plates is important to achieve efficient heat transfer to the hair . achieving uniform heat up of the entire hair section is important for curl retention . the efficiency of the heat transfer created by two heater plates creates a flow of heat energy into the hair . by the addition of responsive temperature control of this surface , the temperature of hair within the apparatus may then be maintained with the movement of the plates along a hairs section . the movement along the apparatus creates friction and thus there may be a low friction coating on the surfaces of the heating zones and the cooling zones which are in contact with the hair . by contrast , heating hair from a single surface ( or side ) is less efficient and relies on the heat transferring through the hair . however , hair is a good thermal insulator and this process takes time . one disadvantage is that such an apparatus cannot be simply moved along the hair . furthermore , there is a temperature difference across the section of hair within the apparatus and this means that individual hairs within the section may curl different amounts or behave differently . this may create fly always and may additionally cause poor longevity of style . this is because that if the individual hairs are not behaving uniformly , the tighter curling fibres may end up supporting the weight of others and hence drop out more quickly . improved thermal control may be achieved by partitioning the heating zone up into a plurality of independently controllable smaller heating zones , each with their own heater element . such individually controllable heating zones may be arranged along the length of the heater , such that each heating zone heats a different longitudinal section of the heater . this arrangement of heating zones enables the temperature can be controlled dependent on the thickness , quality , condition and / or distribution of hair . in variants , the two heater plates may be formed as a single unit . shaping of such a plate may be possible by either machining or casting them into such a shape , or alternatively shaping a piece of peo coated metal ( such as aluminium ) as set out above . to allow for ambidextrous apparatus operation , the embodiments illustrated are generally symmetrical , with cooling zones arranged either side of the heater zone . this makes styling easy on each side of the head and allows for left or right handed use . it some arrangements however this may not be essential and the cooling members may be placed on one side only to reduce both weight and cost of the apparatus . with cooling members present on only one side ( i . e . to the left or right of the heating zone as viewed ), the hair styling apparatus may be used in one direction to straighten hair , and in the other direction to curl hair or may be rotated between a curling orientation and a straightening orientation as described in relation to fig2 a . no doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person . it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto . throughout the description and claims of this specification , the terms “ styler ” and “ styling apparatus ” are also used interchangeably . the words “ comprise ” and “ contain ” and variations of the words , for example “ comprising ” and “ comprise ”, means “ including but not limited to , and is not intended to ( and does not ) exclude other moieties , additives , components , integers or steps . throughout the description and claims , the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires . in particular , where the indefinite article is used , the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity , unless the context requires otherwise . features , integers , characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect , embodiment or example , of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect , embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith .	0
the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be attached to earth - moving equipment , such as the tractor scraper shown in fig1 . however , it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to use with tractor scrapers , but may also be employed as effectively in a variety of other earth - moving apparatus , such as , for example , dozers , bucket loaders , etc . the earth - moving equipment shown in fig1 includes a tractor 10 and a trailing scraper bowl 12 . the lower edge of the bowl 12 at the forward end 14 is provided with a horizontally - elongated scraper blade 16 , which can be engaged with the underlying terrain by lowering the bowl 12 about a pivot axis defined by the centers of its rear wheels 18 in the conventional manner . the bowl 12 has upstanding sidewalls 22 . the blade 16 extends between the walls 22 . referring to fig2 each sidewall 22 , near the forward end 14 of the bowl , has a downwardly - extending lower edge 30 . along the length of the edge 30 , on each of the sidewalls 22 , a router bit 40 is provided . according to the invention , the router bit 40 is comprised of two parts 42 , 44 . upper part 42 is generally affixed along edge 30 of sidewalls 22 by use of conventional means , such as plow bolts 46 . alternatively , section 42 may also be welded to edge 30 . the lower part 44 , also referred to as an insert , is separable from upper part 42 and may be of equal size to part 42 , through the size of either section may vary depending on the circumstances . referring now to fig3 - 5 , the router bit of this intention is generally in the shape of a parallelogram when installed and includes a lower formed edge portion 48 which forms the forwarded cutting edge of the router bit . as wear takes place in normal usage of the router bit , it generally occurs in the area of the lower portion of vertical face 50 and the forward portion of the lower horizontal face 51 such that the cutting edge gradually becomes rounded and the wear tends to progress towards the rear . the type of wear pattern is typical of any router bit including that of the present invention . in accordance with this invention , the router bit 40 is composed of two parts 42 and 44 , as described , such that the cutting edge 48 is in the lower part or insert 44 . thus , when wear does take place , the lower part 44 of the router bit 40 is replaced , while the upper part 42 remains affixed to the side walls , as described . one of the features of the present invention is the use of interlocking fingers to join the upper and lower parts of the router bit . thus , as shown in fig3 for example , the upper part 42 of the bit 40 includes a plurality of spaced fingers 52 extending generally in the direction of the lower forward edge portion 48 of the bit . between the spaced fingers 52 are finger apertures 53 or portions of finger apertures . the lower part 44 of the bit also includes a plurality of spaced fingers 54 , again with spaced finger apertures 56 therebetween . as seen in fig3 for example , the fingers and finger apertures of both the upper and lower parts of the bit are oriented such that the forces against the router bit , during its use , tend to urge the lower part 44 tightly against the upper part . since the thrust forces are upwardly and rearwardly as shown by arrows in fig3 the lower part 44 is forced upwardly and rearwardly , causing the lower part 44 to be urged upwardly and rearwardly in a locked position against the upper part 42 . to assure that the upper and lower parts 42 , 44 of the bit remain together after assembly on the equipment , the finger surfaces and finger aperture surfaces of each part are formed parallel to the corresponding mating surfaces of the fingers and finger apertures , i . e ., perpendicular to the plane of the router bit as shown , for example , in fig5 . additionally , as mentioned , the fingers and finger apertures are oriented such that the rearward and upward forces generated during use tend to lock the two parts together . lateral movement of one part of the bit relative to the other , i . e ., sidewise movement of the parts , is prevented by a pair of bars 60 and 61 which may , for example be a bent piece of reinforcing rod which is affixed to the fingers 54 of the lower part 44 or each side thereof , as shown in fig5 . as shown , the bars are formed to protect the plow bolts 46 . thus , when the lower part 44 is assembled to the upper part 42 , fingers 52 of the upper part fit into the finger apertures 56 , the latter bounded on each side by a portion 60a and 61a of the bars 60 and 61 , respectively , which are located on each side of each of the finger apertures . when assembled , as seen in fig3 the portions 60a and 61b of the bars overlying the finger apertures 56 operate to prevent sidewise movement of the fingers 52 in the corresponding finger apertures 56 . one convenient way of affixing the bars , which function as side restraint guides to the lower part 44 of the bit 40 is by welding , although other means may be used . while the bars are shown as being affixed to the lower part 44 , they may just as easily be affixed to the upper part and still perform the same essential function . it is preferred , however , that the bars 60 and 61 be affixed to the lower part 44 . since the function of the bars in the present invention is twofold , i . e ., to protect the plow bolts if used , and to prevent sidewise movement of the parts 42 and 44 , it is preferred that the bars be part of the replaceable lower part 44 in order to assure proper protection to the plow bolts . thus , as the bit and the bars are worn during use , there is an advantage to be able easily to replace both at the same time . another feature of this invention is the arrangement by which the upper and lower parts 42 and 44 of the bit are held together in use . while the fingers and finger apertures maintain the parts fixed against upward and rearward movement and the bars prevent lateral or sidewise movement as described , means also are provided to prevent forward movement of the lower part 44 relative to the upper part 42 . referring to fig3 and 4 , at least two lock pins 65 and 66 are used . the lock pins may be in the form of &# 34 ; flex pins &# 34 ; which are separated elongated metal members with a resilient member such as rubber therebetween . the length of the flex pins is about equal to the cross - sectional thickness of the router bit . the flex pins are received in pin apertures 67 and 68 provided between the opposed faces of the sidewalls of the fingers and finger apertures . half of each pin aperture 67a , 68a is formed in the finger and half 67b , 67b in the opposed finger aperture . referring to fig4 the lower part 44 is assembled to the upper part by sliding the lower part from right to left as seen in fig4 i . e ., in the rearward direction . when properly positioned , each half of the respective pin apertures are aligned and the pins are driven in place . the pins are proportioned to provide an interference fit in the apertures and as they are driven into the apertures , the resilient member is compressed and the pin is securely in place . in order to prevent forward movement of the lower part 44 relative to the upper part , the pin apertures 67 and 68 are provided between the tip and base of the fingers , i . e ., half the aperture is provided between the tip and base of finger 52 and the other half is provided between the end and the base of the finger apertures , each portion being located to be aligned when the parts 42 and 44 are assembled . since forward movement of the lower part 44 relative to the upper part involves sliding movement of the fingers relative to the finger apertures , the pins 65 and 66 function to prevent such forward sliding movement . rearward movement is prevented , as described , by the fingers which are bottomed against the base of the corresponding finger holes . as will be apparent from the foregoing , replacement of the router bit in accordance with this invention is comparatively simple compared to prior art router bits . by this invention , only the lower part 44 of the bit is replaced , resulting in a significant savings because the entire router bit , including the unworn portion , is not replaced and discarded . the estimated savings of the replacement insert , i . e ., the lower part , as compared to the entire bit , is about 60 %. further , the comparative simplicity of the replacement operation results in lower maintenance costs both in the actual installation and in the costs of the item replaced . the replacement part is shown in fig5 and is essentially the lower part 44 of the bit , and the locking pins . to replace a worn bit of in accordance with the present invention , the pins are driven out and lower part is moved left to right as shown in fig4 . thereafter the new replacement lower part 44 , shown in fig5 is assembled by moving it right to left as shown in fig4 . the pins are then driven into place , the pins preferably oriented so that the metal ends face forward and to the rear , and replacement is complete . another practical advantage of the router bit of the present invention is the savings in cost and savings in manufacture thereof . in a preferred form , the router bit is formed of metal plate rather than being cast or forged . as compared to a casting or a forging , metal plate is currently less expensive . further , the router bit of this invention is less bulky than the prior art castings which for strength reasons tend to be bulky . in manufacture , the plate may be cut by a tracer torch with an electric eye to provide the parts , as decribed , or merely the lower part . the bars are of reinforcing rod , cut to length , formed and welded in place on the lower part , as described . as will be appreciated , the number , shape and size of the fingers and finger apertures may vary from those described here without departing from the present invention . it is also understood that the size and overall shape of the router bit of this invention may be varied as desired , e . g ., more material at the cutting edge or an extended cutting edge . the router bit of this invention may be welded or bolted in place , as desired . the bars may be secured in place other than by welding . while it is preferred to form the router bit out of plate for present reasons of economy , it may be advantageous to form the parts of the router bit by other fabrication techniques . it will also be apparent that the router bit of the present invention may be sold as a complete assembly for replacement of current prior art bits or as original equipment . it is also apparent that the lower part of the router bit in accordance with this invention also possesses separate utility as a replacement part and may be separately made and sold . an improved quick change replaceable router bit 110 shown in fig6 includes an upper mounting member 112 , which is welded along its upper edge 114 to a portion 116 of a piece of earth - moving machinery . a lower insert member 118 is secured in co - planar relationship to the mounting member 112 by means of side plates 120 , 122 in a manner to be described . the router bit has a forward edge 124 , a rear edge 126 , and lower earth - cutting edge 128 . turning now to fig7 and 8 , the upper mounting member 112 has defined along its lower edge a plurality of downwardly and forwardly extending fingers 130 , between which are defined finger apertures 132 . the lower insert member 118 has defined along its upper edge a second plurality of fingers 134 between which are finger apertures 136 . the fingers 134 extend upwardly and rearwardly and are shaped and configured so as to interlock with the fingers and finger apertures of the upper mounting member 112 as illustrated in dotted lines in fig7 . as best appreciated in fig7 the rearward and upward loads imposed on thr insert 118 force the fingers into tighter interlocking engagement . the insert 118 is retained to the mounting member 112 by a pair of elongated side plates 120 , 122 bolted to the mounting member 112 by means of a series of mounting bolts 138 which extend through holes 142 in the mounting member 112 and aligned with holes 144 in the side plates each bolt being secured by a corresponding nut 140 . each side plate 120 , 122 has a long upper edge 146 and a long lower edge 148 which may be parallel with the upper edge . the length of the side plates desirably extends across all of the interlocking fingers of the insert and mounting member i . e ., from front to rear of the router bit , and the width of each side plate desirably at least covers the interlocked fingers 130 , 134 . it will be understood that while it is preferable to mount the side plates to the permamently attached mounting member 112 , it is possible to construct a quick - change router bit with the side plates mounted to the insert 118 . turning now to fig9 it is seen that the side plates 120 and 122 seen edge - on from the front of the router bit are crowned or bowed in a vertical direction , that is , between the upper edge 146 and lower edge 148 . the plates are otherwise straight along their long dimension , i . e ., from front to rear of the router bit . the side plates are therefore concavely curved on the side facing the mounting member and the insert . the plates are preferably cut so as to form well - defined corners 150 at the intersection between the upper and lower edge surfaces 146 , 148 and the concave inner surfaces of the side plates . these corners 150 desirably extend the full length of the upper and lower edges of the side plates . the side plates are fastened to the mounting member 112 by means of the mounting bolts and nuts 138 , 140 , respectively , which extend through bolt holes 144 situated generally midway between the upper and lower edges 146 , 148 . when the mounting bolts are tightened , inward pressure is applied to the corners 150 , causing the relatively sharp corner lines along the lower edges 148 of the side plates to bite into the side surfaces of the lower insert 118 . the corner lines 150 slant upwardly in a forward direction so as to lie generally transversely to the direction of disengagement between the insert 118 and the mounting member 112 . this direction of disengagement is generally suggested by the dotted lines in fig8 connecting the fingers 134 of the insert 118 to corresponding finger apertures 132 of the mounting member 112 . the angle of the corner lines 150 relative to the direction of the interlocking fingers 132 , 134 may fall within a relatively wide range . maximum retention of the insert by the clamping action of the side plates will be obtained when the corner lines 150 lie perpendicular to the direction of the interlocking fingers 132 , 134 . departures from such a perpendicular relationship will normally provide adequate retaining force through a relatively wide range of angles . all components of the quick change replaceable router can be made by cutting relatively inexpensive flat sheet stock , such as steel plate . further , plate of similar thickness may be used for all components to minimize cost and complexity of of manufacture . the various parts may be flame cut by means of photocell guided automatic cutting torches . it will be appreciated that no welding of parts is required except for attachment of the mounting member 112 to a particular piece of earth - moving equipment . the crowning of the side plates 120 , 122 may be accomplished with the aid of a press or any other suitable method . the bolt holes may be drilled with conventional drills , or may be flame cut with a torch . it will , thus , be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes , modifications and alterations may be made to the router bit herein disclosed , or to parts thereof , or to the method of making the same without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims .	8
with reference to fig1 , which shows a typical prior art system , a nozzle 2 , manifold 3 , and pressure pad 4 create a compression packet 5 between mold plates 6 and back plate 7 . such systems are designed to have a cold gap between the nozzle 2 and the manifold 3 of typically 0 . 000 ″ to 0 . 003 ″ ( inches ), or as high as 0 . 012 ″ in some cases . the term “ cold gap ,” as used herein , refers to the distance between the nozzle 2 and the manifold 3 at about room temperature . the typical nozzle / manifold assembly has an axial thermal expansion of 0 . 007 ″- 0 . 017 ″ when heated to an operating temperature , usually around 400 ° f .- 600 ° f . consequently , substantial pressure forces are exerted on the manifold assembly steels and on to the mold plates and the fasteners securing them . a detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention follows , with reference to the sectional views of fig6 and 7 . a manifold 10 , located in a pocket 12 of a mold plate 14 and backed by a pressure pad 11 secured to a back plate 15 ( or to manifold 10 , securing means not shown ), has an outlet hole 16 directing the flow of molten plastic to a nozzle 18 extending through a pocket 20 of mold plate 14 . the system is described herein with reference to one such nozzle ; however , it should be understood that a plurality of nozzles may be in use with the manifold and mold plates , as necessitated by the scope of the application . a portion 22 of manifold 10 adjacent to nozzle 18 has an annular groove 22 a concentric with outlet hole 16 , the inner surface of this annular groove being a cylindrical centering surface 24 , while the outer surface of the annular groove has a threaded portion 26 . the system further comprises a bushing 28 and a centering support ring 30 . bushing 28 has a protrusion 32 threadably connected to manifold 10 via thread 26 and centered about axis x - x of outlet hole 16 by the cylindrical surface 24 . the cylindrical surface 24 not only centers the bushing 28 , but also serves to protect thread 26 from seizing laterally , which might otherwise occur due to lateral movement of the manifold during opertion . bushing 28 further has a flange 34 and a collar 36 having an inner shoulder portion 38 . outer surface of collar 36 is shaped to allow easy torquing ( as necessary for installation of bushing 28 into manifold 10 via thread 26 ), having a pair or series of opposing flat surfaces , such as , for example , a hexagonal or an octagonal shape . pocket 20 of mold plate 14 , having axis y - y as shown in fig6 , has a lead - in portion 40 , a centering cylindrical portion 42 , and a clearance portion 44 . the centering cylindrical portion 42 terminates at its bottom ( in fig6 ) end at a shoulder 42 a . lead - in portion 40 may be of conical shape , or a combination of conical and cylindrical surfaces such as that shown in fig6 , where the cylindrical lead - in portion is of larger diameter than the centering cylindrical portion 42 , in order to allow easy insertion of support ring 30 into the pocket . cylindrical portion 42 thus centers support ring 30 about axis y - y of pocket 20 . an inner cylindrical portion 46 of support ring 30 , concentric with cylindrical portion 42 , further centers nozzle 18 along axis y - y . as can be further seen in fig6 , bushing 28 and portion 22 of manifold 10 form a packet 48 centered about axis x - x of outlet hole 16 , while nozzle 18 and support ring 30 form a packet 50 centered about axis y - y of pocket 20 of mold plate 14 . the system is designed with a preset lateral misalignment of axes x - x and y - y in cold ( i . e . room temperature ) condition ( shown exaggerated for clarity in fig7 a , which is seen from the direction perpendicular to fig6 ), the two axes aligning as the system reaches operating temperature . the nozzle system of fig6 has a preload at interfaces 52 ( between manifold 10 and nozzle 18 ) and 54 ( between shoulder of nozzle 18 and inner shoulder of bushing 28 ), and a cold gap at interfaces 56 ( between bushing 28 and support ring 30 ) and 58 ( between support ring 30 and shoulder 42 a ). the size of the cold gap varies with the application , being dependent on the thermal growth of the manifold thickness , such that the gap is reduced to zero at operating temperature . as an example , the system may have a preload of 0 . 001 ″ to 0 . 003 ″ when fully heated . while the forces resulting from the high preloads of conventional systems are transferred to mold plates and their fasteners , putting them under considerable strain , the present design transfers forces ( of much smaller preloads , as explained above ) from manifold 10 , to shoulder of nozzle 18 , to inner shoulder 38 of bushing 28 , and back onto the manifold through flange 34 of bushing 28 , thus not subjecting the mold plates to unnecessary forces , consequently extending the life of the mold . furthermore , as the nozzle assembly is installed by threading bushing 28 into the manifold and torquing until flange 34 is in firm contact with the manifold at interface 64 according to proper torquing methods , the preload pressure at interfaces 52 and 54 creates a mechanical seal , preventing plastic leaks even if the injection process were to start prematurely , before reaching full operating temperature . even if plastic were to leak at interface 52 , the mechanical seals at interfaces 54 and 64 would prevent it from reaching the mold plate pocket , which is a common problem of conventional systems , where plastic leaks may fill up the mold plate pockets , damaging nozzle heaters and causing extensive downtime , resulting in costly repairs . the nozzle system disclosed herein provides a pre - set , fully controlled pre - loaded system . prior art systems start anywhere from zero to 0 . 003 ″ gap at ambient temperature , while at operating temperatures the system could load to 0 . 017 ″ and higher , putting considerable compression strain on the mold steels . the system disclosed herein , on the other hand , allows the pre - loads to be set mechanically at ambient temperature , and maintains those pre - loads at operating temperatures . the loads caused by thermal expansion of mold components are now prevented from being transferred to the mold steels . in more detail , as bushing 28 is hand - torqued into the annular groove 22 a of manifold 10 , the inner shoulder portion 38 ( of collar 36 of bushing 28 ) compresses nozzle 18 against manifold 10 . at this stage , there is a pre - set gap between flange 34 of bushing 28 and manifold 10 at interface 64 . as the desired amount of torque is further applied with a torque wrench , the inner shoulder portion 38 distorts , causing flange 34 to deflect and close the gap . thus , the portion of bushing 28 projecting outwardly from the face of the manifold ( i . e . collar 36 , inner shoulder portion 38 , and flange 34 ) in effect becomes a high - tension spring , holding constant tension on the nozzle against the manifold , thus applying the appropriate preloads mechanically ( i . e . without the need to bring the system to operating temperature ). the size of the gap at interface 64 is tightly toleranced , chosen to achieve the adequate amount of mechanical preload at interfaces 52 and 54 in cold condition . it should be noted that protrusion 32 of bushing 28 is not in contact with the manifold at the top of the groove 22 a ; there is a small gap between these elements ( somewhat visible in fig6 ). thus , the flange 34 abutting the manifold 10 at 64 , and not the protrusion 32 abutting the manifold , limits how far the bushing 28 can be threaded into the annular groove 22 a . the mechanical preloads of the system described herein allow cold start - ups without danger of leaks . a drawback of conventional systems is that they rely on axial thermal expansion of components to achieve sealing against plastic leaks . if the injection process is started before reaching full operating temperature , the system is likely to leak as the cold gaps are not fully closed . the system described herein eliminates this problem by having mechanical preloads pre - set in cold condition , as explained above . in conventional systems of multi - cavity applications , if there is a problem with one of the cavities , it is common practice to shut off its nozzle heater , resulting in a cold nozzle , i . e . a different preload on one nozzle compared to the other nozzles , which may cause leaks and flashing . similarly , if a nozzle heater burns out without the mold operator noticing , there is danger of plastic leaks . however , the mechanically set and held preloads of the system described herein prevent flashing even if a nozzle changes temperature for any reason . a further advantage is extended life . as mentioned previously , a typical nozzle / manifold assembly can have a thermal axial expansion as high as 0 . 017 ″ when heated to operating temperature . this results in high compressive loads on the steels of the mold plates and manifold , the manifold being susceptible to hobbing between nozzles and pressure pads , sometimes leading to indentations so large they are visible with the naked eye . such wear shows that prior art systems have a greater chance of leakage as time progresses . the current system , with a zero gap or a preload of 0 . 001 ″ to 0 . 003 ″ when fully heated , will have a considerably longer life than conventional systems . further features and benefits of the system described herein include the preloaded seal at interface 64 via flange 34 , the preload force being calculated such that it retains nozzle 18 in place and seals it , but all along allowing the manifold to expand laterally so that axes x - x and y - y become aligned at operating temperature . the dimension of the cylindrical centering surface 24 compared to the inner diameter of protrusion 32 is such that when there is lateral movement of the manifold , it doesn &# 39 ; t subject thread 26 to extreme forces , preventing lateral seizing of the threads . the combination of all dimensional tolerances and cold gaps , according to some embodiments , allows the system to have growth of only 0 . 001 ″ to 0 . 003 ″ subjected on the manifold and mold plates , thus eliminating excessive hobbing on manifold . as mentioned above , cold start - up leakage and heater failure leakage are prevented . a further advantage of the present design is that it allows shipment of pre - assembled hot runner systems to customers , and easy on - site installation into molds . although not shown in the figures , the nozzles can be provided with pre - installed and pre - wired heaters , and with nozzle tips suited to the specific application . a further feature of this system allows for easy nozzle tip change without removal of the nozzle from the hot runner system . as shown in fig6 , a pair of dowels 60 , fixedly attached to manifold 10 in the embodiment shown , project into clearance pockets 62 of nozzle 18 . pockets 62 are shaped to allow the relative motion caused by thermal expansion of the manifold relative to the nozzles as explained above ( in the direction perpendicular to the page in fig6 , left and right in fig7 and 7 a ), but preventing nozzle 18 from rotating about axis y - y as the nozzle tip ( not shown ) is threadably disengaged or re - engaged into front end 68 of the nozzle , to deliver the flow of molten plastic into the molding cavity . any suitable designs of nozzle tips may be used with the nozzle system described above , such as those disclosed in applicant &# 39 ; s u . s . pat . nos . 7 , 207 , 795 ; 7 , 329 , 117 ; and 7 , 413 , 431 , all of which are incorporated by reference herein . although not shown in the figures , it should be understood that dowels 60 may alternatively be fixedly secured to nozzle 18 , and pockets 62 may be accordingly provided in portion 22 of manifold 10 . a brief description of an alternative embodiment of the invention follows with reference to fig1 . this embodiment additionally includes a puck 128 centered into a manifold 110 by a cylindrical surface 124 ( concentric with a manifold outlet hole 116 having an axis x 1 - x 1 ) and secured to manifold 110 by way of a thread 126 . puck 128 extends beyond the face of manifold 110 , its protrusion having an outer thread 127 . a collar bushing 136 , having an inner shoulder portion 138 , is threadably secured to puck 128 via thread 127 until collar bushing 136 is torqued firmly against manifold 110 at interface 164 according to proper torquing methods . a nozzle 118 and a centering support ring 130 ( similar to those shown in the first embodiment ) complete the nozzle assembly . support ring 130 is centered along axis y 1 - y 1 of mold plate pocket 120 by a cylindrical centering portion 142 of the mold plate pocket . nozzle 118 is in turn centered along axis y 1 - y 1 via an inner cylindrical surface 146 of support ring 130 . this system has a preload at interfaces 152 ( between puck 128 and nozzle 118 ) and 154 ( between shoulder of nozzle 118 and inner shoulder portion 138 of collar bushing 136 ), and a cold gap at interfaces 156 ( between puck 128 and centering support ring 130 ) and 158 ( between centering support ring 130 and the bottom of the mold plate pocket ). as can be further seen in fig1 , puck 128 and collar bushing 136 , together with portion 122 of manifold 110 adjacent the nozzle , form a packet 148 centered about axis x 1 - x 1 of outlet hole 116 , while nozzle 118 and support ring 130 form a packet 150 , centered about axis y 1 - y 1 of pocket 120 of mold plate 114 . as the system is brought to operating temperature , axes x 1 - x 1 and y 1 - y 1 align , while the thermal expansion of the components achieves axial preload , effectively sealing against plastic leaks ( puck 128 being outfitted with a seal ring 170 behind the thread , as an added measure ). with the exception of the differences presented above , this system is similar to the previous embodiment , and will therefore not be described in more detail . it will be appreciated that prior art designs suffer from a loss of alignment : the nozzle is in contact with the cooled mold plate at one end , and threadably secured to the expanding manifold at the opposite end , such that lateral thermal expansion of the manifold causes the nozzle axis to deflect at mold heat - up . a further challenge caused by such deflection is that nozzles threaded into the manifold must have a minimum length in order to allow axial deflection without snapping , minimum lengths usually being around 5 . 5 ″- 6 . 0 ″. the present design , allowing relative motion between packets 48 and 50 ( or 148 and 150 ) as explained above , prevents the lateral thermal expansion of the manifold from deflecting the nozzle axis , thus posing no limitations on the shortness of nozzles allowed , therefore resulting in more compact stack sizes .	1
an exemplary application of a pump station 10 with which the present invention may be used is illustrated in fig1 with an embodiment of the present invention . in the illustrated application , a suitable pump 12 is driven by a suitable motor 14 to propel the applicable fluid ( such as water or wastewater ) through a check valve 18 and , for example , a plug valve 20 . the check valve 18 includes a check valve arm or handle 24 which is pivotably connected to the check valve 18 whereby the check valve arm 24 will pivot responsive to a change in condition of the valve 18 ( e . g ., between open and closed conditions ). as illustrated in fig1 , the check valve arm 24 is in a substantially horizontal position with the check valve 18 in a closed position . the valve 18 may be manually opened by counterclockwise pivoting of the check valve arm 24 . moreover , when the pump 12 is operating properly and is pumping fluid through the check valve 18 so as to force it open , the check valve arm 24 will be similarly pivoted automatically due to the force of the pumped fluid . suitable conduit , including additional valves ( not shown ), may be connected to the plug valve 20 to carry the pumped fluid as desired to locations outside the pumping station 10 such as is well known . a suitable tilt switch 30 is secured to the check valve arm 24 , as better illustrated in fig2 - 3 . specifically , a mounting bracket 40 is suitably secured to the check valve arm 24 as best seen in fig3 . the advantageous illustrated bracket 40 includes a short leg 42 and a long leg 44 connected on their bottom ends by a bottom leg 46 , whereby the three legs 42 , 44 , 46 are in a generally “ j ” configuration . the bottom leg 46 is sufficiently long to space the short and long legs 42 , 44 apart a sufficient distance so that the check valve arm 24 will fit between them with some room to spare . a support arm 50 is connected to the upper end of the long leg 44 and extends therefrom in the same direction as the bottom leg 46 so that a portion 52 of the support arm 50 faces the bottom leg 46 . further , the support arm 50 is spaced from the short leg 42 by a sufficient distance so that the check valve arm 24 will fit between the two ( 46 , 50 ) during assembly . both the short leg 42 and the support arm 50 include screw holes receiving set screws 56 , 58 extending toward the facing legs ( long leg 44 for the short leg 42 and bottom leg 46 for the support arm 50 ). as illustrated in fig3 , the set screws 56 , 58 may be screwed in ( toward the facing legs 44 , 46 ) so as to bias against the check valve arm 24 and at least frictionally secure the check valve arm 24 between each set screw 56 , 58 and its facing leg 44 , 46 . the legs 42 , 44 , 46 may advantageously have a configuration ( their depth in fig3 , their width in fig2 ) which matches the engaged check valve arm 24 , in which case the engaged surfaces and frictional engagement may be maximized . thus , when used to attach to a check valve arm which is , for example , cylindrical , the bottom leg may be a matching semi - cylindrical shape whereby the short , bottom and long legs would form a more classic “ j ” shape . moreover , the set screws 56 , 58 may be advantageously oriented at right angles as shown in fig3 , whereby the bracket 40 may be rigidly secured to the check valve arm 24 in all directions of possible motion . suitable hex nuts 60 , 62 or the like may be provided with each set screw 56 , 58 to secure the set screws 56 , 58 in place when they are suitably tightened against the check valve arm 24 to secure the bracket 40 thereon as described . it should be appreciated that this bracket 40 may be quickly , easily and reliable securely mounted on the check valve arm 24 such that the bracket 40 position will strictly follow the position of the check valve arm 24 . the support arm 50 also includes a connecting flange 70 which is oriented ( when the bracket 40 is mounted to the check valve arm 24 ) in a generally vertical direction and includes a hole 72 which is cylindrical about an axis 74 extending substantially perpendicular to the connecting flange 70 . a mounting plate 78 is secured to the connecting flange 70 via a suitable pivot screw 80 and nut 82 . as discussed in greater detail hereafter , the mounting plate 78 may be pivoted in a substantially vertical plane about the pivot screw 80 to a desired upright mounted orientation , after which it may be secured in that orientation by tightening of the pivot screw 80 and nut 82 . suitable lock washers 84 may also be provided to assist in maintaining the mounting plate 78 in the desired orientation even if bumped from time to time while mounted . rigidly secured to the mounting plate 78 is a switch box 86 which includes the tilt switch 30 , a switch position indicator such as a light emitting diode ( led ) 88 , and a suitable wire connector as discussed in greater detail hereafter in connection with fig4 and 5 a - c . a wire connector 92 is also included with the switch box 86 , which may be suitably connected with a wire plug 94 . as illustrated diagrammatically in fig3 , the wire plug 94 may be connected by a suitable wire or cable 96 to a suitable pump controller 98 connected to a pump operation alarm 99 , as also described in greater detail hereafter in connection with fig4 and 5 a - c . referring now to fig4 and 5 a - c , the wire connector 92 is illustrated diagrammatically as having 4 - pins 100 , 102 , 104 , 106 . the led 88 is connected in a circuit 110 connected to two of the pins 100 , 102 and the tilt switch 30 is connected in a circuit 112 to the other two pins 104 , 106 . the connector 92 is connectable to a selected wire plug 94 depending on the application . three different wire plugs 94 a , 94 b , 94 c are diagrammatically illustrated in fig5 a , 5 b , and 5 c , respectively . the wire plug 94 a illustrated in fig5 a may be used to create a battery circuit . that is , terminals 120 and 126 are connected to a circuit 130 with a battery 132 ( e . g ., a 3 volt battery ), and terminals 122 , 124 are connected together . wire plug 94 a may be connected to the connector 92 whereby pins 100 , 102 , 104 , 106 connect to terminals 120 , 122 , 124 , 126 , respectively , thereby forming a single closed circuit in which the battery 132 provides power through the tilt switch 30 and the led 88 . it should therefore be appreciated that when the tilt switch 30 is oriented so as to be closed , the led 88 visible right on the switch box 86 will be illuminated . the plc wire plug 94 b illustrated in fig5 b is similar to that in fig5 a , except that the terminals 140 , 142 , 144 , 146 when connected to the connector pins 100 , 102 , 104 , 106 may form a closed circuit via wiring to the programmable control logic ( pcl ) of a controller 98 b . thus , with this wire plug 94 b , a first wire 150 may be connected to the pcl , and a second wire 152 to ground . since the pcl is typically low voltage , the led 88 may be advantageously included in the circuit to continuously provide a switch position indication without being damaged . the relay logic wire plug 94 c illustrated in fig5 c may be used with a controller 98 c with a relay logic . in this case , only two terminals 164 , 166 are used , with one connected to a wire 170 connected to ground and the other connected to a wire 172 connected to the relay logic . since such a relay logic typically operates at 120 v , the led 88 is not included in the circuit , as such voltage would damage the led 88 . it should now be understood that the above wire plugs 94 a - c can be selectively and advantageously used as follows . the bracket 40 is first secured to a check valve arm 24 as previously described , whereby the connecting flange 70 is oriented in a generally vertical direction . the mounting plate 78 is loosely connected to the connecting flange 70 via the pivot screw 80 and nut 82 so that it can be pivoted around the axis 72 . with the check valve arm 24 in a position corresponding to the check valve 18 being closed , the mounting plate 78 is properly positioned as follows . either the battery plug 94 a or the plc plug 94 b ( if a plc controller 98 a is being used ) is connected to the connector 92 , thereby creating a powered circuit through both the led 88 and the tilt switch 30 as previously described . the mounting plate 78 is then pivoted in the substantially vertical plane about the pivot screw 80 as previously described to a position in which the tilt switch 30 is closed , as will be indicated by the steady lighting of the led 88 . in that position , the pivot screw 80 and nut 82 are tightened whereby the mounting plate 78 will be securely held on the connecting flange 70 of the bracket 40 . if a plc plug 94 b was used , installation at that point will be complete . if a battery plug 94 a was used , it may then be removed and connected to a suitable plug 94 b , 94 c connected to the appropriate controller 98 b , 98 c . the controller 98 b , 98 c may then function normally to operate the pump 12 . whenever the pump 12 is operating normally , the check valve 18 will be open , causing the check valve arm 24 to pivot from the closed position ( e . g ., the horizontal position indicated in fig1 - 3 ). when the check valve arm 24 is pivoted from the closed position , the mounting plate 78 and tilt switch 30 connected thereto will also be pivoted to a different orientation , causing the tilt switch 30 to open . this will cause the circuit through the wiring to the programmable control logic ( pcl ) of controller 98 b or to the relay logic controller 98 c to open , which the controller 98 b or 98 c may be suitably programmed to recognize as an indication the pump 12 is not operating properly . in such a situation , the controller 98 b or 98 c may be further programmed to activate the alarm 99 to indicate improper operation of the pump 12 . the alarm 99 may be any suitable indicator such as may draw the attention of a user to the detected pump condition , such as a bell , buzzer , light , generated message for a computer monitor , etc ., depending on the pump station 10 . operation of the controller 98 b or 98 c could additionally be changed responsive to such a condition by , for example , shutting down power to the pump 12 , activating backup pumps , etc . it should be appreciated that the above described invention may also be advantageously used in other applications . for example , at pumping stations , detectors broadly incorporating the present invention may be used to detect when a cover of a well mounted pump station has been lifted ( indicating possible unauthorized entry ) or to actuate a blower responsive to detection of the lifting of an entrance lid to a below grade pump station , in addition to detecting pump failures as already described . still other aspects , objects , and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the specification , the drawings , and the appended claims . it should be understood , however , that the present invention could be used in alternate forms where less than all of the objects and advantages of the present invention and preferred embodiment as described above would be obtained .	8
as shown in the attached drawings , the invention provides a flexible support that is depicted in fig7 , which , for purposes of description but in no way limiting the scope of the invention thereto , is represented with a square shape , the support consisting in a shaped piece of a flexible material such as rubber , silicone , neoprene , mixtures thereof or similar materials , preferably obtained by molding , the support being provided with a side engagement system ( 6 ) and side support guides or tabs ( 7 ), which ensure the positioning of the facing plate to be held by the flexible support . these guides have the dual function of contributing to full fastening and accurate positioning of the facing that will be held thereat and of providing the interconnection between the support - facing assemblies on the side engagement portions of the piece to be installed in one or more of its sides . this side interconnection feature is also responsible for the self - alignment of the system on installation , thus obviating any requirement of external guide means and spacers between pieces . the shape of the flexible support may be varied to conform to the shape of the facing plates available in the market , and the upper and lower parts of the flexible support may be continuous or optionally they may be provided in the form of a series of hollow insertions . the flexible support is represented , for purposes of description thereof , in its preferred form , a square polygon , with supporting guides ( 7 ) provided on each side of the flexible support , and the flexible support may be provided in a form combining one or more supports together forming an assembly as shown in fig6 . the installation should be performed on a clean substrate , devoid of dust , oil or any substance that might prevent adequate bonding of the adhesive used for fastening the flexible bases , and the substrate should also be evened out to a level surface and should have sufficient mechanical strength to meet its use requirements , it should be homogenous in terms of its physical characteristics , devoid of fissures , water seepage or infiltrations and other apparent defects that might entail damage to the system . if the surface intended to be overlaid is excessively uneven , it might be convenient to cover the paving with a level adjustment layer . if necessary , depending on the area to be overlaid , the flexible coatings may be previously cut to measure for the project . upon there having been checked the conditions of the substrate , there is started the installation , where the flexible support and the facing should be previously attached to one another making up an integral assembly , whereupon the assembly comprising the flexible support and the facing , with the underside thereof coated with a film of adhesive , is laid on the substrate , as shown in fig1 and 2 . continuing the installation , the remaining assemblies comprised of flexible support and overlay facing are installed such as to fit laterally with one of the edges of the previously installed piece , and in such way as to avoid lateral coincidence of the guides of the flexible supports of the respective assemblies at the time of installation of the second one . after laying each assembly there should be applied a light pressure on the facing side to ensure adequate attachment of the binding adhesive provided on the underside thereof onto the substrate , and such laying routine should be performed throughout the area intended to be furnished with the overlay . immediately upon completing the laying of the assemblies there should be started the step of application of tight sealing paste to the joints located between the assemblies and between the assemblies and the substrates and / or any existing columns . prior to beginning of application of the sealing paste there should be made sure that the joints to be filled are clean , devoid of dust , oil or any substance that might prevent proper adherence of the paste . the sealing paste is applied diagonally in relation to the joints , over small areas , with the help of a putty knife or spatula or a dispensing gun of the type used to apply silicone sealant , as shown in fig3 . the paste placed at the surface of the joint should be manually pressed into filling the joint along the entire length thereof and any excess paste should be removed immediately after application . upon the application and partial setting of the applied paste , the surface areas of the facing to the sides of the joints should be cleaned with a clean , slightly wet cloth , moving the cloth smoothly over the surfaces . upon cleaning the side areas , the place where the system was applied should be completely cleaned and isolated for a time sufficient to allow full setting and stabilization of the system , prior to beginning to use the same as intended . the replacement of the system should begin by cutting the flexible grout with a stylus or a similar tool , at the region intended to be replaced as shown in fig9 . the incision should be made longitudinally along the joint , taking care to restrict the incision to a shallow depth and to avoid disrupting the flexible substrate . upon cutting the sealing paste , the facing plate is withdrawn , in the case of a partial replacement operation , or the whole assembly is withdrawn in case of integral replacement of the system . in both cases it is necessary to detach the part intended to be removed , using a lever or a sucking device , as shown in fig1 and 11 . upon removal and substitution of the facing overlays , as shown in fig1 and 13 , there should be performed the cleaning of the surface to be newly overlaid to avoid any accumulation of foreign matter or residue of the previously used adhesive . there should be pointed out that the binding strength of the adhesive used on the underside of the flexible support is higher that that of the internal adhesive , applied on the upper face of the flexible support , which fastens the facing overlay to the upper face of the flexible support , factor facilitating partial removal of the system without the risk of damaging the attachment of the flexible support to the substrate . finally , there should be performed the filling of the edges between the facing overlays , using a flexible and tight sealing paste , as shown in fig3 . one first modality would consist in the system comprising channels to receive electrical wiring , as shown in fig4 , using the flexible support provided with transversal channels ( 4 ) machined on the surface of the supports to allow the passage of electrical wiring . the use of this modality allows the transmission of electrical , optical and voice communication signals and electrical resistors for heating and other purposes along circuitry installed beneath the facing overlays , and it further allows maintenance or change of points of reception or generation of the signals or charges without the need to destroy the facings . one other modality of the system disclosed herein allows the use thereof as a supporting means for decorative elements , as shown in fig5 , with use of complementary parts for decorative purposes ( 5 ). these parts are carried by flexible supports having the same properties of the regular supports , however with shapes allowing the inclusion of mosaics , triangles , bands , strips and other surface decoration elements . in fig6 there is shown one other modality of the flexible support in a combination version ( single piece ), allowing simultaneous installation of more than one facing overlay . this optional application of the system is ideal for large areas of installation of regular facing overlays without decorative complements or other constructive details . in fig8 there is shown in a perspective view the operation performed to cut the facing plate and the support for performance of finishing work , cutouts and details , allowing the system of the present invention to be adapted to the flooring intended to be applied , irrespective of the area to be covered . notwithstanding the cut made as shown in fig8 , the guides maintain a substantial level of uniformity in the support - facing assembly to be installed . although the present invention was described in terms of a presently preferred embodiment hereof , there should be understood that such embodiment is not intended to be construed as limitative in regard of the same , and that changes and modifications hereto will be apparent to persons skilled in the art in light of the benefit provided by the preceding description . as such , the invention may be limited solely by the scope of the claims that follow .	1
fig1 is a schematic view of a periphery exposing apparatus embodying the present invention . a wafer 2 , transported along an unillustrated wafer transport path , is supported by suction on a turntable 1 , at a position where the center of the wafer substantially coincides with that of the turntable ( said centers need not coincide exactly but may be mutually offset within a certain distance ). said turntable 1 , supporting the wafer 2 thereon , is rotated at a predetermined speed by a motor 3 . an irradiating unit 4 , positioned above the peripheral portion of the wafer 2 , is given exposing light from a light source 5 through a light guide lg . the light source 5 need not be positioned close to the irradiating unit 4 but may be positioned in any conveniently available space . the irradiating unit 4 is provided with a diaphragm 7 , for limiting the exposing light beam 6 , actinic to the photoresist on the wafer 2 , to a predetermined shape . a light receiving unit 8 , composed of a position sensor or a silicon photodiode , is positioned opposite to the irradiating unit 4 , across the peripheral portion of the wafer 2 , and is adapted to receive , through an inclined beam splitter 9 , a part of the exposing light beam 6 of which the remaining part is intercepted by the peripheral edge portion of the wafer 2 or a light shield plate to be explained later . the edge 12 of the wafer 2 or of the light shield plate 12 ( reference edge 12a ) is detected , based on a photoelectric signal from said light receiving unit 8 . between the light receiving unit 8 and the wafer 2 , there is provided the beam splitter 9 for transmitting a part and reflecting the remaining part , of the light of the beam 6 which is not intercepted by the wafer 2 or light shield plate 12 and which is directed toward the light receiving unit 8 . said beam splitter 9 reflects a part of the exposing light beam toward the rear face of the peripheral portion of the wafer 2 , thereby exposing the photoresist deposited on said rear face . the irradiating unit 4 and the light receiving unit 8 are integrally fixed on a driving unit 10 , which is rendered movable in the radial direction of the wafer 2 ( radially from the center of rotation of the turntable 1 ) by a motor 11 , for example through a feed screw . the light shield plate 12 is fixed at substantially the same height as the wafer 2 and within the movable range of the driving unit 10 , in order to intercept a part of the exposing light beam 6 from the irradiating unit 4 when said unit 4 and the light receiving unit 8 are moved to a position separate from the wafer 2 . the light shield plate 12 is provided with a reference edge 12a , for patially intercepting the exposing light beam 6 , substantially parallel to the edge of the wafer 2 . for detecting the position of the driving unit 10 , there is provided a position detector 13 , composed for example of an encoder , a position scale or an interferometer . the measuring range of said position detector 13 may cover the entire moving stroke of the driving unit 10 , or may cover a range in the vicinity of the position where the exposing light beam irradiates the light shield plate 12 . now reference is made to fig2 for explaining the structure of the light receiving unit 8 and its positional relationship to the exposing light beam 6 and the light shield plate 12 . the light receiving unit 8 is composed of a photosensor 8a having light receiving faces extended in the moving direction of the driving unit 10 , a pinhole - shaped edge sensor 8b , and a photosensor 8c positioned farthest from the light shield plate 12 . the photosensor 8a generates a photoelectric signal se of a level corresponding to the amount of light reaching the light receiving unit 8 without being intercepted by the light shield plate 12 or the wafer 2 , while the photosensor 8c generates a photoelectric signal c of a level constantly corresponding to the intensity of the exposing light beam 6 . the edge sensor 8b generates a photoelectric signal b which assumes a high level when the edge 12a is positioned within a distance l from the front ( wafer ) side end of the exposing light beam , but becomes substantially zero when said edge is outside said distance l , thereby detecting the position of the reference edge 12a of the plate 12 or the edge of the wafer 2 . the light receiving unit 8 receives the exposing light beam 6 with a fixed relative relationship , as illustrated . thus the front end of the exposing light beam 6 and the edge sensor 8b have a predetermined distance l , so that an exposure width l is obtained on the light shield plate 12 or on the wafer 2 when said light shield plate 12 or wafer 2 intrudes into the exposing light beam to a point that it intercepts the light entering the edge sensor 8b . in order to adjust the exposure width to an arbitrary value l , the driving unit 10 is moved by an amount corresponding to l - l from a reference position for the exposure width l , according to the position detection by position detector 13 . then the exposing light beam 6 is emitted to thus obtain said arbitrary exposure width l on the light shield plate 12 , and the signal se obtained from the light receiving unit 8 in this state is stored as a servo reference signal sb in a periphery exposure control unit 14 . the above - explained structure is required in a calibrating operation to be explained later . fig3 is a block diagram of the entire control system of the periphery exposure apparatus embodying the present invention . the light receiving unit 8 receives the exposing light beam 6 , coming from the irradiating unit 4 and not intercepted by the light shield plate 12 or wafer 2 , and sends a detection signal se , of a level corresponding to the amount of received light , to the periphery exposure control unit 14 . the light receiving unit 8 also sends a photoelectric signal b to a signal processing unit 30 , upon detecting the reference edge 12a of the shield plate 12 or the edge of the wafer 2 . in response to said photoelectric signal b , the signal processing unit 30 sends an edge detection signal e to a calibrating operation control unit 16 . said unit 16 , receiving said edge detection signal e , a position signal sp ( corresponding to an exposure width l &# 39 ; to be explained later ) from the position detector 13 and data d1 from the periphery exposure control unit 14 relating to the necessary peripheral exposure area ( set exposure width l ), generates a rotation control signal g for a motor 11 and a memory control signal m for causing the periphery exposure control unit 14 to store the detection signal se from the light receiving unit 8 as a reference signal . the periphery exposure control unit 14 receives the data d1 relating to the necessary peripheral exposure area ( set exposure width l ), data d2 relating to the appropriate exposure amount , data d3 on the on / off state of the light source 5 ( or a shutter provided therein ), the detection signal se from the light receiving unit 8 and the memory control signal m for storing said detection signal se as the servo reference signal ( target value ) sb , the unit 14 also generates a speed signal st for a rotation control system 17 , a deviation signal sd for a servo control unit 15 , data d1 for the calibrating operation control unit 16 , and data d3 for the light source 5 . the rotation control unit 17 , for rotating the wafer , receives the speed signal st on the rotating speed from the periphery exposure control unit 14 and drives the motor 3 , thereby rotating the turntable 1 . a tachogenerator tg effects feedback of a signal , corresponding to the rotating speed of the motor 3 to the rotation control system 17 , thereby achieving the rotation of the turntable 1 constantly at a controlled speed . the servo control unit 15 receives , from the periphery exposure control unit 14 , a deviation signal sd representing the difference between the target signal level memorized as the reference signal sb and the signal level from the light receiving unit 8 , and sends a servo drive signal ss to the motor 11 . said motor 11 drives the drive unit 10 according to said servo drive signal ss in the periphery exposure operation , or according to a control signal g from the calibrating operation control unit 16 in the calibrating operation . the drive unit 10 integrally moves the irradiating unit 4 and the light receiving unit 8 by means of the motor 11 . in the following there will be given a further explanation on the periphery exposure control unit 14 and the calibrating operation control unit 16 , with reference to fig4 . the signal processing unit 30 receives the photoelectric signal b detected by the edge sensor 8b , and provides a counter 31 with a binary edge detection signal e of which logic value is inverted when the reference edge 12a of the light shield plate 12 ( or the wafer edge ) crosses the edge sensor 8b . said counter 31 is provided for counting the position signal pulses from the position detector 13 . the counter 31 receives the detection signal e from the signal processing unit 30 , and , when the logic level of said signal is inverted , presets the count at a value corresponding to the reference exposure width l . the count l &# 39 ; of said counter 31 , indicating the actual exposure width is given , together with data l on the arbitrarily selected exposure width , to a subtractor 32 , which sends the difference f of two data l , l &# 39 ; to a comparator 33 . said comparator 33 discriminates whether said difference f is zero , and sends the memory control signal m to the memory unit 34 if said difference f is zero , or sends a rotation signal g to the motor 11 through a switch swb so as to reduce the difference f if it is not zero . in the particular arrangement of fig4 the memory unit 34 receives a signal se / c , obtained by dividing the detection signal se from the photosensor 8a of the light receiving unit 8 by the signal c from the photosensor 8c in an analog divider 36 , and stores said signal se / c upon receipt of the memory control signal m . during the periphery exposure of the wafer memory unit 34 sends thus stored signal se / c as the servo reference signal sb to a deviation calculating unit 35 , which calculates the deviation signal sd between said signal sb and the signal se / c being obtained from the light receiving unit 8 through the analog divider 36 . the deviation calculating unit 35 a switch swa and supplies said deviation signal sd to the servo control unit 15 . the switches swa , swb in fig4 are shown in the calibrating state , and are shifted from the illustrated state in the periphery exposure operation on the wafer . the memory unit 34 and the calculating unit 35 in fig . 4 correspond to the periphery exposure control unit 14 in fig3 and the calibrating operation control unit 16 in fig3 is composed of the signal processing unit 30 , counter 31 , subtractor 32 and comparator 33 . also the function of the periphery exposure control unit 14 and the calibrating operation control unit 16 in fig3 may be performed by an appropriately programmed microcomputer . in the following there will be explained the function of the periphery exposure apparatus of the present invention , with reference to fig5 . prior to the actual exposure operation , a calibrating operation is conducted in order to obtain the servo reference signal for the periphery exposure . the periphery exposure control unit 14 discriminates whether the calibration for a pheriphery exposure has been completed ( step 101 ). the calibration is conducted , for example , at every lot of continuously exposed wafers ( 25 wafers ), or when a variation is detected by a sensor for detecting the variation in the light - emitting position of the light source 5 . if the calibration is not completed , the exposing light beam 6 is emitted by the irradiating unit 4 ( step 102 ). in this state an exposure start signal ( light source on ) of the data d3 is transmitted from the periphery exposure control unit 14 to the light source 5 ( or a shutter therein ), whereby said light beam 6 is received by the light receiving unit 8 without being intercepted by the light shield plate 12 . thus information st on the rotating speed of the wafer is determined from the amount of exposure received by the light receiving unit 8 ( level of the signal se / c ) and the target exposure amount ( step 103 ). then the drive unit 10 is activated to move the irradiating unit 4 and the light receiving unit 8 to the reference edge 12a of the light shield plate or dowser 12 ( step 104 ). when said reference 12a reaches the edge sensor 8b of the light receiving unit 8 whereby the signal processing unit 30 releases the edge detection signal e ( step 105 ), the counter 31 is preset at a count corresponding to the reference exposure width l ( step 106 ). in case the set exposure width l for peripheral exposure is different from the reference value l , the irradiating unit 4 and the light receiving unit 8 are further moved until the count l &# 39 ; of the counter 31 coincides with the set exposure width l ( step 107 ). at the same time the substractor 32 calculates the difference f by subtracting the count l &# 39 ; of the counter 31 from the set exposure width l ( step 108 ), and the comparator 33 discriminates whether said difference f has reached zero ( step 109 ). if f = 0 , the motor 11 is deactivated , and the memory control signal m is supplied to the memory unit , but , if f ≠ 0 , the irradiating unit 4 and the light receiving unit 8 are further moved until f + 0 is reached ( steps 107 - 109 ). in response to the memory control signal m , the memory unit 34 stores as the servo reference signal sb the signal se / c , which is obtained by normalizing the signal se from the photosensor 8a , of the light receiving unit 8 with the intensity ( signal c ) of the exposing light beam 6 , ( step 110 ). the calibrating operation is thus completed . subsequently the wafer periphery exposure is conducted , based on the above - explained calibration . at first the drive unit 10 integrally moves the irradiating unit 4 and the light receiving unit 8 to the peripheral part of the wafer 2 , based on the approximate distance between the reference edge 12a of the light shield plate 12 and the designed periphery of the wafer 2 stored in advance in the servo control unit 15 , under position detection by the position detector 13 or another ( unillustrated ) position detector ( step 111 ). then the exposing light beam 6 is emitted as in the step 102 , and the signal se / c obtained from the light receiving unit 8 is supplied to the deviation calculating unit 35 in the periphery exposure control unit 14 ( step 112 ). the deviation calculating unit 35 compares said signal se / c with the pre - stored servo reference signal sb to determine the deviation signal sd ( step 113 ), for supply to the servo control unit 15 . on the other hand , the rotation control system 17 controls the rotating speed of the motor 3 based on the predetermined speed information st , thereby rotating the turntable at a predetermined speed ( step 114 ). the motor 3 is linked with the tachogenerator tg which feeds the rotation speed back to the rotation control system 17 , whereby the turntable 1 can be constantly rotated at a constant speed . the servo control system 15 effects servo control on the drive unit 10 for the irradiating unit 4 and the light receiving unit 8 , by sending a servo signal ss to the motor 11 through the switch swb in such a manner that the deviation signal sd from the periphery exposure control unit 14 becomes zero , that is , such the exposing light beam 6 maintains a constant positional relationship relative to the edge of the wafer 2 ( step 115 ). thus the peripheral area of the wafer 2 is exposed uniformly with a constant radial width from the edge . at the same time the photoresist present on the rear face of the wafer as shown at 18 in fig7 is exposed to the light beam reflected by the beam splitter 9 from the exposing light beam 6 . after a predetermined amount of rotation of the wafer , a light source off signal d3 is supplied to the periphery exposure control unit 14 , thereby terminating the peripheral exposure on a wafer ( step 116 ). in the above - explained embodiment , the irradiating unit 4 is activated to emit the exposing light beam prior to the calibrating operation and the periphery exposing operation , but the exposing light beam 6 may be emitted also during the movement of the irradiating unit 4 and light receiving unit 8 . if the servo control unit 15 does not have the information on the distance between the reference edge 12a of the light shield plate 12 and the designed periphery of the wafer 2 , the irradiating unit 4 and the light receiving unit 8 are integrally moved toward the periphery of the wafer 2 , with the emission of the exposing light beam 6 from the irradiating unit 4 . in this case , the periphery exposure control unit 14 detects the wafer edge , based on the intensity change of the detection signal se , and then servo controls the drive unit 10 by rotating the motor 11 through the servo control unit 15 , based on the deviation signal sd from the periphery exposure control unit 14 as in the foregoing embodiment . in the above - explained embodiment , the edge detection for the wafer 2 or the light shield plate 12 is conducted with the exposing light beam 6 , but there may be provided a separate device for such edge detection . for example , as shown in fig8 there may be provided an edge detector consisting of an irradiating unit 20 emitting a non - exposing light beam 19 and an unillustrated light receiving unit for receiving said light beam , both positioned close to the irradiating unit 4 and the light receiving unit 8 , and a position where at least a part of said non - exposing light beam is intercepted by the wafer 2 is correlated with the position where the exposing light beam is intercepted by the wafer 2 . in this case the exposing light beam 6 and the non - exposing light beam 19 are mutually displaced by a certain angle in the circumferential direction , so that the correlation therebetween becomes obscure when the orientation flat of the wafer is detected in the rotation thereof . for this reason , a servo response delay ( or a simple delay ) is provided between said light beams according to the time required for the wafer 2 to pass through said light beams , and in this manner the edge detection may be conducted without any difficulty at a position different from that of the exposing light beam 6 . in this case the non - exposing light beam 19 is so positioned , according to the rotating direction of the wafer , that it effects the edge detection preceding the exposing light beam 6 . the above - explained embodiment employs a circular substrate such as wafer , but there may be employed a rectangular or square substrate . in the following there will be explained a variations of the moving mechanism of the drive unit 10 . fig9 and 10 are respectively an elevation view and a plan view , schematically showing a variation of the moving mechanism of the drive unit 10 of the present embodiment , wherein rollers 21 , 22 are mounted on both ends of a rotary arm 23 , which rotates in reciprocation about the approximate center of the rollers 21 , 22 , by means of a motor 24 . a movable block 25 is provided with at least two vertically depending contactors 28a , 28b at both ends in the moving direction of said block , and linearly moves along a linear guide 26 , while being pressed to the roller 21 or 22 by a spring ( a tension spring in this case ) 27 . said movable block is linked directly or indirectly with the drive unit 10 explained above . also the distance of the rotary centers of the rollers 21 , 22 is selected substantially equal to that of the contact faces of the contactors 28a , 28b . the function of this mechanism will be explained in the following , with reference to fig1 a - 11e . when the motor 24 is activated to rotate the arm clockwise in a state shown in fig1 a , the movable block 25 moves gradually to the right , with the contractor 28a maintained in contact with the roller 21 by the spring force , to reach a state shown in fig1 b . after a clockwise rotation of the arm 23 by about 90 ° from said state , the roller 22 starts to contact the contactor 28b and the roller 21 starts to be separated from the contactor 28a , as shown in fig1 c . further rotation of the arm 23 causes the continued linear movement of the movable block 25 to the right , with the contactor 28b maintained in contact with the roller 22 by the spring force , as shown in fig1 d and 11e . the above - explained cam structure may be employed in the drive unit 10 to achieve a large moving amount within a relatively limited space . in the above - explained embodiment , the irradiating unit and the light receiving unit are integrally moved by moving means , but it is also possible to move the wafer and the light shield member relative to the exposing light beam . it is furthermore possible to fix all the irradiating unit , light receiving unit , wafer and light shield plate and to employ a variable path structure in the optical system of the irradiating unit , whereby the exposing light beam alone moves between the wafer and the light shield plate . in such case , the irradiating unit and the light receiving unit may be integrally moved relative to the wafer or the light shield plate as in the above - explained embodiment , solely in the minute relative movement ( servo control in the periphery exposure operation ) between the light beam and the wafer or the light shield plate .	6
as shown in fig1 the electric spindle motor according to a first embodiment of the present invention for use in a hard disk drive comprises a stationary sub - assembly and a rotary sub - assembly . the term “ stationary sub - assembly ” here refers to the parts of the electric spindle motor mounted to the housing of the hard disk drive , and the term “ rotary sub - assembly ” refers to the parts of the electrical spindle motor for carrying a plurality of disks and is movable relative to the stationary sub - assembly . the stationary sub - assembly includes a base 14 and a shaft 12 mounded onto the base 14 through an opening 16 . a stator lamination 32 and a coil winding 34 are formed on the stationary sub - assembly . the rotary sub - assembly is rotatable about a rotating axis 100 and includes a hub 30 and a sleeve housing 22 mounted onto the hub 30 for supporting a shaft sleeve 20 . the rotary sub - assembly and the stationary sub - assembly are movably connected through the shaft sleeve 20 and the shaft 12 . a hydrodynamic bearing including a first section 24 and a second section 26 separated by a gap 28 and is formed between the inner surface of the shaft sleeve 20 and the outer surface of the shaft 12 . a lubricant ( not shown ) can be filled in the gap 28 . the hydrodynamic bearing set provide radial load capacity and radial stiffness and guide the rotating portion of the spindle together with its load rotating around the shaft 12 . the rotary sub - assembly further includes a yoke 38 and a magnet 36 which correspond to the stator lamination 32 and the coil winding 34 to form a driving sub - assembly for driving the rotary sub - assembly rotating relative to the stationary sub - assembly at a range of predetermined angular velocity . a pair of thrust plate 41 and 42 are securely attached to the hub 30 . a pair of thrust bearing stators 43 and 44 with their respective pair of coils 45 and 46 are fixed to the base 14 through an extension 48 . the pair of thrust bearing stators 43 and 44 are placed in between and are interactively associated with the pair of thrust plates 41 and 42 to form a magnetic bearing set 40 which includes a first thrust bearing 49 and a second thrust bearing 50 . the thrust bearing stators 43 and 44 are back - to - back oriented with each other and axially facing their associated thrust plate 41 and 42 , respectively . a first magnetic force of the thrust bearing 49 is generated between the thrust plate 41 and the thrust bearing stator 43 , and is substantially parallel to the axial direction of the shaft 12 when an electric current is applied to the coil 45 . similarly , a second magnetic force of the thrust bearing 50 is also generated between the thrust plate 42 and the thrust bearing stator 44 along the axial direction of the shaft 12 when a current is applied to the coil 46 . the first and second magnetic forces can axially suspend and maintain the rotary sub - assembly in a non - contact position from the stationary sub - assembly . the first and second forces enable the spindle motor to have a fast starting and stopping without bearing surface rubbing , and a low friction resistance during rotation . risks of bearing wear and particulate generation will be much reduced . in addition , a radial magnetic force can be generated by the magnetic bearing set which may keep the axis of the thrust bearing stators 43 and 44 aligned with the thrust plates 41 and 42 . this radial force cooperates with the hydrodynamic journal bearing to increase the radial load capacity and stiffness , therefore enhances the performance of the hydrodynamic bearing set . it is appreciated that under the inventive concept of the present invention , the structure of the electric spindle motor may also be altered by mounting the shaft onto the rotary sub - assembly and mount the sleeve onto the stationary sub - assembly . a first seals 52 and a second 54 are applied at two ends of the hydrodynamic bearing . the first seal 52 includes a magnet ring 56 , a sealing ring 58 , a first cylindrical surface of the shaft 12 and a ferrofluid 60 . the second seal 54 includes a magnet ring 62 , a sealing ring 64 , a second cylindrical surface of the shaft 12 and the ferrofluid 60 . the magnetic force captures the ferrofluid 60 within the gaps between the shaft 12 and the magnetic sealing rings 56 and 64 . the magnetic seals effectively prevent the lubricant from leaking out of the hydrodynamic bearings . a first absorber 66 and a second absorber 68 are provided at the ends of the hydrodynamic journal bearing for absorbing any liquid from the hydrodynamic journal bearing and preventing the liquid from contaminating the disk surfaces due to the evaporation at certain condition such as low environment pressure . a second embodiment of the present invention shown in fig2 discloses an electric spindle motor including magnetic thrust bearings 149 and 150 , which comprises a pair of thrust plate 141 , 142 , a pair of thrust bearing stators 143 , 144 , and a pair of coils 145 , 146 . this embodiment is configured same as the first embodiment except that a magnetic thrust bearing set 140 is formed by separating the two magnetic thrust bearings 149 and 150 . a third embodiment of the present invention shown in fig3 discloses an electric spindle motor including magnetic thrust bearings 249 and 250 , which comprises a pair of thrust plate 241 , 242 , a pair of thrust bearing stators 243 , 244 , and a pair of coils 245 , 246 . in this embodiment , the pair of thrust bearing stators 243 and 244 are placed side - by - side and facing outwardly along a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotating axis 201 . the pair of thrust plates 241 and 242 are in a form of ring shape and are placed surrounding the respective pair of thrust bearing stators 243 and 244 . two pairs of magnetic poles 241 a , 241 b and 242 a , 242 b are formed at protrusions on the pair of plates 241 and 242 respectively . the pair of thrust bearing stators 243 , 244 are offset with the pair of thrust plate 241 , 242 along an axial direction of the rotating axis 201 , and are inwardly offset in between the pair of thrust plate 241 , 242 , whereby two alignment forces can be generated . the two forces are thrust forces to keep the rotating assembly at a desired axial position . simultaneously , attraction forces are generated between the pair of thrust bearing stators 243 , 244 are offset with the pair of thrust plate 241 , 242 along a radial direction , which is cooperative with the hydrodynamic journal bearing for withstanding the radial load the electric spindle motor . a fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in fig4 discloses an electric spindle motor with configurations same as the third embodiment , except that the pair of thrust plate 341 , 342 are outwardly offset from the pair of thrust bearing stators 343 , 344 for generating alignment forces alone the axial direction of the rotating axis 301 to keep the rotating assembly at a desired axial position . fig5 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention . a pair of annular permanent magnets 441 b and 442 b are mounted onto the respective pair of thrust plates 441 and 442 . a thrust force an be generated the by the pair of permanent magnets 441 b and 442 b when the pair of thrust bearing stators 443 and 444 are not activated . the thrust force serves to provide pre - load to keep the rotary sub - assembly rest on the stationary sub - assembly . this will reduce the risk of damaging spindle motors during shipment . the magnetic thrust bearings can be activated to suspend the rotary sub - assembly from the stationary sub - assembly when the electric spindle motor is desired to work . fig6 a and 6b shows two alternatives of the sealing means for use with the electric spindle motor of the present invention . in fig6 a , the ferrofluid 60 are retained in annular groove while in fig6 b the ferrofluid 60 are retained in a wedge . as shown in fig7 a data storage device 700 includes an electric spindle motor 710 as described above ; at least one data storage disk 712 ; at least one read / write assembly 714 ; read / write assembly controller 716 ; a spindle motor controller 718 ; a data processing electronics 720 and an interface 722 connected to a computer 730 . at the moment of starting , the spindle motor controller 718 sends a first signal to activate the electromagnets of the electric spindle motor 710 to suspend the rotary sub - assembly from the stationary sub - assembly ; and a second signal to cause the rotary sub - assembly to rotate . likely , at the moment of stopping , the spindle motor controller 718 sends a third signal to the electric spindle motor 710 to stop the rotary sub - assembly from rotating ; and with a fourth signal to the electromagnets to have the rotary sub - assembly rest again on the rotary sub - assembly .	5
the power source for the pump is compressed air supplied by an air compressor 3 . air is conveyed to through piping or hose 2 to a shut off assembly 15 . the shut off assembly 15 interrupts the flow of compressed air to the skimmer if the recovered oil collection tank 1 is full , to prevent overfilling the tank . if the tank is not full and the system is on , compressed air is conveyed to the skimmer pump via piping 16 , a pair of quick connects 19 and 20 , and hose 4 . the quick connect 19 is a single end shut off type . therefore , air is prevented from blowing out pipe 16 when quick connect 19 is separated from quick connect 20 . the exhaust air is vented outside the well casing 7 through a well cap 26 . the well cap 26 is sealed using a rubber boot 27 which prevents foreign material from entering and further contaminating the well . oil 8 , 11 that has accumulated on top of the water table 10 , 12 is free to pass through the well casing 7 , which is perforated , into the well . oil that enters into the well is free to pass through a slotted guide tube 14 . any oil layer thicker than a sheen will be drawn through a filter 9 , through a central passage in a float assembly 13 , and into the pump 31 by way of a hose 32 . the pump forces the oil out discharge hose 6 to the well cap 26 and quick connects 21 and 22 . quick connects 21 and 22 are of a double shut off type . the shut off in quick connect 21 prevents oil in hose 17 from draining when quick connects 21 and 22 are separated . the shut off in quick connect 22 prevents oil in hose 6 from running out in the event the skimmer needs to be removed from the well . oil passes from quick connect 21 through hose 17 to the oil collection tank 1 to be disposed of when the tank is full . safety cable 5 supports the weight of the skimmer so that the skimmer is not suspended primarily by the hoses . the pump may include either one or two pump heads . when the pump is configured with a single pump head 138 , a thick layer of oil 11 near the well will be pumped off . because the specific gravity of oil is about 0 . 75 , the water 12 near the well maw rebounds about 3 / 4 the thickness of the original oil layer . this rebound of the water table -- termed the &# 34 ; donut effect &# 34 ;-- can cause a partial barrier to the flow of oil . when the pump is configured with two pump heads 138 and 115 , the &# 34 ; donut effect &# 34 ; is prevented because the water table 10 is drawn down into a cone of depression . this cone of depression enhances the flow of oil 8 into the well by causing a downhill gradient . as best seen in fig2 the float assembly 13 is comprised of an outer tube 56 , two end plugs 55 , 57 and a pipe 58 that passes through the center forming a sealed cavity . the outer tube 56 is preferably made of clear plastic to provide easy inspection . the end plugs 55 and 57 are bonded into the outer tube 56 and are also preferably made of a plastic material . the pipe 58 has pipe threads cut into the lower end for attaching a hose fitting 59 . four o - ring grooves are cut into the float pipe 38 and fitted with o - rings . o - rings 63 and 64 provide a seal between the float pipe and the end plugs . o - rings 62 and 65 , which are larger in cross section than o - rings 63 and 64 , prevent the float pipe from slipping up or down in relation to the rest of the float assembly 13 . another groove is cut into the float pipe to hold and seal a filter grommet 54 . a stainless steel washer 34 hangs on hose 32 to prevent the hose from getting tangled or sticking to the wall of the well as the skimmer assembly is being lowered into the well or as the water table fluctuates . hose 32 passes through holes 60 and 66 in guide tube 14 to allow for free travel of the float / filter assembly . the hose passing through hole 66 provides a lower limit so that the float cannot slip out of the bottom of the guide tube 14 . the guide tube 14 is attached to the pump by means of two bolts 50 ( only one of which is illustrated ) threaded into the pump body 31 . the slotted guide tube 14 keeps the float / filter assembly upright and free from obstructions in the well while allowing the free passage of water and oil . the filter 9 is a replaceable unit that comprises two end caps 52 and 61 with a pleated paper wall portion 53 captured by the end caps . the lower end cap 61 has a rubber grommet 54 in the center that attaches to the float pipe 58 . the paper wall portion 53 of the filter 9 is treated so that it will repel water while allowing oil to pass through . any oil that succeeds in entering the filter is taken through float pipe 58 and hose 32 to the pump 31 . the buoyancy of the float is designed so that the oil / water interface will be part way up the paper wall portion 53 of the filter 9 . the upper end cap 52 has a large hole 51 in the top that allows oil to pass directly into the interior of the filter 9 whenever the oil layer is thick or deep enough to overflow upper end cap 52 . another function of the hole 51 is to allow air to enter the filter . when there is no oil to be pumped , the suction of the pump could overpower the water repelling nature of the paper filter , thereby drawing in water . this is prevented by allowing air to enter the filter through hole 51 . with reference to fig3 which illustrates the fill mode of operation , the force that draws oil and water into the pump is supplied by a pair of springs 144 and 120 . the spring force is transmitted to associated backing plates 140 and 116 which spread the force out over most of the surface area of a pair of diaphragms 136 and 114 . another function of the backing plates 140 , 116 is to protect the diaphragm from any sharp edges the springs 144 , 120 might have . another function of the springs 144 , 120 is to maintain the central location of the free - floating backing plates 140 , 116 on the associated diaphragms 136 , 114 . as a diaphragm is forced upward by the associated spring , air is displaced through a port 158 shown in fig5 and exhausted through a valve 160 . valve 160 is a commercially available design sold by aro company of bryan , ohio as a model 59890 vibrator valve . at the same time , oil is drawn into pump head 138 from hose 32 , and water is drawn into pump head 115 through hose 33 , lifting check valves 146 and 122 off their associated o - ring seats 150 and 124 . the check valves 146 and 122 are limited in their movement by the backing plates 140 and 116 . the check valves are spring loaded by means of springs 142 and 118 , insuring that they will close quickly . the check valves 146 and 122 are sized to minimize the dead space in the pump chamber that is not affected by the diaphragm travel . by minimizing the dead space in the pump chambers , the achievable suction when the pump head is full of air is maximized . this is due to the compressible nature of air . while in the suction / filling mode , a pair of check valves 106 and 130 are drawn down tightly on associated o - rings 108 and 132 to provide a fluid seal , preventing fluid from back flowing into the pump head through hoses 6 and 29 . the lower diaphragm 136 , which is preferably of the nylon - reinforced viton type , serves as a gasket surface between pump head 138 and pump head 115 and forms a seal around ports 112 and 136 . the upper diaphragm 114 serves as a gasket surface between pump head 115 and the valve base 110 and forms a seal around ports 112 and 134 . o - rings 108 and 132 also seal ports 112 and 134 between base 110 and upper housing member 100 . the nature of the check valves 106 , 130 allows the pump to pass large solids . the spring return diaphragms 114 , 136 and check valves 122 , 146 make the pump able to run dry and still have excellent self priming characteristics . with reference to fig4 which illustrates the discharge mode of operation , during the discharge mode compressed air is delivered from valve 160 through a port 158 ( see fig5 ) to the upper side of diaphragms 136 and 114 . oil and water that is displaced by the diaphragms 136 and 114 , respectively , forces check valves 146 and 122 against their o - ring seats 150 and 124 preventing fluid from back flowing through hoses 32 and 33 . therefore , the oil must pass through port 112 and the water must pass through port 134 lifting check valves 106 and 130 off of their o - ring seats 108 and 132 and out discharge hoses 6 and 29 , respectively . a strip of heavy gage stainless sheet metal 104 and 128 is placed in ports 112 and 134 to act as an upper limit stop for check valves 106 and 130 . this prevents the fluid from lifting the ball up against hose fittings 99 and 125 thereby stopping the flow of fluid . ball stops 104 and 128 also prevent vortex flow , which would otherwise slow the flow of fluid . each ball stop 104 , 128 is arranged as a sliding fit in springs 102 and 126 . hose fittings 99 and 125 prevent the ball stops 104 , 128 from being pushed upward . with reference to fig5 which illustrates the air flow paths , compressed air is supplied to the pump from hose 4 through port 156 to the logic valve 160 . the valve 160 alternately delivers pulses of compressed air through port 158 and then relieves the pressure in port 158 through a hole 162 in the side of the valve . air that is released from valve 160 passes through port 164 and hose 28 to be exhausted outside the well . any moisture that condenses in the air lines will be blown out port 164 with the exhaust air . when port 158 is pressurized , the diaphragms 136 and 114 are forced downward against the springs 120 and 144 . when the pressure is relieved from port 158 , the springs force the diaphragms 136 , 114 upward , displacing air through port 158 , and drawing in more fluid into the pump . with reference to fig6 which illustrates the pulse / discharge mode of operation , valve 160 is a snap action poppet valve that is very forgiving of dirt and moisture in the air line . the valve has a needle valve 154 provided for adjusting the pulse rate . the pump housing has a plug 152 ( fig5 ) provided over the needle valve for adjusting the pumping rate . the pumping rate is dependent on the pulse rate , the filling rate , and the discharge rate . however , the pulse rate is not dependent on the position of the diaphragm 114 or 136 . during operation , the discharge head pressure due to the liquid in the liquid outlet path from the pump to the surface equipment can vary over a wide range . as the air supply pressure minus the spring force drops below the discharge head pressure , the pumping rate will decrease rapidly as the discharge head pressure increases . eventually , valve 160 will continue to pulse at a steady rate . the diaphragm 114 or 136 will stall and no liquid will be pumped but since the valve 160 operates continuously ( so long as air pressure is supplied ) pumping resumes as soon as the diaphragm stall condition is relieved . the diaphragms 114 , 136 separate the air from the fluid being pumped . therefore , the exhausted air outside the well is free from oil vapors and any other hydrocarbon vapors and is thus non - polluting . air is supplied to the valve inlet 200 by way of port 156 . the air pressure displaces a poppet valve 192 against an exhaust seat 190 preventing air from escaping . air is allowed to pass to the diaphragms through port 185 . port 158 is also connected to the pilot 198 of valve 160 . as long as air is supplied to the diaphragms 114 , 136 , air is supplied to the pilot 198 . the pilot air passes through a port 186 and through needle valve 172 into volume chamber 178 . when the pressure in the volume chamber 178 exerts enough force on a diaphragm 180 and an actuator 188 to overcome the force exerted by the supply source against the exhaust seat , the poppet 192 snaps down against the supply seat 196 to the position illustrated in fig7 . because the area of the supply seat 196 is small compared to the area of the diaphragm 180 , it takes little pressure in the volume chamber 178 to keep the supply closed off . when the valve 160 is in the exhaust mode illustrated in fig7 air in the volume chamber 178 passes through needle valve 154 , port 186 , is joined with air from port 158 ( fig5 ), passes through valve port 185 , past poppet 192 , and out the exhaust 162 . when the air pressure in the volume chamber 178 exerts less force on the diaphragm 180 , actuator 188 , and poppet 192 than the force exerted on the poppet 192 by the supply air 200 , the poppet 192 snaps back against the exhaust seat 190 , and the cycle starts over . the invention provides a skimming system which is relatively safe and reliable in operation and is extremely durable in situ . the pump portion of the skimmer is relatively safe in operation since it relies on non - explosive compressed air and the internal diaphragm springs for the pumping action . the arrangement and location of the main pumping diaphragms ensures separation between the compressed air conduits and the liquid conduits , so that no contamination is vented to atmosphere via the compressed air exhaust line . the use of the quick connects and check valves also ensures no fluid leakage during installation , operation , and shut - down , and the use of the ball check valves in the fluid paths permits the passage of relatively large solid contaminants entering the fluid delivery portion of the system to the above - ground apparatus . the float / filter assembly design ensures that the lighter than water liquids encountered by the inlet portion of the skimmer reliably pass into the interior thereof for passage through the pump portions to the associated equipment at the surface of the earth . in addition , the float / filter assembly is free to follow the level of the lighter than water liquid / water interface by gliding smoothly within the protective slotted shield , even when the apparatus is arranged at an angle with respect to vertical . the careful arrangement of the hose leading from the outlet of the float / filter assembly to the inlet of the lower pump provides limit stops in both the upward and downward directions for the travel of the float / filter assembly without impairing the motion of this assembly over the permitted travel range within the slotted tube . in addition , the provision of the overflow inlet at the upper portion of the filter provides both enhanced withdrawal capability for the lighter than water liquid and also prevents forced penetration of water through the side walls of the filter in the manner described above . the logic valve arrangement provides long term reliability for the cycling of the liquid pumps , as well as adjustability to the length of the pumping cycle and relatively long operation life . with the logic valve being incorporated in the pump , there is no need for complex above ground pump controls . it is important to note that the continued operation of the logic valve after a diaphragm stall ensures that pumping action will automatically resume after the stall condition is relieved . this also simplifies the nature of the compressed air logic found in known skimming systems and diaphragm pump . while the above provides a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the invention , various modifications , alternate constructions and equivalents may be employed as desired . therefore , the above description should not be viewed as limiting the scope of the invention , which is defined by the appended claims .	1
oxygen barrier properties of polyvinyl alcohol films , ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer films and polymeric structure comprising such films , is improved by wet annealing , i . e ., heating the polymeric structure in the presence of moisture , e . g ., in a humid environment , the wet annealing is generally carried out at elevated temperatures , usually from about 210 ° f . to about 250 ° f ., in an atmosphere of from about 20 to about 100 percent relative humidity . wet annealing has been found to significantly increase the resistance of such films and polymeric structures to oxygen permeation as compared to dry annealing . improvement is also realized in the moisture resistance of these films and polymeric structures comprising such films . when ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer is dry annealed , as by the method described in the aforementioned yamada et al . patent , in addition to the main endothermic peak , a second or &# 34 ; subsidiary &# 34 ; endothermic peak appears in the copolymer corresponding to a melting point of 103 ° c . ( 376 ° k .). the appearance of such subsidiary melting point is associated with the appearance of a secondary crystalline structure and is said to signify improvement in oxygen barrier properties of the copolymer . yamada et al . further disclose that this subsidiary endothermic peak is due to the melting of the polyethylene or the polymer chain of ethylene - rich segments present in the ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer . the gas permeation is improved as a result of crystallization of the polyethylene portion of the ethylene - rich segments present in the copolymer . ( see column 4 , lines 46 - 62 ). it has been found that while dry annealing only changes the amorphous structure of the polymer to a crystalline structure , wet annealing , on the other hand , changes the crystalline structure and results in a higher primary crystalline melting peak . consequently , further and significant improvement is realized in oxygen permeability of the polymer . thus , referring to fig1 it will be seen that dry annealing of a film of polyvinyl alcohol at 250 ° f . for two hours results in a modest increase in the heat of fusion as compared with the unannealed film , i . e ., a change of from 11 . 1 mcal per gram to 11 . 6 mcal per gram . the shapes of the two curves are otherwise essentially the same and the peak melting points of the annealed and unannealed samples are both 492 ° k . by contrast , and with reference to fig2 wet annealing of polyvinyl alcohol film at 250 ° f ., for two hours and in a 50 percent relative humidity ( r . h .) environment , not only alters the shapes of the annealed curves , but results in a higher main melting peak of 494 ° f ., a difference which is regarded to be significant . thus , wet annealing changes the crystalline structure of the polyvinyl alcohol film resulting in a more perfect crystal structure and higher melting peak , which are associated with less oxygen permeability and hence improved oxygen barrier properties . wet annealing of ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer film also results in improved oxygen barrier properties as compared with dry annealing as is evident from fig3 . as shown by comparing the differential scanning curve of a dry annealed film of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer at 394 ° k . for 2 hours with the same films which have been annealed in the same conditions , but at 40 % r . h . and 80 % r . h ., wet annealing results in higher secondary crystalline melting points than when the film is dry annealed , hence indicating improved crystallinity and oxygen barrier properties . in crystalline ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer , a portion of the copolymer has higher vinyl alcohol crystalline content than the overall average vinyl alcohol content of the copolymer and a portion which has lesser amount of crystalline vinyl alcohol . fig4 illustrates the manner in which the crystalline amount of the vinyl alcohol - rich content of the copolymer is defined from the differential scanning calorimetric curve . from the shaded area in this figure , it is possible to calculate the heat of fusion which is , in turn , related to the degree of crystallinity . it has been found that wet annealing increases the amount of the vinyl alcohol - rich crystalline portion of the copolymer and raises the main crystalline melting peak of the copolymers . consequently , the wet annealed copolymer film or polymeric structure will have improved oxygen impermeability . the effect of the initial water content of ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer film on oxygen impermeability is illustrated in examples 1 and 2 , below wherein laminate structures having the layers and thicknesses listed below and having a dessicant in the adhesive layers were wet annealed and analyzed . three laminate samples each having an ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer film of equal thickness , but having a different initial water content , were retorted at 250 ° f . for 2 hours at 100 % r . h . each adhesive layer of the laminate included 20 % ( by weight of the adhesive layer ) sodium chloride as desiccant . due to differences in the amount of water initially present in each film , the crystalline structure of each film was different as shown in fig5 . the results of these examples are shown in the following table . table i______________________________________ heat of fusion oxygen permea - film initial water of alcohol - rich bility . sup . ( 2 ) cc . mil / samples content , wt % crystals , cal / g . sup . ( 1 ) 100 in .. sup . 2 day atm . ______________________________________a 0 12 0 . 05b 7 11 . 4 0 . 075c 11 9 . 8 0 . 12______________________________________ . sup . ( 1 ) represented by the respective shaded areas in the graphs of fig5 . . sup . ( 2 ) measured at 73 ° f . and 75 % r . h . three other laminate samples each having an ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer film , each adhesive layer of the laminate having 20 % ( by weight of the layer ) potassium nitrate as a desiccant , were retorted as in example 1 . the results are shown in table ii , below . table ii______________________________________ heat of fusion oxygen permea - film initial water of alcohol - rich bility ,. sup . ( 2 ), cc . mil / samples content , wt % crystals ,. sup . ( 1 ) cal ./ g 100 in .. sup . 2 day atm . ______________________________________d 0 12 . 4 0 . 04e 6 . 5 10 . 5 0 . 18f 10 . 0 9 . 5 0 . 55______________________________________ . sup . ( 1 ) represented by the respective shaded areas in the graph of fig6 . . sup . ( 2 ) measurement at 93 % r . h . and 73 % f . as shown in tables i and ii , the oxygen barrier property of ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer improves with increasing degree of crystallinity and larger crystal size of the vinyl alcohol - rich portion of the copolymer , resulting from wet annealing of the film . as it was previously mentioned , a laminate structure comprising ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer or a polyvinyl alcohol polymer can also be wet annealed to improve the oxygen barrier property of the laminate . a typical laminate structure , for example , may consist of the following layers : ______________________________________layer thickness , mil______________________________________high density , polyethylene 15adhesive 2high density , polyethylene 2ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer 2high density polyethylene 2adhesive 2high density polyethylene 15______________________________________ more or less layers may be employed as desired or necessary and a desiccant may be included in the laminate , preferably in the adhesive layer . in addition to ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer , other oxygen barrier materials may be used , which include polyvinyl alcohol and nylon . multi - layer polymeric structure comprising a layer of ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer are useful as packaging materials for making containers , pouches , bags , and the like . the relative thickness of the various layers will vary based on several considerations including resistance to oxygen permeability , structural integrity and economy . thus , the ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer layer is typically interposed between two structural polyolefin layers such as by coextrusion of the different layers . suitable polyolefins include polyethylene , polypropylene and a blend of polyethylene with polypropylene . other structural polymeric layers may be used instead of one or both of the polyolefin layers , depending on the intended use of the multi - layer laminate . in order to improve inter - layer adhesion or to prevent interlaminar separation , the ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer layer may be adhesively bonded to the structural polymer layer . a variety of adhesives have been disclosed and are well known to those skilled in the art for use in multi - layer laminates . these adhesives include modified polyolefins such as those sold by chemplex corporation under the name plexar , and maleic anhydride - modified polypropylene such as those sold under the name admer by mitsui of japan . naturally , the choice of adhesive will depend on the particular structural polymer used in making the multi - layer laminate .	8
turning now to the figures , fig1 depicts a cross - sectional view of a light assembly 20 having a lens assembly 30 for an automotive lighting application . the light assembly 20 generally includes a led light source 22 having a cover lens 23 and generating light from a source point 24 downstream along a longitudinal axis 26 . the lens assembly 30 collects and collimates the light from the led light source 22 for generating a desired beam pattern for the particular automotive lighting application . unnumbered lined arrows have been used throughout the application to depict the path of traveling light . the lens assembly 30 generally includes a first lens member 32 and a second lens member 34 . the second lens member 34 includes an interior passageway 36 defined by a conically shaped interior surface 38 . as will be discussed in more detail below , the first lens member 32 directs a portion of the light straight through the internal passageway 36 without entering the second lens member 34 . a second portion of the light passes through the interior surface 38 , and due to the shape of the outer surface 40 of the second lens member 34 the light is reflected via total internal reflection and redirected longitudinally downstream and through the axial end surface 42 of the second lens member 34 . it will also be recognized by those skilled in the art that the outer surface 40 of the second lens member 34 may include a reflective coating formed thereon ( i . e . such as an aluminum coating ) to further assist with the reflection of the light or to permit a different curvature or structure to be given to the outer surface 40 of the second lens member 34 . additional details of the first lens member 32 will now be described will reference to fig2 . as shown , the first lens member 32 defines a recess 44 receiving the led light source 22 . the first lens member 32 thus comprises a radial portion 45 connected to an axial portion 47 . the radial portion 45 is generally defined by an inner radial surface 46 and an outer radial surface 50 . similarly , the axial portion 47 is generally defined by an inner axial surface 48 and an outer axial surface 52 . accordingly , the recess 44 is generally defined by the inner radial surface 46 and the inner axial surface 48 . as light emanates from the light source origin 24 , a portion of the light will pass through the axial portion 47 . in this embodiment , the axial portion 47 has been formed as a fresnel lens , the structure of which is well known in the art . briefly stated , the inner axial surface 48 is comprised of a series of arcuate channels 54 , while the outer axial surface 47 is flat and planar , and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26 . as used herein , the term generally perpendicular means line or surface that is within about 3 degrees of true perpendicularity . another portion of the light emanating from origin point 24 will pass through the radial portion 45 of the first lens member 32 . as shown in fig2 , the inner radial surface 46 is generally flat , and more particularly is conical or tapered as it extends longitudinally downstream . as such , light passing through the inner radial surface 46 will be refracted as shown by the arrows indicating the light path . the outer radial surface 50 has been structured in a free form curvature ( i . e . numerically generated ) such that the light passing through the radial portion 45 , as refracted by the radial inner surface 46 , is permitted to pass directly through the outer radial surface 50 with zero refraction for a point source and minimal refraction for a finite source . as used herein , the term minimal refraction refers to a range of refraction between 0 and 3 degrees . referring back to fig1 , it can therefore be seen that the axial portion 47 of the first lens member 32 serves as a focusing lens to direct the light longitudinally downstream and through the interior passageway 36 of the second lens member 34 . this light can assist in forming a “ hot spot ” in the resulting beam pattern . additionally , light passing through the radial portion 45 is redirected towards the second lens member 34 , and in particular the interior surface 38 . the radial portion 45 of the first lens member 32 and the second lens member 34 are structured and positioned relative to one another to collect a substantial portion of the light , collimate the light , and redirect the light longitudinally downstream via total internal reflection . here , the flat and conical interior surface 38 refracts the light , which is then reflected by the outer surface 40 and directed downstream . turning now to fig3 , an alternate embodiment of the first lens member 132 is depicted . as in the prior embodiment , the first lens member 132 generally includes a radial portion 145 and an axial portion 147 . however , in this embodiment the radial portion 145 includes a curved inner radial surface 146 . the curvature of the inner and outer radial surfaces 146 , 150 may be structured so that the light passing therethrough is only minimally refracted , or may be structured to refract the light in a manner acceptable for use by the second lens member , which is structured according to the principles described in the embodiment of fig1 - 2 . it can also be seen in the embodiment of fig3 that the axial portion 147 includes an inner axial surface 148 that is curved to form a lens for collimating the light . however , it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the inner axial surface 148 could be flat , as shown by dotted line 148 a while the outer axial surface 152 includes a curvature for focusing the light rays . it will also be recognized that while the axial portion 147 has been shown as generally including beam focusing optics such as the fresnel lens of fig2 , or the lens 148 of fig3 , the axial portion may also include beam spreading optics . as one example , the outer axial surface 152 has been shown as including plurality of pillows 156 . as is known in the art , such pillows or flutes serve to spread the light passing through the axial portion 147 , and generally create a beam pattern which is ideal for applications such as brake lights , tail lights and the like . while the beam spreading optics 156 have been shown used in conjunction with a beam focusing optics 148 in fig3 , it will be recognized that the beam spreading optics 156 can be used alone ( i . e . in conjunction with a flat axial inner surface 148 a ). yet another alternate embodiment of the light assembly 220 and lens assembly 230 is depicted in fig4 . in this embodiment , the led light source 220 generates light from a point or origin 224 which is collected and directed by first lens member 232 in a substantially similar fashion as the prior embodiments . however , in this embodiment the second lens member 234 includes an interior passageway 236 defined by an interior surface 238 that is structured to match the outer surface 250 of the first lens member 232 . that is , the interior surface 238 may be structured such that all light it receives from the first lens member 232 passes directly through the interior surface 238 with minimal refraction . in the embodiment depicted , the interior surface 238 has been divided into an upstream portion 238 a and a downstream portion 238 b . the upstream portion 238 a is given a curvature which matches the curvature of the outer radial surface 250 of the first lens member 232 . the downstream portion 238 b may then be made simply cylindrical , or alternatively could be conical as in the prior embodiment . furthermore , it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that depending upon the structure of the radial portion of the first lens member 232 , the entire interior surface 238 may be given a curvature , typically a free - form curvature , which is structured to correspond to the path of light passing through the radial portion of the first lens member 232 , resulting in minimal refraction of the light through the interior surface 238 . as with the prior embodiments , the second lens member 234 includes an outer surface 240 which serves to reflect and collimate the light longitudinally downstream along the longitudinal axis 226 . a final embodiment has been depicted in fig5 . in this embodiment , the light assembly 320 and lens assembly 330 include an led light source 322 generating light from origin 324 through a first lens member 332 , all of which may be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and the prior embodiments . however , in this embodiment the second lens member has been replaced with a reflector 334 . the reflector 334 has a general bowl shape and includes an interior surface 335 defining an interior chamber 336 which receives the first lens member 332 . preferably , the interior surface 335 is structured to include a plurality of facets which result in a redirection of the light emitted from the first lens member 332 with some predetermined beam spread characteristics , such as is shown by the lined arrows of fig5 . it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a number of types of reflectors 334 may be used to generate the desired beam pattern for the particular automotive application . by way of the present invention , an automotive light assembly is provided having a lens assembly that overcomes the drawbacks of forming a single nfl of a relatively large size ( i . e . a larger focal length ) by splitting the function of the lens into a first lens member and a second member . in this manner , the lenses may be formed by conventional techniques and conventional tools . further , with members , more flexibility and opportunity to adjust or impact the beam spread characteristics is possible . thus , the present invention provides smaller output beam size and higher peak intensity , as well as increased flexibility , without the complex molding issues and expensive tools and processes . the foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description . it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed . numerous modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings . the embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated . all such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly , legally , and equitably entitled .	5
the molar portion x of the divalent europium within the luminescent compounds of formula i according to the present invention preferably is between 0 . 01 and 0 . 03 . studies as to how the degree of substitution by divalent europium influences the intensity of emission for each of the compounds m 1 - x eu x si f 6 wherein m is barium and wherein m is strontium reflect that the optimum values for x are 0 . 0175 if m is barium , and 0 . 0225 if m is strontium . the curves which are shown in fig1 represent the variations of the intensities of the emissions as a function of x . the luminescent materials according to the present invention are derivatives of the corresponding alkaline earth metal fluosilicates wherein a portion of the alkaline earth metal ions is substituted by europium 2 + ions . the structures of ba si f 6 and sr si f 6 are as follows : the barium fluosilicate crystallizes in the rhombohedral structure [ hoard j . l . and vincent w . b ., j . amer . chem . soc ., 62 , 3126 ( 1940 )] with the space group r 3m and the following hexagonal parameters : [ r , w , g , wyckoff , &# 34 ; crystal structure &# 34 ;, vol . 3 , p . 332 , interscience publishers , new york ( 1965 ) ]. this structure is characterized by sif 6 2 - octahedrons , whereby the barium exhibits a coordination value of 12 . the point group of the alkaline earth metal is d 3d . the strontium fluosilicate is isotypical to its barium congener . its powder diagram is known to be a hexagonal system , with the following parameters : if , within the formula i , m represents a mixture of strontium and barium , the substitution of strontium by barium causes expansion of the crystallographic latice within the fluosilicates according to the present invention , without changing their structure . if y represents the degree of substitution , the formula of the compounds according to the present invention may be written as follows : the luminescent materials according to this invention exhibit an elevated intensity of fluorescence in the form of a spectrum of sharp lines within a very narrow spectral range ( 3500 - 3700a ) in the ultraviolet region . the region of the excitation radiation is such that its wavelength is between about 2300a and 3200a . the emission and excitation spectra of the principal types of luminescent compounds according to this invention are shown in fig2 and 4 of the drawing . the compounds of formula i can be prepared from salts of the alkaline earth metals m and of the divalent europium . besides fluorides , corresponding salts with various other acids can also be used . instead of a salt of divalent europium , salts of trivalent europium may be used and the mixture subsequently reduced by known methods . for example salts of the alkaline earth metals m and the divalent europium are fluorides , chlorides , sulfates , carbonates . if salts of trivalent europium are used salts of the alkaline earth metals m are chlorides , carbonates , fluorides , and salts of trivalent europium are chlorides , fluorides , carbonates and perchlorates . further one can used instead of salts the oxides . the alkaline earth metal fluosilicates which are activated with europium according to this invention are useful for producing black light , that is , they can be used for all purposes where black light is required . photochemical reproduction of documents is one of the areas wherein black light is used . copies of such documents can be obtained by exposing the original documents to radiation , the wavelength of which corresponds to the maximum sensitivity of the photosensitive paper , and thence directing the reflected or transmitted rays against the photosensitive paper . the luminescent materials of the present invention are especially suited for the hereinabove described application because they exhibit a narrow emission spectrum , wherein practically all the energy of the luminescence is emitted in the region of maximum sensitivity of the photosensitive papers . as other utilizations of black light as are contemplated within the scope of this invention , there are mentioned , mineralogical field utilizations in prospecting for petroleum and uranium , the detection of mercury , the luminescence of precious stones ; within the medical field , utilization for the examination of nails , hair , teeth , eyes and the skin , or of the nervous and circulatory systems , renal functions , and the surgery field . in the area of quality control and analysis , black light may be used in controlling and / or detecting and / or evaluating : welds and surface conditions , alimentary tract products , textile fibers , &# 34 ; invisible &# 34 ; markings on postal items , signature control [ e . g ., in philately ], document falsifications , criminology , and the confidential marking of documents and placarding , usually to obtain special effects . in the field of scientific research , practical applications extend to the arts of microscopy , chromatography , spectrophotometry and electrophoresis . the present invention will now be described by the following examples of preparing luminescent materials , as well as by their emission spectra . a compound of the formula ba 1 - x eu x si f 6 is prepared wherein x is 0 . 0175 which corresponds to the maximum intensity of fluorescence for the barium fluosilicates according to the present invention . the following fluorides are used in the proportions which are indicated below : ______________________________________starting compound amount used______________________________________ba f . sub . 2 5 . 174 geu f . sub . 2 0 . 100 gh . sub . 2 sif . sub . 6 100 ml______________________________________ the powdery fluorides of barium and divalent europium are introduced into a platinum crucible . the fluosilicic acid is poured in and the resulting mixture is heated to 150 ° c . until all the excessive fluosilicic acid has evaporated . the crystallographical analysis of the resulting white product shows that its structure is isotypical to that of barium fluosilicate which is described in the literature . the thus prepared fluosilicate exhibits a sharp line radiation of a wavelength close to 3580a ( see spectrum , fig2 ) at room temperature under excitation with ultraviolet radiation of wavelength λ = 2537a by irradiation with a xenon lamp of 150 watt power . the same compound as in example 1 is prepared using the following fluorides in the proportions which are indicated below : ______________________________________starting compound amount used______________________________________ba f . sub . 2 5 . 174 geu f . sub . 3 0 . 110 gh . sub . 2 sif . sub . 6 100 ml______________________________________ the salts of barium and trivalent europium are dissolved in a solution of chlorohydric acid . the solution is passed over a column which contains zinc - mercury amalgam in order to reduce the europium to its divalent state . subsequently , the solution flows into a solution of fluosilicic acid which has been placed underneath the column . the resulting white precipitate is filtered and then dried at 200 ° c . it exhibits the same properties as the product which is obtained according to example 1 . a compound of the formula sr 1 - x eu x si f 6 is prepared wherein x equals 0 . 0225 which corresponds to the maximum intensity of fluorescence for the strontium fluosilicates according to the present invention . the following fluorides are used in the proportions which are indicated below : ______________________________________starting compound amount used______________________________________sr f . sub . 2 5 . 526 geu f . sub . 2 0 . 132 gh . sub . 2 sif . sub . 6 100 ml______________________________________ the method of example 1 is used for the preparation of the compound . by crystallographical analysis it is shown that the structure of the thus obtained white product is isotypical to that of barium fluosilicate . the fluorescene spectrum of the thus prepares strontium fluosilicate which is shown in fig3 exhibits an intense sharp line radiation , the maximum of which is placed at a wavelength of about 3588a . the irradiation is effected by a xenon lamp at a wavelength λ = 2537a . a compound of the formula sr 1 - x eu x si f 6 wherein x is 0 . 0225 is prepared by reacting h 2 si f 6 with a solid solution of the formula sr 1 - x eu x f 2 wherein x is 0 . 0225 which is obtained by heating a mixture of 7 . 36 g of sr f 2 and 0 . 284 g of eu f 3 to a temperature of 900 ° c . under a reducing atmosphere . the method of example 1 is used for the preparation of the compound using the following starting materials : ______________________________________starting material amount used______________________________________sr . sub . 0 . 9775 eu . sub . 0 . 0225 f . sub . 2 5 . 718 gh . sub . 2 si f . sub . 6 100 ml______________________________________ the resulting luminescent material is identical to the product of example 3 . the product of example 3 can also be obtained by reacting si f 4 with the above - described solid solution of the formula sr 0 . 9775 eu 0 . 0225 f 2 . 2 g of this solid solution are placed into a platinum boat under a glass enclosure . after evacuating the enclosure , gaseous si f 4 is introduced under a pressure of 0 . 52 g / cm 2 and the boat is subsequently heated to 300 ° c . during 15 hours . a compound containing strontium and barium of the formula sr 1 - y ba y - x eu x si f 6 wherein x is 0 . 022 and y is 0 . 511 is prepared by reacting h 2 si f 6 with a solid solution of the formula sr 1 - y ba y - x eu x f 2 and heating a mixture of the following amounts of sr f 2 , ba f 2 and eu f 2 ( eu f 3 ) to 1000 ° c . under neutral ( or reducing ) atmosphere : srf 2 : 0 . 360 g , baf 2 : 0 . 550 g , euf 2 : 0 . 026 g the resulting solid solution corresponds to the formula sr 0 . 489 ba 0 . 489 eu 0 . 022 f 2 . the parameters of the x - ray diffraction spectrum of the compounds sr 0 . 489 ba 0 . 489 eu 0 . 022 si f 6 according to this invention are situated inbetween these of sr si f 6 and those of ba si f 6 , as is conformable with the expansion of the lattice parameters when passing from sr to ba . the structure of the compound is isotypical to that of barium and strontium fluosilicates .	2
with reference now to the drawings , a new and improved exercising device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described . turning initially to fig1 - 3 , there is shown a first exemplary embodiment of the exercising device of the invention generally designated by reference numeral 10 . in its preferred form , exercising device 10 comprises a shoe - like main portion generally represented by reference numeral 12 having a heel portion 14 and an integral generally rectangularly shaped sole portion 16 extending therefrom substantially as shown . heel portion 14 has a spherical or rounded lower portion 18 suitably shaped and sized to permit the main portion 12 to rock in virtually any direction when the exercise device of the invention is worn on the foot of an individual in a weight bearing manner as will be further explained below . extending upwardly from the rounded lower heel portion is an arcuately shaped sidewall 20 which extends laterally in a generally semi - circular manner about the similarly shaped rightmost portion 22 of sole portion 16 . sidewall 20 terminates in an upper edge 24 and a pair of opposed , angled side edges 26 , 28 substantially as depicted . sidewall 20 further includes a pair of opposed slots 30 , 32 for anchoring a corresponding pair of fastening straps 34 , 36 each of which preferably is in the form of a flexible web of suitable material . preferably , one end of each strap is passed through a corresponding slot 30 , 32 to form a loop and sewn together to secure the strap to the sidewall . the straps are of a length so that when the foot of an individual is received in the exercise device of the invention with the individuals heel snugly received within the cup formed by arcuate sidewall 20 , the strap fasteners may be brought around the front of the ankle , overlapped and fastened in place . to facilitate this arrangement , the extremity of each strap suitably has attached thereto a corresponding fastener element 38 , 40 preferably in the form of a mating fabric material as sold under the registered trademark velcro , for example , with element 38 being sewn or otherwise affixed to bottom surface of strap 34 , and element 40 being similarly affixed to the top surface of element 36 so that when the straps are overlapped and brought together they will engage in a secure mating relationship . in order to provide more comfort to the wearer of the device , opposed portions of arcuate sidewall 20 proximal to slots 30 , 32 may be dished outwardly to form a pair of inwardly confronting concavities or recess suitably sized to accommodate the medial and lateral malleoli ( i . e . protruding ankle bones ) of the foot . the sole portion 16 of the exercise device of the invention generally comprises three longitudinally or axially arranged sections comprising respectively a heel section 44 , an intermediate section 46 and a distal section 48 with the sections commonly defining a flat upper base surface 50 substantially as shown . the sole portion 16 is suitably sized to serve comfortably as a support for the foot of an individual when device 10 is worn , i . e . with the individual &# 39 ; s heel resting on section 44 , the individual &# 39 ; s arch confronting section 46 , and the individual &# 39 ; s distal foot portion comprising the ball of the foot and the toes resting on section 48 . as best seen in fig4 section 46 includes a transverse through slot or passage 52 through which an instep fastener strap 54 extends substantially as shown . in its preferred form , fastener strap 54 is wider than straps 34 , 36 and has a row of conventional eyelets or grommets 55 proximal to each extremity thereof such that a suitable shoe lace 57 may be threaded in conventional fashion through the grommets and tied together after the device has been fitted to the foot of an individual . with this arrangement , the instep fastener strap 54 and ankle fastener straps 34 , 36 provide comfortable securement means for maintaining the exercise device on the foot of an individual during use . in accordance with the invention , distal section 48 comprises a generally rectangular block of suitably weighted material so as to provide resistance during use of exercise device 10 . the preferred material is aluminum , but other materials may be used instead . for example , device 10 alternatively may be fabricated of a durable molded polymeric material having metallic weights or inserts therein . suffice it to say , the &# 34 ; weight &# 34 ; portion of device 10 is substantially concentrated in distal section 48 so that during exercise , a moment arm exits extending longitudinally from section 48 to heel section 44 and acts to load the foot sufficiently to work the various muscle groups and other soft tissue in the region of the foot , ankle , lower leg , upper leg and hips . as best seen in fig1 the distal section 48 terminates in an orthogonal , substantially flat front edge 56 having a series of parallel , spaced blind holes 58 , 60 , 62 therein extending perpendicular to edge 56 . hole 60 , which is flanked by holes 58 , 62 is preferably of larger diameter than the latter and intercepts a threaded recess 64 extending parallel to edge 56 and opening into top surface 50 . a male threaded set screw 66 is threadedly engaged in recess 64 and is adapted to engage a dowel pin received in blind hole 60 as will soon be made more evident . a suitable driver tool 68 preferably is provided to tighten set screw 66 . in accordance with another important feature of the invention , a series of auxiliary weight blocks 70 , 72 , are provided for selectively adding weight to the exercise device 10 . weight blocks or modules 70 , 72 are identical and each is sized and shaped substantially the same as distal section 48 . in addition , each block 70 , 72 has the same series of blind holes 58 , 60 , 62 , and threaded recess and set screw 66 as distal section 66 . in fact , the only difference between blocks 70 , 72 and distal section 48 is a series of dowel pins 76 , 78 , and 80 extending from the rightmost edge 82 of blocks 70 , 72 as viewed in fig1 . dowel pins 76 , 78 , and 80 are sized to be slidably fitted within blind holes 58 , 60 , and 62 , respectively so that the blocks form modular &# 34 ; add on &# 34 ; sections to section 48 of exercise device 10 . thus , if an individual wished to add weight to the device 10 , one or more of the blocks 70 , 72 are attached to the section 48 or to each other by interfitting the dowel pins in their corresponding blind holes and tightening down the corresponding set screw 66 with driver tool 68 as will occur to those of ordinary skill . similarly , one or more modular blocks 70 , 72 may be removed by loosening the set screw and withdrawing the block leftwardly as viewed in fig1 . each modular block is adapted to add a predetermined amount of the same weight to device 10 , say for example , one - half pound ( i . e . each weighs the same ). an end block 83 of smaller size and weight , say one - quarter pound , may optionally be provided . alternatively , modular blocks ( not shown ) of the same size , shape and weight as end block 83 may be provided with the series of blind holes 58 , 60 , 62 in its end face 85 as this will increase the flexibility of adding weight in more discrete increments than would otherwise be the case if only the large ( heavier ) modular weight blocks are provided . in any event , it will be appreciated that any number of weight modules of either type and of any convenient weight may be provided , although from a practical standpoint the number of modules connected together axially and thence to distal portion 48 will be limited by the ability of the individual to perform weight lifting exercises without sustaining undue strain or injury . from the above description , the use of exercise device 10 should be self - evident . the device is fitted to the foot of an individual and fastened in place by engaging the instep fastener strap 54 and ankle fastener straps 34 , 36 . a program of exercising may then be commenced by rocking the foot in dorsi - flexion and planto - flexion , or in eversion or inversion , by bearing weight on the rounded heel portion 14 of the device . such exercises are especially suitable for training or rehabilitating the dorsal flexor muscles and alleviating or preventing a condition known as &# 34 ; shin splints &# 34 ;. additional exercises may be effected by elevating the foot while in the seated position , resting it on a small stool , and using the same movements in whatever pattern or combination of repetitions is desired . if and when an individual exercising program calls for progressive weight management , modular blocks 70 , 72 , and / or end block 83 made be selectively attached to device 10 in whatever combination or sequence is desired by first affixing a module to distal end portion 48 and if required , affixing additional modules to the first module in an axially nesting arrangement as substantially illustrated in fig1 . it is thus apparent that the exercising device of the present invention is capable of being used in a wide variety of body and leg positions and with more or less weight as dictated by individual requirements . turning now to fig4 - 8 , an alternative embodiment of the invention will be described wherein like reference numerals represent like parts . in order to provide the capability of engaging in exercises which do not require rocking movements of the foot employing the rounded heel portion as a fulcrum , or to facilitate ambulation without removing the exercise device from the foot , an adaptor module 86 is contemplated . as shown in fig4 - 6 , adaptor module 86 comprises a generally rectangularly shaped tray or basket having a bottom , flat support surface 88 , and an upwardly facing surface 90 shaped to conform to the shape of the underside of exercise device 10 . thus , as best seen in fig6 adaptor 86 has a spherical recess 92 adapted to receive the rounded heel portion 14 of device 10 , and a rectangular recess 94 adapted to receive the sole portion 16 of device 10 . in accordance with the alternative embodiment , means are provided for securing the exercise device to the adaptor when the former is nested within the latter . such means in their preferred form comprises a pair of magnetic elements 98 , 100 embedded in a flush manner in the surface of spherical recess 92 , and a magnetic element 102 embedded in a flush manner in the surface of rectangular recess 94 . magnetic elements 98 , 100 , and 102 are adapted to interact with metallic inserts ( not shown ) suitably embedded in the spherical heel portion 14 and in the sole portion 16 , respectively , of exercise device 10 . by this arrangement , the exercise device 10 is adapted to be fastened to the adaptor 94 in a nesting manner thereby functionally providing the exercise device with benefit of the flat supporting surface 88 and in effect , nullifying the &# 34 ; rocking &# 34 ; effect of the rounded heel portion 14 . similar magnetic means may be used to provide an alternative mode of fastening the weight modules to each other and / or to the exercise device 10 . hence , as shown in fig8 and 9 , each of the large dowel pins may be provided with a distal tip portion 104 comprising a permanent magnet whereas the floor or end wall of each blind hole has suitably affixed therein a metallic plug 106 adapted to be attractively engaged by permanent magnet comprising distal tip portion 104 . this alternative arrangement has the advantage of convenience as the parts may be inserted into each other and locked together without need of using the driver tool 68 to tighten the set screws 66 . it is apparent from the above that the present invention accomplishes all of the objectives set forth by providing a new and improved exercising device that is low in cost , relatively simple in design and operation , and which may advantageously be used to facilitate individually programmed exercising of the muscles or soft tissues of the lower extremities , knees , thighs , hips , stomach , and so on . the term &# 34 ; lower extremity &# 34 ; as used herein and in the appended claims should be broadly construed to mean the foot , ankle , or lower leg , individually or collectively , or any portions thereof . with respect to the above description , it should be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention , to include variations in size , materials , shape , form , function and manner of operation , assembly and use , are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art , and therefore , all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed only by the scope of appended claims . while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment ( s ) of the invention , it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein . hence , the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as encompass all such modifications and equivalents .	0
the compositions of the present invention can comprise , consist of , or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the invention described herein , as well any of the additional or optional ingredients , components , or limitations described herein . the term “ comprising ” ( and its grammatical variations ) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of “ having ” or “ including ” and not in the exclusive sense of “ consisting only of .” the terms “ a ” and “ the ” as used herein are understood to encompass the plural as well as the singular . all documents incorporated herein by reference in their entirety are only incorporated herein to the extent that they are not inconsistent with this specification . all percentages , parts and ratios are based upon the total weight of the composition of the present invention , unless otherwise specified . all such weights as they pertain to the listed ingredients are based on the active level and , therefore , do not include carriers or by - products that may be included in commercially available materials , unless otherwise specified . the term “ safe and effective amount ” as used herein means an amount of a compound or composition such as a topical or system active sufficient to significantly induce a positive benefit , for example , hair growth or regrowth , but low enough to avoid serious side effects , i . e ., to provide a reasonable benefit to risk ratio , within the scope of sound judgment of the skilled artisan . the compositions of the present invention contain at least one compound represented by the formulae : r 1 is a moiety selected from the group consisting of moieties of the formula — n ( r 3 )( r 4 ). each r 3 and r 4 individually is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen , lower alkyl , lower alkenyl , lower aralkyl , and lower cycloalkyl , and taken together r3 and r4 may be a heterocyclic moiety selected from the group consisting of aziridinyl , azetidinyl , pyrrolidinyl , piperidino , hexahydroazepinyl , heptamethylenimino , octamethylenimino , morpholino , and 4 - lower - alkylpiperazinyl , each of said heterocyclic moieties having attached as substituents on the carbon atoms 0 to 3 lower alkyl groups , hydroxy or alkoxy , and wherein r 2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen , lower alkyl , lower alkenyl , lower alkoxyalkyl , lower cycloalkyl , lower aryl , lower aralkyl , lower alkaryl , lower alkaralkyl , lower alkoxyaralkyl , and lower haloaralkyl and the pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof . the amount of the compound of the above formulas i and / or ii is a safe and effective amount for promoting hair growth and / or regrowth . in certain embodiments , the compound of formulas i and / or ii is present at a concentration of from 0 . 1 % ( or about 0 . 1 %) to 20 % ( or about 20 . 0 %) of the preparation , or optionally , from about 0 . 5 % to about 10 % by weight of the composition . listed below are definitions of various terms used to describe this invention . these definitions apply to the terms as they are used throughout this specification , unless otherwise limited in specific instances , either individually or as part of a larger group . the term “ lower alkyl ” refers to straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups containing typically 1 to 6 carbon atoms , and more typically 1 to 3 carbon atoms . examples of suitable lower alkyl groups include methyl , ethyl and propyl . examples of branched alkyl groups include isopropyl and t - butyl . examples of suitable alkoxy groups are methoxy , ethoxy and propoxy . the “ lower cycloalkyl ” groups typically contain 3 - 6 carbon atoms and include cyclopropyl , cyclobutyl , cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl . the “ lower alkenyl ” groups typically contain 2 - 6 carbon atoms and include ethenyl , propenyl and butenyl . the “ lower cycloalkenyl ” groups typically contain 3 - 6 carbon atoms and include cyclopropenyl , cyclobutenyl , cyclopentenyl and cyclohexenyl . the term “ lower aryl ” refers to monocyclic or multi - ring aromatic hydrocarbon groups typically containing 6 to 14 carbon atoms in the ring portion , such as phenyl , 2 - naphthyl , 1 - naphthyl , 4 - biphenyl , 3 - biphenyl , 2 - biphenyl , and diphenyl groups . the compounds of formulas i and / or ii may also be dissolved in conventional organic solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide ( dmso ), acetonitrile , dimethylformamide ( dmf ), dimethylacetamide ( dma ), propylene glycol / ethanol / water and mixtures thereof . the compositions can also be dissolved in or contain as auxiliary components such as acid ( e . g ., lactic acid ) or alcoholic solubilizers . for instance , compositions of the present disclosure can optionally include an acid solubilizer for the compounds of formulas i and / or ii as disclosed in u . s . pat . no . 5 , 652 , 274 , herein incorporated by reference in its entirety . in other embodiments , suitable solubilizers include propylene glycol and alcohol . the solubilizer , when present can be employed in amounts of from about 1 % to about 60 %, or , optionally , from about 20 % to about 50 %. when used , the lactic acid or lactate may be selected from the group consisting of lactic acid , salts of lactic acid , prodrugs of lactic acid , and mixtures thereof . the salts of lactic acid may include , but is not limited to , alkali salts and alkaline earth salts . in certain embodiments , the lactate is selected from the group consisting of lactic acid , lithium lactate , sodium lactate , potassium lactate , magnesium lactate , calcium lactate , zinc lactate , manganese lactate , and the like , and mixtures thereof . in other embodiments , the lactate is selected from the group consisting of lactic acid , sodium lactate , potassium lactate , magnesium lactate , calcium lactate , zinc lactate , manganese lactate , and mixtures thereof . in still further embodiments , the lactate is lactic acid . when present in the compositions of the present invention , the lactate is present in an amount suitable for dissolving the compound of formula i or formula ii . in certain embodiments , lactate is present in the composition in an amount from about 0 . 05 % to about 50 %, optionally , from about 1 . 0 % to about 45 %, or , optionally , from about 1 . 0 % to about 5 . 0 %, by weight of the composition . the compositions of the present invention further include an admixture comprising : 1 ) an acid selected from the group consisting of intermediates of the kreb cycle , non - kreb cycle intermediate alpha keto acid , derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof ; and / or an antioxidant and 2 ) a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids . in certain embodiments , the admixture is present in the composition at a concentration of from 0 . 1 % ( or about 0 . 1 %) to 99 % ( or about 99 %), optionally from 3 % ( or about 3 %) to 75 % ( or about 75 %), optionally from 5 % ( or about 5 %) to 50 % ( or about 50 %), optionally from 10 % ( or about 10 %) to 40 % ( or about 40 %), optionally from 15 % ( or about 15 %) to 30 % ( or about 30 %), or optionally from 19 % ( or about 19 %) to 23 % ( or about 23 %), by weight of the composition . in certain embodiments , the acid of the admixture of the present invention is selected from the group consisting of intermediates of the kreb cycle , non - kreb cycle alpha keto acids , derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof . kreb cycle ( or citric acid cycle ) intermediates useful herein , include , but are not limited to , 2 - oxoglutarate , fumarate , succinate , oxaloacetate , citrate , cis - aconitate , isocitrate , oxalosuccinate , alpha - ketoglutarate , l - malate , esters thereof , ethers thereof or salts thereof and mixtures thereof . in other embodiments , the acid is a non - kreb cycle intermediate alpha - keto acid ( or 2 - oxoacid ). the alpha - keto acid ( or 2 - oxoacid ) has the keto group adjacent to the carboxylic acid . by “ non - kreb cycle intermediate ”, as used herein , means a chemical , compound or intermediate not produced by the kreb cycle or citric acid cycle . in certain embodiments , suitable non - kreb cycle alpha - keto acids include , but are not limited to , pyruvic acid ( alpha - ketopropionic acid ), alpha - ketoisovaleric acid , alpha - ketoisocaproic acid , salts thereof and mixtures thereof . it should be understood , however , that in addition to these alpha - keto acids , the unqualified term “ alpha - keto acids ” further includes , but is not limited to , alpha ketoglutaric acid . in certain embodiments the alpha - keto acid useful as the acid is a pyruvic acid . pyruvic acid suitable for use in the present invention may be selected from the group consisting of pyruvic acid , salts of pyruvic acid , prodrugs of pyruvic acid , and mixtures thereof . in certain embodiments , the salts of pyruvic acid may be alkali salts and alkaline earth salts . in certain embodiments , the pyruvic acid is selected from the group consisting of pyruvic acid , lithium pyruvate , sodium pyruvate , potassium pyruvate , magnesium pyruvate , calcium pyruvate , zinc pyruvate , manganese pyruvate , methyl pyruvate , and mixtures thereof . in other embodiments , the pyruvic acid is selected from the group of salts consisting of sodium pyruvate , potassium pyruvate , magnesium pyruvate , calcium pyruvate , zinc pyruvate , manganese pyruvate , and the like , and mixtures thereof . in still other embodiments , the pyruvic acid is sodium pyruvate . without being limited by theory , it is believed that the acid acts as the energy source component for the admixture . in certain embodiments , the acid is present in the composition in an amount of from 0 . 01 % ( or about 0 . 01 %) to 99 . 98 % ( or about 99 . 98 %), or optionally 10 % ( or about 10 %) to 90 % ( or about 90 %), or optionally from 20 % ( or about 20 %) to 70 % ( or about 70 %), or optionally from 25 % ( or about 25 %) to 50 % ( or about 50 %), or optionally from 30 % ( or about 30 %) to 40 % ( or about 40 %), or optionally about 33 %, by weight of the admixture . antioxidants , as mentioned above , are also present as a component of the admixture of the present invention . generally , antioxidants are substances which inhibit oxidation or suppress reactions promoted by oxygen or peroxides . without being limited by theory , it is believed that antioxidants , or , optionally , lipid - soluble antioxidants , can be absorbed into the cellular membrane to neutralize oxygen radicals and thereby protect the hair follicles from oxidative damage . in certain embodiments , the antioxidant may be selected from the group consisting of all forms of vitamin a including lycopene , lutein , retinal and 3 , 4 - didehydroretinal , all forms of carotene such as alpha - carotene , beta - carotene ( beta , beta - carotene ), gamma - carotene , delta - carotene , all forms of vitamin c ( d - ascorbic acid , l - aseorbic acid ), all forms of tocopherol such as vitamin e ( alpha - tocopherol , 3 , 4 - dihydro - 2 , 5 , 7 , 8 - tetramethyl - 2 -( 4 , 8 , 12 - trimethyltri - decyl )- 2h - 1 - benzopy ran - 6 - ol ), beta - tocopherol , gamma - tocopherol , delta - tocopherol , tocoquinone , tocotrienol , and vitamin e esters which readily undergo hydrolysis to vitamin e such as vitamin e acetate and vitamin e succinate , and vitamin e salts such as vitamin e phosphate , prodrugs of vitamin a , carotene , vitamin c , and vitamin e , salts of vitamin a , carotene , vitamin c , and vitamin e , and the like , flavonoids and mixtures thereof . flavonoids useful in the present can be found in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 051 , 602 to bissett , herein incorporated by reference . in other embodiments , the antioxidant is selected from the group of lipid - soluble antioxidants consisting of vitamin a , beta - carotene , tocopherol , and mixtures thereof . in still other embodiments , the antioxidant is tocopherol vitamin e or vitamin e acetate . in yet other embodiments , the antioxidant is a polyphenol such as resveratrol or epigallocatechin gallate . in certain embodiments , the antioxidant component is present in the composition in an amount of from 0 . 01 % ( or about 0 . 01 %) to 99 . 98 % ( or about 99 . 98 %), or optionally 10 % ( or about 10 %) to 90 % ( or about 90 %), or optionally from 20 % ( or about 20 %) to 70 % ( or about 70 %), or optionally from 25 % ( or about 25 %) to 50 % ( or about 50 %), or optionally from 30 % ( or about 30 %) to 40 % ( or about 40 %), or optionally about 33 %, by weight of the admixture . in certain embodiments , the ratio of the acid component to the antioxidant component on a weight / weight basis is from 0 . 01 : 1 ( or about 0 . 01 : 1 ) to 1 : 0 . 01 ( or about 1 : 0 . 01 ), optionally from 1 : 1 ( or about 1 : 1 ) to 1 : 0 . 1 ( or about 1 : 0 . 1 ), optionally from 1 : 1 ( or about 1 : 1 ) to 1 : 0 . 5 ( or about 1 : 0 . 5 ). the admixture of the present invention also contains a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids , free or bound , or a source of such saturated and unsaturated fatty acids useful in providing a readily available source of nutrients to hair follicles suitable mixtures of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids may be derived from animal and vegetable fats and waxes , mammalian or fish egg materials , prodrugs of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids useful in the present compositions , and mixtures thereof . the fatty acids in the fatty acid mixture may be in the form of mono -, di -, or trigylcerides , or free fatty acids , or mixtures thereof . in one embodiment , the fatty acid mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids has a composition similar to that of human fat and comprises the following fatty acids : butyric acid , caproic acid , caprylic acid , capric acid , lauric acid , myristic acid , myristoleic acid , palmitic acid , palmitoleic acid , stearic acid , oleic acid , linoleic acid , linolenic acid , arachidic acid , dihomolinoleic acid , arachidonic acid , behenic acid , lignoceric acid and gadoleic acid . typically , butyric acid , caproic acid , caprylic acid , capric acid , lauric acid , myristic acid , myristoleic acid , palmitic acid , palmitoleic acid , stearic acid , oleic acid , linoleic acid , linolenic acid , arachidic acid , and gadoleic acid are present in the mixture in about the following percentages by weight , respectively : about 0 . 2 %- 0 . 4 % butyric acid , about 0 . 1 % caproic acid , about 0 . 3 %- 0 . 8 % caprylic acid , about 2 . 2 %- 3 . 5 % capric acid , about 0 . 9 %- 5 . 5 % lauric acid , about 2 . 8 %- 8 . 5 % myristic acid , about 0 . 1 %- 0 . 6 % myristoleic acid , about 23 . 2 %- 24 . 6 % palmitic acid , about 1 . 8 %- 3 . 0 % palmitoleic acid , about 6 . 9 %- 9 . 9 % stearic acid , about 36 . 0 %- 36 . 5 % oleic acid , about 20 %- 20 . 6 % linoleic acid , about 7 . 5 - 7 . 8 % linolenic acid , about 1 . 1 %- 4 . 9 % arachidic acid , about 2 %- 3 % dihomolinoleic acid , about 7 %- 9 % arachidonic acid , about 3 %- 4 % behenic acid , about 11 %- 13 % lignoceric acid and about 3 . 3 %- 6 . 4 % gadoleic acid . in another embodiment , the fatty acid mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids has a composition similar to chicken fat and comprising the following fatty acids : lauric acid , myristic acid , myristoleic acid , pentadecanoic acid , palmitic acid , palmitoleic acid , margaric acid , margaroleic acid , stearic acid , oleic acid , linoleic acid , linolenic acid , arachidic acid , and gadoleic acid . optionally , lauric acid , myristic acid , myristoleic acid , pentadecanoic acid , palmitic acid , palmitoleic acid , margaric acid , margaroleic acid , stearic acid , oleic acid , linoleic acid , linolenic acid , arachidic acid , and gadoleic acid are present in the mixture in about the following percentages by weight , respectively : about 0 . 1 % lauric acid , about 0 . 8 % myristic acid , about 0 . 2 % myristoleic acid , about 0 . 1 % pentadecanoic acid , about 25 . 3 % palmitic acid , about 7 . 2 % palmitoleic acid , about 0 . 1 % magaric acid , about 0 . 1 % heptadecenoic acid , about 6 . 5 % stearic acid , about 37 . 7 % oleic acid , about 20 . 6 % linoleic acid , about 0 . 8 % linolenic acid , about 0 . 2 % arachidic acid , and about 0 . 3 % gadoleic acid . in certain other embodiments , the fatty acid mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids has a composition similar to lecithin . lecithin ( phosphatidylcholine ) is a phosphatide found in all living organisms ( plants and animals ) and is a significant constituent of nervous tissue and brain substance . lecithin is a mixture of the diglycerides of stearic acid , palmitic acid , and oleic acid , linked to the choline ester of phosphoric acid . the product of commerce is predominantly soybean lecithin obtained as a by - product in the manufacturing of soybean oil . soybean lecithin contains by weight palmitic acid 11 . 7 %, stearic acid 4 . 0 %, palmitoleic acid 8 . 6 %, oleic acid 9 . 8 %, linoleic acid 55 . 0 %, linolenic acid 4 . 0 %, c 20 to c 22 acids ( includes arachidonic acid ) 5 . 5 %. lecithin may be represented by the formula : c 8 h 17 o 5 nr 9 r 10 wherein each of r 9 and r 10 are , independently , selected from the group consisting of stearic acid , palmitic acid , and oleic acid . in certain other embodiments , the fatty acid mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids has a composition similar to egg yolk . the composition ( by weight ) of the most prevalent fatty acid mixture in egg yolk can be broken into by weight : a . unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid ( about 47 %), linoleic acid ( about 16 %), palmitoleic acid ( about 5 %), and linolenic acid ( about 2 %); and b . saturated fatty acids : such as palmitic acid ( about 23 %), stearic acid ( about 4 %), and myristic acid ( about 1 %). the above fatty acid mixtures ( or fatty acid mixture sources ) and percentages of fatty acids present in the various fatty acid mixture ( or sources thereof ) are provided as examples . the exact type of fatty acid present in the fatty acid mixture ( or mixture sources ) and the exact amount of fatty acid employed in the fatty acid mixture ( or mixture sources ) may be varied in order to obtain the result desired in the final product and such variations are now within the capabilities of those skilled in the art without the need for undue experimentation . in certain embodiments of the present invention , the fatty acid mixture or fatty acid mixture source comprising at least 7 , optionally at least 14 , and optionally at least 22 , unsaturated or saturated fatty acids selected from the group consisting of , but not limited to , butyric acid , caproic acid , caprylic acid , capric acid , lauric acid , myristic acid , myristoleic acid , palmitic acid , palmitoleic acid , stearic acid , oleic acid , linoleic acid , linolenic acid , arachidic acid , gadoleic acid , pentadecanoic acid , margaric acid , margaroleic acid , behenic acid , dihomolinoleic acid , arachidonic acid and lignoceric acid . other useful fatty acids can be found in u . s . pat . no . 4 , 874 , 794 to adachi et al ., herein incorporated by reference . in certain embodiments , the fatty acid mixture in the admixture is obtained or sourced from oil mixtures . for example , cottonseed oil has a 2 : 1 ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids . its fatty acid profile generally consists of 70 % unsaturated fatty acids including 18 % monounsaturated ( oleic ), 52 % polyunsaturated ( linoleic ) and 26 % saturated ( primarily palmitic and stearic ). more specifically , cottonseed oil has fatty acids present in the mixture in about the following percentages by weight , respectively : about 0 . 5 - 2 . 0 % myristic acid , about 17 . 0 - 29 . 0 % palmitic acid , less than about 1 . 5 % palmitoleic acid , about 1 . 0 - 4 . 0 % stearic acid , about 13 . 0 - 44 . 0 % oleic acid , about 40 . 0 - 63 . 0 % linoleic acid , and about 0 . 1 - 2 . 1 % linolenic acid . cocoa butter has fatty acids present in the mixture in about the following percentages by weight , respectively : at least about 0 . 1 % myristic acid , about 0 . 5 - 26 . 3 % palmitic acid , at least about 0 . 4 % palmitoleic acid , about 0 . 5 - 33 . 8 % stearic acid , about 0 . 5 - 34 . 4 % oleic acid , and about 0 . 5 - 3 . 1 % linoleic acid . olive oil was determined in one study to have fatty acids present in the mixture in about the following percentages by weight , respectively : about 0 . 5 - 9 . 0 % palmitic acid , at least about 0 . 4 % palmitoleic acid , about 0 . 5 - 2 . 7 % of stearic acid , about 0 . 5 - 80 . 3 % oleic acid , about 0 . 5 - 6 . 3 % of linoleic acid , and about 0 . 5 - 0 . 7 % linolenic acid . oils suitable for use as a fatty acid mixture source include , but are not limited to , adansonla digitata oil ; apricot ( prunus armeniaca ) kernel oil ; argania spinosa oil ; argemone mexicana oil ; avocado ( persea gratissima ) oil ; babassu ( orbignya olelfera ) oil ; balm mint ( melissa officinalis ) seed oil ; bitter almond ( prunus amygdalus amara ) oil ; bitter cherry ( prunus cerasus ) oil ; black currant ( ribes nigrum ) oil ; borage ( borago officinalis ) seed oil ; brazil ( bertholletia excelsa ) nut oil ; burdock ( arctium lappa ) seed oil ; butter ; calophyllum tacamahaca oil ; camellia kissi oil ; camellia oleifera seed oil ; canola oil ; caraway ( carum carvi ) seed oil ; carrot ( daucus carota sativa ) oil ; cashew ( anacardium occidentale ) nut oil ; castor oil benzoate ; castor ( ricinus communis ) oil ; cephalins ; chaulmoogra ( taraktogenos kurzii ) oil , chia ( salvia hispanica ) oil ; cocoa ( theobrama cocao ) butter ; coconut ( cocos nucifera ) oil ; cod liver oil ; coffee ( coffea arabica ) oil ; corn ( zea mays ) germ oil ; corn ( zea mays ) oil ; cottonseed ( gossypium ) oil ; cucumber ( cucumis sativus ) oil ; dog rose ( rosa canina ) hips oil ; egg oil ; emu oil ; epoxidized soybean oil ; evening primrose ( oenothera biennis ) oil ; fish liver oil ; gevuina avellana oil ; goat butter ; grape ( vitis vinifera ) seed oil ; hazel ( croylus americana ) nut oil ; hazel ( corylus aveilana ) nut oil ; human placental lipids ; hybrid safflower ( carthamus tinctorius ) oil ; hybrid sunflower ( helianthus annuus ) seed oil ; isatis tinctoria oil ; job &# 39 ; s tears ( coix lacryma - jobi ) oil ; jojoba oil ; kiwi ( actinidia chinensis ) seed oil ; kukui ( aleurites moluccana ) nut oil ; lard ; linseed ( linum usitatissiumum ) oil ; lupin ( lupinus albus ) oil ; macadamia nut oil ; macadamia ternifolia seed oil ; macadamia integrifolia seed oil ; maleated soybean oil ; mango ( mangifera indica ) seed oil ; marmot oil ; meadowfoam ( limnanthes fragraalba ) seed oil ; menhaden oil ; milk lipids ; mink oil ; moring a pterygosperma oil ; mortierella oil ; musk rose ( rosa moschata ) seed oil ; neatsfoot oil ; neem ( melia azadirachta ) seed oil ; oat ( avena sativa ) kernel oil ; olive ( olea europaea ) husk oil ; olive ( olea europaea ) oil ; omental lipids ; orange roughy oil ; ostrich oil ; oxidized corn oil ; palm ( elaeis guineensis ) kernel oil ; palm ( elaeis guineensis ) oil ; passionflower ( passiflora edulis ) oil ; peach ( prunus persica ) kernel oil ; peanut ( arachis hypogaea ) oil ; pecan ( caiya illinoensis ) oil ; pengawar djambi ( cibotium barometz ) oil ; pistachio ( pistacia vera ) nut oil ; placental lipids ; poppy ( papaver orientale ) oil ; pumpkin ( cucurbita pepo ) seed oil ; quinoa ( chenopodium quinoa ) oil ; rapeseed ( brassica campestris ) oil ; rice ( oryza sativa ) bran oil ; rice ( oryza sativa ) germ oil ; safflower ( carthamus tinctorius ) oil ; salmon oil ; sandalwood ( santalum album ) seed oil ; seabuchthorn ( hippophae rhamnoides ) oil ; sesame ( sesamum indicum ) oil ; shark liver oil ; shea butter ( butyrospermum parkii ); silk worm lipids ; skin lipids ; soybean ( glycine soja ) oil ; soybean lipid ; sphingolipids ; sunflower ( helianthus annuus ) seed oil ; sweet almond ( prunus amygdalus dulcis ) oil ; sweet cherry ( prunus avium ) pit oil ; tali oil ; tallow ; tea tree ( melaleuca alternifolia ) oil ; telphairia pedata oil ; tomato ( solanum lycopersicum ) oil ; trichodesma zeylanicum oil ; tuna oil ; vegetable oil ; walnut ( juglans regia ) oil ; wheat bran lipids ; and wheat ( triticum vulgare ) germ oil and mixtures thereof . in certain embodiments , the oil is present in the compositions of the present invention in a total amount of from 0 . 01 % ( or about 0 . 01 %) to 99 . 98 % ( or about 99 . 98 %), or optionally 10 % ( or about 10 %) to 90 % ( or about 90 %), or optionally from 20 % ( or about 20 %) to 70 % ( or about 70 %), or optionally from 25 % ( or about 25 %) to 50 % ( or about 50 %), or optionally from 30 % ( or about 30 %) to 40 % ( or about 40 %), or optionally about 33 %, by weight of the fatty acid mixture . in certain embodiments the oil mixture used as a source of the fatty acid mixture is formed from oils selected to provide the following fatty acid composition : 0 . 3 % ( or about 0 . 3 %) myristic acid , 19 % ( or about 19 %) palmitic acid , 0 . 5 % ( or about 0 . 5 %) palmitoleic acid , 13 % ( or about 13 %) stearic acid , 44 . 4 % ( or about 44 . 4 %) oleic acid , 21 . 3 % ( or about 21 . 3 %) linoleic acid , and 0 . 5 % ( or about 0 . 5 %) linolenic acid . in certain embodiments the oil mixture used as a source of the fatty acid mixture is formed from oils selected from the group consisting of cocoa butter , olive oil , cottonseed oil and mixtures thereof . in certain embodiments , the fatty acid mixture or source of the fatty acid mixture is present in the compositions of the present invention in an amount from 0 . 01 % ( or about 0 . 01 %) to 99 . 98 % ( or about 99 . 98 %), or optionally 10 % ( or about 10 %) to 90 % ( or about 90 %), or optionally from 20 % ( or about 20 %) to 70 % ( or about 70 %), or optionally from 25 % ( or about 25 %) to 50 % ( or about 50 %), or optionally from 30 % ( or about 30 %) to 40 % ( or about 40 %), or optionally 33 %, by weight of the admixture . in certain embodiments , the ratio of the acid component to the fatty acid mixture component on a weight / weight basis is from 0 . 01 : 1 ( or about 0 . 01 : 1 ) to 1 : 0 . 01 ( or about 1 : 0 . 01 ), optionally from 1 : 1 ( or about 1 : 1 ) to 1 : 0 . 1 ( or about 1 : 0 . 1 ), optionally from 1 : 1 ( or about 1 : 1 ) to 1 : 0 . 5 ( or about 1 : 0 . 5 ), or optionally , 1 : 1 ( or about 1 : 1 ). in certain embodiments , the ratio of the fatty acid mixture component to the antioxidant component on a weight / weight basis is from 0 . 01 : 1 ( or about 0 . 01 : 1 ) to 1 : 0 . 01 ( or about 1 : 0 . 01 ), optionally from 1 : 1 ( or about 1 : 1 ) to 1 : 0 . 1 ( or about 1 : 0 . 1 ), optionally from 1 : 1 ( or about 1 : 1 ) to 1 : 0 . 5 ( or about 1 : 0 . 5 ). in certain embodiments , the ratio of the pyruvic acid component or the fatty acid mixture component to the antioxidant component on a weight / weight basis is from 1 : 1 ( or about 1 : 1 ) to 1 : 0 . 01 ( or about 1 : 0 . 01 ). without being limited by theory , the present inventors believe that the compositions and methods of the present invention provide improved hair growth or regrowth ; provide a thicker or richer hair coat ; and / or treat or prevent hair loss by accelerating the onset of the anagen phase of hair growth in mammals and / or increase the rate at which terminal hair appears on the skin of mammals . hair studies have concluded that the histological features of the human hair follicle vary extensively during the growth cycle . hair can be classified as either : 1 . terminal hairs which are darkly pigmented , long and thick or 2 . vellus hair which very fine and light colored hair . in balding men thick terminal hair is often replaced by fine vellus - like hair . all hair , terminal and vellus , goes through a growth phase ( anagen ), a regression or transitional phase ( catagen ), and a resting phase ( telogen ). during the anagen phase , the growth cells in the dermal papilla rapidly divide and produce the hair shaft which becomes keratinized as it pushes up and out of the follicle into the pore . the anagen hair bulbs are located in the deeper subcutaneous fat levels of the skin . the catagen bulbs are in the dermis and telogen bulbs are in the mid - to - upper dermis . the anagen phase for vellus hairs is typically much shorter than that for terminal hairs . in one embodiment , the compositions according to this invention may further contain one or more additional cosmetically active agent ( s ) as well as the above - mentioned components . what is meant by a “ cosmetically acceptable active agent ” is a compound , which may be a synthetic compound or a compound isolated , purified or concentrated from a natural source , or a natural extract containing a mixture of compounds , that has a cosmetic effect on the tissue , including , but not limited to : anti - aging agents , sunscreens , photoprotectors , antioxidants , keratolytic agents , detergents / surfactants , moisturizers , nutrients , vitamins , minerals , energy enhancers , anti - perspiration agents , astringents , hair growth enhancing agents , hair coloring agents , pigments , firming agents , agents for skin conditioning , and odor - control agents such as odor masking or ph - changing and buffering agents . in certain embodiments , the additional cosmetically acceptable active is a hair growth active selected from a group of compounds known to promote hair growth and available as drugs , such as diazoxide , pinacidil , bimatoprost , finasteride , a type 2 5 - alpha - reductase inhibitor , and dutasteride , a type 1 - and 2 - 5 - alpha - reductase inhibitor , as well as flutamide , bicalutamide , pregnane derivatives , progesterone derivatives , experimental agents such as fce 28260 and the like . spironolactone and other diuretics may also be utilized as it is indicated for women in some cases ( also known as aldactone : an aldosterone receptor antagonist ). in other embodiments of the compositions of the present invention , synthetic or natural 5 - alpha - reductase inhibitors , or other anti - sebum ingredients including , but not limited to , sepicontrol ( capryloyl glycine , sarcosine and cinamomum zeylanicum bark extract ), licorice powder or extract , and the like may be incorporated . mc5 receptor antagonists may also be utilized in the compositions of this invention . examples of mc5 - r antagonists may be found in u . s . pat . no . 7 , 049 , 331 , herein incorporated by reference in its entirety . also useful in certain embodiments are herbal remedies that may have 5 - alpha - reductase inhibitory action or otherwise induce hair growth may include : saw palmetto and pygeum africanum . other agents that may have such activity are beta - sisterol , sepicontrol and licorice , gamma - linolenic acid and other unsaturated fatty acids , zinc and zinc salts , cotinus coggygria extract , green tea catechin (−)- epigallocatechin gallate ( egcg ) and other polyphenols , and the like . grape seed , apple seed , apple juice , and barley extracts may also be potential agents that may induce hair growth , although they are not thought to be very common or satisfactory in achieving satisfactory results . the topical compositions useful in this invention contain formulations suitable for topical application to skin and scalp . the term “ topical ” as employed herein relates to the use of a composition along with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier , and applied according to the method of the present invention at the site of hair loss , reduced hair growth or baldness for exertion of local action . accordingly , such topical compositions useful in the methods of the present invention include those pharmaceutical forms in which the compound is applied externally by direct contact with the skin surface to be treated . in one embodiment , the compositions contain the above components in a cosmetically - acceptable topical carrier . suitable carrier forms include ointments , pastes , gels , jellies , serums , aerosol and non - aerosol sprays , foams , creams , lotions , solutions , suspensions and the like . the term “ ointment ” embraces formulations ( including creams ) having oleaginous , absorption , water - soluble and emulsion - type bases , e . g ., petrolatum , lanolin , polyethylene glycols , as well as mixtures of these . a more detailed discussion of the specific carriers and additional components useful in the compositions of the present invention can be found in u . s . patent publication 2008 / 0145331 to bruning et al ., herein incorporated by reference in its entirety . in one embodiment , the cosmetically - acceptable topical carrier constitutes from about 50 % to about 99 . 99 %, by weight , of the composition or optionally from about 80 % to about 95 %, by weight , of the composition . various other materials may also be present in the compositions useful in the subject invention . these include humectants , proteins and polypeptides , preservatives , an alkaline agent and mixtures thereof . the compositions of the present invention may also comprise chelating agents ( e . g ., edta ) and preservatives ( e . g ., parabens ). in addition , the topical compositions useful herein can contain conventional cosmetic adjuvants , such as dyes , sunscreen ( e . g ., titanium dioxide ), pigments , and fragrances . a more detailed discussion of these and other materials can be found in previously incorporated u . s . patent publication 2008 / 0145331 to bruning et al . as well as in u . s . pat . no . 5 , 658 , 956 to martin et al ., which patent is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety . the use of compositions of this invention for accelerating the onset of the anagen phase of hair growth in a mammal and / or increasing the rate at which terminal hair appears on the skin by topical application of the present compositions was determined by the mice studies described below . in certain embodiments , the compositions of this invention should be applied topically to the desired area of the mammalian or human body at least once per day for at least 11 weeks , optionally at least 9 weeks , or optionally at least 7 weeks . the hair growth benefits of the present invention may be maintained indefinitely by chronic administration of the compositions of the present invention . the compositions of the present invention as described in following examples illustrate specific embodiments of compositions of the present invention , but are not intended to be limiting thereof . other modifications can be undertaken by the skilled artisan without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention . to determine the acceleration in the onset of the anagen phase in the c3h mice , the following treatment formulations were prepared using conventional mixing technology . c3h female mice at 6 - 7 weeks of age were purchased from taconic farms ( germantown , n . y .). c3h mice &# 39 ; s hair growth cycles have similar anagen , catagen and telogen phases . ( table 1 ) ( miyamoto i . ; hamada k ., journal of dermatological science , volume 10 , number 1 , july 1995 , pp . 99 - 99 ( 1 )). each phase is much shorter than corresponding human hair growth cycles and synchronized across all the hair follicles . this makes c3h mice a useful model for studying the induction activity of hair re - growth by active substances . c3h mice have a long telogen window from week 7 to week 15 . therefore , typically hair regrowth studies start at week 7 and ends at week 15 , i . e . the duration of a study is about 8 weeks . mice were housed in appropriately sized cages in an environmentally controlled room with a 12 - hour light - 12 - hour dark photoperiod and supplied with food and water ad libitum . animal care was based on the “ guide for the care and use of laboratory animals ”, nih publication no . 85 - 23 . once all mice entered their prolonged telogen / resting phase of the hair cycle , they were clipped over the dorsal area about 1 . 5 × 5 cm ( wahl clippers 8900 series , blade # 1086 ). five female mice per group were clipped while sedated with 2 % induction and maintenance isoflurane and 0 . 5 l oxygen . the actual number of mice represented in the data may vary due to inadvertent death of one or more mice during study . ( the brackets “[ ]” indicate the w / w % ratio of the alpha - keto acid component to the antioxidant component to the fatty acid mixture component in the treatment formulation .) 200 mg of each test formulations were applied topically to the test skin area daily , 5 days a week . images were taken on day 5 of each week of treatment and every 7 days thereafter to determine by visual observation the first signs of anagen / active growth phase and to determine rate at which terminal hairs cover skin treatment area . a study log ( or , anagen phase log ) was kept to document day - to - day observations of mice entering anagen phase ( i . e ., to observe the first appearance of grey skin , the first visual clue to new hair growth ). treatments continued for 9 weeks . surprisingly , the onset of the anagen phase occurred faster in c3h mice groups treated with 5 % minoxidil plus admixture of the present invention than with 5 % minoxidil alone . table ii indicates anagen phase onsets for groups a - h as recorded in the anagen phase log . ( the brackets “[ ]” indicate the w / w % ratio of the alpha - keto acid component to the antioxidant component to the fatty acid mixture component in the treatment formulation .) the data in table ii demonstrates that the onset of anagen phase occurred in each of the groups containing the admixture as follows : i . 9 days earlier in groups a , b and c than in group g and 27 days earlier than in group h ; ii . 13 days earlier in group d than in group g and 31 days earlier than in group h iii . 5 days earlier in group e than in group g and 23 days earlier than in group h . iv . 10 days earlier than in group f than in group g and 18 days earlier than in group h . the average degree of terminal hair coverage across mice in each group was determined by visual inspection of the images taken at weeks 0 , 4 and 5 . the phrase “ degree of terminal hair coverage ”, means the observed average estimated percentage of the treated site which is covered by terminal hair . the phrase “ higher degree of terminal hair coverage ” means the average terminal hair coverage associated with one group of mice is : a . thicker or darker in color on average ; and / or b . covers a larger average observed estimated percentage of the treated site than is observed in another group . the phrase “ low degree of terminal hair coverage ” means the average terminal hair coverage associated with one group of mice is : a . thinner or lighter in color on average ; and / or b . covers a less of an average observed estimated percentage of the treated site than is observed in another group . the phrase “ faster degree of terminal hair coverage ” means that a degree of terminal hair coverage is achieved faster in time . the term “ average ” means the average across the mice in each group . the term “ observed ” or “ visual observations ” means visual examinations of the images as carried out by the unaided human eye . the groups were then ranked in order of highest degree of terminal hair coverage to lowest degree of terminal hair coverage . the admixture ratio of acid to antioxidant to fatty acid mixture for an indicated admixture component is described as in the brackets [ ] following the term “ admixture ”. visual observation of images taken at week 0 ( day that mice were shaved ) demonstrated that , at this stage of the study , all the mice of groups a - h had all terminal hair removed . distinctions in the degree of terminal hair coverage between groups a - h were first observed in the images taken at the end of week 4 . based on the images taken at week 4 , the groups were ranked by degree of terminal hair coverage in table iii . the ranking in table iii demonstrates that group d treated with formulation 4 ( 5 % minoxidil with the admixture [ 7 : 1 : 7 ]) provided the fastest and highest degree of terminal hair coverage of all the groups . groups a , b , c and f treated with formulation 1 ( 5 % minoxidil with the admixture [ 7 : 7 : 7 ]); formulation 2 ( 5 % minoxidil with the admixture [ 7 : 7 : 1 ]); formulation 3 ( 5 % minoxidil with the admixture [ 1 : 7 : 7 ]); and formulation 6 ( 5 % minoxidil with the admixture [ 3 . 5 : 3 . 5 : 3 . 5 ]), respectively , was second in providing the fastest and highest degree of terminal hair coverage of all the groups . the group e treated with formulation 5 ( the admixture [ 7 : 7 : 7 ] without minoxidil )); untreated group g and group h treated with formulation 7 ( 5 % minoxidil without the admixture ) provided the least degree of terminal hair coverage at this stage of the study . table iv is the ranking of the degree of terminal hair coverage based on images taken at week 5 . the ranking in table iv demonstrates that groups a , b , c , d and f treated with formulation 1 ( 5 % minoxidil with the admixture [ 7 : 7 : 7 ]); formulation 2 ( 5 % minoxidil with the admixture [ 7 : 7 : 1 ]); formulation 3 ( 5 % minoxidil with the admixture [ 1 : 7 : 7 ]); formulation 4 ( 5 % minoxidil with the admixture [ 7 : 1 : 7 ]); and formulation 6 ( 5 % minoxidil with the admixture [ 3 . 5 : 3 . 5 : 3 . 5 ]), respectively provided the fastest and highest degree of terminal hair coverage of all the groups at this stage of the study . group e treated with formulation 5 ( the admixture [ 7 : 7 : 7 ] without minoxidil )) was second in providing the fastest and highest degree of terminal hair coverage of all the groups . the untreated group g and group h treated with formulation 7 ( 5 % minoxidil alone ) remained last at this ranking stage as providing the least degree of terminal hair coverage at this stage of the study . a summary of the ranking data recorded in tables iii and iv indicate that : a . mice skin treated with compositions containing minoxidil and the admixture of the present invention demonstrated a faster degree of terminal hair coverage than : i . mice skin treated with compositions containing the equal amounts of minoxidil without the admixture ; ii . mice skin treated with compositions containing the equal amounts of the admixture without minoxidil and iii . non - treated mice skin ; b . mice skin treated with compositions containing the admixture without minoxidil demonstrated a faster degree of terminal hair coverage than non - treated mice skin c . mice skin treated with compositions containing the admixture where the ratio of alpha - keto acid to fatty acid mixture was 1 : 1 , yet proportionally less antioxidant demonstrated a faster degree of terminal hair coverage than the admixture containing comparably lower amounts of the alpha - keto acid or the fatty acid mixture ( i . e ., given 1 : 1 ratios of antioxidant to fatty acid mixture and alpha - keto acid to antioxidant , respectively ). the following non - limiting examples further illustrate the compositions of the present disclosure . the ingredients in each example are prepared by mixing together the referenced ingredients using conventional mixing technology .	0
the term “ unknown fluid ” designates the fluid whose composition is not known . for example , the unknown fluid is a mixture of two known fluids with unknown mixture ratio . the term “ fluid temperature tf ” designates the temperature of the fluid in the absence of any heating contribution by the heater , e . g . a temperature measured at a fairly large distance before the heater . each of the diagrams of fig4 - 8 shows seven different curves . these curves correspond to measurements with a fluid of varying composition . in the specific example shown here , the fluid was air mixed with c4h10 . the bottommost curve of each diagram corresponds to a measurement where the content of c4h10 was 0 %, the second curve from the bottom corresponds to a fluid with a c4h10 - content of 10 %, the third curve to a fluid with a c4h10 - content of 20 %, etc ., with the topmost curve corresponding to a fluid with a c4h10 - content of 60 %. the temperatures in fig4 - 8 are in arbitrary units . in fig4 , dtp = 3 . 25 corresponds to a temperature difference of 0 ° c . fig1 and 2 show an example of a thermal flow sensor comprising a heater 1 arranged between a first temperature sensor 2 and a second temperature sensor 3 . in the present embodiment , the temperature sensors are thermopiles , albeit the invention can also be carried out with other types of temperature sensors , such as resistive temperature sensors . the flow sensor further comprises a substrate 4 , such as a semiconductor substrate , wherein the heater 1 , the temperature sensors 2 , 3 as well as further components are integrated on a surface thereof . an opening or recess 5 in substrate 4 has been manufactured e . g . by anisotropic etching and is spanned by a membrane 6 . the temperature sensors 2 , 3 as well as the heater 1 are arranged at least partially on the membrane 6 for good thermal insulation . this type of flow sensor is e . g . described in ep 1 426 740 and wo 01 / 98736 . to measure the flow of a fluid , the fluid is led over first temperature sensor 2 , then heater 1 and finally second temperature sensor 3 . heater 1 is heated by an electric current , advantageously to a temperature that lies at a fixed offset above the temperature of substrate 4 . thermal conductance through membrane 6 as well as through the fluid leads to a temperature increase at the inner contacts of the temperature sensors 2 , 3 , while the outer contacts remain at the bulk temperature of substrate 4 . in the presence of a non - zero flow , however , the temperature distribution is asymmetric and the temperature tp 1 measured by first temperature sensor 2 will generally be lower than the temperature tp 2 measured by second temperature sensor 3 . the temperature difference dtp = tp 2 − tp 1 between the second and the first temperatures tp 2 , tp 1 is a measure of the flow and can be used to determine the flow . a simple block diagram of the flow sensor is shown in fig3 . as can be seen , it comprises a control unit 7 , which e . g . comprises analogue circuitry , such as amplifiers , an a / d - converter as well as digital circuitry . it controls heater 1 and measures the signals from the temperature sensors 2 , 3 . it processes the signals by accessing lookup tables lut 1 , lut 2 and lut 3 in a manner described below , and has an interface 8 through which it can communicate with external circuitry . control unit 7 is also connected to a temperature sensor 9 measuring the fluid temperature tf . advantageously , all or at least part of the electronic components shown in fig3 are integrated on semiconductor substrate 4 , but part or all of these components may also be implemented as external circuitry . to measure the flow of the fluid , as mentioned , the temperature difference dtp is determined . as can be seen from fig4 , the relationship between the flow and the temperature difference dtp is non - linear and depends on the mixture ratio of the fluid . therefore , control unit 7 accesses a first lookup - table lut 1 , which has two input values , namely the temperature difference dtp as well as the mixture ratio of the fluid , and which provides the flow as an output value . interpolation of the output values of lookup - table lut 1 allows to calculate the flow for any temperature difference dtp and mixture ratio . the mixture ratio required for reading lut 1 can be obtained by the measurement procedure described in the next section . fig5 shows the dependence of temperature tp 2 at second temperature sensor 3 on the temperature difference dtp for different fluid compositions . as can be seen , the curves are mutually parallel ( except for deviations at high temperature differences dtp , i . e . at high flow values , where the flow starts to become turbulent ). for example , the bottommost curve , which was measured for pure air , is roughly at an offset of 0 . 014 ( arbitrary units ) below the curve above it , which was measured for a mixture of 90 % air and 10 % c4h10 , with the offset being independent of dtp . and the third curve ( measured for 80 % air and 20 % c4h10 ) is roughly 0 . 027 above the bottommost curve . hence , in the present example , the offset d = tp 2 x ( dtp )− tp 2 air between the temperature tp 2 x measured for a fluid of unknown mixing ratio between air and c4h10 and the temperature tp 2 air measured for pure air at the same temperature difference dtp depends on the mixing ratio only , but not on dtp ( i . e . not on the flow ). this is illustrated by fig6 , which shows the offset d for the curves of fig5 in respect to an earlier calibration measurement carried out with pure air . ( note : the vertical axis of fig6 is scaled in 10 , 000 times the units of the vertical axis of fig5 .) as can be seen , the percentage x of c4h10 can be directly derived from the offset d using a table as follows hence , the mixing ratio of an unknown fluid composition can be measured by the following steps : first , a reference measurement is made for varying flows of a fluid of known composition . this reference measurement can be used to derive the dependence of tp 2 ref on the temperature difference dtp . this dependence is stored as the “ first calibration data ”, e . g . in a lookup table lut 2 of the sensor ( fig3 ). then , the unknown fluid is measured at a certain flow , i . e . at a certain temperature difference dtp , and the second temperature tp 2 ( dtp ) is measured . the calibration data in lut 2 is used to calculate the second temperature tp 2 ref ( dtp ) that the reference fluid had ( or would have had ) at the same temperature difference dtp , and the offset d = tp 2 ( dtp )− tp 2 ref ( dtp ) is calculated . from table i above , which may e . g . be stored as “ second calibration data ” in a third lookup table lut 3 of the sensor ( or of a device external to the sensor ), it is now possible to calculate the composition x using interpolation . in fig5 and 6 , the second temperature tp 2 has been used as “ single temperature ” t in the sense defined above . however , it must be noted that the same procedure can also be carried out with the first temperature tp 1 , as illustrated in fig7 and 8 . as can be seen , the curves in fig7 , which show the first temperature tp 1 as a function of the temperature difference dtp for air with increasing c4h10 additions , are again parallel ( except for small deviations at high flow values where turbulences set it ). hence , the same kind of calculation can be carried out for the first temperature tp 1 . as mentioned above , the “ single temperature ” t can not only be tp 1 or tp 2 , but also any linear combination thereof , in particular tp 1 + tp 2 . ( using t = tp 1 − tp 2 , however , makes little sense since , in this case , the offset d would be constantly 0 ). experimental evidence shows that the offset d also depends , to some slight degree , on the fluid temperature tf . hence , advantageously , the “ second calibration data ” relates the temperature offset d as well as the fluid temperature tf to the mixing ratio x . for example , lookup - table lut 3 can be a two - dimensional table having offset d and fluid temperature tf as input values . the present method can also be used for measurements on other types of fluids , not only mixtures of air and c4h10 . for example , it can be used to measure the mixture ratio of other gas compositions , as well as of liquid compositions . also , the parameter to be measured can be any value depending on the composition , not only the mixing ratio , by storing suitable “ second calibration data ”. as mentioned above , the mixing ratio x is required for selecting the appropriate part of lookup - table lut 1 when measuring the flow of the fluid . as can be seen know , this mixing ratio can be obtained from the offset d , or , in other words , offset d may be used as an input value for retrieving the flow from lookup - table lut 1 . the lookup - tables lut 1 , lut 2 , lut 3 can , some or all of them , also be arranged outside the flow sensor , in external circuitry . in a particularly advantageous embodiment the offset d accessible through interface 8 such that a user of the flow sensor can perform composition - dependent operations in external circuitry . as it has been mentioned , deviations from the described behavior start to occur when the flow of the fluid starts to become turbulent . hence , advantageously , the temperature difference dtp and the single temperature t are measured for laminar flows . while there are shown and described presently preferred embodiments of the invention , it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope of the following claims .	6
fig1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a spider 12 of the present invention comprising a tapered bowl 20 in its position aligned with the borehole 10 and engaging the pipe string 30 just below a pipe joint 32 . the control line guide 80 is shown in its refracted position with at least a portion of the control line guide beneath the top surface 21 of the tapered bowl . the tapered bowl 20 comprises a door 24 that is operable to receive the pipe string 30 into the bore 34 of the tapered bowl 20 . the door 24 shown in fig1 is a conventional door having hinged connections to the tapered bowl at each end . a rotary adapter 22 supports the spider and accommodates the control line guide 80 in a slot 23 when the control line guide is in its retracted position . adjacent to the spider 12 is a runway 28 releasably coupled to the rotary adapter 22 . the runway is adapted for receiving and supporting the tapered bowl 20 when it is moved laterally away from the pipe string 30 to a remote position ( see fig2 ). the tapered bowl 20 receives and cooperates with a set of slips ( not shown in fig1 ) to wedge between the pipe string and the tapered surface of the bowl to grip and support the pipe string 30 . the control line guide 80 comprises a plurality of generally spaced - apart rollers 82 , each having a generally horizontal axis of rotation , and each retained in a generally fixed relationship relative to the other rollers . the control line guide receives the control line 92 from , or surrenders the control line to , a spool ( not shown ). the control line 92 may be reeved over sheaves ( not shown ) to strategically direct the control line to the control line guide from above or , when the control line is being removed from the borehole , to strategically direct the control line to a spool ( not shown ) for storage . the tapered bowl 20 comprises a door 24 received to close a slot 25 . the door 24 is secured to the tapered bowl 20 with a pair of hinges 36 adapted for receiving a pair of pins 27 . removal of either closure pin 27 enables the door to hingedly swing open for removal of the tapered bowl 20 from its aligned position with the borehole ( as shown in fig2 ). removal of the pin requires that the weight of the pipe string first be transferred to the elevator ( not shown ). a runway 28 is positioned adjacent to the rotary adapter 22 for slidably or rollably supporting the tapered bowl when the door 24 is opened and the tapered bowl is moved laterally away from the pipe string 30 ( as shown in fig2 ). the runway is angularly positionable about the rotary adapter 22 so that the runway may align with the movement of the tapered bowl that will be opposite the door 24 , but may also allow movement of the tapered bowl 20 about the rotary adapter 22 while the tapered bowl is stored in its remote position on the runway . fig2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in fig1 with slips 60 , 62 removed from the tapered bowl 20 of the spider 12 and the door 24 opened at one hinge 26 to open slot 25 of the tapered bowl 20 to facilitate movement of the tapered bowl laterally away from the pipe string 30 to its remote position on the runway 28 . the slips shown in fig2 are a set of three slips consisting of one manipulated slip 60 hinged through hinges 61 disposed on opposing sides of slip 60 to following slips 62 . the runway may contain a slot 29 through which a mechanism ( not shown ) may engage and pull or push the tapered bowl 20 along the runway 28 . lateral movement of the tapered bowl 20 away from the pipe string 30 to its remote position on the runway 28 reveals the lift plate 84 . the lift plate 84 is adapted for supporting the control line guide 80 , for covering the slot in the rotary adapter ( see fig1 , element 23 ) in the rotary adapter 22 and for evenly distributing the load from the tapered bowl 20 to the rotary adapter 22 when the tapered bowl is in its position aligned with the borehole 10 ( see fig1 ). fig3 is a partial cross - section perspective view of the embodiment shown in fig2 showing the cross - section of the rotary adapter 22 for supporting the spider 12 engaging the rig floor 8 and for accommodating the control line guide in its retracted position within the slot of the rotary adapter . the tapered bowl 20 is shown supported in its remote position on the runway 28 . the slips 60 , 62 are shown raised from their position within the tapered bowl to facilitate removal of the tapered bowl from its position aligned with the borehole 10 on the rotary adapter 22 . the slot 23 of the rotary adapter accommodates the control line guide 80 in its retracted position . guide supports 83 couple the control line guide 80 to the lift plate 83 . this figure shows how control line 92 is reeved through the control line guide 80 which is shown in section view . in the embodiment of the control line guide shown in fig3 , the control line 92 rolls on the radially outwardly and bottom portions of the top set of rollers 82 located above and radially outwardly from the guide support 83 , then the control line 92 reeves between the upper and lower sets of rollers adjacent to the guide supports 83 , and then it rolls on the radially inwardly and upwardly disposed portions of the lower set of rollers 82 , from which it extends along the length of a portion of the pipe string 30 and down into the borehole 10 . fig4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in fig2 and 3 with the tapered bowl 20 with the side door 24 opened to permit removal of the tapered bowl to its remote position on the runway 28 . the slips 60 , 62 are shown remaining within the tapered bowl but raised from their engaged and seated position within the tapered bowl to permit removal of the pipe string . the control line guide 80 is raised to its raised position using a hydraulically telescoping jack 86 that is coupled at its traveling end to the lift plate 84 . the lift plate is , in turn , coupled to the guide supports 83 that pivotally support the control line guide 80 there under . a portion of the control line 92 is shown positioned by the raising of the control line guide 80 along the length of the pipe string 30 to create a clamping zone 100 beneath the control line guide and above the rotary adapter 22 . fig5 is a perspective view of alternate embodiment of the present invention with the tapered bowl 20 of the spider having a slot 25 adapted to receive a plug - in door 81 . the plug - in door comprises the lift plate 84 and the downwardly protruding inserts 84 a that are received into vertically aligned receptacles 84 b disposed on each side of the slot 25 in the tapered bowl 20 . in this embodiment , the tapered bowl 20 is shown recessed into the rig floor 8 , and the lower portion of the slot 25 of the tapered bowl 20 is closed using a truncated side door 24 a which , when closed , is disposed in the slot 25 generally below the received position ( see fig6 ) of the plug - in door 81 . the plug - in door 81 is coupled to the traveling end of the hydraulically powered telescoping jack legs 86 , and the control line guide 80 is pivotally supported beneath the lift plate 84 using support links 82 . the inserts 84 a of the plug - in door are vertically aligned with the receptacles 84 b in the tapered bowl so that the inserts are received into the receptacles upon retraction of the hydraulically telescoping jack legs 86 and lowering of the plug - in door 81 and the control line guide 80 . fig6 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in fig5 with the control line guide 80 restored to its retracted position with at least a portion of the control line guide beneath the top surface of the tapered bowl 20 . the slips 60 , 62 are shown restored to the tapered bowl 20 aligned with the borehole but remaining above their engaged position within the tapered bowl 20 . as shown in fig6 , the inserts 84 a of the plug - in door 81 are received into the receptacles 84 b , the control line guide is received into the slot 25 above the truncated side door 24 a and below the seated plug - in door 81 . the arrangement of the plug - in door 81 and the truncated side door 24 a , with a space there between for accommodating the control line guide 80 , provides for convenient removal and reintroduction of the plug - in door 81 from and to the tapered bowl 20 for unseating and reseating , respectively , with reciprocating motion of the control line guide as controlled by the jack 86 . removal of the plug - in door 81 upon raising of the control line guide 80 from the slot 25 significantly decreases the load bearing capacity of the tapered bowl even though the truncated side door 24 a remains in position to close the lower portion of the slot . the load bearing capacity of the tapered bowl 20 is significantly increased when the plug - in door 81 is slidably vertically received into the slot 25 . the plug - in door provides enhanced hoop strength to the tapered bowl to resist the spreading force on the bowl when the slips engage and support the pipe string . the slips 60 , 62 are adapted for being removed from their engaged position within the tapered bowl 20 to a remote position as shown in fig5 . like the tapered bowl of fig3 and 4 , the slips can be adapted for powered movement to and from the borehole along the runway . the tapered bowl 20 of the embodiment shown in fig5 and 6 is adapted for remaining stationary in its position aligned with the borehole when the control line guide 80 and plug - in door 81 are unseated and raised above the slot 25 using the telescoping jack legs 86 to create a clamping zone 100 . machines or rig personnel can access the portion of the pipe string 30 and control line 92 within the clamping zone shown in fig5 to secure the control line to the pipe string using a clamp 34 . after the elevator ( not shown ) is used to lower the pipe string and the control line secured thereto into the borehole as shown in fig6 , retraction of the jacks ( see fig5 , element 86 ) returns the control line guide 80 and the plug - in door 81 to their retracted and received positions , respectively , after one or more clamps are used to secure the control line to the pipe string in the clamping zone 100 . fig7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with the tapered bowl 20 having a slot 25 for receiving the plug - in door 81 and the control line guide 80 in their seated and retracted positions , respectively . the control line guide 80 is shown fitted with a pair of pivoting slip hangers 63 for rotating and engaging the slips 60 , 62 . the slip hangers 63 each have one or more latches 63 a for engaging one or more lift ears 63 b on the slips 60 , 62 . rotating the slip hangers 63 to engage the lift ears 63 b with the latches 63 a couples the slips to the lift plate 84 so that the slips can be lifted from the tapered bowl using the hydraulically telescoping jacks legs 86 ( see fig5 ) used to raise the plug - in door 81 and the control line guide 80 from the slot 25 . fig8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention having an alternative apparatus for raising the plug - in door 81 and the control line guide 80 from the slot of the tapered bowl 20 to create a clamping zone 100 . like the embodiments shown in fig5 - 7 , the embodiment shown in fig8 comprises a tapered bowl 20 having a slot 25 for receiving the plug - in door 81 and the control line guide 80 when the plug - in door and the control line guide are in their seated and retracted positions , respectively . fig8 shows an apparatus using a winch instead of a jack to raise the plug - in door , control line guide and slips from the tapered bowl to an elevated position to establish a clamping zone . the sliding lift plate 75 is coupled to the lift cable 94 and pivotally supports a pair of slip hangers 78 for rotatably engaging the manipulated slip 60 to facilitate lifting the slips 60 , 62 from the tapered bowl 20 . the lift cable 94 is secured to a winch ( not shown ) and can be reeled in to raise and unreeled to lower the sliding lift plate 75 . a pair of opposed hangers 78 are coupled to the lift plate at a pivot 78 a and pivot to engage the manipulated slip 60 to couple the slips 60 , 62 to the lift plate . the pathway for raising the plug - in door 81 , the control line guide 80 and the slips 60 , 62 from the tapered bowl 20 is determined by the a - frame 70 . the a - frame 70 comprises a pair of generally vertical rails 72 , each slidably receiving a pair of sleeves 73 each coupled to the lift plate 75 . the lift plate 75 is coupled to a winch cable 94 that raises the lift plate 75 , the control line guide 80 and the slips 60 , 62 to a raised position . upon actuation of the winch ( not shown ), the sleeves 73 slide along the vertical length of the rails 72 , and the vertical path of the plug - in door 81 and control line guide 80 conforms to the pathway provided by the sliding movement of the sleeves 73 on the rails 72 positioned adjacent to the pipe string 30 . after the winch is actuated to raise the plug - in door and control line guide to their raised position to create the clamping zone 100 , clamps ( not shown ) may be applied to secure the control line 92 to the pipe string 30 . after the pipe string and control line are lowered into the borehole , the winch rotation is reversed to lower the control line guide back to its retracted position through the slot of the tapered bowl . the a - frame 70 may be rollably removable from the vicinity of the borehole on a set of wheels 76 when control line is not being run into the well . fig9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having an alternative apparatus for raising the plug - in door , control line guide 80 and slips 60 , 62 to their raised position above the tapered bowl 20 . like the embodiments shown in fig5 - 8 , this embodiment comprises a tapered bowl 20 with a slot 25 for receiving the control line guide 80 and a plug - in door 81 . the slips 60 , 62 are adapted for being repetitively removed from the tapered bowl 20 each time the control line guide 80 and the plug - in door 81 are raised to create a clamping zone for securing a control line 92 to the pipe string 30 . fig9 shows the control line guide 80 , the plug - in door 81 , and a scissor - lift jack 70 in the retracted position , with the control line guide 80 and the plug - in door 81 received within the slot 25 of the tapered bowl 20 . the control line guide 80 and plug - in door 81 are raised using the scissor - lift jack 70 . the scissor - lift jack 70 supports a lift plate 74 that is coupled through a slip bracket 75 to the slips 60 , 62 to support and to vertically raise the slips from the tapered bowl 20 as the control line guide 80 and the plug - in door 81 are raised using the scissor - lift jack 70 . fig1 shows the embodiment of fig9 with the control line guide 80 , the plug - in door si and the slips 60 , 62 raised above the tapered bowl 20 using the scissor - lift jack 70 . the drivers for operating the scissor - jack may be coupled to the scissor - jack from beneath the rig floor 8 , and may include a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder , a screw jack , or electric motor driver , so long as the driver is adapted for forcibly increasing ( to raise ) or decreasing ( to lower ) the distance between two adjacent sliding ends 72 of the scissor legs 71 of the scissor - lift . a pair of opposing plug - in door supports 85 are coupled to and extend outwardly from lift plate 74 to pivotably engage and couple to the plug - in door 81 which supports the control line guide 80 . the plug - in door supports 85 are rotatable about pivots 85 a to permit the generally arcuate plug - in door supports to substantially surround the pipe string 30 and engage , support and raise the plug - in door 81 and the attached control line guide 80 to position a portion of the control line 92 along the pipe string in the clamping zone 100 . fig1 a , 11 b , 12 and 13 show more detail relating to one embodiment of the plug - in door 81 used with the embodiments shown in fig8 - 10 . fig1 a shows a side view of the embodiment of the present invention having a truncated interdigitated door 24 a to close the lower portion of the slot 25 in the tapered bowl 20 vertically below a space for accommodating the control line guide ; that space being vertically below a plug - in door 81 received into the upper portion of the slot 25 of the tapered bowl 20 to close the slot . fig1 b is a top view of the slot of the embodiment of the tapered bowl of the present invention shown in fig1 a . the tapered bowl 20 has a slot 25 adapted for receiving the plug - in door 81 ( see fig1 ). the slot 25 extends only a portion of the way downwardly from the top surface 21 of the tapered bowl 20 and is adapted to receive the plug - in door and the control line guide ( not shown ) so that , when the plug - in door is slidably received into the slot 25 to form a continuous wall perimeter around the top portion of the tapered bowl 20 , the control line 92 and the control line guide 80 through which the control line 92 is reeved penetrates the wall of the tapered bowl through a portion of the slot that remains beneath the received plug - in door . the tapered bowl 20 further comprises a pair of generally opposed t - slots 102 a and 102 b disposed on opposite sides of the slot 25 for receiving a pair of generally t - shaped keys ( see fig1 ) to circumferentially interlock the plug - in door . this structure provides enhanced hoop strength to the tapered bowl 20 when the plug - in door 81 is received . the tapered bowl may comprise a pair of opposed alignment recesses 103 a and 103 b disposed on opposing sides of slot 25 for receiving a pair of alignment wings 86 a , 8613 ( see fig1 ) on the plug - in door . the plug - in door is adapted for being received into a pair of slots 105 a and 105 b that are secured to the tapered bowl on opposing sides of the slot 25 . this structure distributes the load across the plug - in door when the tapered bowl receives the slips to engage and support the pipe string . the slot 25 that receives the plug - in door ( see fig1 ) and the control line guide 80 ( see fig1 ) also receives a truncated side door 24 a to close the lower portion of the tapered bowl . the truncated side door 24 a is a conventional hinged door for opening to permit removal of the tapered bowl to its remote position away from the pipe string ( not shown ). fig1 is a top view of one embodiment of the plug - in door 81 and the control line guide 80 adapted for being received into the slot 25 of the tapered bowl 20 of fig1 a and 1113 . the plug - in door 81 is coupled to the control line guide 80 through a pair of guide supports 83 ( see fig4 ). the plug - in door 81 comprises a pair of generally opposed t - shaped keys 101 a and 10113 for being received within the t - slots 102 a and 10213 ( see fig1 b ) to interlock the plug - in door into the tapered bowl . the t - shaped keys are adapted for being slidably vertically received into the t - shaped slots of the tapered bowl to provide enhanced hoop strength to the top portion of the tapered bowl when the slips are received into the bore of the tapered bowl to engage and support a pipe string . similarly , the generally inwardly curved alignment wings 86 a , 86 b are received within the alignment recesses 103 a , 103 b of the tapered bowl ( see fig1 b ). a variety of interlocking configurations can be utilized for slidably and vertically receiving the plug - in door 81 to circumferentially interlock with the tapered bowl 20 to provide enhanced hoop strength to the tapered bowl . the t - slotted plug - in door 81 shown in fig1 and the downwardly disposed insert plug - in door shown in fig5 are two examples of such doors , but any door that is slidably and vertically received into a mating position with the tapered bowl is within the scope of this invention . as shown in fig1 and 13 , the control line 92 is reeved through the rollers 82 of the control line guide 80 as shown in fig1 , that is , the control line 92 rides generally along the radially outwardly and downwardly disposed portions of the rollers 82 that lie radially outside the wall of the tapered bowl when the control line guide is received within the slot 25 of the tapered bowl . after passing between the roller supports 89 a and 89 b , the control line 92 rides generally along the radially inwardly and upwardly disposed portions of the rollers 82 that lie radially within the wall of the tapered bowl 80 . this relationship between the control line 92 and the rollers 82 is also shown in fig1 , a side frontal view of the plug - in door 81 and the control line guide 80 . fig1 shows the rollers 82 divided into a top set 82 a and a bottom set 82 b , the top set for contacting the control line 92 generally along the radially outwardly and downwardly disposed portions of the rollers 82 that lie radially outside the wall of the tapered bowl , and the bottom set 82 b for contacting the control line 92 generally along the radially inwardly and upwardly disposed portions of the rollers 82 that lie radially within the wall of the tapered bowl 80 . while a preferred form of the present invention has been described herein , various modifications of the apparatus and method of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention , which is more fully defined in the following claims .	8
the drum in accordance with the invention for drying paper pulp or the like shown in fig1 comprises a rotating outer drum cylinder 1 the periphery of which constitutes the &# 34 ; table &# 34 ; of the drum which supports the paper pulp or other product to be dried ; this tubular drum cylinder is cylindrical in shape ; its opposite ends are closed by flanges 2 adapted to compensate for expansion of the drum cylinder and incorporating hubs 21 of which one incorporates a toothed wheel 22 through which the drum cylinder is rotated by motor drive means ; the hubs 21 are therefore mounted to rotate on a fixed tubular shaft 3 , about opposite ends 31 of the shaft 3 which serves as a supporting framework for heating elements , as will be described later ; the hubs 21 are mounted to rotate on the ends 31 of the hollow shaft 3 by means of respective ball bearings 5 at the driving end and the transmission end of the drum ; the central part of the shaft 3 and its ends 31 are made as three separate parts attached together by hot sleeving or by welding ; the ends 31 of the shaft 3 which carry the hubs 21 of the flanges 2 are of smaller diameter than its central part and in contact with the latter through a centering member inserted into the central part and a supporting base having an outside diameter substantially equal to that of this central part . a bush 4 is housed inside each end 31 ; the bush 4 is mounted in the end 31 in such a way as to be fastened to it when the drum is operating but so that the end 31 and all of the shaft 3 can be rotated independently of the bush 4 during any necessary maintenance operations , for example to bring a defective element opposite an access formed in the corresponding flange , in order to withdraw it from the drum . the free ends of the bushes 4 are housed in casings 6 for fixing the drum as a whole to longitudinal drum support members 7 carried by a supporting framework ( not shown ). the central part of the shaft 3 carries a hollow heating body 9 comprising a tubular inside jacket 91 and a tubular outside jacket 92 in a thermally and electrically insulative material , attached by demountable fixing devices 93 ; the outside jacket is made up of heating elements in the form of panels serving as supports for elongate electrical heating elements , to be more precise main heating elements 10a and profile control heating elements lob ; the demountable fixing devices 93 enable the separation and extraction of the heating panels of which there are , for example , eight in circumferential sequence to constitute the outside jacket , which corresponds to an angle of 45 degrees subtended at the center by each panel ; the extraction of the heating panels can be facilitated by the fact that the flanges 2 are themselves in a number of parts , preferably in as many juxtaposed parts as the outside jacket , for example eight parts arranged as circular sectors each having an angle at the center of 45 degrees ; another possibility is for the flanges 2 to incorporate openings of sufficiently large size to enable the heating elements to pass through ; the elements 10a , lob extend longitudinally relative to the heating body , along generatrices of an imaginary cylinder , possibly with more than one element disposed on the same generatrix ; the end parts of each element are bent at 90 ° to pass through the thickness of the outside jacket 92 , and their ends proper terminate between the two jackets 91 , 92 and are each provided with an electrical connection lug 101 for supplying them with electrical power . the insulative outside jacket 92 , and in particular each heating panel , has a u - shape profile in longitudinal cross - section and its horizontal part forms a sleeve around the inside jacket ; it is this sleeve which carries the elements 10a , 10b ; applied to the outside surface of this jacket is a heat reflector 94 , the role of which is to reflect towards the drum cylinder the heat emitted into the heating chamber 100 defined between the reflector 94 and the inside surface of the drum cylinder 1 by the electrical heating elements 10a , 10b carried by the sleeve . the inside surface of the drum cylinder 1 ( fig2 ) is subdivided internally , for example by means of attached ribs or bars 11 so that , the elements being fixed like the jackets and all the central part of the drum , when the drum turns there is created a sort of turbine provoking circulation of air around the electrical heating elements , enabling the radiation from each element to reach the inside wall of the drum cylinder 1 and the reflector 94 preferably in line with the active heating surface of the elements 10a , 10b , so that the drum cylinder is heated annularly . the turbine significantly increases both efficiency and reliability , which is of particular benefit in the case of large - scale applications . the distribution of the elements in the axial and circumferential directions enables uniform or variable heating of all the surface of the drum cylinder , the number , size , circumferential pitch and distribution of the elements being computed according to the required evaporation capacity and the size of the transverse sections heating of which is to be controlled . the electrical heating elements are supplied with electrical power selectively , separately or in groups , for the main heating of the drier drum and for heating the transverse drying profile control sections . generally speaking , the main heating elements 10a are relatively long to create uniform heating , and in particular the shortest of them are at least as long as the profile correction elements 10b , which are all of the same length , which is relatively short with a view to localized action on the drum . the supply of electrical power to one or other of the elements may be selected manually or automatically by means of contactors of current variators . the supply of power to the electrical heating elements may be controlled by an automatic controller on the basis of data comprising information on the dryness of the product to be dried , obtained either by means of laboratory measurements or by means for continuously measuring the moisture content of the product . in the case of fitting out an existing installation , the rotating drum cylinder is retained ; on the other hand , all of the fixed structure that it contains , if it is not suitable to be used in accordance with the invention , may be changed and so all or part of this structure can be replaced with elements in accordance with the invention . within the drum cylinder 1 there is in particular the device forming the turbine as already described , which is preferably of squirrel cage form ( fig2 ). to be more precise , the inside surface of the drum cylinder then carries subdivision means in the form of attached ribs or bars 11 , longitudinally and circumferentially arranged to define between them square or rectangular cells . the periphery of the sleeve ( to be more precise that of the reflector 94 ) is provided with channels 95 ( fig2 and 3 ) extending circumferentially and channelling section by section the heat from the elements towards the cells , in order that they should not fuse laterally ; these channels 95 are defined by the gaps between regularly spaced circumferential edges 96 along the length of the insulative sleeve facing the circumferential bars 11 ; the edges 96 incorporate regularly spaced notches 97 along their periphery and the notches of the successive edges along the sleeve are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum ; the notches 97 in question are intended to accommodate the central parts of the electrical heating elements 10a , 10b . depending on the length of the element , it straddles two , three or four or more edges , passing through the notches therein , and its inwardly bent end parts pass around the two end edges ( fig3 ). the electrical heating elements 10a , 10b comprises folded cylindrical bars of various lengths , these lengths preferably being multiples of each other . the length of the shortest element , which is therefore the &# 34 ; module &# 34 ;, so to speak , may be 230 mm , for example ; this is the length of the profile control elements 10b . the main heating elements 10a can have lengths in the order of 230 mm , 460 mm , 690 mm , 920 mm , 1 150 mm , 1 380 mm , 1 610 mm , etc . the bent parts at the ends of the electrical heating elements pass through the sleeve by means of cylindrical housings extending through the thickness of the glass foam of which it is made between its inside and outside surfaces which are of sheetmetal braced to each other by angle - irons , for example , welded to the sheetmetal ; as already mentioned , the outside surface is surrounded by an aluminum or other reflective material reflector 94 with the appropriate polish and is braced relative to the reflector by means of insulative washers surrounding the heating elements 10a , lob in this region ; the devices 93 fixing the elements to the sleeve naturally allow for expansion due to variations in temperature and therefore require a &# 34 ; sliding &# 34 ; fixing enabling longitudinal expansion of the elements , for example by means of oblong holes , and by providing guide spacer rings for the end parts of the elements along the guide slot created in this way . one example of the arrangement of the elements 10a , lob on the periphery of the sleeve is shown developed &# 34 ; in the flat &# 34 ; in fig4 which shows only two &# 34 ; heating steps &# 34 ;, by which is meant two identical areas in circumferential sequence over the whole of the sleeve the length of which corresponds to the machine width of the product to be dried . thus there follow on in sequence over a heating step four generatrices of six profile control elements 10b the length of which is one module , the elements being disposed in a quincunx arrangement ( the spaces between the successive elements on the same generatrix are themselves equal to one module ); with regard to the main heating elements 10a the spaces between successive elements on the same generatrix are also equal to one module and the elements are offset longitudinally by one module each time . thus on the fifth generatrix there are an element of one module , a space , an element of six modules , a space and an element of three modules ; on the sixth generatrix there are successively an element of two modules , an element of six modules and an element of two modules ( naturally with the same spaces as previously ); on the seventh generatrix : three modules , six modules , one module ; on the eighth : four and six ; on the ninth : five and six ; on the tenth : six and five ; on the eleventh : first a space and then six and four modules . it is also possible to provide gaps between elements on the same generatrix which are equal to a multiple of the module ( equal to two modules , for example ). an example with spaces of two modules is now given for a product 2 668 mm wide , a step of 13 generatrices and profile control elements 230 mm long , the maximum length of the main heating elements being 1 150 mm . there are therefore in succession : one profile correction generatrix : one module , a space , then three modules naturally separated by spaces ; main heating : one module , five modules , two modules ; profile correction : a half - space ( thus only one module ), then four modules separated by a space ; main heating : two modules , five modules , one module ; profile correction : a space , four separate modules ; main heating : three modules , five modules ; profile correction : four separate modules ; main heating : four modules , five modules ; profile correction : a half - space , four separate modules ; main heating : five modules , five modules ; profile correction : a space , four separate modules ; main heating : a half - space , five modules , four modules ; main heating : a space , five modules , three modules . with an installation of this kind the profile adjustment capacity is 2 / 7 ( 28 . 6 %); the maximum heating power at the surface of the drier is 6 w / cm 2 ( on the basis of a drier 3 . 6 m in diameter ) and the average power is 3 w / cm 2 ; the generatrices being spaced by 3 . 2 cm , and the step being 13 generatrices , the latter corresponds to 41 . 6 cm . the power over one step is therefore 249 . 6 watts . the power per cm 2 of element at the surface of the drier is 7 . 13 w / cm 2 ( which value has to be divided by the convection / conduction loss coefficient ). other arrangements of the elements are naturally possible without departing from the scope of the invention and yield numerical characteristics differing only slightly from those stated above . for example , for profile correction elements also 230 mm long but with a maximum main heating element length of 1 610 mm , still corresponding to a product 2 660 mm wide , a profile adjustment capacity of 2 / 9 ( 22 . 2 %) can be obtained , a heating step of 15 generatrices ( 48 centimeters ) and a power at the surface of the drier of 6 . 4 w per element for a drier 3 . 6 meters in diameter there are therefore 24 steps , that is to say three per heating panel assuming that the heating body 9 comprises eight panels each subtending an angle of 45 ° ( see above ) tolerating an aperture dead area of 15 cm , a diameter of the heating surface of approximately 4 . 05 meters is obtained as seen , the profile adjustment capacity is then 22 . 2 %, while when all the main heating elements are energized 77 . 8 % of the heat is obtained . the adjustment capacity ( resolution ) is 0 . 46 % and by coupling the heating elements two by two a regulation step of 0 . 92 % is obtained . with regard to the main heating , the regulation step is 1 / 24 , ( 4 . 167 %) and it is therefore possible to obtain total main heating steps of 4 . 167 % and to obtain a localized increase as required by means of the profile adjustment elements in additional steps of 0 . 92 %. under these conditions , a power of 0 . 736 kw per profile correction element is required , that is a total of 17 . 7 kw per step and per phase for the profile correction heating and of 61 . 8 kw per step and per phase for the main heating . a good solution is to supply each of the three heating steps of a panel from a different phase of a three - phase mains electrical power supply , so that the power per phase is 636 kw ; assuming an efficiency of 75 %, the power consumed is 850 kw . the total power for all three phases is then 2 550 kw , giving a power of 950 kw per meter width for a paper product 2 . 668 meters wide . of course , the invention is not limited to the embodiment describe and shown and other embodiments could be put forward without departing from the scope of the invention . particular note should be given to the simplicity of intervention on the elements 10a , 10b in the case of a fault or for routine servicing since , to obtain access to them , it is sufficient to demount one part of the lateral flange 2 at the driving end and to withdraw the heating panels through the same end of the drum .	3
referring to fig1 a - 1c , a generalized power distribution system 10 is shown which discloses various power system components at the grid level which supply power to individual consumers at the facility level . for purposes of this disclosure , the facility level includes industrial and factory facilities and the like , as well as residential facilities such as homes and apartment buildings . these structures include various types of power consuming devices or power consumers such as various types of equipment , motors and appliances . stand - alone power consuming devices are also supplied by the power grid , such as street lighting , traffic signals , and other power consumers . more particularly , the power distribution system 10 includes a transmission grid 11 at high voltage levels and extra high voltage levels , and a distribution grid 12 at medium voltage levels , which in turn supplies lower power at the facility level to residences , factories and the like . fig1 b shows various power supply sources which generate power at extra high voltages such as a coal plant , nuclear plant and a hydro - electric plant . these may supply power through step - up transformers 13 to an extra - high voltage transmission grid 14 . this grid 14 may in turn connect to a high voltage grid 15 through a network of transformers 16 , which grid 15 is connected to various grid facilities such as an industrial power plant , factory , or a medium sized power plant through respective networks of transformers 17 . generally , medium voltage refers to the range of 10 kv - 25 kv or higher which is typically carried in the distribution grid and may include generation voltages , high voltage refers to the range of 132 kv - 475 kv as might exist in the transmission grid , and extra high voltage is in the range of 500 kv - 800 kv , which also is typically carried in the transmission grid . these grid level voltages are significantly higher than the low voltages present within a facility or other similar structure . the transmission grid 11 may in turn connect to a medium voltage distribution grid 12 ( fig1 c ) through a network of transformers 18 . in turn the residential grid 12 may include various facilities such as city power plants , industrial customers , solar farms , wind farms , agricultural farms , rural networks of residences or city residential networks . various transformers 18 are provided to interconnect these components of the power distribution system 10 . generally , the present invention relates to a surge suppressor system which is installed at various locations within the power distribution system 10 to provide grid level surge suppression and thereby protect the various facilities supplied with power from the power distribution system 10 . these various transformers may be of various types and configurations such as step - up and step - down transformers , as well as substation transformers installed in substations or delivery transformers which serve to supply individual customers . the invention relates to a system of voltage surge suppressor units 20 that are installed at various locations on the power distribution grid 10 to provide three - phase , grid level protection to various facilities which receive power from or supply power to such grid 10 . fig3 generally illustrates a system of multiple surge suppressor units 20 which are differentiated from each other in fig3 by reference numerals 21 , 22 and 23 . these surge suppressor units 21 , 22 and 23 are sized for the particular installation location and the voltage levels present within the power distribution system 10 at such locations . generally , the power grid uses various transformers described above , with the representative grid transformer 24 of fig3 being one of the various transformers used in the transmission grid 11 or distribution grid 12 . the transformer 24 includes a primary side coil 24 p which is connected to three power lines 25 a , 25 b and 25 c which supply power , for example , from a generation plant or the like to the grid transformer 24 . the transformer 24 includes a secondary side coil 24 s which connects to transmission lines 26 a , 26 b and 26 c for supplying power to downstream components of the power grid . in this exemplary embodiment , the transformer 24 steps up the power from 6 kv received from the generation side power lines 25 a , 25 b and 25 c to 300 kv as supplied to the grid power lines 26 a , 26 b and 26 c . it will be understood that voltages for the primary and secondary sides of the transformer 24 can vary depending upon the location within the power grid , wherein the voltage levels can be medium or high voltages . the surge suppressor unit 21 connects to the generation power lines 25 a , 25 b and 25 c and the primary side coil 24 p to protect against the various transient conditions described above which thereby protects the primary coils 24 p and the upstream power generators and any upstream grid components and equipment . the surge suppressor unit 22 in turn connects to the grid or transmission power lines 26 a , 26 b and 26 c and the secondary side coil 24 s to protect against the various transient conditions described above which thereby protects the secondary coils 24 s as well as the downstream transmission lines 26 a , 26 b and 26 c as well as any connected grid equipment and components . also , the surge suppressor unit 23 may be a 480v unit or other suitable voltage level suitable to protect system circuitry and logic . referring to fig4 , each surge suppressor unit 21 , 22 and 23 can generally use the design of the surge suppressor unit design 20 ( fig4 ) that comprises a series of shunt - connected three phase transformer banks 31 , 32 and 33 that are designed to correct phase neutral voltage imbalances by feeding them back onto themselves and / or draining the imbalances off to the integrated resistor bank that is wired to the secondary side of the system as also shown in fig4 . each transformer bank 31 , 32 and 33 includes primary coils 31 p , 32 p and 33 p which connect to and receive power from one of the power transmission lines l 1 , l 2 and l 3 of the system , which may be at the medium or high voltages present in the power grid . the primary coils 31 p , 32 p and 33 p also connect to ground 34 . the lines l 1 , l 2 and l 3 may for example be connected to transmission lines 26 a , 26 b , 26 c ( fig3 ) and supplied by power generator and mega transformers shown in fig4 , or lines 25 a , 25 b , 25 c in the example of fig3 . each transformer bank 31 , 32 and 33 also includes secondary coils 31 s , 32 s and 33 s which connect in series together and have a resistor 35 connected in series therewith . the series connected resistor 35 provides both noise filtering and a discharge path for energy during a power down whether intentional or caused by a natural occurrence . the resistor 35 also helps to drain system energy to prevent an arc - flash since an arc flash is a series phenomenon . by holding up the remaining phases during a fault , voltage buildup cannot form and simply allows circuit protection to open the circuit without a flashing event . this enhanced stability ensures cleaner electron flow and renders the flow safer for components and personnel alike . in other words the surge protection unit 30 balances the voltage on the “ load ” side . since the flash is inherently on the “ source ” side , the voltage across the arc is minimal and the arc will be suppressed . each surge suppressor unit 20 utilizes a circuit breaker 36 governing power from each of the lines l 1 , l 2 and l 3 that can be programmed to rapidly reset and can be made scalable to medium and high voltage requirements . the circuit breaker 36 also may be manually operated for installation and replacement of the surge suppressor unit 20 , or another switch device could be included to provide manual switching of the surge suppressor unit 20 . depending of the requirements of the utility organization , added protection , in the form of metal oxide varistors , can be series piped in as a secondary circuit as severe over voltage occurs . with this construction , the surge suppressor unit 20 thereby balances phase voltages with respect to ground by pushing clean phase shifted current into the phase with the lowest phase voltage . the components preferably are matched single phase transformers 31 , 32 and 33 and in this permanent solution are sized to the voltage class and kva in which the particular surge suppressor unit 20 will be employed . the voltage specification determines the appropriate turn ratios needed to properly size each surge suppressor unit 30 to its installation location . all three transformers 31 , 32 , and 33 are spaced from one another by ieee standards to prevent arcing or magnetic flux between each phase . depending on the specific requirements , the surge suppressor units 20 of the invention may utilize underground installation with oil / coolant immersed resistor banks 35 and oil cooled transformers 31 , 32 , 33 . these options would allow for closer spacing ( smaller footprint ) and require less mechanical or free air cooling . these options would also remove equipment from line of sight hostilities . during installation , each surge suppressor unit 20 is wired in parallel to the power system , for example , as seen in fig3 . further , a surge suppressor unit 20 such as unit 22 in fig3 may protect from the secondary side 24 s of a power transformer 24 to the primary side of the downstream transformer to provide extended protection extending from the surge suppressor units 20 to other power components connected thereto . for example , a surge suppressor unit 20 may protect from the secondary side of an lpt down to the primary windings of the next step down transformer . additional surge suppressor units 20 would be installed on the next portion of the stepped down power system beginning with the secondary of that distribution transformer down to the primary on the next transformer and so on . each surge suppressor unit 20 would be engineered and constructed to operate with the hookup voltage and the va rating of the transformer it is designed to protect , such that different sized and rated surge suppressor units 20 would be installed in the power grid depending upon the location of installation . this extended protection is also true from the generation source to the primary side 24 p on the initial transformer 24 which is protected by the surge suppressor unit 21 in fig3 . all connected components would be protected , and the surge suppressor unit 20 of the present invention would stabilize imbalances whether caused by downstream activity or directly on line . further , no power system would need to be turned off to connect the surge suppressor units 20 . the circuit breaker 36 or other suitable disconnect device 36 a can be manually operated such that utility linemen could hot tap the surge suppressor devices 20 into the system and then engage each surge suppressor unit 30 by using the disconnect switch 36 a . this system of surge suppressor units 20 provides power factor correction ( pfc ) by optionally introducing power regulating products ( e . g . capacitors 37 ) to help streamline the power current making the energy more efficient . preferably , the surge suppressor unit 20 ( fig4 ) also includes one or more appropriate sensors 38 , which preferably include a current sensor . the sensor 38 connects to a control system 39 for detecting and monitoring the sensor 38 . the control system 39 may also include remote ( web - based ) diagnostic and reporting features such as that shown in the data display 40 of fig5 . the data display 40 may be located remote from the various surge suppressor units 40 for monitoring by utility personnel , such as through a computer terminal . the data display 40 preferably shows information regarding faults ( imbalances ) that are proactively communicated and can be monitored from off - site locations . the data display 40 includes several display graphs 41 , 42 , 43 and 44 which can display various types of data . this real time status reporting would provide significant information and data including but not limited to : ground fault indicator ( by phase and the severity of each occurrence ). the control system 39 may include alarms for every data point , which alarms could be customizable so as to trigger utility response to multiple remote locations . this is critical with grid level power substations that are often un - manned and / or in remote settings . every data point can be captured , stored , and maintained with data storage means within the control system 39 for historical tracking and reference so as to allow for both historical trend analysis and specific search capability . focusing on voltage allows the invention to address each of the 5 common power issues discussed above . transients are the brief voltage spikes that occur regularly and may last only a few cycles . the inventive system would take the surplus voltage in the same waveform and electromagnetically feed it back on itself with the same intensity through the transformers 31 , 32 and 33 . even with a power analyzer one could see that disturbances placed directly on line are completely mitigated . interruptions have many causes but the damage occurs in the brief moments as a system loses power and motors which wind down turn into mini generators sending inappropriate voltages to connected loads . the system of the invention would not prevent sustained power losses but would prevent damage to loads by allowing a softer landing should an outage occur due to the interaction of the transformers 31 , 32 and 33 and the resistor 35 . the invention will also reduce the harmful effects of voltage instability like sags and swells or under / over - voltage at a grid level . the primary sides 31 p , 32 p and 33 p of the transformers 31 , 32 and 33 and their adjoining secondary sides 31 s , 32 s and 33 s constantly stabilize the voltage discrepancy . if there is a sustained swell , the excess power is harmlessly drained off to the integrated resistor bank 35 that is series wired on the secondary side of the system . waveform and frequency variations might best be described as noise on the line from massive magnetic forces . these magnetic hits to the grid can cause damage to generators , transformers , auto tapping devices , and connected loads throughout . high frequency noise from hostile emps change the normal 60 hz flow of electrons which may wreak havoc on infrastructure . depending on the severity or proximity to such hostilities , damage could range from loss of end user electronic devices to the overheating of the stators on utility generation plants or power transformers . the surge suppressor units 20 of the present invention would act as a gatekeeper , suppressing any frequency above or below the 60 hz range . damage to grid components could occur in an instant without the system of the present invention but since it operates only on 60 hz waveforms it routs the inappropriate waveform to the integrated resistor bank 35 at the exact speed of the infraction . the invention , therefore , rectifies disturbances that are out of specification and harmonizes everyday activity . the system of the present invention provides significant advantages over prior surge suppressor devices . for example , the system of the present invention is designed for medium and high level voltages with a targeted application for grid system protection . many prior surge suppression devices were designed for low voltage systems such as an industrial or residential setting that are self - contained which have no “ cascading ” issues or additional sources of power to be concerned about . the present invention can accommodate the unique requirements of the power grid . further , each surge suppressor unit 20 does more than protect a single device . rather each of the surge suppressor units 20 is wired in parallel at appropriate locations on the power grid to protect both sides of grid level substations , power delivery systems , and generation plants . fig3 provides an exemplary illustration of the extended protection provided by individual surge suppressor unit . further , the provision of a circuit breaker 36 and disconnects 36 a in the surge suppression units 20 allows the invention to be scaled to medium and high voltage grid systems and facilitates hot tapping of each unit 20 during installation or replacement . the surge suppressor unit 20 also allows for the inclusion of metal oxide varistors , which can be series piped in as a secondary circuit , to add specific grid level protections for severe over - voltages . more particularly , a surge suppressor device according to this design has been tested at defined voltage levels under conditions representing an emp of varying wavelength / shape and frequencies directly on line through injection . this testing was conducted with resistive and inductive loads using mil - spec 188 - 125 - 1 and mil - std - 2169 test standards and equipment to represent grid level protection . thousands of volts were injected into a surge suppressor unit designed according to surge suppressor unit 20 described above and a connected power system wherein threat pulses were identified , clamped and drastically reduced every time through multiple individual test events . fig6 - 9 illustrate test data from such tests . generally as to an emp such as a nuclear generated emp , such pulses are considered to include three pulse components commonly designated as e1 , e2 and e3 . the e1 component is considered to be the quickest and can induce high voltages in an electrical system . the e2 component is an intermediate pulse beginning at a short time after initiation of the electromagnetic pulse and ending soon thereafter . this pulse is considered to be similar to a lightning strike but of a lesser magnitude . the e3 pulse component is longer and slower and is considered most similar to a solar flare . the e3 pulse component is the most troublesome component to deal whether it is generated by a nuclear emp or a solar flare , and current technologies do not handle the e3 pulse component and suitably protect grid systems . in emp testing of the present invention , the surge suppressor unit 20 has shown to handle and protect against all three pulse components , namely e1 , e2 and e3 . the surge suppressor quickly clamps on emp pulse threats within millionths of a second and reduces the severity of the threat to safe levels . for example , the unit mitigated the e1 pulse instantaneously and eliminated the threat within 1 . 3 μsecs , the unit mitigated the e2 pulse instantaneously and returned the phases to “ normal ” within 0 . 002 seconds , and the unit also mitigated the e3 pulse instantaneously and returned the phases to “ normal ” within 0 . 002 seconds . the same device continued to operate throughout all tests and suffered no damage such that it can be installed and performs through multiple emp events . fig6 illustrates a graphical representation of the test results for the three phases and their reaction to the injected e1 pulse which was injected under test conditions recreating such a pulse component . this graph compares the kamps detected in the system phases against the time measured in μseconds with pulse initiation at time 0 . fig6 shows the e1 pulse injection test from time − 1 . 0 to 3 . 5 μsecs . the surge suppressor unit was connected to a three phase circuit wherein the system under normal operating conditions was a 480v operating system with 6000 watts of load . the test injected 20 , 000 volts at 1500 amps to simulate an e1 waveform . the height of the threat pulse 80 maxes out at nearly 1500 amps ( 1 . 5 ka ) on a single phase and lasts for over 1 . 9 micro seconds . the threat pulse 80 is injected onto the operating system , and the pulse is shown with a sudden spike with a diminishing tail . the darker phase a load 81 and the lighter colored phase b load 82 create an immediate dip to help correct the imbalance or resultant e1 spike on the phase c load 83 . the phase c carried the wave from the injected load , but mitigates the impact by pushing the load back on to phases a and b . phases a , b and c of the surge suppressor unit have compensated for the threat pulse by correcting the wave against itself or in other words balances the pulse against the other two phases creating a real time correction that can be seen in the graphs . as a result , the surge suppressor unit immediately mitigates the surge and begins reducing the magnitude and width within 0 . 1 μsec . the threat is kept to less than 500 amps at its peak as is reduced to below 250 amps within 0 . 2 microseconds ( 70 % reduction in amplitude ). by reducing the height ( magnitude / amplitude ) and the width ( duration ) by such a wide margin , the surge suppressor renders the e1 threat harmless to the grid components . the threat is completely eliminated by 1 . 3 μseconds . fig7 shows the graphical results of the surge suppressor unit responding to an injected e2 threat . the threat pulse is shown as graph line 90 wherein the threat pulse is injected onto phase c shown by line 91 at approximately 5 kv with a 6 kw load being present . the pulse is shown as a sudden spike with a diminishing tail . the phase a load 92 and phase b load 93 create an immediate dip to help correct the imbalance on the phase c load 91 which exhibits a spike . phase c 91 is already mitigating the impact by pushing the load back onto phase a 92 and phase b 93 . phase c 91 peaks at 109 amps compared to the 260 amp peak of the threat 90 . all three phases are corrected and back in phase within 0 . 002 seconds from the initial threat being injected on the line . all three phases 91 , 92 and 93 are in alignment prior to the threat 90 being injected at time 0 . all three phases are back in phase very quickly from the initial e2 threat being injected on the line . therefore , the surge suppressor unit also can readily handle the e2 pulse component or a pulse exhibiting similar characteristics . the surge suppressor unit was also tested under an e3 pulse component which is shown in fig8 and 9 . fig8 shows the graphical results with the threat pulse 100 injected onto phase c 101 at approximately 2 kv with a 6 kw load . the threat pulse is clearly shown in fig8 with a sudden spike and corresponding waves . due to the scale of the graph in fig8 , the reaction of the phases is not entirely clear . as such , fig9 is provided with the threat pulse 100 omitted so that the scale of the system phases can be increased for clarity . as seen in fig9 , phase c 101 has an immediate spike . however , the phase a load 102 and the phase b load 103 create an immediate dip to help correct the imbalance on the phase c load 101 . phase c already mitigates the impact of the threat pulse 100 by pushing the load back on to phase a 102 and phase b 103 . phase c 101 peaks at 109 amps compared to the 1710 amp peak of the threat pulse 100 . all three phases 101 , 102 , and 103 are corrected and back in phase within 0 . 002 seconds from the initial threat pulse 100 being injected on the line . all three phases are in alignment prior to the threat pulse 100 at time zero , and back in alignment within 0 . 002 seconds , such that the surge suppressor can readily handle the e 3 pulse component . as such , the inventive surge suppressor system can prevent the need to shed load in the presence of e3 activity or solar flare activity on the grid by correcting the flattening of the ac waveform . by maintaining 3 perfectly balanced phases where the vectors are 120 degrees out of phase , the surge suppressor eliminates the need to reduce lpt loads to prevent overheating and damage from half cycle saturation . preferably , the surge suppressor unit never routes surplus energy from these electromagnetic forces to ground , and instead , said energy is thrown against the incoming surge at the speed of the infraction . much like a mirror instantaneously rebounds a beam of light , the surge suppressor system rebounds pulse threats to mitigate the inrush of power regardless of the magnitude . the surge suppressor system can be installed nearly anywhere within the power distribution grid and still protect the entire portion of the circuit . this means a surge suppressor unit could be installed midway between the lpt and the next step down transformer which eliminates the need for a new piece of equipment in an already crowded space at the power source . although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes , it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus , including the rearrangement of parts , lie within the scope of the present invention .	7
fig1 - 3 show various prior art electronic ballasts , so as to provide a better perspective for understanding the present invention . fig1 - 2 show ballasts that can benefit from the timer feature of the present invention , while fig3 shows a prior art approach which includes a timer function with a ballast and over which the present invention improves . a list of list of reference numerals and associated parts appears near the end of this description for the convenience of the reader . fig1 shows a prior art ballast for a fluorescent lamp 100 , which receives ac input power as noted by arrow 200 . lamp 100 may have two - terminal heated filaments as shown . a rectifier and filter circuit 300 receives the ac input power and , in turn , provides dc power to a square wave oscillator 400 , which may comprise a half - bridge circuit formed with a pair of serially connected switching transistors in a totem - pole arrangement . alternatively , square wave oscillator may comprise a push - pull circuit of parallel resonant design . a resonant tank 500 , typically including a resonant capacitance and resonant inductance , supplies ac voltage to lamp 100 . resonant tank 500 typically provides a feedback signal , such as from a winding ( not shown ) coupled to the resonant inductance or from a separate feedback transformer , to an oscillator control and drive circuit 450 . oscillator control and drive circuit 450 then controls and drives square wave oscillator 400 in a manner to start and then run lamp 100 . as an alternative to using the foregoing feedback winding and corresponding implementation of oscillator control and drive circuit 450 , an integrated control circuit 460 can be incorporated in oscillator control and drive circuit 450 . u . s . pat . no . 6 , 366 , 032 to allison et al . describes one such integrated control circuit that can be used . fig2 shows another prior art ballast for a fluorescent lamp 100 . the ballast of fig2 has parts with the same reference numerals as in fig1 , and since the likeness of reference numerals refers to likeness of parts , the reader can consult the earlier description of such parts for part description . the fluorescent lamp ballast of fig2 adds to the ballast of fig1 either an oscillator fault detection circuit 600 or a lamp fault detection circuit 625 ( shown in phantom ). a fault logic circuit 650 responds to fault signals from either of the oscillator fault detection circuit 600 or the lamp fault detection circuit 625 , and responsively provides a control signal to oscillator control and drive circuit 450 . as mentioned above , either of the electronic ballasts of fig1 - 2 can benefit from the timer feature of the present invention . fig3 shows a prior art circuit using a timer function over which the present invention improves . lamp ballast 700 can be realized by various circuits including those shown in fig1 - 2 . this prior art approach interposes a mechanical or electrical timer 750 in the power line between ac input power 200 and lamp ballast 700 . one key disadvantage of such a solution to providing a timer function is that a separate mechanical or electrical timer 750 must be used . it , would , therefore be desirable to eliminate the need for a separate mechanical or electrical timer 750 . fig4 shows application of various embodiments of the present invention to the prior art circuit of fig1 or fig2 . in fig4 , a time delay network 800 in accordance with the invention receives either a signal representing ac power 200 , or , alternatively , receives a reset signal 855 . in response to whichever of the foregoing signals is received , time delay network 800 provides an output signal to control either oscillator control and drive circuit 450 or fault logic circuit 650 . reset signal 855 is shown associated with a phantom line , to indicate that it may typically be used instead of using the input from a signal representing ac power 200 , or only the signal representing ac power 200 may be used . similarly , the output from time delay network 800 leading to fault logic circuit 650 is shown in phantom to indicate that it may typically be used instead of the output of the time delay circuit leading to oscillator control and drive circuit 450 , or only the output of the time delay circuit to the oscillator control and drive circuit may be used . fig5 shows a preferred embodiment of a ballast circuit for a fluorescent lamp in accordance with the invention . the previously described square wave oscillator 400 of fig1 - 2 is realized by circuitry including a pair of npn switching transistors 402 and 404 configured in a totem - pole arrangement to alternately switch midpoint connection 406 of the transistors between a dc voltage on the upper - shown node of transistor 402 and the illustrated ground or reference node . npn switching transistors 402 and 404 may be replaced by other power switching device such as power mosfets . a resonant tank circuit includes a dc blocking capacitor 502 , a resonant inductor 504 , a resonant capacitor 510 , and lamp 100 . in customary fashion , windings 506 and 508 sample current through the lamp and provide respective feedback signals to control or base nodes 452 and 454 of switching transistors 402 and 404 via resistors 456 and 458 . base nodes 452 and 454 comprise parts of oscillator control and drive circuit 400 of fig1 - 2 . in fig5 , rectifier and filter 300 of fig1 - 2 is realized by circuitry including input inductor 210 , a full - bridge rectifier formed of pn diodes 302 , 304 , 306 , and 308 , and a bulk filter capacitor 310 . diodes 302 - 308 could be formed as an integral bridge rectifier assembly . as an alternative to using four diodes 302 , 304 , 306 and 308 and a single bulk filter capacitor 310 , two diodes ( not shown ) and two series capacitive elements ( not shown ) could be used to realize a voltage - doubler type of input rectifier and filter circuit . ac input power 200 of fig1 - 2 is realized application of ac voltage to input nodes 202 . a lamp fault detection circuit 625 of fig1 - 2 is realized in fig5 by a sense resistor 626 in the emitter lead of transistor 404 , resistors 630 , 634 , and 638 , capacitor 632 , diodes 628 and 636 and scr 410 . this circuit detects excessive current in the oscillator circuit and switches scr 410 to the on state , pulling base 452 of transistor 402 to ground and turning off the oscillator . in fig5 , an oscillator control and drive circuit 450 of fig1 - 2 is realized by circuitry comprising base drive transformer 506 / 508 and resistors 456 and 458 connected across the bases 452 and 454 of npn transistors 402 and 404 , respectively . base drive transformer 506 / 508 may be realized as separate transformers or as part of inductor 504 . this network generates drive signals corresponding to the current through the resonant tank inductor and capacitor and uses regenerative feedback to maintain oscillation of the resonant circuit . in accordance with as aspect of the invention , time delay network 800 of fig4 is realized by circuitry including a mc14521b 24 - stage frequency divider 802 by on semiconductor of phoenix , ariz . frequency divider 802 includes a 24 - stage chain of flip - flops ( not shown ) which divide the input frequency by a factor of 2 24 . resistors 804 and 806 and capacitor 808 function as an rc oscillator with a period of approximately 2 ( resistance of resistor 804 )( capacitance of capacitor 808 ) or 4 . 4 milliseconds in the case of the resistors 804 and 806 having resistances of 210 k - ohms and 105 k - ohms , respectively , and capacitor 808 having a capacitance of 22 nf . this frequency is then divided by frequency divider 802 such that the initiation of the 24 th stage occurs after 0 . 0046 * 2 23 seconds , or approximately 10 . 2 hours . this 10 . 2 hours duration approximately represents a standard business day , but the foregoing resistor and capacitor values can be chosen to produce other durations of time for initiation of the 24 th stage . in any event , such duration would typically be greater than 15 minutes . upon initiation of the 24 th stage in frequency divider 802 , output q 24 of frequency divider 802 transitions from low to high , providing a signal through resistor 810 to trigger a shutdown scr 410 , contained in the realization of oscillator control and drive circuit 450 of fig4 - 5 , so as bring the voltage of base node 452 of the upper transistor 402 low and turn the lamp off . in addition , output q 24 of the frequency divider is connected to a pnp transistor 820 via resistor 822 , which pulls the voltage of the common node or tap 824 of the above - mentioned oscillator components low and prevents further operation of the oscillator . this keeps the output node q 24 high , keeping the shutdown scr 410 triggered , as well as keeping the frequency divider 802 itself locked in that state . reset of the time delay network in fig5 corresponding to network 800 of fig4 is caused by turning off ac input power to the ballast . this is sensed by voltage at a filtered power lead 212 of filter inductor 210 , which causes base drive to a reset transistor 828 to be removed and allows the “ reset ” pin of frequency divider 802 to go high , resetting the logic bits in the frequency divider . in making the foregoing fluorescent lamp ballast of fig5 b , it was decided to move a reset signal for resetting from a node at the ballast bulk voltage labeled “ dc voltage ” to the unrectified ac line via filtered power lead 212 of filter inductor 210 . selection of a reset signal from a signal on winding tap 212 representing ac input power , rather than from a signal representing the ballast bulk voltage guarantees that the reset signal will occur before the bulk filter capacitor 306 completes the process of becoming fully discharged . bias voltage vdd and vdd 1 for frequency divider 802 is provided by a tap off the ballast bulk voltage labeled “ dc voltage ,” via resistor 812 . this means that frequency divider 802 will still be fully energized when the reset signal — i . e ., ac power being turned off — occurs . beneficially , this ensures that frequency divider 802 remains powered by the residual charge on the bulk capacitor 306 until after resetting of the frequency divider has occurred . as a result , the frequency divider becomes reset in a reliable manner . finally , regarding fig5 , a printed - circuit board ( pcb ) 900 is indicated by phantom - line box 900 . all components shown within phantom - line box 900 are preferably mounted directly or indirectly onto pcb 900 . by “ mounting indirectly ” is meant that a component may be mounted on small pcb , for instance , which is , in turn , mounted onto pcb 900 . with reference to fig4 , as to which fig5 is an implementation , an alternative to using feedback windings 506 / 508 of fig5 and associated circuitry for self - resonant control of square wave oscillator can be realized as follows . oscillator control and drive circuit 450 can incorporate integrated control circuit 460 , such as that described in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 366 , 032 to allison et al . for a further understanding of the fluorescent lamp ballast of fig5 , fig6 a - 6e show various timing waveforms for voltages or conditions of that lamp ballast . fig6 a shows an ac input waveform taken at filtered power lead 212 in fig5 ; fig6 b shows a rectified dc waveform taken at the node labeled “ dc voltage ” in fig5 ; fig6 b shows a rectified dc waveform taken at the node labeled “ dc voltage ” in fig5 ; fig6 c shows the logic output of pin q 24 of frequency divider 802 ; fig6 d shows a reset signal taken at the reset pin of frequency divider 802 ; and fig6 e shows the output of lamp 100 . time points t 1 - t 5 in fig6 a - 6e are explained as follows . t 1 : ac input power is applied to the ballast . t 2 : dc filter bulk capacitor 306 becomes charged up as shown in fig6 b and the ballast begins to drive the lamp . t 3 : frequency divider 802 reaches its predetermined shutoff point when its output q 24 goes high as shown in fig6 c , causing shutdown scr 410 to activate and shut down the square wave oscillator 400 ( fig4 ), thus turning off the lamp . output q 24 remains high as shown in fig6 c in order to keep the lamp off and disable frequency divider 802 so as to prevent any further counts in the internal clock of the frequency divider . t 4 : the ac input power is turned off . this causes the reset signal of fig6 d to go low . this causes frequency divider output q 24 to go low as shown in fig6 c , which deactivates shutdown scr 410 and clears any clock counts in the frequency divider . t 5 : any time after time t 5 , the ballast can be re - energized from application of ac input power , so that the lamp restarts . however , a short delay is necessary to ensure that the reset signal has transitioned from high to low and the frequency divider has been cleared . as described above , fluorescent lamp ballast of fig4 - 5 allows a user to power up lamp 100 and keep the lamp on for a predetermined period of time , such as approximately 10 hours , and as shown by time interval 850 in fig6 e . in an alternative embodiment , a reset circuit 860 , shown in phantom , can be connected to realize reset signal 855 of fig4 and apply that signal to the control or base node of reset transistor 828 . in this case , the control or base node of reset transistor 828 would no longer be connected to filtered input lead 212 , so that pn diode 862 would be eliminated reset circuit 860 may comprise a toggle switch that switches between high and low logic levels . power for reset circuit 860 may be supplied from an ac or dc power supply , by way of example . reset circuit 860 may be embodied as a conventional wall switch or toggle switch such as is standard in the industry . fig7 a - 7e show various timing waveforms for voltages or conditions of the lamp ballast circuit of fig4 - 5 when reset circuit 860 is used to reset frequency divider 802 . in this case , power - down of the ac input power , as sensed from filtered power lead 212 , would typically not be used for resetting frequency divider 802 . fig7 a shows an ac input waveform taken at filtered power lead 212 in fig5 ; fig7 b shows a rectified dc waveform taken at the node labeled “ dc voltage ” in fig5 ; fig7 c shows the logic output of pin q 24 of frequency divider 802 ; fig7 d shows a reset signal taken at the reset pin of frequency divider 802 ; and fig7 e shows the output of lamp 100 . time points t 1 - t 5 in fig7 a - 7e are explained as follows . t 1 : ac input power is applied to the ballast . t 2 : dc filter bulk capacitor 306 becomes charged up as shown in fig7 b and the ballast begins to drive the lamp . t 3 : this time point is related to the following time point t 4 , which collectively constitutes a toggling of a switch ( not shown ) in reset circuit 802 ( fig5 ). at time point t 3 , the reset signal shown in fig7 d and provided by reset circuit 802 to the reset transistor 828 causes frequency divider 802 to stop counting . shutoff of square wave oscillator 400 is disabled . t 4 : at time point t 4 , the reset signal provided by reset circuit 860 ( fig5 ) is toggled back to high . this causes frequency divider 802 to reset to zero and begin its counting sequence anew . shutoff of square wave oscillator 400 ( fig5 ) is re - enabled to become active when the frequency divider reaches the end of a predetermined duration t 5 : this is the shutoff point based on initial activation of frequency divider 802 . however , since the frequency divider was reset by reset circuit 860 , at times t 3 and t 4 , nothing happens to the frequency divider at this time point and no change in output is shown in fig7 c . t 6 : frequency divider 802 reaches is predetermined shutoff point based on the new reset signal provided at time point t 4 . the frequency divider applies a shutdown signal as shown in fig7 c , via output q 24 , to the ballast , and the lamp is turned off as shown in fig7 e . the output of frequency divider 802 remains high , as shown in fig7 c , in order to keep the lamp off and disable the frequency divider from preventing any further counter of its internal timer clock . as can be seen from a comparison with fig6 e , fig7 e shows a duration 852 of the lamp being on that exceeds duration 850 shown in fig6 e . so , the lamp can be left on longer using the reset circuit 860 of fig5 . t 7 : the lamp can be restarted either by cycling of the ac input power — e . g ., turning the power switch to the lamp off and on — or by cycling of the reset signal as described in connection with time points t 3 and t 4 . fig8 shows a resistive - capacitive ( rc ) time delay network 870 differing from time delay network shown in fig5 . in fig8 , an input node 872 receives a signal to start timing for a predetermined duration . such a signal could come from filtered power lead 212 or reset circuit 860 in fig5 , for instance . the signal on input node 872 causes a current through resistor 874 to charge a capacitor 876 . a level detect circuit 878 detects when capacitor 876 has charged to a threshold level , which corresponds to elapse of a predetermined period of time such as 10 hours . an output 880 from time delay network 870 is then applied to either fault logic circuit 650 or oscillator control circuit 450 , which are shown in block in fig4 . in the following list of reference numerals and associated parts , exemplary values or descriptions for various parts are placed in parenthesis after the part name : 100 . fluorescent lamp 200 . ac input power 202 . nodes 210 . filter inductor 212 . filtered power lead 300 . rectifier and filter circuit 302 . pn diode ( rectifier 1n4007 ) 304 . pn diode ( rectifier 1n4007 ) 306 . pn diode ( rectifier 1n4007 ) 308 . pn diode ( rectifier 1n4007 ) 310 . bulk filter capacitor ( 33 uf , 200v , aluminum electrolytic ) 400 . square wave oscillator 402 . npn switching transistor ( bul128 ) 404 . npn switching transistor ( bul128 ) 406 . midpoint connection 410 . shutdown scr ( xl0840 ) 450 . oscillator control and drive circuit 452 . base node 454 . base node 456 . resistor ( 3 . 3 ohm , ¼w , metal film ) 458 . resistor ( 3 . 3 ohm , ¼w , metal film ) 460 . integrated circuit 500 . resonant tank 502 . dc blocking capacitor ( 0 . 47 uf , 250v , metallized polyester ) 504 . resonant inductor ( 1 . 2 mh ) 506 . base drive winding 508 . base drive winding 510 . resonant capacitor ( 15 nf , 1000v , metallized polypropylene ) 600 . oscillator fault detector circuit 625 . lamp fault detector circuit 626 . sense resistor ( 0 . 68 ohms , ½w , metal film ) 628 . diode ( switching , 1n4148 ) 630 . resistor ( 470 k ohms , ⅛w ) 632 . capacitor ( 470 uf , 10v , aluminum electrolytic ) 634 . resistor ( 220 k ohms , ⅛w ) 636 . diode ( rectifier , 1n4936 ) 638 . resistor ( 100 ohms , ¼w ) 650 . fault logic circuit 700 . lamp ballast 750 . mechanical or electrical timer 800 . time delay network 802 . frequency divider ( mc14521b ) 804 . resistor ( 210 k ohms , ⅛w ) 806 . resistor ( 105 k ohms , ⅛w ) 808 . capacitor ( 22 nf , npo ceramic ) 810 . resistor ( 510 ohms , ⅛w ) 812 . resistor ( 200 k ohms , ½w ) 820 . transistor ( 2n2222 ) 822 . resistor ( 5 . 1 k ohms , ⅛w ) 824 . common node or tap 828 . reset transistor ( n2222 ) 850 . time interval 860 . reset circuit 855 . reset signal 862 . node 864 . diode ( rectifier , 1n4007 ) 870 . time delay network 872 . input node 874 . resistor 876 . capacitor 878 . level detect circuit 880 . output 900 . printed - circuit board part numbers mentioned in the foregoing list are standard part number typically used by multiple manufactures in the united states . practice of the invention will be routine to a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the foregoing component values and remainder of this description . the foregoing describes an electronic fluorescent lamp ballast that achieves a timer function , as described herein , while typically only marginally increasing ballast cost and ballast size . while the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments by way of illustration , many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art . it is , therefore , to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true scope and spirit of the invention .	8
in describing this invention , reference will be made to its application to the toner development system used in an electrographic printing or plotting environment . however , it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the methods of this invention are equally applicable to any system wherein the concentration of material in a fluid carrier , or medium needs to be monitored and periodically adjusted to maintain a predetermined level of material concentrate in the fluid . referring to fig1 shown is a front view of toning system 10 of a color electrostatic plotter which uses liquid toner . as will be seen , each color toner circulates through common plumbing of toning system 10 as shown , and the common plumbing is flushed with a clear dispersant , such as isopar ® ( exxon corp .) between color passes . toning system 10 houses toner solution bottles 12 , 14 , 18 , 20 , and clear dispersant bottle 16 . during development of an electrostatic image onto a medium , each toning bottle is connected in turn to the common plumbing by valve 32 . due to the action of pump 38 , the toner solution , for example from bottle 20 , is drawn through valve 32 and tube 34 in the direction indicated by the arrow , and into fountain 40 where the toner solution comes in contact with the print medium . excess toner solution is then returned to bottle 20 through tube 36 and valve 32 . as will be discussed later , the toner solution passing through tube 34 is measured by concentrate window sensor 50 . next , valve 32 connects clear dispersant bottle 16 to the common plumbing , allowing a clear dispersant such as isopar ® to be used . dispersant from bottle 16 flushes all of the common plumbing of system 10 , including valve 32 , tubes 34 , 36 , fountain 40 and concentrate sensor 50 , and the dirty dispersant is directed to bottle 42 . the process of shifting valve 32 , toning and flushing the plumbing is repeated for each color pass of the plot . in another section of the electrographic plotter which is not shown , the dirty fluid in bottle 42 is cleaned and returned to bottle 16 . each time a plot is made and toner solution is used , the concentration of solids in toner solution bottles 12 , 14 , 18 , 20 becomes depleted . image quality depends on maintaining the correct concentration of solids in the toner solution . in the present invention , this is all done automatically by measuring toner concentration utilizing concentrate sensor 50 , then adding high solids concentrate to the toner solution as required . as seen in fig1 each toner solution bottle 12 , 14 , 18 , 20 has an associated concentrate solution bottle 22 , 24 , 28 , 30 respectively . concentrate from bottles 22 , 24 , 28 , 30 is added to the toner solutions of bottles 12 , 14 , 18 , 20 to bring the toner solution in these bottles back to a desired concentration . in a similar manner , when the clear dispersant in bottle 16 becomes depleted , new dispersant from bottle 26 is added to the dispersant in bottle 16 . as discussed in the background , toner solution concentration can be measured optically . in this case , and referring to fig2 a and 2b , toner solution is passed through concentrate sensor 50 . concentrate sensor 50 has a large flow area 65 ( identified by the crosshatching in fig2 b ) whereby fluid is free to flow easily . for measurement purposes , concentrate sensor 50 has two windowing areas 62 and 64 formed by window molds 60 , 61 . note that the thickness of windowing area 62 ( e . g . 55 mils ) is larger than that of windowing area 64 ( e . g . 15 mils ). in this system , two different sized windowing areas are used to compensate for the difference in the optical properties of the different color toner solutions . as will be seen , windowing area 62 will be used to measure the optical properties of the yellow , cyan , and magenta toner solutions whereas windowing area 64 will be used to measure the optical properties of the black toner solution . it can be appreciated that a different sized windowing area can be utilized to correspond with each toner solution being measured in a system . furthermore , concentrate sensor 50 has leds 52 , 54 and corresponding photoreceptors 56 , 58 for measuring the optical properties of the toner solutions that pass through windowing areas 62 , 64 . in order for the optical property measurements to be used during run - time operation to adjust the concentration of the toner solutions , the electrographic plotter has to first be calibrated . as will be seen , the self calibration , window staining compensation and simplified methods described herein will improve the accuracy of concentration measurement and save money . calibration is activated upon demand of a user . it is important to note that prior to calibration , the concentration of the toner solutions in bottles 12 , 14 , 18 , 20 of fig1 is either known , or at a level satisfactory for the system , because the self calibration routine utilizes these concentrations and adjusts the values thereto . the intention is to keep the toner solutions at a known concentration , thus it is best to start out with those known concentrations before requesting a calibration . it can be understood by those skilled in the art that some limitations apply to the system . these limitation are caused by optical elements used or by range of toner concentration specified . at the end of the assembly line , and every time the user puts new toner in the machine ( roughly twice per year ), the calibration routine is used . if only one toner solution bottle is being changed , the user can request calibration for only that particular color , maintaining the calibration values for the other colors in the system . a plotter can be built having no manual adjustments , and the end user does not have to care about possible future changes in toner because the machine adjusts itself . the only user interaction required is to start the internal self calibration routine whenever the toner is changed . as discussed in the background , all the time consuming math due to the logarithmic operations , is in the calibration routine , which is only used a few times per year . as will be seen , the calibration routine produces approximately thirty parameters that are stored in nonvolatile memory . look - up tables generated during calibration can be quickly recreated from these parameters on power up . this approach minimizes nonvolatile memory space used . referring now to fig3 , 5 and 6 , the calibration routine will be described in detail . liquid toner solution is pumped between two parallel , clear windows in concentration sensor 50 formed by window mold sections 60 , 61 . for the following explanation , let window 1 ( w1 ) be the window paralleling windowing area 62 and window 2 ( w2 ) be the window paralleling windowing area 64 . referring especially to fig3 for window 1 , the light from led 52 energizes photoreceptor 56 causing a voltage to be fed into a / d converter 70 . for window 2 , the light from led 54 energizes photoreceptor 58 causing a voltage to be fed into a / d converter 72 . the voltages are converted by a / d converters 70 , 72 and used by cpu 74 in the calibration process and in the run - time mode . light ( such as from leds 52 , 54 ) passing through the toner , or toner solution , is attenuated according to the equation ( beer - lambert law ), ## equ1 ## where : v = voltage from photosensor ( 56 or 58 ) when toner is passed between the windows (&# 34 ; toner voltage &# 34 ;) vc = voltage from photosensor with 0 % toner ( i . e . isopar ®) is passed between the windows (&# 34 ; clear voltage &# 34 ;) any attenuation in light caused by window staining or variations / aging of the optics and electronics will affect both the toner voltage , v , and the clear voltage , vc , by the same factor . taking the ratio , v / vc , automatically compensates for these effects . equation 5 is the basis of the concentration sensing method . as will be seen , during the run - time mode , the machine measures v for each color and vc for the clear voltage , then looks up values for c1 and c2 in tables created during calibration . tables 80 , 90 are stored in memory 78 for later use . concentration can then be determined without doing any logarithmic calculation . there are n values of v and c1 for each toner color . ## equ6 ## there are m values of vc for each window ( a system may have different thickness windows for different toner colors ), and m values of c2 for each toner color . note that m and n are numbers that depend on the range of toner concentration to be measured and the desired resolution . larger values will give a wider range and / or finer measurement resolution . referring to fig5 shown is an exemplary c2 table 80 having rows 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 . in this case , m = 10 , although any value of m can be used depending on system requirements . row 81 contains clear voltage values for window 1 denoted by vc ( w1 ) i where i is from 1 to 10 . row 82 contains clear voltage values for window 2 denoted by vc ( w2 ) i . more window rows would be necessary on systems utilizing more than two windows . in a similar manner , rows 83 through 86 contain values of c2 for colors a , b , c , and d respectively . it can be appreciated that the number of c2 rows in table 80 equals the number of colors used in this particular embodiment and other color systems may use a different number of colors thus a different number of c2 rows . referring to fig6 shown is an exemplary c1 table 90 having rows 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 . in this case , n = 10 , although any value of n can be used depending on system requirements . ( also , m from table 80 does not have to equal n in table 90 .) row 91 contains the various voltages of color a denoted by v ( a ) i where i is from 1 to 10 . row 92 contains c1 values corresponding to the v values of color a denoted by c1 ( a ) i . the remaining rows contain voltage values and their corresponding c1 values for each color used . again , as noted above , the number of rows in the c1 table depends on the number of colors being used . as mentioned above , the intention is to maintain some given predetermined concentration of toner . the assumption for all of the self calibration is that the toner concentration of the toners is known or acceptable before the calibration process begins . once a calibration is requested , the look - up tables are created during a self calibration routine as described below with reference to fig4 - 6 . the first step is to request calibration as in step 100 . put a known concentration of toner into the plotter , where c 0 = known concentration ( e . g . 0 . 7 %) ( or assume a known concentration of toner is in the plotter ). run a color test plot . measure vc for each window . measure v for each color using the correct window for that color . in this case , the clear voltage , vc ( w1 ) nominal is determined by measuring the voltage of the clear dispersant through window 1 and vc ( w2 ) nominal is determined by measuring the voltage of the clear dispersant through window 2 . next , each color a , b , c , and d is run through the concentrate sensor and the nominal voltages are determined for each color using the correct window depending on the optical properties of that color . for example , if color a is black , the voltage v ( a ) nominal would be measured through window 2 , ( i . e . the smaller of the two ) while the remaining color voltages v ( b ), v ( c ), v ( d ), would be measured through window 1 due to their optical properties . note that between each color , the clear dispersant is used to flush and clean the concentrate sensor . k is a constant multiplier used to determine the range of voltages that may be read from a table during run - time mode . the nominal voltage multiplier would be k = 1 . in the example herein , the voltage range is estimated to be ± 10 %, therefore the lower limit of k , which is k l would be - 10 % of nominal or a multiplier of k l = 0 . 9 . the range of voltage to be used in the tables depends on the system requirements and the range of ± 10 % of nominal is strictly for exemplary purposes . therefore , the value of vc l ( w1 ) and vc l ( w2 ) is calculated by multiplying the vc ( w1 ) and vc ( w2 ) nominal values ( from step 104 ) by 0 . 9 . k h = 1 . 1 represents the + 10 % voltage range endpoint . therefore , the value of vc h ( w1 ) and vc h ( w2 ) is calculated by multiplying the vc ( w1 ) and vc ( w2 ) nominal values ( from step 104 ) by 1 . 1 . once the high and low limits of the clear voltages for each window are available , they can be stored in the exemplary c2 table 80 as endpoints . the low limit voltage for window 1 is stored in row 81 of table 80 as vc ( w1 ) 1 . the high limit voltage for window 1 is stored in row 81 as vc ( w1 ) 10 . in a similar manner , vc l of window 2 is stored in row 82 as vc ( w1 ) 1 and vc h of window 2 is stored in row 82 as vc ( w1 ) 10 . calculate εx for each color , using v and vc from the correct window for that color . ## equ7 ## an εx value for each color can be calculated from the information already known , namely the color voltage values , the clear voltage value and the concentration of the toner . since εx represents the thickness of the windowing area ( x ) times the optical absorption coefficient of toner ( ε ), the calculated values of εx are a function of the given plotter that is being calibrated because the values of εx are being calculated from measured values of voltage and concentration as opposed to window thickness and absorption coefficients . the value of any given εx is specific to the voltages and toner concentrations of a given plotter . it is the ability to define εx by using measured voltage values and known toner concentrations that enables the tolerances on the window thickness and toner absorption coefficients to be relaxed , and the system to be more flexible . the endpoints of rows 81 and 82 have been entered and the next step is to fill in the remaining values for each row . step 112 is needed to place m equally spaced voltage values ( in the example m = 10 ) between the high and low limits which are already in the table . remaining values for window 1 are calculated and placed into row 81 and remaining values for window 2 are calculated and placed into row 82 . depending on how much computational power is available , and the range of vc , the c2 values can be calculated using logarithms or a linear approximation . use of a linear approximation depends on how much , and which part , of the logarithmic curve is being approximated . a determination of the maximum error produced by the linear approximation needs to be made , followed by a decision as to whether this maximum error is acceptable . to aid in the determination of whether to use linear approximation , a method for finding the maximum error can be achieved as follows : the logarithmic expression is shown in linear approximation equation 1 ( l . a . equation 1 ) as : ## equ10 ## first , connect the points ( vc l , invc l ) and ( vc h , invc h ) with a straight line . any point on the line can be found from , ## equ11 ## the error between the approximated value , a , and the actual value of in ( vc l + δv ) is , the value of δv where the error will be a maximum can be found by taking the derivative of e with respect to δv and setting it equal to 0 . ## equ12 ## substituting this into equation ( l . a . equation 3 ) will yield the maximum error in the linear approximation . ## equ14 ## putting in the exemplary values vc l = 9 and vc h = 11 ( i . e . vc = 10 , k l = 0 . 9 and k h = 1 . 1 ) into equation ( l . a . eq . 5 ) and ( l . a . eq . 6 ) yields , this is a very small error ( e . g . 0 . 2 %) for the given exemplary range of vc . note that the linear approximation may not be as good for other ranges of vc along the logarithmic curve . continuing now with fig4 if the answer to step 116 is no , follow the instructions of step 118 . for each color a , b , c , d the c2 values are calculated . assuming color a is black , the value for clear voltage vc i from window 2 would be used in equation ( 13 ) to fill in the corresponding values of c2 ( a ) i . for instance : ## equ16 ## where εx was from the value calculated for the black toner in equation ( 10 ). if step 118 is used , skip steps 120 , 122 , and 124 and jump to step 126 described below . assuming the linear approximation is used and the answer to step 116 is yes , the following steps will be taken : calculate c2 ( a ) l and c2 ( a ) h using the appropriate εx for color a and place in row 83 in positions c2 ( a ) 1 and c2 ( a ) 10 respectively . finish step 120 by calculating the upper and lower limits for the remaining colors ( b , c , d ) and place the results in rows 84 , 85 , 86 accordingly . step size is a function of how many values are required between the endpoints . in summary , for each color , the first entry for vc , vc 1 , is vc l , from equation ( 8 ). each subsequent entry , vc i , is equal to the previous entry , vc i - 1 , plus a constant , δ vc , from equation ( 11 ). the first c2 entry , c2 1 , is c2 l , from equation ( 14 ). each subsequent entry , c2 i , is equal to the previous entry , c2 i - 1 , plus a constant , δ c2 , from equation ( 16 ). therefore , from the calculation of equation ( 17 ), c2 i values for colors a , b , c , d are recorded into rows 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 accordingly . step 126 states to calculate the c1 values for the c1 table 90 , and can be accomplished by using the following steps : determine voltage range for c1 table . the range of concentration that the table will cover must be specified . first the concentration range for each color toner in the system must be established . for each color , there is some voltage range , from v l to v h , that the system will have to be able to measure and compensate therefor . the total range of voltages that the c1 table covers must include the range of voltages from different toner concentrations and also the range of clear voltages that can be expected . the calculation for v l in equation ( 20 ) and v h in equation ( 21 ) take into account both factors of clear voltage , vc l and vc h , and concentrations , c h and c l . for color a the endpoint voltage , v l , from equation ( 20 ) is inserted into row 91 of table 90 as v ( a ) 1 and endpoint voltage , v h , from equation ( 21 ) as v ( a ) 10 , remembering to use the εx for color a as calculated previously . in a similar manner , the endpoint voltages for colors b , c , and d can be calculated using equations ( 20 ) and ( 21 ) and placed accordingly in rows 93 , 95 and 97 respectively . using the endpoint voltage values for each color , endpoint c1 values can be determined using equations ( 22 ) and ( 23 ). for instance , from the v l value of the b color v ( b ) 1 of row 93 , the endpoint value of c1 ( b ) 1 can be determined using equation ( 22 ) and placed in row 94 accordingly . each high and low c1 endpoint values corresponding to the high and low voltage endpoint values for each color are to be calculated and placed in the appropriate rows of table 90 . this step is similar to steps 112 , and 122 above whereby equal steps between values in a row are to be determined . in building the c1 table , for each color , the first c1 entry , c1 1 , is c1 l , from equation ( 22 ) and is calculated for each color as in steps 128 and 130 . next , each subsequent entry , c1 i , is equal to the previous entry , c1 i - 1 , plus a constant , δ c1 , from equation ( 24 ) the first entry for v , v 1 , is v h , from equation ( 21 ) and each subsequent entry , v i , is equal to the previous entry , v i - 1 , times a constant , e - δc1εx . at this point , c1 table 90 and c2 table 80 are complete and ready to be used during the run - time mode . as previously mentioned , if fewer than all of the toner bottles are changed , a partial calibration , for only the colors effected , can be run . in summary , it should be noted that in making the c2 table , start with the limits for clear voltage , split that up into m pieces to come up with the intermediate values for vc that go into the table , and then calculate c2 values for each v c value for each color . however , in building the c1 table , start with the limits for voltage , v l and v h , and then calculate the limit values of c1 associated with those voltages for each color . next , the intermediate c1 values are calculated in the c1 table and the corresponding v values are calculated from those c1 values . tables c1 and c2 are filled with values that are specific to the hardware and toner used during calibration . this minimizes the size of the tables , and thus the memory required for table storage because the system does not have to save calibration values for a wide range of possible toner concentrations . furthermore , the above method requires values for c o , c l , c h , k l , k . sub . h , n and m to be determined by the system operator and the rest of the values needed to complete the tables are either measured or calculated . referring to fig3 - 6 , during power - down , the information in memory 78 is lost . however , nvram 76 ( nonvolatile random access memory ) is available for power - down storage of information . it is not necessary to run a calibration each time the plotter is powered down , nor is it necessary to store all of the values in c2 table 80 and c1 table 90 in nvram . once the calibration has been done , tables 80 , 90 can be recreated from the values for v h , e - δc1εx , c1 l , δ c1 , vc l , δ vc , c2 l , δ c2 , n and m for each color where applicable . when the machine is powered down , only these parameters need to be stored in nvram 76 . tables 80 , 90 can be recreated on power up by performing step 114 , step 124 , and , step 134 , then , restored into memory 78 . once tables 80 , 90 have been created and stored in memory 78 , they are available for use during run - time mode . during run - time operation , every time toning system 10 of fig1 is flushed ( four times in a color plot , once every several plots for monochrome ), the machine reads concentration sensor 50 with clear dispersant running therethrough . it then uses this measurement to adjust itself for window staining , changes in the electronics , etc ., at a rate of several times per day . the actual concentration measurement requires two voltage readings , extraction of two values from look - up tables , and one addition . this can easily be done during plot generation expediting system operation . referring to fig1 , 5 , and 6 , an example of run - time operation using the c1 and c2 tables will now be illustrated . for the purpose of example , let color a = black , color b = cyan , color c = magenta and color d = yellow . during a plot , the first color plotted is typically black . to run a black pass , valve 32 is shifted to connect with black toner bottle 14 . toner pump 38 turns on causing the black toner to flow through tube 34 and into fountain 40 for creating an image on the media . sometime during that imaging process , cpu 74 goes out and samples the voltage created on photosensor 58 , for window 2 , corresponding to the concentration of the black toner . cpu 74 samples this voltage several times and takes the average value and uses it as the measurement of the black voltage concentration or v ( a ) nominal . the clear voltage value vc ( w2 ) needed for calculation purposes , may be stored in memory from a previous plot or , clear dispersant could be run through the system before the black pass in order to get the clear voltage value . note that the case may be that the optics of concentration sensor 50 have changed due to temperature . if the ambient temperature in the room changes by more than a few degrees in between consecutive plots , the stored value for clear voltage vc may not be appropriate to use with the value for the black toner . therefore , if it has been more than a few minutes since the last plot , it might be better to do the black pass , measure the black voltage , store it , measure the clear voltage after the black pass , then if concentrate needs to be added to the toner , wait until the next plot before adjusting the black . it may be more accurate than relying on the clear voltage from the last plot , unless the last plot happened just moments before the current plot . once appropriate values for the black toner voltage v ( a ) and the clear voltage vc ( w2 ) have been obtained , values for c1 and c2 can be extracted from tables 90 and 80 respectively . first , take the vc ( w2 ) value and find the closest match in row 82 of c2 table 80 and extract the corresponding c2 value . for example , if the closest vc ( w2 ) value in table 80 is vc ( w2 ) 6 , go to row 83 , which represents the c2 values for black , and extract c2 ( a ) 6 . this is now the c2 value . next , using the v ( a ) value , go to table 90 row 91 , corresponding to black , and find the closest match to the measured v ( a ) value and extract the corresponding c1 value . for example , if the closest v ( a ) value is v ( a ) 8 in the black row 91 , extract c1 ( a ) 8 from row 92 which now becomes the value for c1 . finally , cpu 74 calculates c = c1 + c2 which represents the concentration of the toner . once the concentration of the toner is determined , it is up to the system whether concentrate from bottle 24 needs to be added to the toner in bottle 14 . now that the system has a concentration value , it compares this value to the desired concentration value . if the concentration in the bottle is higher then the desired concentration , nothing is done . if it is lower , concentrate is added accordingly . determination of when to add toner and the amount to add is not within the scope of this invention . however , it should be apparent to someone skilled in the art that there are many ways of determining how much concentrate to add and when to add it . it is suggested that a proportional add system be used . at the end of the black pass , valve 32 is shifted to connect bottle 16 allowing the plumbing of toning system 10 to be flushed using clear dispersant from bottle 16 . during that flush , the value of clear voltage vc is measured through the next window to be used , and stored to be used by the next color . for the next pass , which for example is cyan , valve 32 is shifted to bottle 12 and the cyan pass is ready to begin . sometime during the cyan pass , the voltage is again measured for the cyan toner concentration , this time using window 1 , or windowing area 62 , on concentration sensor 50 . using the clear voltage vc ( b ) and a cyan voltage value v ( b ), take those values and go into the c2 table 80 to extract a c2 value from row 84 , the cyan row , corresponding to vc ( b ). next , go to the c1 table and find the closest voltage for the cyan measurement v ( b ) and extract the associated c1 value from row 94 , the cyan row . finally , concentration of the cyan toner c = c1 + c2 and the determination of concentration adjustment for the toner in bottle 12 can be made accordingly . after , the cyan pass , valve 32 is again shifted to bottle 16 and toning system 10 is again flushed . the process illustrated above for cyan is then repeated with magenta and yellow . of course , the c2 value for the magenta pass will be extracted from row 85 of table 80 and the c1 value will be extracted from row 96 of table 90 . in a similar manner , the c2 value for the yellow pass will be extracted from row 86 of table 80 and the c1 value will be extracted from row 98 of table 90 . in general , sometime while plotting a particular color , the measurement of toner voltage is made . the system goes through the look up process to get values of c1 and c2 , adds them together , and based on the result , decides whether to add toner concentrate accordingly . it is suggested that the concentrate is added before the pass is completed so that is gets mixed in . in summary , the above described invention solves two basic problems in optical toner concentration measurement . first , measurement errors caused by variations in window thickness , variations and aging in optics and electronics , and changes in toner optical properties are eliminated by having each machine measure and calibrate itself . the calibration routine and its derivation are described in detail above . secondly , taking logarithms , which are required for toner concentration measurement , during plot generation is prohibitively time consuming using a microprocessor . this dilemma is solved by using a look - up table scheme which can be executed quickly . the tables are created while the machine is idle and the time needed to calculate logarithms is available . while the invention has been described with reference to the structures disclosed , it is not confined to the details set forth , but is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the scope of the following claims :	6
in the present invention , the following principles are utilized to safely and continuously remove radioactive iodine i 2 ( iodine ) including ch 3 i ( methyl iodide ) contained in a gas . that is , the present invention is based on an adsorption process by activated carbon in principle . 1 . i 2 and ch 3 i have different adsorbabilities toward the activated carbon . i 2 , once adsorbed on the activated carbon , is difficult to desorb , and thus the adsorption proceeds to a saturation state in the manner of the so - called chemical adsorption , requiring regeneration . on the other hand , ch 3 i , even if adsorbed onto the activated carbon , is easy to desorb , and the adsorption proceeds in the manner of the so - called physical adsorption , while repeating adsorption - desorption . 2 . half - life of i 131 is as short as 8 days , and a sufficient retention time for decaying the radioactivity concentration to one - thousandth is only about 80 days . suppose the retention time be d , d / 0 . 58 = 1 / 1000 . thus d ≈ 80 . 3 . percent removal of i 2 by adsorption on the activated carbon is very high , irrespectively of the relative humidity , whereas that of ch 3 i is good up to the relative humidity of 40 %, but is suddenly decreased over that relative humidity of 40 %. now , the present invention will be described in detail , referring to the accompanying drawings . in fig1 a schematic flowdiagram of the present invention is shown , where numerals 1 , 2 and 3 are primary adsorption columns ; 4 a secondary adsorption column ; 5 and 6 heaters , 11 - 14 , 21 - 24 and 31 - 34 valves ; 100 , 200 , 300 111 , 121 , 131 , 212 , 213 , 222 , 223 , 232 and 233 pipings . the primary adsorption columns 1 , 2 and 3 and the secondary adsorption column 4 are the columns packed with activated carbon . the heaters 5 and 6 heat a relatively inert gas such as air , etc ., utilizing a steam . the three primary adsorption columns are provided in a switchable manner , as shown in fig1 and the relatively inert gas heated by the heaters can be supplied to the respective adsorption columns . since the system of the present invention is constituted as given above , the system functions as follows . a vent gas containing radioactive iodine ( i 2 ) and radioactive methyl iodide ( ch 3 i ) is supplied through pipe 100 . first of all , valves 21 , 31 , 12 , 22 , 13 , 23 , 24 and 34 are closed , and only valves 11 , 14 , 32 and 33 are opened . in this manner , the vent gas can pass only through adsorption column 1 , where 99 . 9 % of the iodine is selectively adsorbed , because the adsorbability of iodine on the activated carbon is about ten times that of methyl iodide . when the vent gas is continuously passed through adsorption column 1 , the activated carbon in adsorption column 1 will reach a saturation state , and the successive adsorption will be impossible . thus , it is necessary to effect regeneration and desorption of adsorption column 1 . however , if the desorption and venting are carried out immediately , the vent gas evolving from a stack will cause a radioactive contamination hazard to human beings and animals . thus , adsorption column 1 is kept in a tightly sealed state for about 80 days to reduce the radioactivity concentration to 1 / 1000 . in fig1 adsorption column 2 is retained in the tightly sealed state for decaying the radioactivity , and adsorption column 3 is completed with the retention for about 80 days , where the radioactivity has been reduced to 1 / 1000 . relatively inert gas such as air , etc . is introduced through pipings 200 and 232 and valve 32 to adsorption column 3 after being heated by heater 5 , to desorb the decayed iodine in adsorption column 3 from the activated carbon and regenerate the activated carbon . the relatively inert gas containing the decayed iodine is led to a duct of ventilating and air - conditioning system through valve 33 , and vented to the atmosphere from a stack ( not shown in the drawing ). the vent gas containing the radioactive methyl iodide after the adsorption of 99 . 9 % of the radioactive iodine ( i 2 ) in adsorption column 1 is heated by heater 6 to prevent a decrease in the percent removal due to an increase in the relative humidity , and then led to adsorption column 4 . adsorption column 4 is the column packed with activated carbon , where repetitions of adsorption and desorption of methyl iodide , that is , the so - called physical adsorption , is carried out . if a retention time of the vent gas in adsorption column 4 is made to be about 80 days to reduce the radioactivity concentration to 1 / 1000 , as described above , by repetitions of adsorption and desorption , the vent gas can be discharged directly to the atmosphere from adsorption column 4 . even if adsorption column 4 is subjected to such a long period of retention in that case , the adsorption never proceeds in one direction , and thus it is not necessary to effect regeneration and desorption . in fig1 it is shown that adsorption column 1 is operated for iodine adsorption , adsorption column 2 for retention for decaying the radioactivity , and adsorption column 3 for regeneration and desorption . operations of these columns are switched to one another at a time interval of 80 days . when these adsorption columns are designed on identical design specification on the basis of said decay retention time of 80 days , it is possible to continuously treat a vent gas containing iodine and methyl iodide . that is to say , when the iodine adsorption of adsorption column 1 reaches a saturation state , only valves 21 , 24 , 12 and 13 are made open , while other valves are closed , to switch adsorption column 2 to iodine adsorption purpose , adsorption column 3 to decay retention purpose and adsorption column 1 to regeneration and desorption purpose . when adsorption column 2 is then saturated , only valves 31 , 34 , 22 and 23 are made open , while other valves are closed , to switch adsorption column 3 to iodine adsorption purpose , adsorption column 1 to decay retention purpose , and adsorption column 2 to regeneration and desorption purpose . thus , the adsorption columns are utilized by recyclic switching . now , mention is made of heating temperatures of heaters 5 and 6 shown in fig1 . in fig2 relations between percent removals (%) of iodine ( i 2 ) and methyl iodide ( ch 3 i ) and relative humidity (%) of vent gas are shown . as apparent from fig2 percent removal of iodine ( i 2 ) is as high as about 100 %, ( exactly 99 . 9 %), irrespectively of relative humidity (%), whereas that of methyl iodide ( ch 3 i ) is abruptly reduced when the relative humidity exceeds 40 %. in fig3 relations between temperatures after heating of vent gas and relative humidity are shown , where it is indicated that the relative humidity will be less than 40 %, when the vent gas having inlet temperatures 40 ° c . and 50 ° c . are heated to at least 70 ° c . furthermore , since equilibrium ratios of iodine adsorption are 1 / 10 at a temperature difference of 100 ° c . and 1 / 100 at a temperature difference of 200 ° c ., and the ratio of 1 / 100 is economical , it is necessary to provide a temperature difference of about 200 ° c . to desorb the iodine adsorbed in adsorption columns 1 to 3 . therefore , it is necessary to heat the relatively inert gas ( regeneration gas ) such as air , etc . to 200 ° to 250 ° c . for desorption . while it is also necessary to heat the vent gas containing methyl iodide to at least 70 ° c . at the outlet of heater 6 to keep the relative humidity to less than 40 %, that is , to obtain the economical percent removal of more than 90 %. in that case , the relative humidity of the vent gas at the inlet of heater 6 was presumed to be the worst condition , that is , 100 %. in the foregoing embodiment of the present invention , operations of three adsorption columns by switching are illustrated , but the present invention is not limited to such embodiment , and an arrangement of even more than three columns including simultaneous treatment in a plurality of columns is possible .	1
fig1 is a diagram showing the entire con - figuration of a dimension measuring system in an embodiment of the present invention . as shown schematically , the dimension measuring system comprises a column 10 , four pencil type gages 15 - 1 to 15 - 4 connected to the column 10 by a cable ( cable communication ), and four hand gages 16 - 1 to 16 - 4 connected to the column 10 by radio communication . the pencil type gages 15 - 1 to 15 - 4 detect the displacement of a probe at the front end with a differential transformer . the hand gages 16 - 1 to 16 - 4 are used for measuring an inner diameter and measure an inner diameter by detecting the displacement of two probes provided in the diameter direction with a differential transformer , and are driven by a battery . the column 10 comprises a bar graph 11 , a gage number display unit 12 for displaying the gage number that displays a dimension measurement displayed in the bar graph 11 , a dimension measurement display unit 13 for displaying the dimension measurement displayed in the bar graph 11 in digital , and a membrane keyboard 14 for performing various operations . the column 10 is provided with connectors for connecting the pencil type gages 15 - 1 to 15 - 4 , two at the front surface and two at the back surface , and the back surface is further provided with various connectors such as a power source terminal , a power source switch , an rs - 232c port , etc . on the top of the column 10 , a radio circuit for performing radio communication with the hand gages 16 - 1 to 16 - 4 is provided . fig2 is a diagram showing the detail of the portion of the bar graph 11 at the front surface of the column 10 . as shown schematically , the bar graph 11 is capable of color display and displays a dimension measurement by a bar 17 and , at the same time , an upper limit value 18 and a lower limit value 19 of a tolerance in a different color . for example , the bar graph 11 displays in green when a dimension measurement is within the tolerance , displays in red when outside the tolerance , and displays the upper limit value 18 and the lower limit value 19 of the tolerance in orange . at the side of the bar graph 11 , a scale 20 is marked . the bar graph 11 displays a specified dimension measurement among the dimension measurements read from the pencil type gages 15 - 1 to 15 - 4 and the hand gages 16 - 1 to 16 - 4 . selection of an operation mode , direction of a dimension measurement to display from the outside , inputting of a measurement range and a tolerance of each dimension measurement , etc ., are performed by operating the membrane keyboard 14 while watching the display 12 . further , these operations can also be performed by a computer for control ( not shown ) capable of communication via an rs - 232c port . furthermore , the column 10 reads a dimension measurement from each gage and sends it to the computer for control via an rs - 232c port according to the direction of an operator . a dimension measurement to be sent to the computer for control is not limited to the data displayed in the column 10 , and for example , there may be a case where a dimension measurement is read from the gage by the column 10 and sent to the computer for control without being displayed in the column 10 . a modification example in which a computer for control is incorporated in the column 10 or a modification example in which a connector for connecting the pencil type gages 15 - 1 to 15 - 4 and a radio circuit for radio communication with the hand gages 16 - 1 to 16 - 4 are provided in a computer for control and a display in the bar graph of the column 10 is produced by a display device of the computer for control , are also possible . here , such a combination of the column 10 and the computer for control as in these modification examples is also regarded as that belonging to the range of the column . by the way , the hand gages 16 - 1 to 16 - 4 correspond to the portable dimension measurement device . as shown in fig1 , each of the hand gages 16 - 1 to 16 - 4 has an operation section 23 constituted of a display unit of lcd and a membrane keyboard . fig3 is a diagram showing the detail of the operation section 23 of the hand gage . as shown schematically , the operation section 23 has an lcd display unit 24 constituting a display section , a membrane keyboard 29 , and a membrane keyboard with indicator 30 . the lcd display unit 24 displays a bar graph 25 for displaying a dimension measurement of the hand gage , an upper limit value 27 and a lower limit value 26 of a tolerance , a digital value 28 of a dimension measurement , the charged state of a battery , radio communication conditions , a hold state of a dimension measurement , etc . selection of an operation mode of each hand gage , direction of a dimension measurement to display from the outside , inputting of a measurement range and a tolerance of each dimension measurement , etc ., are performed by operating the membrane keyboard 29 and the membrane keyboard with indicator 30 while watching the lcd display unit 24 . as described above , each hand gage has the display unit and the key for operation , therefore , it can be used independently without being connected to the column 10 . fig4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a computer system for performing processing in a variety of ways including display processing in the column 10 . as shown schematically , a micro processor ( mpu ) 21 , a rom 32 , a ram 33 , an input / output port 34 , etc ., are connected via a bus 39 . to the input / output port 34 , an rs - 232c communication port 38 to be connected to a computer for control , a membrane keyboard , a radio circuit 35 for communication with the pencil type ( cable ) gages 15 - 1 to 15 - 4 and the hand gages 16 - 1 to 16 - 4 , the bar graph display unit 26 , another display unit 37 , etc ., are connected . such a computer system is widely known , therefore , a detailed explanation is not given here . fig5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a computer system provided to each of the hand gages 16 - 1 to 16 - 4 for performing processing in a variety of ways including display processing . as shown schematically , the computer system of the hand gage in fig5 has a configuration similar to that of the computer system of the column in fig4 , however , differ in that the rs - 232c communication port 38 and the cable gages are not connected , an lcd display unit and its driver are connected instead of the bar graph display unit 26 and the other display unit 37 , and an a / d converter 41 for converting an analog measurement signal into a digital measurement signal is connected . as described above , the hand gages 16 - 1 to 16 - 4 are driven by a battery and connected to the column 10 by radio communication . therefore , they can be carried freely but the range in which radio communication is possible between the column 10 and the hand gages 16 - 1 to 16 - 4 is limited by the strength of electromagnetic waves and the presence of obstructions in the way . the range is , for example , a circle with a radius of 10 m with the column 10 at its center . in the present embodiment , the hand gages 16 - 1 to 16 - 4 move to a single mode in which they operate independently of the column 10 when radio communication with the column 10 becomes unavailable , and return to a connection mode in which they send dimension measurements to the column 10 when radio communication with the column 10 becomes available again . fig6 is a flow chart showing a control relating to the transition between the single mode and the connection mode in the hand gages 16 - 1 to 16 - 4 . in step 101 , a radio communication state is detected . in step 102 , whether the detected radio communication state is capable of radio communication is judged . if the state is capable of communication , the procedure proceeds to step 103 and whether transmission is directed by a key operation is judged . if transmission is directed , the procedure proceeds to step 104 where stored data is transmitted . transmission of the stored data is performed after interruption processing is done to the column 10 and a communication state between the column 10 and the hand gage is established . when transmission is directed in a state of in which there is no stored data , no substantial processing is performed . then , in step 105 , 1 is input to variables i and j for initialization and the procedure proceeds to step 106 . the variable i indicates the number of pieces of stored data and the variable j is one for controlling the stored data not to be stored in duplicate . if transmission is not directed in step 103 , the procedure proceeds to step 106 . in step 106 , after the gage data is read and displayed and the operation of connection mode such as transmission of data to the column etc . is performed , the procedure returns to step 101 . the above - mentioned operations are explained briefly here . when a state of not being capable of radio communication changes into a state of being capable of radio communication , the operation of the normal connection mode is performed and after the stored data is transmitted upon receipt of a direction to transmit , the normal connection mode is returned and the connection mode is maintained afterward until a state of not being capable of radio communication is brought about . if the state is judged to be not capable of communication in step 102 , the gage data is read in step 107 and the data is displayed on the lcd 24 of the hand gage in step 108 . in step 109 , whether the variable i is greater than an upper limit i is judged , which is the number of pieces of data that can be stored . if the variable i is greater than the upper limit i , that the data storage is in a full state is displayed in step 110 , then , the procedure returns to step 101 . if the variable i is judged to be less than the upper limit i in step 109 , whether the hold state is directed by the membrane keyboard is judged in step 111 . the hold state is directed by the membrane keyboard and , when the hold state is directed , the state in which the dimension measurement at that time is displayed is maintained and at the same time , the displayed dimension measurement is stored in the memory . if the hold state is not directed , the procedure proceeds to step 112 where the variable j is incremented by 1 and the procedure returns to step 101 . if the hold state is directed , whether the variable j is 1 is judged in step 113 . if not 1 , the procedure returns to step 101 and if 1 , the procedure proceeds to step 114 . in step 114 , the displayed data is stored as the i - th data and i is incremented by 1 in step 115 and 0 is input to j , and the procedure returns to step 111 . the above - mentioned operations are briefly explained here . when a state of not being capable of radio communication is brought about , data is displayed on the lcd 24 of the hand gage and the single mode is entered in which data is not transmitted to the columns . then , when the hold state is directed , the data is stored . once data is stored , the state is maintained until the hold state is released and storing of new data is not performed . when the hold state is released , a state in which data is displayed on the lcd 24 of the hand gage is returned . when the limit of the amount of data that can be stored is exceeded , that the data is in a full state is displayed and storing of new data is not performed . in the above - mentioned example , after the state of not being capable of radio communication changes into the state of being capable of radio communication , and when transmission is directed , the stored data is transmitted . however , it may also be possible to automatically transmit the stored data when the state of not being capable of radio communication changes into the state of being capable of radio communication . fig7 is a flow chart showing the processing for this and the processing is performed instead of processing in steps 103 to 106 in fig6 . in step 102 , if the state is judged to be capable of communication , the procedure proceeds to step 121 where whether there is stored data is judged . when there is no stored data , the procedure proceeds to step 124 . when there is stored data , the procedure proceeds to step 122 where the stored data is transmitted and 1 is input to the variables i and j for initialization in step 105 , then the procedure proceeds to step 124 . in step 124 , after the gage data is read and displayed and the operation of connection mode such as transmission of data to the column etc . is performed , the procedure returns to step 101 . in the processing in fig7 , if the state of not being capable of communication changes into the state of being capable of communication in a state in which there is stored data , steps 122 and 123 are performed and the stored data is transmitted to the column 10 . after this , even if the state of being capable of communication continues , there is no stored data , therefore , the normal connection mode is entered . as described above , according to the present invention , it is made possible to use a portable dimension measuring section connected to a base device ( column ) by radio communication even in a place where radio communication with the base device is not available , and to effectively utilize a dimension measurement measured in such a place , therefore , the range in which the dimension measuring system can be used is extended .	6
with reference to the drawings and in particular to fig1 , a human power generation system constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a generation module 10 and a generator 20 . the generation module 10 comprises a rack 13 and two speed - up gear sets each comprising a shaft 11 , 12 . the first speed - up gear set 11 comprises a one - way pinion 110 mounted at a front end of the shaft 11 and a gear 111 mounted at a rear end of the shaft 11 and having a nominal diameter greater than that of the pinion 110 . the second speed - up gear set comprises a pinion 120 mounted at a front end of the shaft 12 and a gear 121 mounted at a rear end of the shaft 12 and having a nominal diameter greater than that of the pinion 120 . the power generator 20 comprises a spindle ( not labeled ) to which a gear 21 is mounted . the one - way pinion 110 of the first shaft 11 mates the rack 13 and the first gear 111 of the first shaft 11 mates the second pinion 120 of the second shaft 12 . the second gear 121 of the second shaft 12 engages the gear 21 of the generator 20 . thus , when the rack 13 moves in a given direction , such as rightward as viewed in the drawing sheet , the one - way pinion 110 of the first shaft 11 is driven , which causes synchronous rotation of the first gear 111 that is mounted to the same first shaft 11 . the first gear 111 , due to engagement with the second pinion 120 of the second shaft 12 , forces the second pinion 120 and thus the second gear 121 to rotate therewith . consequently , the gear 21 of the generator 20 that engages the second gear 121 is caused to rotate and thus induce electrical power in the generator 20 . also referring to fig2 , an embodiment of the human power generator of the present invention is shown , which is embodied in the form of a belt and buckle set , comprising a belt 30 , such as waistband , and a buckle ( not labeled ). at an end portion of the belt 30 , a test light 32 is mounted and at an opposite end portion of the belt 30 , punch holes 31 are formed . the buckle comprises a lying - u - shaped frame 130 and a central body 15 . the frame 130 has two limbs , which extend in a horizontal direction in the drawing sheet , and a base , which extends in a vertical direction in the drawings sheet , connecting the limbs . an inner edge of one limb , preferably , the upper one , form teeth to serve as the rack 13 depicted in fig1 . the base of the frame 130 forms a projection 131 and a locking member ( not labeled ). a resilient member 132 , such as a spring , is mounted to a free end of each limb of the frame 130 . the central body 15 comprises a counterpart lock member 16 , and supports the generation module 10 and the generator 20 . also formed on the central body 15 is a control button 22 that allows for manual control of the operation of the generator 20 . the frame 130 is positioned outside and partly surrounding the central body 15 and the rack 13 engages the one - way pinion 110 of the first shaft 11 of the generation module 10 . the central body 15 is mounted to the end of the belt 30 to which the test light 32 is mounted , and the springs 132 that are mounted to the free ends of the limbs of the frame 130 are connected to the same end of the belt 30 . the test light 32 is electrically connected to output terminals of the generator 20 . if desired , the output terminals of the generator 20 can be connected to other power consuming elements , such as light - emitting diodes . the projection 131 of the frame 130 , which serves as a pin of the belt buckle , is selectively engageable with the punch holes 31 of the belt . the lock members 16 can mate to each to secure the frame 130 to the central body 15 . this fixes the frame 130 and the central body 15 together . no relative displacement or movement between the frame 130 and the central body 15 is available . and the frame 130 and the central body 15 together serve as a single buckle of the waistband . under this circumstance , the power generator 20 does not work and no electricity is generated . when the lock members 16 are released or unlocked , the frame 130 is allowed to move with respect to the central body 15 due to the resiliency of the springs 132 . when a wearer of the waistband breathes , the torso of the wearer , especially the stomach , expands and contracts . the expansion of the wearer &# 39 ; s torso causes the frame 130 to move away from the central body 15 and the rack synchronously rotates the one - way pinion 110 , which in turn causes the first gear 111 to drive the second pinion 120 and the second gear 121 , eventually causing the generator 20 to operate and thus generating electrical power . the test light 32 illuminates when the generator 20 works . as mentioned previously , the output terminals of the generator 20 can be connected to a power consuming device , which is that powered by the electricity from the generator 20 . alternatively , the output terminals of the generator 20 can be wired to an electrical storage by which the electrical power of the generator 20 is stored for consequent use , or a charging device for charging for example secondary cells . the control button 22 provides the wearer with manual control of the generator 20 . by actuating the control button 22 , the generator 20 can be selectively shut down to avoid power generation even when the frame 130 is not secured to the central body 15 by the lock members 16 . fig3 shows a modification of the human power generation system of the present invention . in the modified human power generation system depicted in fig3 , an additional set of generation module 10 ′ and generator 20 ′ are mounted to the central body 15 , which are identical to the generation module 10 and generator 20 gear - mating to the inner edge rack of the upper limb of the frame 130 . thus , identical parts or members will be designated with the same reference numerals with a postfix prime . the generation module 10 ′ comprises a first shaft 11 ′ having formed at an end thereof a one - way pinion 110 ′, which is arranged to operate in a reverse direction with respect to that of the one - way pinion 110 and which engages a rack 13 formed along an inner edge of the lower limb of the frame 130 . thus , when the torso of the wearer expands , the one - way pinion 110 of the upper side generation module 10 is driven by the upper rack 13 of the upper limb of the frame 130 to induce power generation in the generator 20 . however , the lower side one - way pinion 110 ′ is not rotated by the lower side rack 13 of the frame 130 . when the torso of the wearer contracts , the lower side one - way pinion 110 ′ is driven by the lower side rack 13 to generate power in the lower side generator 20 ′, but the upper side one - way pinion 110 is now in idle . in this case , the springs 132 can be omitted . although the generator 20 , 20 ′ illustrated previously is a rotary device , it can be a positive displacement device , wherein the generator takes a reciprocal linear movement to generate electrical power . an example is illustrated in fig4 , in which the generator is arranged between the back of a wearer and a shoulder strap 41 of a back pack , which is designated with reference numeral 40 in fig4 . the generator comprises a reciprocating shaft ( not shown ) encompassed by a resilient member 23 , such as a spring , and a back support board 24 mounted to a free end of the shaft and positionable against the back of the wearer . the spring 23 is arranged between the board 24 and the generator . due to the weight of the stuffs packed inside the back pack 40 , when the pack wearer walks , the spring 23 is repeatedly compressed by the board 41 that receives a reaction force from the back of the wearer , and released again . the generator is designed in such a way to take the reciprocal linear movement and generates electrical power . the output terminals of the generator can be connected to an up - converter or a down - converter to provides output voltage of different levels . further , a number of such generators can be connected together to provide output current or power of different levels . thus , the human power generation system of the present invention offers the following advantages : ( 1 ) the human power generation system has a simple construction , which when worn in a user &# 39 ; s body , can continuously operates in a non - stop manner , with a very limited load or nearly no load taken by the wearer for the operation of the generation makes only use of the natural activity of the wearer . ( 2 ) the quantity of battery or cell is reduced and environmental protection is enhanced . although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof , 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 .	7
fig2 shows a transfer control circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention which is adapted for simultaneously preloading data stored on m tracks . a dkc 201 is connected to a cache memory 221 through a cache interface 211 and further connected to a dku 261 through a device interface 251 . in the dku 261 , a spindle 271 supports and rotates a plurality of magnetic disks 281a to 281p . m read / write heads (# 1 to # m ) 291a to 291m are provided in opposing relation to the recording surfaces of these magnetic disks 281a to 281p , the read / write heads being moved together in one unit by a known head driving mechanism ( not shown ) and positioned at a designated cylinder position . signal lines which are connected to the heads 291a to 291m together constitute the device interface 251 and are respectively connected to m read / write control circuits (# 1 to # m ) 241 within the dkc 201 . each of the read / write control circuits 241 effects signal processings such as modulation , demodulation and serial - parallel conversion , the control circuits 241 being the same as the corresponding circuits in conventional magnetic disk systems . the read / write control circuits 241 are respectively connected to m defect skip control circuits (# 1 to # m ) 231 . these defect skip control circuits 231 operate to skip over defect regions of tracks and will be described later in detail . the defect skip control circuits 231 are connected to the cache memory 221 through the cache interface 211 . in the cache memory 221 , the cache interface 211 is logically connected to m areas (# 1 to # m ) designated as preload destinations through an access control mechanism ( not shown ). each of the areas has at least a capacity which is equal to the total capacity of a user area on one track . by means of the above - described arrangement , m independent data transfer paths which extend from the m heads to the cache memory are formed , and it is possible to simultaneously preload data from the m tracks . in general , data is recorded on a magnetic disk according to the variable length recording system , and several defects per track are allowed . accordingly , the disposition of records and fields on the track differs widely from track to track . fig3 ( a ) shows one example of track format . an index marker 301 indicates the start and end point of a track . in a home address ( ha ) 321 are stored a cylinder number and a head number as data for identifying this track , together with defect locations , that is , the distances from the index marker 301 to defect sections . in the illustrated example , three defects 311 , 312 and 313 are present . a predetermined length of section around each defect is used neither for recording significant data nor as a significant gap ( e . g ., irg ). various fields are recorded subsequently to the ha 321 in the following sequence with a predetermined gap provided between each pair of adjacent field namely , a count fields 331 and a data field 332 which define a record # 0 ; a count field 341 , key fields 342 and 343 separated from each other due to the existence of the defect 311 , and a data field 344 , which define a record # 1 ; a count field 351 and a data field 352 shifted due to the existence of the defect 312 , which define a record # 2 ; and a count field 361 , and data fields 362 and 363 separated from each other due to the existence of the defect 313 , which define a record # 3 . in each count ( c ) field are recorded the cylinder number , the head number and the defect locations , together with the record number of the record concerned , the length of its key ( k ) field and the length of its data ( d ) field . an area 381 from the top of th record # 0 to the index marker 301 defines a so - called user area which can be utilized for recording data . in normal reading and writing operations , a control concerning data format is effected using the key length , data length and defect location for each record . for instance , in a reading operation , the identification of each record , identification of each field in a record and skipping over the defect sections are carried out using the contents of the ha 321 and the contents of the c field in each record . such control is considerably complicated and effected by a control processor provided in the dkc . if data were simultaneously read out from m independent tracks according to the above - described system , it would be necessary to provide m control processors . in this embodiment , a control concerning data format , such as that described above , is omitted for preloading . more specifically , as shown in fig3 ( b ), the user area 381 is not divided into individual records and individual field within each record , and the user area 381 is handled as if the whole area were constituted by a series of data fields 371 to 374 ( da to dd ) which are separated from each other by the defects 311 to 313 alone . the position and length of each of these virtual data fields da to dd are determined only by the positions of the defects 311 to 313 and are independent of the position and length of each individual record and the position and length of each indifidual field in a record . the position of each defect is recorded in the ha 321 . accordingly , in a reading operation for preloading , only the skipping over of defect sections according to the contents of the ha 321 is carried out by each of the defect skip control circuits 231 ( see fig1 ). fig4 shows one example of the defect skip control circuits 231 . a detector and extractor circuit 401 checks a raw pulse train 413 supplied from the associated read / write control circuit 241 to detect the index aarker 301 and then extracts the ha 321 . the defect position data ( e . g ., dl 1 , dl 2 , dl 3 , etc . corresponding to the defects 311 , 312 , 313 , etc .) exrracted from the ha are stored in a register group 402 . a register select circuit 403 successively selects registers r 1 , r 2 , r 3 and so on for successive operations of writing those defect position data . when all the defect position data have been stored , the register select circuit 403 selects the register r 1 for reading . the defect position data indicate the respective start positions of the defect sections . a counter 404 is reset when the index marker 301 is detected , and then counts the number of clock pulses . a comparator 405 makes a comparison between the contents ( the first defect position dl 1 ) of the register r 1 first selected by the register select circuit 403 and the count of the counter 404 . when coincidence therebetween is detected , the comparator 405 generates a coincidence signal 411 . the signal 411 activates a pulse generator 406 to generate a pulse 412 with a duration corresponding to the length of the defect section on the track , the pulse 412 inhibiting a gate 407 . the gate 407 normally allows the raw pulse train 413 to pass therethrough so as to be supplied to the cache interface 211 , but when supplied with the pulse 412 , the gate 407 inhibits the passage of the raw pulse train 413 . the coincidence signal 411 is further used to control the register select circuit 403 so as to select the next register ( the register r 2 holding the second defect position data dl 2 , at this time ) for reading . in this way , raw pulses within each defect section are skipped , and the virtual data regions da to dd shown in fig3 ( b ) are continuously written into the cache memory 221 . the data thus written into the cache memory 221 includes not only count fields , key fields and data fields but also error correction codes and gap regions . error correction by means of error correction codes and gap elimination may be effected by the dkc 201 on receipt of each data request form the cpu . in the above - described embodiment , the defect skip control circuits 231 and the read / write control circuits 241 are provided for all of the existing m heads , thereby allowing the simultaneous preloading of data from m tracks . however , in a system designed to preload data from a smaller number of tracks , it suffices to provide as many defect skip control circuits 231 and read / write control circuits 241 as the designed number of tracks from which preloading is to be effected , and arrange these circuits so as to be selectively connected to any series of heads by a switching circuit . the defect skip control circuits 231 fo skipping defect sections are provided to cope with disturbance of timing control caused by noise which may be generated in defect sections . accordingly , if such disturbance problem is overcome , the defect skip control circuits 231 may be omitted . further , in a store - in type disk cache subsystem , it is advantageous to apply the present invention also to data transfer from a cache memory to a disk . for this purpose , each defect skip control circuit 231 is provided with a mechanism which is similar to that shown in fig4 and which inserts gaps corresponding to defect sections into data sent from the cache memory to the associated read / write control circuit . to a disk system of the type in which a group of data bits are recorded on a group of tracks in parallel , such as that disclosed in the above - described japanese patent laid - open no . 108915 / 1980 , the present invention may be applied in the form of simultaneous data transfer for a plurality of groups of tracks .	6
referring to fig1 to 3 , a yarn 30 comprising a hollow fiber 10 and a heat retention fiber 20 in accordance with the invention is discussed in detail below . the hollow fiber 10 comprises a plurality of filaments 11 . the hollow fiber 10 further comprises one or more longitudinal voids between the filaments 11 . the voids occupy at least 15 percent ( 15 %) of the cross sectional area of the hollow fiber 10 . the hollow fiber 10 is 75d / 50f . that is , the filament 11 is 75 denier and there are 50 filaments 11 . note : f represents number of uniform filaments and denier ( or den ) is a unit of measure for the linear mass density of fibers . it is defined as the mass in grams per 9 , 000 meters . the denier is based on a natural standard , i . e ., a single strand of silk is approximately one denier . a 9 , 000 - meter strand of silk weighs about one gram . preferably , the filaments 11 of the hollow fiber 10 are in the range from 50d to 150d . the heat retention fiber 20 comprises a plurality of filaments 21 having heat retention capability . preferably , the filaments 21 are made of fibers and nanomaterials capable of emitting near and far infrared light . the nanomaterials are ceramic or metal oxides having a diameter d90 equal to or less than 350 nm . the nanomaterials are adhered to the fibers by a process of dispersion . the heat retention fiber 20 thus has the capabilities of absorbing near infrared light emitted from the sun for retaining body heat , and emitting far infrared light having a wavelength of between 4 . 0 μm and 14 μm so as to undergo a harmonic motion with the body , increasing the blood circulation , and increasing the body temperature to a predetermined value . preferably , the filaments 21 of the heat retention fiber 20 are in the range from 50d to 150d . the filaments 11 , 21 are selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate ( pet ), polybutylene terephthalate ( pbt ), polytrimethylene terephthalate ( ptt ), acrylic fiber , rayon , nylon , and polypropylene ( pp ). as shown in fig1 , the filaments 11 of the hollow fiber 10 and the filaments 21 of the heat retention fiber 20 are formed by extruding . next , a fully drawn yarn ( fdy ) device 100 is activated to draw the filaments 11 of the hollow fiber 10 and the filaments 21 of the heat retention fiber 20 . next , an air - textured yarn ( aty ) device 200 is activated to air texturize the filaments 11 of the hollow fiber 10 and the filaments 21 of the heat retention fiber 20 so as to twist them to finish a ply yarn 30 having heat retention capability . the hollow fiber 10 has a contraction ratio of 5 % and the heat retention fiber 20 has a contraction ratio of 15 %. in detail , the aty device 200 employs a process of air texturizing the filaments 11 of the hollow fiber 10 and the filaments 21 of the heat retention fiber 20 in order to twist them in an irregular pattern as shown . further , the ply yarn 30 has a fluffy surface . furthermore , the ply yarn 30 is heated to obtain its finals shape . as shown in fig2 , the ply yarn 30 has a plurality of fluffs 31 on its outer surface . the fluffs 31 can give a fluffy feeling to the hand touching a textile product ( e . g ., clothes ) made from the ply yarns 30 . it is noted that the irregular pattern of the filaments 11 of the hollow fiber 10 and the filaments 21 of the heat retention fiber 20 is for illustration only . preferably , the textile product made from the ply yarns 30 has less than 220 gram / yard which is much less than the conventional thermal clothes which have about 350 - 550 gram / yard . thus , the invention is light weight , has heat retention capability , and is cost effective . the process of air texturizing the filaments 11 of the hollow fiber 10 and the filaments 21 of the heat retention fiber 20 by the aty device 20 involves the following conditions : air texturizing speed 400 - 550 meter / minute , air injection pressure 8 - 10 kg / cm 2 , fiber strength greater than 2 . 5 gram / d ( astm d3822 ), and fiber boiling water contraction ratio less than 6 . 0 % ( astm d3822 ). the invention has the following characteristics : the heat retention fiber 20 has the capability of retaining heat by uniformly permeating infrared heat absorbing and radiating powder of near and far infrared light into fiber molecules . therefore , it is possible of greatly absorbing near infrared light emitted from the sun , i . e ., absorption rate increase . further , the powder can absorb heat from near infrared light emitted by the sun in order to retain the body heat . furthermore , the absorbed far infrared light can undergo a harmonic motion with the body so as to increase the blood circulation , increase the body temperature to a predetermined value , and bring about the heat retention effect . in addition , the invention employs a process of air texturizing the filaments 11 of the hollow fiber 10 and the filaments 21 of the heat retention fiber 20 in order to twist them and form a heat transfer prevention layer for heat retention purpose . finally , the yarns are undergone a process of dying to eliminate undesired color and obtain a fluffy outlook . for the ply yarn 30 having the heat retention capability , it is preferred that the hollow fiber 10 has a weight fraction of 25 - 75 % and the heat retention fiber 20 has a weight fraction of 75 - 25 %. preferably , the ply yarn 30 is in the range from 50d to 300d and number of uniform filaments ( i . e ., f ) is 48 to 578 . a textile product made from the yarns of the invention has the following characteristics : infrared light emission rate equal to or greater than 80 %, near infrared light absorption rate equal to or greater than 65 %, temperature increase equal to or greater than 5 ° c . ( at a thermovision test environment of temperature : 25 ± 0 . 5 ° c . and humidity : 65 ± 5 % rh ), and a heat retention coefficient per unit area equal to or greater than 0 . 4 . it is envisaged by the invention that the yarn having interlocked hollow fiber and heat retention fiber has the following advantages : there are increased voids in the yarn with more space being occupied . the effects of absorbing heat from near infrared light emitted by the sun and heat retained by the heat transfer prevention layer of the hollow fiber can be brought about for greatly increasing the heat retention capability . weight of a textile product made from the yarns can be decreased to less than 200 gram / yard . thus , it is light weight , comfortable , and cost effective . heat retention by uniformly permeating infrared heat absorbing and radiating powder of near and far infrared light into fiber molecules is made possible . therefore , it is capable of greatly absorbing near infrared light emitted from the sun , i . e ., absorption rate increase . further , the powder can absorb heat from near infrared light emitted by the sun in order to retain the body heat . furthermore , the absorbed far infrared light can increase the blood circulation , increase the body temperature to a predetermined value , and bring about the heat retention effect . the hollow fiber can prevent heat from transferring due to its hollow structure . thus , temperature of the body of a wearer is still maintained at a normal value even in a cold winter . while the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments , those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims .	3
the bistable nematic cell shown schematically in fig2 comprises a first cell wall 2 and a second cell wall 4 which enclose a layer of nematic lc material of negative dielectric anisotropy . the molecules of the lc are represented as ellipses , with the long axis indicating the local director . the inner surface of each cell wall is provided with a transparent electrode pattern , for example row electrodes 12 on the first cell wall 2 and column electrodes 14 on the second cell wall 4 , in a known manner . the inner surface of the first cell wall 2 is textured with a regular array of square posts 10 , and the inner surface of the second cell wall 4 is flat . the posts 10 are approximately 1 μm high and the cell gap is typically 3 μm . the flat surface is treated to give homeotropic alignment . the posts are not homeotropically treated . such an array of square posts has two preferred alignment directions in the azimuthal plane . these are along the two diagonals of the post . fig1 shows a cross - section through a post with the lc distorted around it , from one corner to the diagonally opposite one . this alignment around the post then tends to seed the alignment of the lc above the post such that the average orientation is also along that diagonal . by tilting the posts along one of the diagonals ( fig2 ) it is possible to favour that alignment direction . through computer simulation of this geometry we found that although there is only one azimuthal alignment direction there are in fact two states with similar energies but which differ in how much the lc tilts . fig2 is a schematic of the two states . in one state ( shown on the left of fig2 ) the lc is highly tilted , and in the other it is planar around the posts . the exact nature of the lc orientation depends on the details of the structure , but for a range of parameters there are two distinct states with different magnitudes of tilt away from the cell normal . the two states may be distinguished by viewing through a polariser 8 and an analyser 6 . the low tilt state has high birefringence and the high tilt state has low birefringence . tilting the posts sufficiently along the diagonal also serves to eliminate reverse tilt states . preferably the posts are tilted by at least 5 °, depending on the nature of the lc and the cell gap . without limiting the scope of the invention in any way , we think that the two states may arise because of the way in which the lc is deformed by the post . flowing around a post causes regions of high energy density at the leading and trailing edges of the post where there is a sharp change in direction . this can be seen in fig1 at the bottom left and top right corners of the post . this energy density is reduced if the lc molecules are tilted because there is a less severe direction change . this is clear in the limit of the molecules being homeotropic throughout the cell . in that case there is no region of high distortion at the post edges . in the higher tilt state this deformation energy is therefore reduced , but at the expense of a higher bend / splay deformation energy at the base of the posts . the lc in contact with the flat surface between posts is untilted but undergoes a sharp change of direction as it adopts the tilt around the post . in the low tilt state the energy is balanced in the opposite sense , with the high deformation around the leading and trailing edges of the post being partially balanced by the lack of the bend / splay deformation at the base of the post because the tilt is uniform around the post . our computer simulations suggest that , for the current configuration , the higher tilt state is the lower energy state . this is supported by the results of computer simulation and in actual cells . when viewed at an appropriate angle between crossed polarisers the cells always cool into the darker of the two states . from fig2 it would appear that the high tilt state will have lower birefringence and therefore appear darker than the low tilt state . the exact amount of tilt in the high tilt state will be a function of the elastic constants of the lc material and the planar anchoring energy of the post material . referring now to fig3 , there is shown a computer - generated model of lc alignment around a square post similar to that shown in fig2 , but with the inner surface of the second cell wall treated to give planar alignment . in the state shown in the left in fig3 , the local director is highly tilted , and in the other it is planar around the posts . as with the cell of fig2 , switching between the two states is achieved by the application of suitable electrical signals . fig4 shows a pseudorandom array of posts for an alternative embodiment of the invention , which provides bistable switching without interference effects . each square post is about 0 . 8 × 0 . 8 μm , and the pseudorandom array has a repeat distance of 56 μm . a clean glass substrate 2 coated with indium tin oxide ( ito ) was taken and electrode patterns 12 were formed using conventional lithographic and wet etch procedures . the substrate was spin - coated with a suitable photoresist ( shipley s1813 ) to a final thickness of 1 . 3 μm . a photomask ( compugraphics international plc ) with an array of suitably - dimensioned square opaque regions in a square array , was brought into hard contact with the substrate and a suitable uv source was used to expose the photoresist for 10 s at − 100 mw / cm 2 . the substrate was developed using microposit developer diluted 1 : 1 with deionised water for approximately 20 s and rinsed dry . the substrate was flood exposed using a 365 nm uv source for 3 minutes at 30 mw / cm 2 , and hardbaked at 85 ° c . for 12 hours . the substrate was then deep uv cured using a 254 nm uv source at − 50 mw / cm 2 for 1 hour . by exposing through the mask using a uv source at an offset angle to the normal to the plane of the cell wall , tilted posts could be produced . the tilt angle ( or blaze angle ) is related to the offset angle by snell &# 39 ; s law . exposure to the developer will also affect the shape of the posts . a second clean ito substrate 4 with electrode patterns 14 was taken and treated to give a homeotropic alignment of the liquid crystal using a stearyl - carboxy - chromium complex , in a known manner . an lc test cell was formed by bringing the substrates together using suitable spacer beads ( micropearl ) contained in uv curing glue ( norland optical adhesives n73 ) around the periphery of the substrates 2 , 4 , and cured using 365 nm uv source . the cell was capillary filled with a nematic liquid crystal mixture ( merck zli 4788 - 000 ). methods of spacing , assembling and filling lc cells are well known to those skilled in the art of lcd manufacture , and such conventional methods may also be used in the spacing , assembling and filling of devices in accordance with the present invention . fig5 and 6 show the switching response of a bistable cell recorded at 42 . 5 ° c . the cell had the following characteristics : spacing : 3 μm post height : 1 . 4 μm gap between posts : 0 . 7 μm offset angle : 12 ° lc : zli 4788 - 000 ( merck ) doped with 3 % n65 ( norland ). it was found that adding a small quantity of surfactant oligomer to the lc improved the switching . it is known that switching in conventional lc devices can be improved by addition of surfactant oligomers to the lc . see , for example , g p bryan - brown , e l wood and i c sage , nature vol . 399 p 338 1999 . we doped the lc with n65 uv - curable glue ( from norland ) and cured it while in the isotropic phase . the doped lc was then mass filtered to remove the longer chain lengths . we found that adding 3 % by weight of n65 to the lc was optimum . dc balanced monopolar pulses were applied to the cell and the effect on the transmission was recorded . each test pulse was of an amplitude v and a duration τ , and was followed by another pulse of opposite polarity but with an amplitude about 5 % of v , but a duration 20 times longer . the second pulse was too small to cause switching but did prevent a build up of charge in the cell after many test pulses . fig5 and 6 show the change in transmission as a function of the pulse length and amplitude . fig5 shows results for switching from the high energy state to the low energy state , and fig6 shows results for switching in the opposite direction . black indicates that the transmission had changed so that the cell is switched . white indicates no change in transmission so that no switching has occurred . switching from the high energy state to the low energy state is generally sign independent indicating that in this direction switching is taking place via the dielectric anisotropy . switching in the other direction is sign dependent indicating that the switching is mediated by a linear electro - optic effect . we believe this is likely to be the flexoelectric effect . in fig5 , the non - switching region coincides with the switching region in fig6 . this suggests that switching from the high energy state to the low energy state is impeded by the flexoelectric effect . in a series of further experiments we have varied the cell parameters to go some way towards optimising the switching characteristics of the device . a preferred cell structure is : cell gap 3 μm ; post size 1 μm ; offset angle 5 ° along one of the diagonals of the post ; 1 . 1 μm coating of s1813 ; n65 initial concentration 3 %. sems of experimental post arrays formed using masks with square holes are shown in fig7 to 10 . the posts in fig7 and 8 were formed using 0 . 7 μm square opaque regions 90 % s1813 , and a 5 ° offset angle . the alert reader will note that the 0 . 7 μm “ square ” posts are not very square , having considerably rounded tops . the bases of the posts are much less rounded than the tops of the posts . this is consistent with the rounding being due to the development process . the tops of the posts are exposed to the developer for a longer time than the bases . they are therefore more susceptible to attack . even the unexposed resist that makes up the posts will have some finite solubility in the resist , and the effect will be to attack sharp features such as corners first . larger posts show much less rounding off ; for example fig9 shows some 2 μm posts . the other feature that is particularly obvious in fig7 and 8 is the ripples up the sides of the posts . it is thought that this is due to interference from light reflected from the substrate , since these arrays of posts were exposed by a 442 nm laser beam . the effect is much less obvious in gratings exposed with a mask aligner which uses a uv lamp that emits multiple wavelengths which are incoherent , reducing the effect of any interference . these ripples do not seem to affect the switching . another interesting feature from the sems is the absence of overhangs in even the most blazed posts , for example fig1 shows some 0 . 7 μm posts exposed at 30 degrees without significant overhang . again we think any overhangs would be very susceptible to attack by the developer . we have generated computer models that look very similar to the 0 . 7 μm rounded posts of fig7 and 8 . even though the posts are far from the idealised square posts that we had used in previous simulations , these more realistic posts still give the same states , aligned along the blazed diagonals , but with two different magnitudes of tilt . the energies of the two states are slightly lower than before , but the tilted state still has the lowest energy . it seems that it is not essential to have sharp edges to the posts . the two states are believed to arise because of the way that the lc is distorted around a post ( as previously discussed ). this will be true whatever the shape of the cross - section of the post . even cylindrical posts should give the same two zenithal alignments . however , with cylindrical symmetry there is nothing to fix the azimuthal alignment of the lc — all directions will be degenerate . the posts need to have some asymmetry to lift this degeneracy . this could be for example an elliptical , diamond or square cross section with a small amount of blaze . examples of elliptical posts are given in fig1 , those on the right hand side having an overhang . referring now to fig1 , examples are shown wherein the shape and / or orientation of the posts is such as to favour only one azimuthal director orientation adjacent the posts . in the embodiment on the left side of fig1 , this orientation varies from post to post so as to give a scattering effect in one of the two states . in the embodiment shown on the right side of fig1 , the azimuthal director orientation is uniform across the display , but the tilt angle of the posts varies , which may provide a greyscale .	6
in the following description , certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter . however , the disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details . in some instances , well - known structures and methods of video display , comprising embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein , have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the descriptions of other aspects of the present disclosure . unless the context requires otherwise , throughout the specification and claims that follow , the word “ comprise ” and variations thereof , such as “ comprises ” and “ comprising ” are to be construed in an open , inclusive sense , that is , as “ including , but not limited to .” reference throughout the 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 appearance of the phrases “ in one embodiment ” or “ in an embodiment ” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect . furthermore , the particular features , structures , or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects of the present disclosure . in this specification , embodiments of the present disclosure illustrate a subscriber satellite television service as an example . this detailed description is not meant to limit the disclosure to any specific embodiment . the present disclosure is equally applicable to cable television systems , broadcast television systems , internet streaming media systems , or other television or video distribution systems that include user hardware , typically in the form of a content receiver or set top box that is supported by the media provider or by a third party maintenance service provider . such hardware can also include , for example , digital video recorder ( dvr ) devices and / or digital - video - disc ( dvd ) recording devices or other accessory devices inside , or separate from , the set top box . throughout the specification , the term “ subscriber ” refers to an end user who is a customer of a media service provider and who has an account associated with the media service provider . subscriber equipment resides at the subscriber &# 39 ; s address . the terms “ user ” and “ viewer ” refer to anyone using part or all of the home entertainment system components described herein . the disclosure uses the term “ signal ” in various places . one skilled in the art will recognize that the signal can be any digital or analog signal . those signals can include , but are not limited to , a bit , a specified set of bits , an nc signal , or a d / c signal . uses of the term “ signal ” in the description can include any of these different interpretations . it will also be understood by one skilled in the art that the term “ connected ” is not limited to a physical connection but can refer to any means of communicatively or operatively coupling two devices . as a general matter , the disclosure uses the terms “ television converter ,” “ receiver ,” “ set top box ,” “ television receiving device ,” “ television receiver ,” “ television recording device ,” “ satellite set top box ,” “ satellite receiver ,” “ cable set top box ,” “ cable receiver ,” and “ content receiver ,” to refer interchangeably to a converter device or electronic equipment that has the capacity to acquire , process and distribute one or more television signals transmitted by broadcast , cable , telephone or satellite distributors . dvr and “ personal video recorder ( pvr )” refer interchangeably to devices that can record and play back television signals and that can implement playback functions including , but not limited to , play , fast - forward , rewind , and pause . as set forth in this specification and the figures pertaining thereto , dvr and pvr functionality or devices can be combined with a television converter . the signals transmitted by these broadcast , cable , telephone , satellite , or other distributors can include , individually or in any combination , internet , radio , television or telephonic data , and streaming media . one skilled in the art will recognize that a television converter device can be implemented , for example , as an external self - enclosed unit , a plurality of external self - enclosed units or as an internal unit housed within a television . one skilled in the art will further recognize that the present disclosure can apply to analog or digital satellite set top boxes . as yet another general matter , it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the term “ television ” refers to a television set or video display that can contain an integrated television converter device , for example , an internal cable - ready television tuner housed inside a television or , alternatively , that is connected to an external television converter device such as an external set top box connected via cabling to a television . a further example of an external television converter device is the echostar hopper combination satellite set top box and dvr . a display may include , but is not limited to : a television display , a monitor display , an interlaced video display , a non - interlaced video display , phase alternate line ( pal ) display , national television system committee ( ntsc ) systems display , a progressive scan display , a plasma display , a liquid crystal display ( lcd ) display , a cathode ray tube ( crt ) display and various high definition ( hd ) displays , an imax ™ screen , a movie screen , a projector screen , etc . specific embodiments are described herein with reference to entertainment systems having automatic features that have been produced ; however , the present disclosure and the reference to certain materials , dimensions , and the details and ordering of processing steps are exemplary and should not be limited to those shown . turning now to the drawings , fig1 shows a home entertainment system 200 that features automatic program formatting . the entertainment system 200 includes a content receiver 202 , a media presentation device 204 having a display 206 , and a remote control 208 . the content receiver 202 , e . g ., a television set top box ( stb ), can also be coupled to the media presentation device 204 , or the content receiver 202 can be in the form of hardware built into the media presentation device 204 . instructions that carry out features of the entertainment system 200 are stored in , and / or executed by , components of the content receiver 202 . the content receiver 202 is communicatively coupled to one or more sources of media content 210 ( two shown , 210 a and 210 b ) to receive the media content for presentation via the media presentation device 204 . sources of media content 210 can include one or more of a terrestrial television or radio antenna , a satellite receiving antenna 210 a , a broadband cable subscriber service , streaming media received from the internet 210 b directly or via a wireless internet router , and the like . media content is provided as a media signal , via communication links 214 , e . g ., a satellite antenna communication link 214 a , or an internet communication link 214 b . the communication links 214 can accommodate a wired signal or a wireless signal . furthermore , a content provider may provide to a viewer 216 multiple media signals , e . g ., via satellite and / or via the internet as shown , via broadband cable and / or internet , or in any other suitable way . the content receiver 202 may be communicatively coupled to one or more peripheral devices 220 such as a media playback device including , but not limited to , a dvd player , a vcr , a stereo , a television , a game console , or a stand - alone dvr device that provides an alternate source of content directly to the display 206 via a wireless or a wired connection 222 . any of the peripheral devices 220 can be subscriber - owned devices , or they can be supplied by a media subscription service . the satellite receiving antenna 210 a receives media content via a satellite signal 211 from one or more satellite transponders in earth orbit . each satellite transponder is , for purposes of the entertainment system 200 , a source of content that transmits one or more media channels , such as hbo , espn , pay - per - view channels , etc ., to the satellite receiving antenna 210 a . a satellite television distributor can transmit one or more satellite television signals to one or more satellites . satellite television distributors can utilize several satellites to relay the satellite television signals to subscribers . each satellite can have several transponders . transponders transmit the satellite signal from the satellite to the satellite receiving antenna 210 a . the media presentation device 204 having the display 206 can be any electronic device that presents media content to a user ; for example , a television , a radio , a computer , a mobile computing device such as a laptop , a tablet , a gaming console , a smart phone , or the like , or the display 206 itself . the display 206 can be any kind of video display device , such as a cathode ray tube display , a liquid crystal display ( lcd ), a plasma display , a television , a computer monitor , a rear projection screen , a front projection screen , a heads - up display , or any other electronic display device . the display 206 can be separate from , or integrated into , the media presentation device 204 . the display 206 can include audio speakers , or the display 206 can be coupled to separate audio speakers . the term “ for display ” as used herein generally includes presentation of an audio component as well as a video component of the media signal . the remote control 208 is configured to communicate with the content receiver 202 via a wireless connection path 212 , for example , an infrared ( ir ) signal . the remote control 208 can be operated by the viewer 216 to cause the content receiver 202 to display received content on the media presentation device 204 . the remote control 208 may also be used to display a programming guide on the display 206 and to communicate program selections to the content receiver 202 . the remote control 208 can also be used to send commands to the content receiver 202 , including channel selections , display settings , format selections , and the like . the wireless connection path 212 can use , for example , infrared or uhf transmitters within the remote control 208 . one example of an embodiment of the remote control 208 is the echostar technologies corporation 40 . 0 remote control that includes an ir transmitter and an ultra - high frequency ( uhf ) transmitter . the remote control 208 may be able to send signals to other peripheral devices that form part of the entertainment system 200 . the content receiver 202 may also be able to send signals to the remote control 208 , including , but not limited to , signals to configure the remote control 208 to operate other peripheral devices in the entertainment system 200 . in some embodiments , the remote control 208 has a set of light emitting diodes ( leds ). some remote controls can include liquid crystal displays ( lcds ) or other display screens . the remote control 208 can include buttons , dials , or other man - machine interfaces . while the remote control 208 is often the means for a user to communicate with the content receiver 202 , one skilled in the art will recognize that other means of communicating with the content receiver 202 are available , including , but not limited to attached keyboards , smart phones , front panel buttons or touch screens . fig2 shows components of the content receiver 202 , according to one embodiment described herein . the content receiver 202 is a set top box equipped with instructions that carry out an embodiment of the present disclosure . components of the content receiver 202 include control circuitry 302 , one or more tuners 304 ( two shown , 304 a , 304 b ), an optional internal digital video recorder ( dvr ) 306 , a non - transitory computer readable memory ( ntcrm ) 308 , a network interface 310 , a peripheral interface 312 , and a remote control interface 314 . a set of automatic program formatting instructions 316 may reside in the memory 308 for execution by one or more microprocessors within the control circuitry 302 , e . g ., by a general purpose central processing unit ( cpu ), or a specialized image processing unit ( ipu ). generally , the content receiver 202 can receive one or more television signals from a media provider such as a cable television distributor , a broadcast television distributor , the internet , or a satellite television distributor . in addition , in the embodiment shown , the entertainment system 200 receives electronic program guide ( epg ) information from a satellite television distributor via the content receiver 202 . one skilled in the art will recognize that the content receiver 202 can also receive video - digital subscriber line ( dsl ), dsl , internet , wireless and other signals from content or video distributors . the content receiver 202 can process television signals and can send the processed signals to peripheral electronic devices , such as the display 206 and the remote control 208 . the content receiver 202 also can accept commands from the remote control 208 or other peripheral electronic devices . one skilled in the art will recognize that many embodiments of the entertainment system 200 are possible and within the scope of this disclosure . other such embodiments can include , but are not limited to , various combinations or permutations of devices and connections for the delivery , storage , and display of communications , content and other data . in one embodiment , the content receiver 202 receives media content from the satellite receiving antenna 210 a . each tuner 304 tunes into a selected media channel received by the satellite receiving antenna 210 a to acquire the satellite signal 211 . tuners 304 initially process the satellite signal . when the content receiver 202 includes multiple tuners 304 , the content receiver 202 can record two or more programs that air simultaneously . generally , the content receiver 202 can record one show at a single time for each tuner 304 that the content receiver 202 includes . for example , if the content receiver 202 includes two tuners , then the content receiver 202 can record and / or view two media programs simultaneously . thus if there is a recording conflict between two programs , the content receiver 202 can still record both programs because it has two tuners . if a recording conflict occurs because the number of tuners 304 is less than the number of programs that the user wants to view or record , the control circuitry 302 can be programmed to resolve the conflict by prioritizing certain media content according to the subscriber &# 39 ; s directions , or automatically , based on various criteria . each tuner 304 transmits an acquired satellite signal to the control circuitry 302 where the signal can undergo more extensive signal processing . the control circuitry 302 can include a content receiver decoder , such as , for example , the sti5517 low - cost interactive set top box decoder , part no . 7424736a , available from stmicroelectronics , inc . signals from the control circuitry 302 can include , but are not limited to , a signal to tune to a transponder as part of the process of selecting a certain channel for viewing on a peripheral device . a first step in signal processing by the control circuitry 302 can include , for example , demodulating the satellite signal . further signal processing can include error checking . in one embodiment , the satellite signal 211 is in digital form , for example , a digital stream , after demodulation and error correction . the digital stream may use , for example , the digital video broadcasting ( dvb ) transport standard . the digital stream may be multiplexed and therefore require de - multiplexing to separate the digital stream into separate digital data streams . each of the separate digital data streams may also be encoded and / or compressed to provide the system with increased bandwidth . in satellite television , encoding formats may include the mpeg , mpeg2 or mpeg4 standards . one skilled in the art will recognize that systems with analog data or combined analog and digital data are also possible and contemplated herein . the control circuitry 302 may further include one or more video processing units that , among other video processing operations , may decode the encoded digital television signal . the video processing units may include , for example , a graphics processor , an mpeg - 2 decoder , and a display compositor with separate on - screen display ( osd ) control for peripheral devices . the control circuitry 302 may further include a video encoder that encodes a digital stream for output to one or more peripheral devices , including , but not limited to , a television . encoding may allow program data to be compressed . the control circuitry 302 may also include a storage device interface that couples the control circuitry 302 to storage devices such as the dvr 306 and the memory 308 . an audio processing unit may also be part of the control circuitry 302 . the audio processing unit may , for example , decode the digital stream for output to peripheral devices , including , but not limited to , a stereo , television speakers or portable audio or video players . the audio processing unit may include one or more processors , memory components or digital to audio converter ( dac ) systems . the control circuitry 302 includes one or more processors such as a general purpose central processing unit ( cpu ). the cpu may execute logical operations to execute functions of the content receiver 202 including , but not limited to , channel selection , system maintenance , recording control , epg display and control , and functions of the entertainment system 200 . examples of commercially available cpus include the stmicroelectronics enhanced st20 32 - bit vl - risc , or intel xeon or atom series processors that are designed or adapted for servers . one skilled in the art will recognize that the cpu may be integrated with memory or other discrete electronic components . the control circuitry 302 may further include a custom application - specific integrated circuit ( asic ) chip , such as from the lsi logic g11 family , or fpga , such as from the altera stratix ™ family . alternatively , a microcontroller can be substituted for the cpu . microcontrollers generally include , in addition to a cpu , extra program memory such as read - only memory ( rom ), and input / output ( i / o ) functionality . the control circuitry 302 may further include one or more memory components that may be used for many purposes , including , but not limited to , storing epg data and storing data for use by the cpu . memory components may include volatile memory such as sdram memory chips and non - volatile memory devices such as rom , sram , sdram and flash rom . one skilled in the art will recognize that volatile memory and non - volatile memory may be integrated within other electronic components and that other memory components may be included within content receiver 202 and control circuitry 302 . the dvr 306 may be used for many purposes , including , but not limited to , storing recorded programs and buffering currently playing programs to pause or rewind a program . the dvr 306 can be used to record programs locally in the content receiver 202 so that the user may view the tv show at a later , more convenient time . when the user selects a program to be recorded to the dvr 306 , the content receiver 202 sets a recording timer that causes the content receiver 202 to automatically record the selected program at the scheduled time . at a time convenient to the user , the user can operate the remote control 208 to cause the content receiver 202 to display a list of programs that have been recorded to the dvr 306 . the user can select the desired program from the list of recorded programs and the content receiver 202 will play back the selected program . alternatively , the content receiver 202 may access , via the internet 210 b , recorded programs stored on a remote storage device . in this case , when the user of the content receiver 202 selects a media program to be recorded , the media program is recorded to remote storage instead of to the dvr 306 inside the content receiver 202 . the user of the content receiver 202 can schedule media program recordings by accessing the internet 210 b through a smart phone , a pc , a tablet , a laptop , or other suitable means . the user can log into an account associated with the content receiver 202 and can schedule recordings via the internet 210 b . the media programs can be viewed by connecting the content receiver 202 to the internet 210 b to access the remote storage device . the content receiver 202 can store in the memory 308 instructions that implement automatic program formatting as described herein . automatic program formatting can be offered to subscribers as an optional feature of the entertainment system 200 , in which case , when a subscriber orders the entertainment system 200 , an associated automatic program formatting code 316 containing instructions is downloaded to the memory 308 for execution by the control circuitry 302 within the content receiver 202 . if needed , the automatic program formatting code 316 can store video image data in memory that resides in a portion of the dvr 306 . the dvr 306 , equipped with high - density memory , is capable of storing large amounts of data , and is therefore appropriate for storing video image data for use by the entertainment system 200 . the content receiver 202 can be connected to the display 206 through a peripheral interface 312 to send and receive signals to and from the display 206 . for instance , a television can receive video and audio signals , whereas a stereo can receive only audio signals . a camcorder , on the other hand , can send video or audio signals to the satellite content receiver 202 or receive audio and video signals from the content receiver 202 to record . as another example , the peripheral interface 312 can include a processor or other electronic components to permit an interface to content security devices such as an external smart card . the peripheral interface 312 can then encrypt or decrypt content for output to other peripheral devices . thus , the peripheral interface 312 can perform one or more functions for multiple peripheral devices , including , but not limited to , the synchronous or asynchronous transfer of data between different peripheral devices ( e . g ., decrypting content using a smart card peripheral device and outputting decrypted content to a television at the same time ). one skilled in the art will recognize that the peripheral devices can include many types of commercially available electronic devices , e . g ., a phone line and a modem . the network interface 310 provides network connectivity , for example , to the internet 210 b via a wireless router or a local area network . the peripheral interface 312 can include components that permit connection of rj - 45 network cabling and transmission of tcp / ip traffic to other connected devices . as another example , a wireless router can be attached via the peripheral interface 312 to allow wireless local - area - network ( wlan ) data communications using a standard wireless networking protocol such as wimax , 802 . 11b or 802 . 11g . one skilled in the art will recognize that various other network connections to the content receiver 202 are possible . the remote control interface 314 includes instructions that allow the viewer 216 to communicate with the satellite content receiver 202 , and can be implemented using the peripheral interface 312 or by connecting a separate remote control interface device . the remote control interface 314 can translate an input from the user into a format understandable by the control circuitry 302 . the remote control interface 314 can thus be considered a user interface ( ui ). the translation systems can include , but are not limited to , electronic receivers and electronic relays . the remote control interface 314 can receive commands from more than one remote control 208 . the remote control 208 can use infrared , uhf , or other communications technology . one skilled in the art will recognize that other means to receive and translate user inputs are possible . the memory 308 can be used for many purposes , including , but not limited to , storing programming data , storing commands or functions for the control circuitry 302 , storing timers or record events , and storing data for other devices within or connected to the satellite content receiver 202 . in one embodiment , the memory 308 provides the long - term storage functionality of the content receiver , e . g ., for persistent recordings , and may also include operating system software and other data or software necessary to the content receiver , and the dvr 306 provides short - term storage functionality , e . g ., for temporary recordings of programs . the memory 308 can be , for example , an 80 gb ‘ winchester ’ hard drive connected to the control circuitry 302 via a standard ide / eide interface cable . as another example , the memory 308 may be used to temporarily store data for processing by the cpu or image processor . one skilled in the art will recognize that other storage devices and interfaces may be substituted for those shown and described herein while still remaining within the scope of this disclosure . one skilled in the art will also recognize that the storage device 308 may include a storage device interface and that portions of the storage device 308 may separately or together include an integrated memory , e . g ., a memory buffer , commonly referred to as cache , and additional processing components or logic . one skilled in the art will also recognize that a storage device interface may be integrated into the peripheral interface 312 . finally , one skilled in the art will recognize that the memory 308 may be external and connected to the content receiver 202 . for example , an external hard drive may be connected to the content receiver 202 using usb 2 . 0 or ieee 1394 firewire connections . such an external hard drive may include a screen for portable viewing of programming stored on it . furthermore , such a storage device can contain expansion slots , such as ide connections , for the provision of additional storage devices to provide additional capacity at a later time . the design and operation of hard drives and similar devices are well known in the art and need not be described further here . fig3 shows an overview of information flow 330 through the entertainment system 200 that includes the content receiver 202 featuring the automatic program formatting code 316 , according to one embodiment . the information flow 330 starts with original media content 332 , which undergoes media content analysis 334 , to determine when to produce adapted media content 336 . the adapted media content 336 is then displayed on the display 206 for the viewer 216 . in one embodiment , the media content 332 is received by the content receiver 202 from one of a plurality of sources , e . g ., from a tv content provider via the satellite dish 210 a , for example , through the tuner 304 , or from the internet 210 b via the network interface 310 , or from storage in the dvr 306 . the media content 332 is in the form of multimedia program data that generally includes a sequence of video frames and accompanying audio data and text data . individual video frames are extracted from the media content 332 and are directed to the control circuitry 302 , which performs the media content analysis 334 . the control circuitry 302 examines the video frames specifically to determine the aspect ratio of the video data . according to one embodiment , the control circuitry 302 has previously performed a query of the display 206 to determine the preferred aspect ratio for a frame which is shown on the display 206 . accordingly , the aspect ratio of the display 206 is available to the control circuitry 302 , and this can be compared to the aspect ratio of the frame of the video data during the step of media content analysis 334 . if the aspect ratio of the frame of the media content matches the aspect ratio of the display 206 , then no action is taken , and the frame is passed forward to the display 206 via the peripheral interface 312 . on the other hand , if the frame of the media content has a different aspect ratio than the video display 206 , then the aspect ratio of the frame is modified to match the aspect ratio of the video display 206 . this analysis is performed on a particular frame on a frame - by - frame basis of the video as it is received , e . g ., from the tuner 304 , for outputting to the display 206 via the periphery interface 312 . after an initial frame has been analyzed and set to the proper aspect ratio , subsequent steps , need only determine whether or not the aspect ratio of the current frame matches that of the most recent frame . such an analysis can be performed very quickly with minimal processor overhead . if the aspect ratio of the present frame matches the aspect ratio of the previous frame in the sequence , no adjustment is needed . if there is a shift in the aspect ratio , the control circuitry 302 adapts the aspect ratio of the current media content 332 to produce the adapted media content 336 , in which the program data is changed to have an aspect ratio that matches the aspect ratio of the previously displayed video frame . the program is then displayed with the adjusted aspect ratio so that when the viewer 216 views the current content on the display 206 , the sequence of images will be displayed seamlessly , without a loss of continuity . alternatively , the media content analysis 334 can be performed remotely instead of being performed locally by the control circuitry 302 on board the content receiver 202 . for example , after a video frame is extracted from the media content 332 , associated frame data can be sent to a remote server . the remote server can then perform the media content analysis 334 to determine whether or not the aspect ratio needs adjustment . when no adjustment is needed , the server transmits a signal to the content receiver 202 indicating that the original frame is suitable for display on the display 206 . when an adjustment is needed , the remote server transmits formatting information to the content receiver 202 . the content receiver 202 then generates the adapted media content 336 based on the formatting information received from the remote server , and displays the adapted video frame on the display 206 via the peripheral interface 312 . with reference to fig4 a , for example , media content currently being shown on the display may have an aspect ratio of 1 . 33 : 1 , which appears as a vertically - oriented picture 350 having left and right vertical sidebars 352 . new media content that has been received and is being analyzed by the control circuitry 302 may have an aspect ratio of 2 . 4 : 1 , which appears as a horizontally - oriented picture 354 having upper and lower horizontal sidebars 356 . when the control circuitry 302 detects that the video frames differ , the frame currently under analysis may be modified to have an aspect ratio of 1 . 33 : 1 , so it will match the frame currently being viewed . alternatively , every frame can be compared against an independent standard . for example , all the frames can be modified to have an aspect ratio of 1 . 77 : 1 , which appears as a picture 358 having no sidebars . this embodiment is illustrated in fig4 b . in this case , the comparison made by the control circuitry 302 is of the data under analysis against data residing in the memory 308 , as opposed to comparing the next picture against the current picture . in the example shown , the data represents the picture 358 having the aspect ratio of 1 . 77 : 1 . such an independent standard may be selected by the viewer from a list of choices , or the independent standard may be stored as a viewer preference in a preferences file in the content receiver 302 . it is noted that the methods described herein change the actual media data to improve the image display , rather than simply changing format settings on the display device in an automated fashion . in one embodiment , in addition to changing the locations of the sidebars , if needed , the picture being shown can also be modified to reduce distortion . fig5 is a flow diagram showing a computer - implemented method 500 of automatic program formatting , according to one embodiment . the method 500 is codified as automatic formatting instructions 316 to be executed by a microprocessor , e . g ., a specialized image processor , within the control circuitry 302 of the content receiver 202 or a remote microprocessor . programmed automatic formatting instructions can be stored on board the microprocessor , or in the computer - readable memory 308 . at 502 , the content receiver 202 receives the media content 332 in the form of a multi - media stream that includes a video data stream . at 504 , the content receiver 202 extracts a video frame from the video data stream for analysis , prior to displaying the frame . at 506 , the content receiver 202 determines the location and size of unused areas of the extracted frame . for example , the content receiver 202 determines whether or not vertical or horizontal sidebars are present in the image , and if so , how wide the sidebars are . in one embodiment , such a determination can be made by examining the edges of the extracted video frame , starting at the corners , and searching for black regions that indicate sidebars . for example , pixels can be sampled along an edge column to detect a full column of black pixels . then one pixel at the top of each successive column can be examined until a non - black pixel is found . the column of the last black pixel can then be sampled to confirm the location of the innermost full column of black pixels , and hence to deduce the width of a vertical sidebar . a similar scheme can be carried out for rows to recognize and measure the width of black regions that are consistent with horizontal sidebars . in this embodiment , determination of the unused portions of the unused areas of the video frame is carried out prior to the frame actually reaching the display 206 . at 508 , the content receiver 202 performs a comparison of the unused areas of the extracted video frame and the unused areas of the frame currently being displayed . when the unused areas match , the content receiver 202 displays the extracted frame without modification and then returns to 504 and extracts the next video frame . at 510 , when the unused areas do not match , the content receiver adapts the extracted frame to have the same unused areas as the currently displayed frame . that is , wherever sidebars are located on the frame currently being displayed , corresponding pixels of the new frame will also show black sidebars . adapting the extracted frame to match the displayed frame can be accomplished in one of several different ways , as illustrated in fig6 a - 6d . a scene 600 shown in fig6 a represents the extracted frame , which , in this example , has no sidebars . in fig6 b , the scene 600 is scaled and projected to fill the entire display 206 . scaling can entail either enlarging or reducing the size of the image . then , pixels in the sidebar regions are digitally masked by coloring them black . this method has the disadvantage that portions of the picture that coincide with the sidebars will be lost . for example , in the scene 600 showing a house , a tree , and a sun , the tops of the house and the sun , as well as the bottom of the tree , are masked by horizontal sidebars 602 . alternatively , in order not to lose portions of the image , the sidebar regions can be defined first and then the picture can be modified to fit the area between the sidebars . for example , if a low resolution movie is broadcast for high definition display , the image can be stretched by converting the received pixel data to the desired resolution so as to fit between the sidebars . as illustrated in fig6 c , the horizontal sidebars 602 can be displayed on the display 206 and then the scene 600 can be proportionally reduced to a smaller scene 604 that fits between the horizontal sidebars 602 . however , because the smaller scene 604 does not fill the entire display , there is unused space on the sides as well , which appears as vertical sidebars 606 . to eliminate the vertical sidebars , the smaller scene 604 can be stretched in the horizontal direction only , to fill the unused space on the sides so that vertical sidebars are not needed in addition to the horizontal sidebars 602 . a two - step process is thus used , which entails first scaling the image and then stretching the image . fig7 a and 7b illustrate various ways to stretch the image by distributing pixel data from the received frame across additional pixels on the display 206 . here , the term pixel expresses the smallest color unit making up the image , wherein each pixel in a video frame has an assigned numerical value representing a distinct color hue . for example , a two - pixel group 608 of the exemplary smaller scene 604 transitions from a blue sky to a green tree as shown in fig7 a . thus , two adjacent pixels of different colors , blue and green , are to be distributed across a larger pixel group 610 ( two examples shown , 610 a having an odd number of pixels , and 610 b , having an even number of pixels ). in both cases , data corresponding to each one of the large pixels in the data stream is distributed over multiple smaller pixels across the width of the display 206 . to minimize distortion , when a blue pixel is next to a green pixel in the data stream , and the pair of pixels is to be spread out over the three - pixel group 610 a on the display , a first pixel is shown as blue , a second pixel adjacent to the blue pixel can be interpolated between the original blue and green hues to be shown as blue - green , and the third adjacent pixel is shown as green . alternatively , the first two adjacent pixels can be shown as blue and the third one as green , or the first pixel can be shown as blue , and the second and third pixels as green . using the last two methods , distortion within the image portion of the screen between the sidebars 602 will be greater than when the interpolation method is used . in a second example shown in fig7 b , a four - pixel group 610 b is available on the display 206 for the exemplary pair of pixels in the received frame . thus , the blue pixel can simply be mapped to two blue pixels , and the green pixel can be mapped to two green pixels , which expands the image proportionally in the horizontal direction . alternatively , the two pixels on the ends of the four - pixel group 610 b can be assigned the original blue and green hues , while the middle pixels can be interpolated to have color values between the original blue and green hues . such methods can be used to distribute the video frame data to fill all of the columns of pixels from left to right when the presence of upper and lower sidebars 602 is desired . likewise , similar methods can be used to distribute the video frame data to fill all of the rows of pixels from top to bottom when the presence of left and right vertical sidebars 606 is desired . when there are no sidebars in the currently displayed image , the new frame data is adjusted so that it also has no sidebars . alternatively , all of the frames can be adjusted to have no sidebars . thus , if the received video frame has horizontal sidebars , these are removed and the image is distributed over the entire area of the display 206 . or , if the new video frame has vertical sidebars , these are removed and the image is distributed over the entire area of the display 206 . in general , the distribution of pixels , as in the example described above , can be carried out by performing a calculation to determine how many high resolution pixels are available to receive the lower resolution data , for example , three display pixels for every pair of received pixels , i . e ., 3 : 2 as in the example above , or twice as many display pixels as received pixels , i . e ., 2 : 1 , or 4 : 3 , etc . then , a choice can be made as to whether to map the pixels or to interpolate between the colors present in the video data . returning to fig5 , at 512 , the adjusted media content is displayed for the viewer 216 . at 516 , when a change in the aspect ratio is detected in the media content , the content receiver 202 returns to step 506 to perform a new analysis . otherwise , the same adaptation is applied at 510 to the next successive video frames . as can be appreciated , the present disclosure of analyzing video frames and then matching the video frame to the appropriate display can be used in a variety of different environments . in a standard tv viewing situation of the type shown in fig1 , the methods as described herein can be used to adjust a video frame to the proper aspect ratio for any particular display , whether the video frame is from an old movie , a vhs format , an hd format , a beta format , a super 8 movie format , an imax format , or any of the various formats which have been used over many years . further , it can be used with any display 206 that a user may have in their home which may be an hd style display , an older crt display , a flat screen led , or any of the many displays which are on the market today . in addition , the methods as taught herein can be used with many other types of video displays of the many that are on the market today . for example , the methods as taught herein can be used with a display that is a cell phone , a small personal viewing device , a tablet computer , e . g ., ipad , a computer display , or any of the many displays that are available in electronic devices today . the methods are therefore flexible across many different platforms . in a second embodiment , a query can be made of the display itself , and blank regions which show up on the display , rather than analyzing the type of the display and then analyzing the type of data flow received . instead , a simple , rather easy test of whether or not the current frame as displayed on the display results in blank pixels is examined , and if blank pixels are present then an adjustment is made to the aspect ratio of the subsequent frames in order to have few , if any , blank spaces on the display . fig8 is a flow diagram illustrating such an embodiment , in which the aspect ratio of video frames is modified as they are shown on the display . according to a method 800 , the video display itself is queried to determine whether or not any pixels on the video display are blank . a blank pixel on a video display is one in which the video frame being shown thereon does not have any data within that pixel . in such a situation , the video display has nothing to show , and therefore that particular pixel is blank . in a normal screen this will usually show up as a black pixel but may , in other instances , show up as being overlaid by other material which is on the screen , or by another view . at 802 , a video frame of the media content 332 is output from the content receiver 202 having the same aspect ratio as the immediately prior frame . at 804 , the video frame is displayed on the video display 206 . at 806 , the pixels of the video display are analyzed to locate any blank regions of the display . at 808 , a query is made to determine whether or not there are any blank regions in the display . when there are no blank regions in the display , the video format is considered to be currently acceptable , and the program returns to the initial step 802 to display , from the content receiver 202 , media content having the same aspect as the previous frame . at 810 , when the query in step 808 determines that there are blank regions on the display , the aspect ratio of a subsequent frame is modified to have a new aspect ratio which will reduce the amount of blank space on the video display . this can be done by adjusting the area of each pixel , for example , increasing or decreasing the width of each pixel slightly , or increasing or decreasing the height of the pixels , depending on the location of the blank space . thus the picture may be stretched or compressed slightly in order to have an acceptable aspect ratio to more completely fill the video display 206 according to its proper aspect ratio . at 812 , the modified video frame is then output , and subsequent steps are executed as illustrated in fig8 . an advantage of the method 800 is that the image displayed will have little or no blank regions or sidebars . however , a disadvantage is that if a first program is zoomed to eliminate sidebars , then a subsequent program that lacks sidebars will be zoomed unnecessarily , and the edges of the images from the subsequent program may exceed the boundaries of the display . using this method , because the actual frame data is not analyzed prior to displaying the frame , a change in the format of the received media content will not be detectable . as will be appreciated , in some instances , if all blank spaces in the display are completely filled , the aspect ratio of the video content may be so distorted as to be unpleasant or awkward to view . in such a situation , it is permitted to change the aspect ratio of the frame to reduce the number of blank spaces shown , but not remove them altogether . thus , it is within the concepts as taught herein to reduce the blank spaces as shown on the screen , but it is not required that all blank spaces be completely removed , and it is permissible to have a video display in which the aspect ratio of the video frame is changed so that the blank spaces are less than what they would be with an unmodified frame , but may still result in some edge regions of blank space in the video display . it will be appreciated that , although specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein for purposes of illustration , various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure . accordingly , the present disclosure is not limited except as by the appended claims . these and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above - detailed description . in general , in the following claims , the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims , but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled . accordingly , the claims are not limited by the disclosure . the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments . all of the u . s . patents , u . s . patent application publications , u . s . patent applications , foreign patents , foreign patent applications and non - patent publications referred to in this specification and / or listed in the application data sheet are incorporated herein by reference , in their entirety . aspects of the embodiments can be modified , if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents , applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments .	7
nandrolone ( 1 ) was obtained from sigma - aldrich . sabouraud dextrose agar used for culture growth was procured from merck . precoated tlc plates were used for thin layer chromatography ( merck , pf 254 , 20 × 20 , 0 . 25 mm , germany ). column chromatography was done with flash silica . compounds were purified on recycling preparative hplc - lc - 908 ( japan ), equipped with jaigel - ods - l - 80 ( l = 250 mm , i . d .= 20 mm . optical rotations were recorded on jasco p - 2000 polarimeter ( japan ). evolution 300 uv - visible spectrophotometer ( uk ) was used for recording uv spectrum . infrared ( ir ) spectrum was measured on vector 22 ir spectrophotometer ( bruker , france ). 1 h - and 13 c - nmr experiments were recorded in cd 3 od , cdcl 3 and dmso on bruker avance - nmr ( 300 mhz 500 mhz and 600 mhz ). electron impact mass spectra ( ei - ms ) were recorded on jeol jms - 600h mass spectrometer . solvents and reagents were of analytical grades . fungus culture were purchased from american type culture collection ( atcc ). cunninghamella echinulata ( atcc 9244 ) and cunninghamella blakesleeana ( atcc 8688a ) were cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar ( sda ) slant and maintained at 4 ° c . culture media for cunninghamella echinulata ( atcc 9244 ) and cunninghamella blakesleeana ( atcc 8688a ) were prepared by mixing the giving ingredients in one liter of distilled water ; glucose ( 10 g ), kh 2 po 4 ( 5 g ) peptone ( 5 g ), yeast extract ( 5 g ), nacl ( 5 g ) and glycerol ( 10 ml ). five liter of the medium was prepared by mixing of aforementioned chemicals and distributed equally in fifty 250 ml erlenmeyer flasks ( 100 ml each ). the media containing flasks were autoclaved at 121 ° c . the fungal spores were distributed to 3 - 4 seed flasks and incubated on shaker ( 121 rpm ) at 26 ± 2 ° c . till appropriate growth . the spores were then transferred to the remaining flasks and placed on shaker ( 121 rpm at 26 ± 2 ° c .). nandrolone ( 1 ) ( 1 g ) was dissolved in 50 ml of methanol , transferred to the flasks containing four day old culture of cunninghamella echinulata and cunninghamella blakesleeana . the fermentation experiment was continued for 12 days on shaker . on completion of fermentation , the reaction was inhibited by adding dichloromethane and fungal mass was separated by filtration . the extraction of filtrate was done with dcm ( 4 l × 3 ), extract was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated on rotary evaporator to obtain a brown thick material . one gram of nandrolone ( 1 ) was subjected to fermentation for 12 days with cunninghamella echinulata on a rotatory shaker ( 121 rpm ) at 26 + 2 ° c . the filtration , extraction and evaporation resulted brown gum of 1 . 5 g which was fractionated with silica gel column chromatography . the mobile phase was comprised of 10 % gradient hexanes enriched with ethyl acetate . four main fractions ( nano 1 - 4 ) were obtained after compilation of different fractions . compound 5 ( 2 . 5 mg , r t = 22 min ) and 6 ( 5 mg , r t = 31 min .) were isolated from fraction nano - 1 with reverse phase recycling hplc ( methanol : water 60 : 40 ). similarly , fraction nano - 2 was subjected to recycling hplc ( chloroform : isopropanol 94 : 06 ), which yielded metabolite 4 ( 6 mg , r t = 184 min ). fraction nano - 3 yielded metabolite 2 ( 2 mg ) on elution of silica gel column ( 10 % gradient hexanes and ethyl acetate = 15 : 85 ), and compound 3 ( 15 mg , r t = 204 min ) was isolated from fraction nano - 4 through purification with reverse phase recycling hplc ( methanol : water 70 : 30 ). fermentation of nandrolone ( 1 ) with c . blakesleeana yielded four metabolites ( 4 , 5 , 7 and 8 ). incubation , filtration , and extraction procedure was similar as mentioned before . silica gel column chromatography yielded four main fractions ( nacb 1 - 4 ). compound 4 ( 5 mg ) was purified from fraction nabc - 1 with recycling hplc ( chloroform : isopropanol , 94 : 06 r t = 184 min ), whereas compound 5 was isolated from nabc - 2 on elution with reverse phase recycling hplc ( meoh : h 2 o , 60 : 40 , r t = 42 min .). the metabolites 7 and 8 were purified with silica gel column chromatography by using hexanes and ethyl acetate as solvents ( 70 : 30 ). 10β , 12β , 17β - trihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 2 ): white solid ; log ε = 1 . 97 ; [ α ] d 25 =− 126 . 2 ( c 0 . 018 , meoh ); ir ( kbr ); υ max 3419 ( o — h stretching ), 1663 ( c ═ o stretching ); hrei - ms m / z 306 . 1842 ( m + , [ c 18 h 26 o 4 ] + , calc . 306 . 1831 ); ei - ms : m / z 306 . 2 [ m + ]( 25 ), 288 . 2 ( 16 ), 278 . 2 ( 49 ), 190 . 2 ( 39 ); 1 h - nmr ( cd 3 od , 300 mhz ): table 2 ; 13 c - nmr ( cd 3 od , 125 mhz ): table 3 . 10β , 16α , 17β - trihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 3 ): white solid ; log ε = 3 . 4 ; 2 . 8 [ α ] d 25 = 62 . 5 ( c 0 . 01 , meoh ); ir ( chcl 3 ); υ max 3388 ( o — h stretching ), 1664 ( c ═ o stretching ); hrei - ms m / z 306 . 1840 ( m + , [ c 18 h 26 o 4 ] + , calc . 306 . 1831 ); ei - ms : m / z 306 . 2 [ m + ]( 40 ), 288 . 3 ( 30 ), 278 . 3 ( 89 ), 264 . 2 ( 21 ), 213 . 2 ( 66 ); 1 h - nmr ( cd 3 od , 300 mhz ): table 2 ; 13 c - nmr ( cd 3 od , 150 mhz ): table 3 . 6β , 10β , 17β - trihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 4 ): white solid ; log ε = 3 . 4 ; [ α ] d 25 =− 257 . 5 ( c 0 . 02 , meoh ); ir ( chcl 3 ); υ max 3392 ( o — h stretching ), 1669 ( c ═ o stretching ); hrei - ms m / z 306 . 1819 ( m + , [ c 18 h 26 o 4 ] + , calc . 306 . 1831 ); ei - ms : m / z 306 . 2 [ m + ] ( 100 ), 259 . 2 ( 10 ), 138 . 1 ( 18 . 8 ), 133 . 1 ( 16 ), 91 . 1 ( 14 . 4 ); 1 h - nmr ( cd 3 od , 300 mhz ): table 2 ; 13 c - nmr ( cd 3 od , 125 mhz ): table 3 . 10β , 17β - dihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 5 ): white solid ; log e = 3 . 34 [ α ] d 25 = 274 . 2 ( c 0 . 07 , meoh ); ir ( chcl 3 ); υ max 3406 ( o — h stretching ), 1656 ( c ═ o stretching ); hrei - ms m / z 290 . 1900 ( m + , [ c 18 h 26 o 4 ] + , calc . 290 . 1882 ); ei - ms : m / z 290 . 0 [ m + ]( 60 . 9 ), 262 . 1 ( 100 . 0 ), 248 ( 21 . 2 ), 148 . 0 ( 69 . 0 ), 133 . 0 ( 71 . 0 ), 99 . 0 ( 21 . 7 ); 1 h - nmr ( cdcl 3 , 300 mhz ); 13 c - nmr ( cdcl 3 , 125 mhz ). 6β , 17β - dihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 6 ): white solid ; log ε = 3 . 34 ; [ α ] d 25 = 126 . 2 ( c 0 . 012 , meoh ); ir ( chcl 3 ); υ max 3389 . 2 ( o — h stretching ), 1666 ( c ═ o stretching ); hrei - ms m / z 290 . 1897 ( m + , [ c 18 h 26 o 3 ] + , calc . 290 . 1882 ); ei - ms : m / z 290 . 1 [ m + ]( 23 . 5 ), 261 . 1 ( 15 . 0 ), 246 . 1 ( 9 . 3 ), 213 . 1 ( 27 . 7 ), 138 . 1 ( 52 . 5 ); 1 h - nmr ( cdcl 3 , 300 mhz ); 13 c - nmr ( cd 3 od , 150 mhz ). 10β - hydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 , 17 - dione ( 7 ): white solid ; log ε = 2 . 8 ; [ α ] d 25 =− 68 . 8 ( c 0 . 006 , meoh ); ir ( chcl 3 ); υ max 3413 . 9 ( o — h stretching ), 1723 ( c ═ o stretching ); hrei - ms m / z 288 . 1725 ( m + , [ c 18 h 24 o 3 ] + , calc . 288 . 1725 ); ei - ms : m / z 288 . 1 [ m + ]( 7 . 0 ), 272 ( 10 . 0 ), 261 . 1 ( 18 . 8 ), 138 . 1 ( 53 . 0 ); 1 h - nmr ( cdcl 3 , 300 mhz ); 13 c - nmr ( cd 3 od , 100 mhz ). 16β , 17β - dihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 8 ): white solid ; log ε = 0 . 9 ; [ α ] d 25 = 34 . 4 ( c 0 . 012 , meoh ); ir ( chcl 3 ); υ max 3395 ( o — h stretching ), 1660 ( c ═ o stretching ); hrei - ms m / z 290 . 1871 ( m + , [ c 18 h 26 o 3 ] + , calc . 290 . 1882 ); ei - ms : m / z 290 . 1 [ m + ] 290 . 1 ( 6 ), 272 . 2 ( 5 ), 149 . 0 ( 15 ), 110 ( 35 ), 82 . 9 ( 70 ). 1 h - nmr ( cdcl 3 , 300 mhz ); 13 c - nmr ( cdcl 3 , 100 mhz ). compound 2 was obtained as white solid . the molecular formula ( c 18 h 26 o 4 ) of compound 2 was assigned on the bases of its hrei - ms which showed [ m ] + at m / z 306 . 1842 ( calc . 306 . 1831 ). the molecular mass was 32 amu higher than 1 which indicated dihydroxylation . the ir spectrum showed characteristic absorption at 3419 cm - 1 ( hydroxyl ) and 1663 cm - 1 ( ketonic carbonyl ). 1h - nmr spectrum showed the presence of a downfield methine proton at δ 3 . 45 ( dd , j aa = 10 . 5 hz , j ae = 5 . 7 hz ). the 13 c - nmr spectrum showed two additional downfield carbon signals at δ 70 . 6 and 79 . 8 , which supported the dihyroxylation . the hmbc correlations of h - 4 ( δ 5 . 72 s ), h 2 - 6 ( δ 2 . 20 m , 1 . 52 m ) and h 2 - 2 ( δ 2 . 66 m , 2 . 32 m ) with c - 10 ( δ 70 . 6 ) suggested the position of one of the two hydroxyl groups at c - 10 . similarly , the position of second hydroxyl group was assigned at c - 12 by the hmbc correlations of h 2 - 11 ( δ 1 . 64 , 1 . 73 ), h - 17 ( δ 3 . 81 ) and h 3 - 18 ( δ 0 . 84 ) with c - 12 ( δ 79 . 8 ) the oh at c - 10 was assigned β ( axial ) stereochemistry on the basis of noe correlation of h - 11 ( δ 1 . 64 axial ) with oh ( δ 5 . 01 ) at c - 10 , and noesy correlation with h - 18 ( δ 0 . 84 ). the methine proton attached to c - 12 ( δ 3 . 45 ) was a oriented as it showed noesy correlations with h - 9 , h - 14 and h - 17 . the metabolite 2 was deduced as 10β , 12β , 17β - trihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one . the molecular composition of compound 3 ( c 18 h 26 o 4 ) was determined with hrei - ms where it showed the molecular ion peak [ m ] + at m / z 306 . 1840 ( calc . 306 . 1831 ). the molecular mass of the observed compound was 32 amu higher than substrate 1 . the ir spectrum showed characteristic absorption at 3352 ( o — h ) and 1664 cm − 1 ( c ═ o ). an additional methine proton at δ 4 . 02 ( q , j ee = 12 . 5 hz , j ea = 7 . 5 hz ) was observed in 1 h - nmr spectrum . the presences of two additional oh groups in compound 3 were supported by the 13 c - nmr spectrum where a new methine and a quaternary carbons were resonated at ( δ 70 . 8 ) and ( δ 70 . 9 ) respectively . the cosy - dfqf spectrum showed the coupling between the new methine proton ( δ 4 . 02 ) and h - 17 methine proton ( δ 3 . 30 d , j ae = 7 . 44 hz ). the hmbc spectrum showed correlations of h - 2 ( δ 2 . 58 , 2 . 27 ) and h - 4 ( δ 5 . 72 ) with c - 10 ( δ 70 . 9 ), indicating one hydroxylation at c - 10 . similarly , h - 15 ( δ 2 . 18 ) showed the hmbc correlations with new methine carbon ( δ 70 . 8 ). therefore second hydroxylation was occurred at c - 16 . the oh ( δ 4 . 59 ) at c - 10 was assigned β stereochemistry on the basis of its noe correlation with h - 8 ( δ 1 . 87 ) ( dmso - d 6 ). the β stereochemistry of h - 16 was assigned through noesy correlations of methine h - 16 ( δ 4 . 02 ) with h 3 - 18 ( δ 0 . 88 ). the compound 3 was identified as 10β , 16α , 17β - trihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one . the hrei - ms of compound 4 showed molecular ion peak [ m ] + at m / z 306 . 1819 ( c 18 h 26 o 4 , calc . 306 . 1831 ), indicating the presence of two additional oh . the ir absorbances were observed at 3392 ( oh ) and 1669 cm − 1 ( c ═ o ). the 1 h - nmr spectrum showed an additional broad singlet of methine proton at δ 4 . 39 ( w 1 / 2 = 1 . 2 hz ). two new downfield signals were resonated at δ 73 . 8 ( c - 6 ) and 72 . 3 ( c - 10 ) in 13 c - nmr spectrum which further supported the dihydroxylation in compound 4 . the methine proton at δ 4 . 39 showed hmbc correlations with c - 4 ( δ 126 . 2 ), c - 5 ( δ 162 . 4 ) and c - 7 ( δ 39 . 4 ), indicated second oh at c - 6 . the h 2 - 1 ( δ 2 . 64 , 1 . 26 ), h 2 - 2 ( δ 2 . 18 , 1 . 87 ) and h - 4 ( δ 5 . 81 ) showed hmbc correlations with c - 10 ( δ 72 . 3 ), hence second hydroxylation was inferred at c - 10 . the methine proton at δ 4 . 39 showed noesy correlations with h - 4 ( δ 5 . 81 ) and h 2 - 7 ( δ 2 . 01 , 1 . 26 ). therefore , β - oh was placed at c - 6 . the noesy correlation of oh ( δ 5 . 01 ) ( dmso - d 6 ) with c - 6 oh ( δ 4 . 49 ) indicated a β - oh at c - 10 . thus the compound 4 was identified as 6β , 10β , 17β - trihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one . the structures of four known compounds 5 - 8 were characterized by comparison of their literature reported data with the observed data . the molecular mass of compounds 5 , 6 and 8 were 16 amu greater than 1 which showed mono - hydroxylation . compounds 5 , 6 and 8 showed ei - ms [ m ] + m / z at 290 whereas compound 7 at m / z 288 . metabolites 5 - 8 were identified as 10β , 17β - dihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 5 ), 6β , 17β - dihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 6 ), 10β - hydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 , 17 - dione ( 7 ) and 16β , 17β - dihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 8 ). compounds 5 and 6 were previously synthesized by the biotransformation of 1 with aspergillus wentii mrc 200316 , whereas compound 7 was synthesized from androstene - 3 , 17 , 19 - trione by aromatase cytochrome p - 450 mediated transformation . metabolite 8 was synthesized from 1 through fermentation with molds . leishmania major was obtained from desto laboratories , pakistan . blood agar basic medium from bd company ( france ) was used in assay , rpmi - 1640 medium was purchase from sigma aldrich ( usa ) and fetal bovine serum was obtained from paa laboratories ( uk ). 96 well plates used in assay were purchase from coster ( italy ) and the neubauer chamber was purchase from marine field germany leishmania major were grown in modified nnn biphasic medium ( rpmi - 1640 + fetal bovine serum + blood agar in blood ) by using normal physiological saline . rpmi 1640 medium was used for culturing of leishmania promastigotes using 10 % heat inactivated fetal bovine serum ( fbs ) as supplemented . parasites were centrifuged ( at log phase ) at 2000 rpm for 10 minutes , and washed three times with saline at same speed and time . fresh culture medium was used for dilution of parasites to acquire a final density of 10 6 cells / ml . a 180 μl of medium was added in wells of first row and 100 μl of medium was added in remaining wells of a 96 - well microtiter plate . a 20 μl aliquot of the experimental compound was added in medium and serially diluted . a 100 μl aliquot of parasite culture was added in all wells , and two rows were left for negative and positive controls . negative controls contained only medium , while the positive control received the varying concentrations of standard leishmanicidal compound amphotericin or pentamidine . this plate was than incubated at 21 - 22 ° c . for 72 h . the culture was examined microscopically on an improved neubauer counting chamber . the ic 50 values of test compounds were calculated by software ezfit 5 . 03 perella scientific ( usa ). all assays were repeated thrice . nandrolone ( 1 ) and its derivatives , 10β , 12β , 17β - trihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 2 ), 10β , 16α , 17β - trihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 3 ), 6β , 10β , 17β - trihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 4 ), along with four known metabolites , 10β , 17β - dihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 5 ), 6β , 17β - dihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 6 ) 10β - hydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 , 17 - dione ( 7 ) and 16β , 17β - dihydroxy - 19 - nor - 4 - androsten - 3 - one ( 8 ) were subjected to leishmanicidal assay . the compounds 1 - 8 showed varying ranges of ic 50 values , i . e . 29 . 55 to 80 . 23 μm against leishmaniasis . compound 8 showed significant leishmanicidal activity with an ic 50 value of 29 . 55 μm as compared to the standard pentamidine ic 50 5 . 09 ± 0 . 09 μm and it was the most active compound of this series . compound 3 , 4 and 6 showed very low activity , having ic 50 values of 77 . 39 , 70 . 90 and 80 . 23 μm , respectively . compound 5 and 7 showed moderate leishmanicidal activity with ic 50 values of 54 . 94 and 61 . 12 μm , respectively . the metabolite 8 was found to be more active against leishmania as compared to nandrolone ( 1 ) and all other transformed metabolites . since the only difference between compounds 1 to 8 is the position and number of oxygen atoms , it is suggested that the carbon - oxygen bonding plays an important role in leishmanicidal activity . nandrolone ( 1 ) has one ketonic carbonyl group at position c - 3 and a hydroxyl group at position c - 17 . it showed significant activity with ic 50 32 . 0 μm . compound 2 was found to be inactive against the leishmaniasis with an ic 50 greater than 100 μm . compound 2 has two hydroxyl groups , one at c - 10 and second at c - 12 , along with ketonic carbonyl at c - 3 , both have 13 stereochemistry . compound 3 also has two more hydroxyl groups as compared to nandrolone ( 1 ) and it was very low activity with an ic 50 of 77 . 39 μm . compound 4 also showed very low activity with an ic 50 of 70 . 90 μm . it was also dihydroxylated having hydroxyl groups at c - 6 and c - 10 , both having β orientated hydroxyl groups . the position of the hydroxyl group has a significant effect on activity . monohydroxylated compound 5 showed low activity having activity ic 50 of 54 . 94 μm . in this compound , hydroxylation occurs at c - 10 . on the other hand when hydroxylation occurs at c - 6 , activity again decreases . this was observed in case of compound 6 . compound 7 has a ketonic carbonyl group instead of a hydroxyl group at c - 17 , and also showed a very low activity against leishmaniasis , with an ic 50 of 80 . 23 μm . compound 8 showed significant activity against leishmaniasis . compound 8 is mono hydroxylated having β hydroxylation at c - 16 . the ic 50 was 29 . 55 m , which is comparable to compound 1 . compounds 1 and 8 were considered as having significant activity when compared to the standards , i . e . pentamidine ( ic 50 = 5 . 09 + 0 . 09 m ) and amphotericin b ( ic 50 = 0 . 29 ± 0 . 05 μm ).	0
a novel tree stand lock for securing a tree stand to a tree trunk ( or a circumferential body such as a post ) is shown in the drawings and is discussed in detail herein . the primary application of the present invention relates to tree stands used for hunting purposes , however , it is understood that the present invention may be adapted to other types of stands , displays , equipment , or other constructions that may be left unattended for periods of time and for which some method for ensuring the security of such property is desired . where the teachings of the present invention may be extended therefore is generally understood by one skilled in the art and the illustrations and discussions of the uses of the present invention with respect to hunting applications is not meant or intended to be restrictive of the scope of the invention in any way . turning now to fig1 and 2 , a tree stand 20 is mounted onto a tree 10 and includes the seat 22 , the base 24 , the support 26 , and the straps 28 . the base 24 further includes the base bracket 30 . securing the tree stand 20 to the tree 10 is the tree stand lock 40 . the tree stand lock 40 is shown in more detail in fig3 and 4 , and includes the hardened metal loop 42 , the pivot pin 44 , the stand bracket portion 46 and the end locks 48 . the stand bracket portion 46 includes the bracket sides 50 , the bracket top 52 and the bracket hole ( s ) 54 . in fig5 and 6 , the pivot pin 44 is shown in closer detail and includes the pin end ( s ) 60 , the pin body 62 , the pin bore 64 all of which are located in the pivot ring end 66 . in use , the metal loop 42 pivots about the pivot pin 44 and allows the metal loop 42 to open up to facilitate installation about the tree 10 and then closes to obtain the function of the present invention as described below . it is understood that the hardened metal loop 42 of the present invention is not a closed loop , but sufficiently encircles the circumference of the body to which it is fitted to ensure that the tree stand ( in this instance ) 20 is secured to the tree 10 . in fig7 , an end lock 48 is shown in cross section with the lock body 70 , the key 72 , the engagement portion 74 and with the front ring end 76 shown as having been inserted into the lock body 70 with front ring lugs 78 fully engaged therein . continuing on to fig8 , 10 and 11 , a portion ( half ) of the hardened metal loop 42 is shown with the front ring end 76 and the pivot ring end 66 . the pivot ring end 66 includes the pin bore 64 , and the radius 80 . lastly , the front ring end 76 is shown in detail in fig1 and includes the front ring lugs 78 . as may now be appreciated , the tree stand lock 40 of the present invention is typically applied to a tree stand 20 . the actual design type of the tree stand 20 can vary greatly but for purposes of illustrating the use of the present invention , the tree stand 20 depicted in the drawings is basically comprised of a base portion 24 and a seat portion 22 that are interconnected by a support 26 . the tree stand 20 can be affixed to a tree 10 by wrapping straps 28 through the support 26 and around the tree 10 and cinching them tightly with buckles or other conventional hardware ( not shown ). in this manner , the tree stand 20 , independent from the tree stand lock 40 , will remain mounted to the tree 10 in a useable state . the tree stand lock 40 is installed by means of the stand bracket portion 46 which is either a component part that may be supplied with the tree stand lock 40 , or it may already form a part of the tree stand 20 and is integrally affixed to the stand bracket 30 . the stand bracket portion 46 may be welded to the stand bracket 30 or it may be glued , the method being a matter for one skilled in the art of affixing metal components to one another . the stand bracket 30 allows the base 24 to rotate between a stored ( folded up ) position and a user ( folded down ) position and is common in the art of tree stand designs . in the stored position the tree stand 20 is made more compact and is thus easier to stow away in a closet , garage or in the bed of a truck or the like . the stand bracket portion 46 is a feature , no matter which way it is supplied , that is permanently welded or affixed to the tree stand 20 itself it is suggested that the area of the stand bracket 30 may be an appropriate place for the stand bracket portion 46 , however , it may be installed in any place where it is attached to a substantial part of the tree stand 40 as a whole . the affixing of the stand bracket portion 46 to the tree stand 20 in a material manner allows for an anchor point for the tree stand lock 40 . as can be seen in fig1 and 14 , the tree stand lock 40 relies on the stand bracket portion 46 for linkage to the tree stand 20 and is part of an underlying principle that if a thief clearly desires to remove the tree stand 20 , he / she can probably do so however with the present design it will result in a great deal of damage to the tree stand 20 , perhaps to the point of ruining the tree stand 20 structurally . thus when a thief is confronted with the arduous task of ripping through substantial portions of the tree stand 20 in order to remove it , this itself may act as a deterrent , and in the alternative , if the thief continues and does rip through the tree stand 20 to remove it , the subsequent damage to the tree stand 20 will certainly impair its monetary and functional value , thereby creating a disincentive for the thief in the future . the tree stand lock 40 is comprised of a hardened metal loop 42 which itself is really formed from two complementary halves that are pivotally connected at the pivot pin 44 . the metal loop 42 is preferentially circular in shape but it can be configured in any shape that allows it to be connected to the tree stand 20 while being capable to encompass the circumference of the tree 10 at the same time . the metal loop 42 is of hardened steel in the preferred embodiment ( although any other hardened metal suitable for resistance against disc grinders and / or bolt cutters and the like could be used as well ). the metal loop 42 in the present embodiment forms a ring that encompasses the tree 10 and with two ends ( front ring ends 76 ) that meet in the vicinity of the tree stand 20 . the front ring ends 76 can be inserted into the holes 54 in the stand bracket portions 46 which are integrally affixed to the tree stand 20 . the end locks 48 are then inserted onto the front ring ends 76 that are protruding through the stand bracket holes 54 . at this point , the end locks 48 engage the front ring lugs 78 and when the key 72 is withdrawn , the end locks 48 automatically lock onto the front ring lugs 78 . the resulting assembly cannot be removed and is also uniquely resistant to most of the typical methods that may be used in the field to steal tree stands 20 . the metal loop 42 provides no purchase for any cutting instrument and the end locks 48 have hardened cases that are also similarly resistant to attack . the unique design of the present invention repels attempts to remove the tree stand and even if this is accomplished ( as described above ) the end result may be fruitless . the reason why this approach is so effective is that the prior art methods have relied upon materials that are not hardened and / or installed in ways that can be circumvented with no disincentive to the thief . the tree stand lock 40 of the present invention may be provided as part of the original equipment of the tree stand 20 , or it may be provided as a kit . in the kit form , the stand bracket portions 46 would have to be welded to the tree stand at a location of substance . ( the stand bracket portions 46 could also be glued using some of the high strength glues that are now available for metal to metal assembly ) the present invention is illustrated herein for the purposes of teaching the relevant aspects of the tree stand lock 40 . the illustration of uses is not meant to be exclusive and the scope of the invention is not meant to be read as being limited to just the teachings herein .	0
the two - phase porcelain composition of the present invention can be used to form dental restorations in accordance with procedures that are well known in the art . thus , the porcelain composition herein can be employed in the manufacture of a pfm restoration which utilizes a high expansion metal alloy or in the manufacture of a high expansion all - ceramic restoration . the porcelain composition of the present invention can also be used as a glaze which can be fused to high expansion ceramics to impart a shiny , smooth surface thereto when it is necessary or desirable to achieve such a surface at a low maturing temperature , e . g ., at about 800 ° c ., instead of the natural shine normally obtained at about 925 ° to 960 ° c . the dental porcelain composition of the present invention is a two - phase glass which contains a leucite crystallite phase dispersed in a feldspathic glass matrix . the leucite crystallites are present in an amount ranging from about 5 to about 65 weight percent based on the weight of the entire composition . in the practice of the present invention , the leucite crystallites present in the composition possess diameters not exceeding about 10 microns , preferably not exceeding about 5 microns , more preferably not exceeding about 1 micron . in one embodiment of the present invention , the two - phase dental porcelain composition is derived from a blend of a first porcelain component possessing a low fusing temperature and a moderately high coefficient of thermal expansion , such as the porcelain disclosed in copending u . s . application ser . no . 08 / 532 , 179 , with a second porcelain component possessing a high coefficient of thermal expansion and containing a dispersed crystalline leucite phase wherein the leucite crystallites are less than about 10 microns in diameter . the first porcelain component and second porcelain component are typically blended in a weight ratio of from about 95 : 5 to about 70 : 30 to provide a mixture which is then fired at about 850 ° c . to form the porcelain composition of this invention . the introduction of leucite crystallites in the porcelain composition of this invention raises the coefficient of thermal expansion of the porcelain composition . the porcelain forms a chemical bond with high expansion alloys and ceramics such as optec ™ porcelain when fused thereto and exhibits a thermal expansion which is about 0 . 5 to 1 . 5 × 10 − 6 /° c . lower than the thermal expansion of such high expansion alloys or ceramics . the resulting fused restoration is thereby placed in slight compression when cooled to room temperature . the porcelain composition herein has sufficient viscosity at the maturing temperature such that it does not lose its shape yet fires to nearly 100 % of theoretical density , thus forming a tight , impervious surface necessary in the oral environment . the fused surface is also nearly perfectly smooth providing a slippery , thus kinder environment to opposing natural dentition than that typically provided by conventional porcelains . the first porcelain component described above is known and can be prepared in accordance with well known procedures . a particularly preferred first porcelain component which can be employed herein is described in the aforementioned u . s . application ser . no . 08 / 532 , 179 . porcelains such as synspar ® porcelain and pencraft plus ™ porcelain ( available from jeneric / pentron incorporated of wallingford , conn . ), ceramco porcelain ( available from ceramco , inc . of burlington , n . j . ), and the like , which typically exhibit coefficients of thermal expansion ranging from about 10 × 10 − 6 /° c . to about 14 × 10 − 6 /° c . ( room temperature to 450 ° c .) can be suitably employed as the first porcelain component . the preparation of such materials is well known in the art . ceramic precursors such as silica , alumina , feldspar , calcium carbonate , sodium carbonate , potassium carbonate , or if desired , the actual oxides , are blended , preferably in finely divided power form such as powder sufficiently fine to pass through a 200 mesh screen ( tyler series ), and fused at a temperature of at least about 1200 ° c ., and preferably at least about 1400 ° c ., in a crucible to form a glass . the molten glass is then quenched in water , dried , and ground in a ball mill to provide the first porcelain component in the form of a powder . it is preferred that the powder is ground finely enough so that it will pass through a 200 mesh screen ( tyler series ). the first porcelain component utilized herein preferably will possess a fusing temperature of from about 760 to about 815 ° c . and a coefficient of thermal expansion of from about 10 . 6 × 10 − 6 /° c . to about 11 . 6 × 10 − 6 /° c . the second porcelain component of this invention is preferably produced in accordance with the teachings of commonly assigned u . s . pat . no . 4 , 798 , 536 , the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein . in accordance therewith , a feldspar , wherein at least a portion of the k 2 o , al 2 o 3 , and sio 2 is employed as a precursor to the formation of leucite ( k 2 o . al 2 o 3 . 4sio 2 ) dispersed in glass and is the second porcelain component . while not wishing to be bound by theory , it is believed that such leucite crystallites function as nuclei which initiate and promote nucleation and growth in the magma of additional leucite crystallites during the fusing and cooling stages of production . as the magma is cooled , the crystalline leucite becomes less soluble and precipitates out . in accordance with the method of the &# 39 ; 536 patent , a feldspar containing crystalline leucite is culled to remove quartz , mica , biotite , etc ., ground to a fine powder , passed through a magnetic separator to remove iron impurities , further ground , blended with other desired components , fused at about 2150 to about 2350 ° f . and cooled to form a vitreous body containing a uniform dispersion of leucite crystallites . the fused , cooled porcelain is then crushed and reduced to a fine powder which can pass through a 180 to 200 mesh screen . the second porcelain component preferably possesses a coefficient of thermal expansion of from about 16 × 10 − 6 /° c . to about 17 . 5 × 10 − 6 /° c . in accordance with the practice of the present invention , the second porcelain to component , prior to being combined or blended with the first porcelain component , is treated to separate and isolate leucite crystallites possessing diameters not exceeding about 10 microns . leucite crystallized possessing diameters not exceeding about 10 microns will impart extremely smooth surfaces to dental restorations produced with the porcelain composition of this invention . the second porcelain component can be treated by mixing the second porcelain component in powder form , such as powder sufficiently fine to pass through a 200 mesh screen ( tyler series ), with water in a suitable vessel , allowing the mixture to settle , decanting and retaining the supernatant liquid , mixing the retained supernatant liquid with water in a suitable vessel , allowing the mixture to settle a second time , decanting and retaining the supernatant liquid , evaporating the water of the retained supernatant liquid to provide dried powder and screening the dried powder through 325 ( or greater ) mesh screen ( tyler series ) to break up any agglomerates . by virtue of the foregoing treatment , leucite crystallites possessing diameters not exceeding about 10 microns will be separated and isolated from the second porcelain component . it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations of the foregoing treatment method or other treatment methods or combinations thereof such as jet milling , air classification , floatation , etc . can be employed herein to separate and isolate the small diameter leucite crystallites . the properties of the first and second porcelain components can be adjusted by applying well known principles . for example , the coefficient of thermal expansion of either component can be increased , if desired , by decreasing the proportion of sio 2 and / or increasing the proportion of the alkali metal oxides . as is taught in u . s . pat . no . 4 , 798 , 536 , more or less flux ( e . g ., potassium , lithium , calcium and magnesium compounds ) will increase or decrease the fusing point of the resultant porcelain composition . the fusion point of either component can be reduced by increasing the proportion of cao , and / or the alkali metal oxides . an increase in the na 2 o : k 2 o ratio also lowers the fusion point . it is well within the skill of the ceramics art to apply these principles to make fine adjustments to the thermal expansion coefficients and fusion temperatures of either component used in the manufacture of the porcelain composition herein . if desired , in order to assure proper aesthetics , one or more layers of the porcelain composition of the present invention can be applied over a high expansion metal alloy or ceramic core with each layer being separately fired . thus , for example , an opaque layer containing an opacifying agent such as tio 2 , sno 2 , al 2 o 3 , zno , ceo 2 , and the like can be applied over the framework and fired . thereafter , or in lieu thereof , or in combination therewith , a shaded layer can be applied containing one or more conventional pigments such as vanadates , manganates , chromates , or other transition metal compounds , to tint the shaded layer to the desired shade . if desired , a fluorescing agent such as cerium oxide , terbium oxide , yttrium oxide , and the like , or other conventional additives can also be incorporated into the porcelain to simulate natural dentition . the opaque and / or fluorescent shaded layer ( s ) can then be overcoated ( before or after firing ), if desired , with the porcelain composition of the present invention . in this manner , special effects can be obtained , e . g ., a different shade at the tip of the restoration than at the gingival area . the porcelain layers can be applied to the framework in the usual manner , as by applying a paste of the porcelain powder in water over the framework , shaping to the desired configuration , and then firing . the present invention can also be used by itself as an inlay / onlay material to replace amalgam , gold or other ceramics . the porcelain of the present invention can be prepared as an inlay / onlay or veneer by building the porcelain powder in the form of an aqueous slurry on an appropriate refractory investment die ( such as synvest ™ sold by jeneric / pentron incorporated of wallingford , conn .) and then firing the porcelain / die combination to 815 °- 850 ° c . to effect proper maturation of the porcelain . if desired , those skilled in the art can also use foil techniques which utilize a thin ( 0 . 001 ″) piece of platinum or other suitable foil adapted to a gypsum die to hold the porcelain in its proper geometry , remove the foil / porcelain from the gypsum die and fire as before to effect proper fusion of the porcelain . the resultant sample would be placed in the prepared cavity and would result in a smooth surface in contact with the natural dentition . further variations and modifications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing and are intended to be encompassed by the claims appended hereto .	0
the objective of the present invention is achieved by inserting durable balls into the inside of a plate - and - frame type membrane module and fluctuating or rotating the balls by means of a rotatory force of feed fluids introduced while rotating , to eliminate cake and concentration polarization layers and , thus , maintain a high rejection efficiency and permeability . more specifically , according to the present invention , when a plate - and - frame type membrane module with inserted durable balls is used to separate or fractionate solutions containing yeast , protein , starch , or dextran , this membrane module can reduce or diminish material boundary layers near the membrane surface or cake layer on the membrane surface , or prevent the formation of permeation - resistant layer in order to reduce the permeation flux of a membrane by fluctuating or rotating balls by means of the rotatory force of feed fluids introduced into the membrane module . further , a plate - and - frame type membrane module of the present invention can restrict a permeation - resistant layer in the process in which a concentration polarization layer or a cake layer is formed near the membrane surface when the membrane module fractionates a mixture of a wide range of molecular weight polymer material , different molecular weight proteins or a mixture of two or more solutes using ultrafilteration or microfiltration in accordance with the constant range of molecular weight , the kind of component or molecular size , or eliminates colloids , proteins , oil emulsion and etc . with ultrafilteration or microfiltration . the present invention provides a plate - and - frame type membrane module using vortex flow , comprising a rotatory feed fluid pipe to rotate feed fluids , while introducing said fluids through two inlets provided on opposing sides at the bottom of the membrane module , a plurality of durable balls which are inserted into the module to eliminate cake or concentration polarization layers formed on the membrane surface by fluctuating or rotating them by influx of rotated feed fluids from the inlet into the module , a pressure reduction - eliminating feed fluid pipe to remove pressure reduction within the module which is generated by the rotation of the feed fluid , and a block net screen which is provided in an intermediate portion of the module or near a outlet of a concentrated fluid so as to prevent from being swept away the durable balls . the present invention also provides a plate - and - frame type membrane module using vortex flow , comprising a rotatory feed fluid pipe to rotate feed fluids , while introducing said fluids through two inlets provided on opposing sides at the bottom of the membrane module , a distributor to uniformly provide the feed fluids from the rotated feed fluids pipe to each of a unit modules , a plurality of durable balls which are inserted into the module to eliminate cake or concentration polarization layers formed on the membrane surface by fluctuating or rotating them by influx of rotated feed fluids from the inlet into the module , and a block net screen which is provided in an intermediate portion of the module or near a outlet of a concentrated fluid so as to prevent from being swept away the durable balls . such a membrane according to the present invention will in more detail explain by attached figures for reference . [ 0034 ] fig1 shows a membrane system to demonstrate the permeation performance of a membrane equipped with a membrane module according to the present invention . more specifically , a membrane system according to the present invention stores material to be separated or fractionated , which is introduced from a process into a feed tank ( 100 ), and connects a thermostat ( 170 ) to the feed tank ( 100 ) to suitably maintain the temperature of the materials . feed fluids also are transported into a membrane module ( 140 ) through a feed fluid pipe ( 120 ), and a flow meter ( f ) is installed to measure the feed flow rate before introducing them into the membrane module ( 140 ). here , a pressure and flow rate regulator valve ( v 1 , v 4 ) can respectively be installed in a concentrated fluid pipe ( 150 ) and a by - pass pipe ( 130 ) to optionally set an operating mode . permeates that are passed through a membrane ( 200 ) are discharged through a permeate fluid pipe ( 160 ), and concentrated fluids are circulated and concentrated into the feed tank through a concentrated fluid pipe ( 150 ) or a by - pass pipe ( 130 ) and is then discharged via outlet ( 180 ). the present invention can use two types of modules , a single membrane module having a single unit , or a laminated membrane , in which the single membrane is laminated . the path providing feed fluids is slightly varied according to the type of module . first , for a single membrane module ( fig2 a , 2b , 2 c ), when in a membrane module ( see fig1 ), feed fluids are introduced through a feed fluid pipe ( 120 ) into the membrane , they are branched into a rotated feed fluid pipe ( 121 ) to fluctuate or rotate the balls ( 250 ) and a pressure reduction - eliminating feed fluid ( 122 ) to eliminate pressure reduction in the center of the membrane module , and the rotated feed fluid pipe ( 121 ) is again branched into two feed fluid pipes ( 123 and 124 ). the flux of the feed fluids in the rotated feed fluid pipe ( 121 ) and the pressure reduction - eliminating feed fluid pipe ( 122 ) is controlled by a flux regulator valve ( v 2 , v 3 ) attached to each of the pipes . the driving pressure may be represented by means of a manometer ( p ) provided in the membrane module . for a laminated membrane module ( fig3 ), a pressure reducing - eliminating feed pipe ( 122 ) is removed , but a distributor is installed on two feed fluid pipes ( 123 and 124 ) branched from the rotating feed fluids pipe ( 121 ) to uniformly supply feed fluids into each of the unit modules . the height of the module is minimized and a concentrated fluid outlet ( 300 ) is installed on the side to facilitate lamination of the unit module . the number of laminated unit modules is determined depending on the surface area of the membrane or the capacity of the feed pump to transport the feed fluids . thus , the use of the laminated membrane module according to the present invention can increase the capacity of the membrane . [ 0038 ] fig2 shows a unit membrane module equipped with a membrane . fig2 b represents the lower body of a membrane , and fig2 c represents an intermediate body including an influx path of feed fluids . the membrane ( 200 ) has the upper and lower portions protected with a non - woven fabric or polymer mesh ( 210 ), and the upper non - woven fabric protects the membrane from the fluctuation of the balls , and the lower non - woven fabric from the operating pressure . a block net screen ( 260 ) is installed in the intermediate of a separation or near a concentrated fluid outlet ( 300 ) to prevent balls present in the module from being swept away . the module is tightened by a means of bolts / nuts ( 310 abcd , 310 efgh ) to prevent a loss of pressure or feed fluids . as shown in fig2 b , an inducing groove ( 320 ) is provided in the lower body so that the feed fluids can flow smoothly . as shown in fig2 c , feed fluids are introduced from two inlets ( 230 a and 230 b ) with terminals that have nozzles so as to spray feed fluids . also , the membrane of the present invention further comprises an inlet ( 230 c ) through which the third feed fluids are introduced from an upper body of the membrane module via a pressure reduction - eliminating feed pipe ( 122 ) to remove pressure reduction in the center of the membrane which generates by obliquely spraying feed fluids in a lower portion to influx with rotating . the shape of the durable balls used in the membrane of the present invention is not specifically limited , but is preferably a complete spherical or elliptical form . the durable balls may be prepared from glass , silica or various plastics . in such cases , the durable balls have a hydraulic diameter of between 0 . 5 and 5 mm , preferably 4 mm , and the specific gravity thereof is in the range of 90 to 300 %, preferably 150 %, of that of feed fluids . also , the effective volume fraction of durable balls used in the present invention is between 0 . 01 to 0 . 5 , and preferably 0 . 12 , wherein the effective volume fraction refers to the total volume of balls that occupy the space which is available to present beneath a block net screen . thus , according to the present invention , durable balls are inserted into a membrane module , so that the flow introduced within the module is converted into a vortex flow by hydraulic property of the flow and the vortex flow results in a fluctuation or rotation of the balls present within the module , which removes any concentration polarization or cake layers that form on the membrane surface . this maintains a permeation flux without impairing the quality of the permeate fluid . further , the new plate - and - frame type membrane module with inserted durable balls using vortex flow according to the present invention is economically very advantageous since no additional apparatuses are required other than a block net screen to prevent the balls from being swept away , and said module substitutes conventional processes , by fluctuating or rotating balls present within a module by a means of rotating force of feed fluids introduced into a module . the examples below illustrate the present invention in detail , but the invention is not limited to the scope thereof . the membrane module system of fig1 was equipped with a single membrane module according to fig2 and then the permeate flux and rejection of dextran were measured from 2 , 000 ppm of aqueous solution of dextran having molecular weight of 260 , 000 . polysulfone ultrafiltration having molecular weight cut - off of 300 , 000 was used as a plate - and - frame type membrane . the membrane module which inserted 500 glass balls having a diameter of 4 mm , a mean weight of 0 . 08 g and a specific gravity of 2 . 39 ( 239 % of the specific gravity of feed fluids ). the effective volume fraction of glass balls is 0 . 119 . the experiment was performed at 1 . 6 atm of operating pressure and about 41 / mim of flux of feed fluid at room temperature . to compare an improvement in a permeate flux and rejection , this example was carried out for 1 hour in each of the cases using the same membrane modules , which are dead - end type without flowing , vortex flow type which is under vortex flow without glass balls , and balls - inserted type with vortex flow , respectively . the comparative results are shown in fig4 a , which represents a change in the permeate flux of the filtration time ; and fig4 b , which represents a rejection and permeability of the module types . here , the concentration of feed fluids is a value that is obtained by measuring the turbidity of each concentration by means of a turbidimeter , which gives a turbidimeter calibration . also , a rejection is obtained from the following formula : ( 1 − the concentration of permeate fluids / the concentration of feed fluids )× 100 , and a permeability is obtained from permeate flux / operating pressure . as shown in this example , the case in which the glass balls are inserted has a permeate flux two time higher than that of the case without the inserted glass balls , and it has a permeate flux about three times higher than that of the dead - end type . also , the rejection of the case in which the glass balls were inserted only slightly decreased compared with a dead - end type . this example carried out in the same manner as the process of example 1 , except that membrane system was equipped with single membrane module according to fig2 with varying the number of balls to be inserted as 250 , 500 , 750 , 1500 . tables 1 and 2 show effects of effective volume fraction of glass balls on a permeate flux and rejection , respectively . here , an effective volume fraction of glass balls was 0 . 059 , 0119 , 0 . 178 and 0 . 356 , respectively . the permeate flux increased until the effective volume fraction was 0 . 119 . rejection has greatest value when the fraction was 0 . 059 . also , in cases where glass balls were not inserted ( i . e ., an effective volume fraction of 0 ), a permeate flux at 60 minutes after experiment decreased to a degree of about 40 %, compared with 5 minutes after the experiment . however , in the case with glass balls inserted , a permeate flux decreased to less than 20 % over most of filtration times , and thus it was possible to operate for a long time . this example was carried out in the same manner as the process of example 1 , except that the membrane system was equipped with a single membrane module according to fig2 wherein 500 balls were inserted , with a varied feed flow rate of 0 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 l / min respectively . tables 3 and 4 show effects of feed flow rate on permeate flux ( 1 / hr - m 2 ) and rejection , respectively . this example demonstrated that the more feed flow rate increased , the more a performance of the membrane module increased . thus , not considering power costs , it is preferable to operate a membrane module at a high feed flow rate . this example carried out in the same manner as the process of example 1 , with the exception that it is equipped with a laminated membrane module in fig3 as a membrane system of fig1 . this example used a laminated membrane module which laminated five unit module , where an effective volume fraction of glass balls inserted into each of unit modules was 0 . 119 , and flow rate of feed solution introduced into each of unit modules was 3 . 5 to 4 . 5 l / min . as a result , this example provided a similar result to glass balls inserted type of example 1 , and showed that integrated permeate flux of five of unit membrane module was about five times that a unit membrane module . thus , it is possible to scale up a membrane of the present invention according to a treatment capacity and a capacity of feeding pump . to compare an performance of plate - and - frame type membrane module in examples 1 to 3 with inserted durable balls , this example carried out for 1 hour in each of cases using the same membrane module , except for dead - end type without flowing , vortex flow type which under vortex flow without glass balls , and balls - inserted type with vortex flow , respectively . the result showed as comparative data in examples 1 to 3 . the present invention is directed to a plate - and - frame type membrane module inserted durable balls using vortex flow , and the membrane module can reduce concentration polarization , cake or gel layer and membrane fouling which generally occur in processes using plate - and - frame type membrane . therefore , the plate - and - frame type membrane module of the present invention is used to effectively separate and / or fractionate the highly concentrated solutions , in particular in the food and biological industry , and thus it can widely be applied , regardless of the type of membranes , such as reverse osmosis , ultrafiltration , microfiltration , etc .	1
referring now to the figures , fig1 a and 1b depict side views of a substrate 10 having a thin film or thin film stack ( hereinafter “ stack ” or “ stack of material ”) 12 on a surface of the substrate 10 . in fig1 a , a portion of the stack 12 on the outer edge 15 of the wafer has been removed , e . g ., with edge bead removal ( ebr ), as is typical for films applied from wet solution by spinning . in fig1 b , stack 12 extends to the beveled edge region 16 of the substrate , as is typical for chemical - vapor - deposited ( cvd ) films . stack 12 may comprise , e . g ., silicon dioxide , silicon nitride , silicon carbide , organo - silicate glasses ( osg ), organic polymer - based materials , methyl - silsesquioxane ( msq ) based materials , all of which can be dense or porous , or metallic films . moreover , stack 12 may include any number of layers / films ( i . e ., one or more ), comprising one or more materials . substrate 10 may comprise , e . g ., a silicon wafer , a stack of thin films , etc . as noted above , during cmp , significant stress occurs at edge bead 14 of the stack 12 ( fig1 a ), as well as at a beveled edge region 16 ( fig1 b ). in either case , this causes the stack 12 to delaminate . furthermore , certain processing steps , especially dry etching , tend to leave residue at the edge region of the substrate 10 . the present invention addresses these problems by restricting a treatment to only an outer edge area of the substrate 10 . in particular , the treatment may result in a modification , e . g ., densification , of only the stack 12 around the outer edge region . thus , any detrimental effects of the treatment are limited to an extreme edge area of the wafer , thereby not impacting the performance of the final fabricated chip devices on a central portion of the substrate 10 . described below are several embodiments for implementing the invention . note that while the embodiments discussed below are described for the case shown in fig1 a in which a portion of the stack 12 on the outer edge 15 of the wafer has been removed , the invention may be applied to , inter alia , the case described in fig1 b in which stack 12 extends to the beveled edge region 16 . fig2 depicts a first embodiment for implementing the invention . namely , as shown in fig2 , a protective film 18 is first placed onto the stack 12 in order to protect the central portion of the substrate 10 and stack 12 , so that only the outer edge region of the substrate 10 and stack 12 are exposed . protective film 18 may comprise , e . g ., a photoresist layer such as those applied in commercial 356 nm ( i - line ) implant resist systems , or another protective layer . a portion of the protective film 18 is then removed , either by edge bead removal ( ebr ) or other techniques , such as conventional lithographic patterning . the removed portion of the protective film 18 is large enough to expose an outside edge region of the stack 12 and the substrate 10 . for example , for a spin - on film with an ebr distance of 2 mm , the ebr distance for the protective layer 18 will be greater than 2 mm , e . g ., 3 mm , exposing a 1 mm ring of film at the outer substrate edge . next a plasma 20 ( or effluent of the plasma ) is delivered by a plasma device 22 onto the substrate 10 and stack 12 ( shown by downward arrows ). protective film 18 restricts exposure of the plasma 20 to only the outer edge region of the substrate 10 and the outer edge of thin film 12 . thus , the central portion of both the substrate 10 and stack 12 are not treated . subsequently , protective film 18 can be removed using any known methodology . note that the treatment of the outer edge region may simply comprise a cleaning operation . a cleaning of the substrate 10 can be effectuated using the techniques described herein , e . g ., if the removed portion of the protective layer 18 is not large enough to expose the stack 12 , thus allowing , e . g ., cleaning of the substrate edge without impacting the stack 12 . fig3 depicts a second embodiment in which a small area plasma device 24 is provided for delivering plasma 26 to a localized area along an outer edge region ( shown by downward arrows ) of substrate 10 and stack 12 . fig4 and 5 depict illustrative alternatives for implementing this embodiment , both being shown as top views . in fig4 , small area plasma device 24 sits above a portion of an outer edge region of substrate 10 . when the substrate 10 is rotated , as shown by directional arrows , the entire outer circumferential region of both substrate 10 and stack 12 is treated . the central portion of both substrate 10 and stack 12 remain untreated . fig5 depicts an alternative embodiment in which a plasma generating ring 26 is placed above the substrate 10 such that it covers the entire outer regions of both substrate 10 and stack 12 . again , the central portion of the substrate 10 remains untreated . note that depending on the specific requirements , plasma device 24 or plasma ring 26 may extend over the beveled edge 16 . any type of plasma and / or plasma device that will cause a reaction that leads to the desired surface modifications , such as densification and hardening of the treated surface , changes in the chemical composition of the surfaces , e . g ., oxidation or nitridation , removal of some exposed material , or cleaning , may be utilized . for instance , an rf plasma may be generated with a metallic electrode , and gases typically used in the field , such as argon , oxygen or nitrogen . fig6 depicts a further embodiment of a system for treating an outer edge region of both a substrate 10 and stack 12 using a wet chemistry solution . in this case , a chemical bath 28 is provided that receives an outside edge of both the wafer 10 and film 12 . a rotating device 30 is then used to rotate wafer 10 such that the entire outer perimeter of wafer 10 and stack 12 pass through the bath 28 . alternatively , the chemical solution could be dispensed through a nozzle over the outer edge region of substrate 10 as the substrate 10 rotates . an additional protective layer ( e . g ., photoresist ) may be utilized , such as that described above with respect to fig2 , to protect the central region of the substrate 10 . fig7 depicts an alternative embodiment in which a brush 40 have a dispensing channel 42 is utilized to process , i . e ., treat or clean , an edge portion of the wafer . in this embodiment , either the wafer or the brush 40 may be rotated to effectuate processing along the edge . as shown , the brush may extend around of the edge of the wafer to process the top , side and bottom . alternatively , the brush may be configured to just process part ( e . g ., a top surface ) of the edge portion . a protective layer 18 may or may not be utilized . a treatment fluid ( i . e ., chemicals ) may be dispensed via channel 42 ( or via any other type of dispensing system ) as part of the process . suitable chemicals for the above operations may include , e . g ., an oxidizing agent such as h 2 o 2 , hmds ( hexamethyldisilazane ), an acid , a base , an organic solvent , an inorganic solvent , or commercial chemicals , such as ap6000 . moreover , the chemical solution can be dispensed in any manner ( in addition to that described above ) such that only an outer edge region of both the wafer 10 and film 12 are affected . furthermore , the chemical solution may be applied under supercritical conditions . the foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description . it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form 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 this invention as defined by the accompanying claims .	7
referring to fig1 the reference numeral 10 refers , in general , to an automatic volume control system according to embodiments of the present invention . the automatic volume control system 10 comprises a microphone 12 , an analog - to - digital ( a / d ) converter 14 , an analog - to - digital ( a / d ) converter 17 , and a digital signal processor (&# 34 ; dsp &# 34 ;) 16 . the automatic volume control system 10 connects to and controls a conventional audio system 25 ( shown in phantom ). the microphone 12 electrically communicates to the a / d converter 14 an analog ambient sound signal 11 . the a / d converter 14 electrically communicates to the dsp 16 a digital ambient sound signal 13 which is a digital representation of the information represented by the analog ambient sound signal 11 . the dsp 16 electrically communicates to the conventional audio system 25 a gain level signal 19 which varies the audio volume level of the conventional audio system 25 to compensate for variations in ambient noise in the environment in which the conventional audio system 25 is played . the conventional audio system 25 includes an audio amplifier ( amp ) 18 , a speaker 20 , a manual volume control 22 , and a sound source 24 . the sound source 24 maybe any of a variety of sound output devices , such as , for example , a radio tuner , a television tuner , an audio tape player , or some other device . the manual volume control 22 is connected to the conventional audio system 25 and controls the volume level of the amplified sound that is output by the conventional audio system 25 , in a conventional manner . the signal source 24 electrically communicates to the amp 18 a signal output 15 of the signal source 24 . the amp 18 electrically communicates to the speaker 20 an amplified output 21 of the amp 18 . the amp 18 electrically communicates to the a / d converter 17 of the automatic volume control system 10 the amplified output 21 . a digital amplified output 23 of the a / d converter 17 is electrically communicated to the dsp 16 . in operation , the microphone 12 receives the total ambient sound , including the amplified sound that is output by the speaker 20 of the automatic volume control system 10 and environmental noise , from an environment in which the amplified sound is projected through the speaker 20 . in the example of a car stereo employing the automatic volume control system 10 , the microphone 12 is positioned to receive the total ambient sound , including stereo sound and environmental noise , from an interior of a car in which the conventional audio system 25 is playing . the microphone 12 receives the total ambient sound , including stereo sound and environmental noise , from the environment and converts the total ambient sound to the analog ambient sound signal 11 . the microphone 12 delivers the analog ambient sound signal 11 to the a / d converter 14 . the a / d converter 14 converts the analog ambient sound signal 11 to a digital ambient sound signal 13 and delivers the digital ambient sound signal 13 to the dsp 16 . the dsp 16 also receives the digital amplified output signal 23 , which is the digital representation of the amplified output signal 21 from the conventional audio system 25 . as such , the digital amplified output signal 23 is , of course , indicative of the gain level of the amp 18 . the dsp 16 processes the digital ambient sound signal 13 and the digital amplified output signal 23 to determine a signal - to - noise ratio according to the following formula : signal - to - noise ratio =( amplified output signal 21 )/[( digital ambient noise signal 13 ) - ( amplified output signal 21 )]. based on the signal - to - noise ratio , the dsp 16 selectively determines and outputs the gain level signal 19 . in operation , the dsp 16 initially determines a ratio of the digital amplified output signal 23 to the environmental noise ( i . e ., the environmental noise is calculated by the dsp 16 as the digital ambient sound signal 13 minus the digital amplified output signal 23 , as just previously described ) at a point in time soon after power - up of the automatic audio control system 10 and initial adjustment of volume level , via the manual volume control 22 by the listener , of the amplified sound that is output by the conventional audio system 25 to the environment . the dsp 16 thereafter again at subsequent times determines the signal - to - noise ratio according to the formula and , based on a comparison of the then - determined signal - to - noise ratio to the initially - determined signal - to - noise ratio , varies the gain level signal 19 to the amp 18 . the gain level signal 19 to the amp 18 causes the amp 18 to adjust amplification , either by increasing , decreasing , or maintaining the then - current amplification level , depending on the particular magnitude of the gain level signal 19 . the variation of the gain level signal 19 by the dsp 16 serves to , over time , maintain the determined signal - to - noise ratio relatively constant . referring to fig2 a method 29 of operation of the dsp 16 of the automatic volume control system 10 comprises several steps . in a first step 30 , the automatic volume control system 10 is powered on , for example , at the same time that the conventional audio system 25 is powered on . once powered on , the volume level of the sound output by the conventional audio system 25 is typically varied by the listener , such as via the manual volume control 22 . alternatively , the listener may be satisfied that the volume level on power up is satisfactory and the volume level is not varied by the listener . in such an instance , an initial time period passes during which the volume level is not varied via the manual volume control 22 . in any case , an initial ambient sound level is sensed by the microphone 12 of the automatic volume control system 10 . the initial ambient sound level sensed by the microphone is the sound from the conventional audio system 25 plus environmental noise actually sensed by the microphone 12 . when the ambient sound level is sensed by the microphone 12 , the microphone 12 passes to the a / d converter 14 the analog ambient sound signal 11 corresponding to the ambient sound level . at the a / d converter 14 , the analog ambient sound signal 11 is converted to a digital ambient noise signal 13 . a second step 32 and a third step 34 are simultaneously performed . in the second step 32 and the third step 34 , the dsp 16 , respectively , receives the digital ambient noise signal 13 from the a / d converter 14 and receives the digital amplified output signal 23 which is output by the a / d converter 17 on digital conversion of the amplified output signal 21 which is output by the amp 18 . in a fourth step 36 , the dsp 16 processes the digital ambient sound signal 13 and the digital amplified output signal 23 . in the processing , the dsp 16 determines and saves an initial ratio value that corresponds to the ratio of the digital amplified output signal 23 to the digital ambient noise signal 13 minus the digital amplified output signal 23 ( i . e ., the initially determined signal - to - noise ratio , previously described ). a fifth step 38 and sixth step 40 are simultaneously performed . in the fifth step 38 , the dsp 16 again receives the digital ambient sound signal 13 . the dsp 16 simultaneously receives the digital amplified output signal 23 in the sixth step 40 . in a seventh step 42 , the dsp 16 again processes the digital ambient sound signal 13 and the digital amplified output signal 23 . in the processing , the dsp 16 determines an actual ratio value that corresponds to the ratio of the digital amplified output signal 23 to the digital ambient sound signal 13 minus the digital amplified output signal 23 , each then - received . the dsp 16 , in an eighth step 44 , compares the actual ratio value to the initial ratio value . in a ninth step 46 , the dsp 16 calculates an amplification gain factor indicative of the results of the comparison of the eighth step 44 . in a tenth step 48 , the dsp 16 outputs to the amp 18 the gain level signal 19 . if the actual ratio value differs from the initial ratio value , the dsp 16 outputs the gain level signal 19 that corresponds to the difference . for example , the gain level signal 19 is unchanged if the actual ratio value is the same as the initial ratio value . if the actual ratio value is higher than the initial ratio value , however , the gain level signal 19 is reduced . if , on the other hand , the actual ratio value is lower than the initial ratio value , the gain level signal 19 is increased . in an eleventh step 50 , the conventional audio system 25 indicates to the dsp 16 whether or not any adjustment to volume level of the conventional audio system 25 is made , for example , by the listener via the manual volume control 22 . if an adjustment is so made , the method 29 returns to steps two 32 and three 34 to again determine the initial ratio value in step four 36 based on the digital amplified output signal 23 and the digital ambient noise signal 13 then received by the dsp 16 . if an adjustment to the volume is not made , the method 20 returns to steps five 38 and six 40 to again determine the actual ratio value based on the digital amplified output signal 23 and the digital ambient noise signal 13 then - currently received by the dsp 16 and the initial ratio value originally determined on power up in step 30 . as those skilled in the art will know and appreciate , several variables may be varied in the method 29 . for instance , the timing and details of determination of the initial ratio value may be varied . a suitable arrangement for the determinations are that the initial ratio value is determined within half a minute after power - on of the conventional audio system 25 . such a time period allows the conventional audio system 25 to reach its full operational potential and gives the listener time to perform the manual adjustment of the volume level of the sound output . also , the cycle time at which the actual ratio value is determined may vary according to desired results . for example , it may be preferable that the volume adjustment by the dsp 16 operation be relatively infrequent , such as every five seconds . of course , the frequency of volume adjustment is optimally varied with a frequency that is suitable to the listener . further , various possibilities are presented for the operation of the dsp 16 to output the gain level signal 19 in response to the results of the comparison in the eighth step 44 . for example , the dsp 16 , in one arrangement , responds to the comparison by outputting as the gain level signal 19 a signal corresponding to the then - determined actual ratio value . whereas , alternatively , the gain level signal 19 could be varied only if the difference between the initial ratio value and the actual ratio value exceeds a certain value , if a given period of time has passed since a prior variation in the gain level signal 19 , if the difference between the initial ratio value and the actual ratio value is maintained for a given period , and if other conditions are present , as desired . in every event , however , a result of the automatic volume control system 10 and the method 29 is that the volume level output by the speaker 20 of the conventional audio system 25 will automatically adjust so that the audio output will always be comfortably heard by the listener at what seems to be a relatively consistent intensity above any noise from the environment . although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described , a latitude of modification , change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure , and in certain instances , some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features . for example , the present invention can be combined for use with a television audio / video system . furthermore , the dsp 16 can be replaced with discrete processing circuits . even more , comparisons made to determine adjustment to be made to volume level may be made of other variables or ratios , for example , noise - to - signal ratios could alternatively be determined and compared with opposite adjustments to volume being made based on the results of the comparison , as those skilled in the art will know and appreciate . finally , additional circuits and features may be added to the illustrative embodiments without altering the scope of the invention . accordingly , it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention .	7
with reference to the figures , the plant comprises a plurality of conveyor channels 6 arranged parallel to each other and full of water ; the conveyor channels 6 , by means of movement of the water contained in them , transport the fruit 9 to a collection zone 2 arranged at one end of the conveyor channels 6 . a water well 4 is envisaged , behind the collection zone and arranged perpendicularly to the conveyor channels 6 . by the side of the conveyor channels 6 and parallel to them is a loading conveyor 7 which transports empty bins 1 : the loading conveyor 7 reaches the water well 4 at a loading zone 5 of the empty bins 1 . on the opposite side of the loading zone 5 with respect to the loading conveyor 7 , a bin unloading conveyor 8 is envisaged ; the loading zone 5 thus functions as a loading zone for empty bins and an unloading zone for full bins . the loading and unloading planes of the loading conveyor 7 and the unloading conveyor 8 are located at a higher level than the free surface level of the water . raising means are envisaged in the loading zone 5 , which means comprise a frame 16 , arranged parallel to the free surface of the water , which frame 16 is raised and lowered by means of hydraulic jacks ; during the empty bin loading phase and the full bin unloading phase , which phase is performed by means of pushing means of known type , the loading plane of the frame 16 is arranged at the same level as the loading planes of the loading conveyor 7 and the unloading conveyor 8 . the plant comprises at least one bell 3 arranged over the water well 4 with its axis perpendicular to the water well 4 itself and which can be moved axially , along a system of vertical guides 15 in which a plurality of sliding elements solid to the bell 3 are constrained to move , in such a way that the open end of the said bell 3 is brought , according to the various operative phases of the plant , which will be more fully described below , above or below the free surface level of the water ; the bell 3 is substantially perpendicular prism - shaped and exhibits a base that , for reasons that will better emerge hereinunder , is superimposable on the base of the bins 1 . transport means are also envisaged , usually constituted by bucket conveyors 20 and in any case by known type conveyors , which take the fruit from the collection zone and insert it , by immersing it in the water , under the bell 3 when the bell 3 open end is below the free surface of the water . aspirating means , which comprise a pump 10 , are positioned on the bell 3 , which aspirating means on command aspirate the air from the inside of the bell 3 . the bell 3 can be moved along the water well 4 so as to be positioned , on command , at a collection zone or at a loading zone ; in order to allow such movement the vertical guide system which supports the bell 3 is anchored to horizontal guides 12 arranged above the water well 4 . the plant of the invention is completely automatized and is equipped with command means , of electronic type and in any case of known type , which allow the plant itself to function according to successive operative phases which will be described below . the operation starts from a situation in which a bell 3 is in proximity to a collection zone , with its free end slightly below the free surface level of the water and where a bin 1 is sunk below the water surface level in the loading zone ; the frame 16 of the lifting means is obviously below the bin 1 . also obviously , empty bins 1 are positioned on the loading conveyor 7 . the transport means begin to collect fruit from the collection zone and to bring them to a position below the bell 3 ; contemporaneously the pump 10 begins to aspirate air from the inside of the bell 3 . following the depression which is created internally to the bell 3 , the water level inside the bell 3 rises with respect to the free surface level ; therefore also the fruit , which is floating on the water , rises internally to the bell 3 . it is thus possible to obtain quite a thick layer of fruit without having to immerse the open end of the bell 3 to a great depth below the surface of the water ; the immersion of the free end of the bell 3 under the said free water surface serves only to create a seal against the outside ; the immersion could thus be restricted to only a very limited depth . once the desired quantity of fruit has been inserted under the bell 3 , the bell 3 itself is moved along the horizontal guides 12 up until it arrives in the loading zone superior to the immersed bin 1 . by raising the frame 16 by means of the lifting means , the bin 1 rises , meets the end of the bell 3 and pushes the bell 3 upwards , which bell 3 slides along its vertical guides 15 ; contemporaneously a breather pipe on the bell 3 is opened so as to allow air to enter into the bell 3 itself . following the raising of the bell 3 , but especially following the entrance of the air into the bell 3 , which brings the liquid level inside the bell 3 back to the free surface level of the water in the water well 4 , the fruit contained in the bell 3 is deposited inside the bin 1 . the lifting stops when the frame 16 plane is at the same level as the loading planes of the conveyors 7 and 8 ; in the said situation , the bin , and consequently also the bell 3 , are completely above the free surface of the water . a further small lifting of the frame 16 is effected , as normally happens in known art plants , so as further to lift the bell 3 up until it reaches hooking means which make the bell 3 solid with the vertical guides 15 , and which free the bell 3 from the bin 1 ; successively , an analogous movement of the bin 1 in a contrary direction is made so that it is brought back into the preceding position . at this point , while the bell 3 is newly made to slide along the horizontal guides to bring it back in proximity to a collection zone and to put it back into a position to receive fruit , the pushing means push an empty bin 1 on to the frame 16 ; the empty bin 1 causes the expulsion of the full bin 1 from the frame 16 , which full bin 1 is then carried away from the plant . at this point the frame 16 is lowered until it brings the empty bin 1 into a completely immersed position and the cycle recommences ; hooking devices of known type are envisaged between the frame 16 and the bin 1 in order to prevent the bin 1 from floating in the water . it should be noted that the fact that it is possible to immerse the bell 3 up to only a very small depth below the free surface of the water permits the unproblematic horizontal movement of the bell 3 along the water well , which was not possible , or at least was very problematic in plants of known type . in the plant illustrated in the figures , two tanks are indicated , between which is positioned a line for loading and unloading the bins 1 ; two bells 3 are also indicated , which , alternatively , are brought into the collection zone of the relative channel or into the loading and unloading zones of the bins 1 , each repeating the above - described phases ; this considerably increases the operative speed of the plant since the filling phase of the bells 3 , which is halved , is the phase requiring the most time . it is also evident that , given the ability of the bell 3 to move along the water well , each bell 3 can be used to operate on numerous tanks situated side - by - side . it is also obviously possible to realise complex plants , equipped with various bin loading and unloading zones , with bins arriving which receive fruit each of numerous tanks ; this is because the operative process of the various elements composing the plant allow considerable possibility of choice in the design of the plants themselves . finally it is specified that all of the mechanical devices , such as conveyors , lifters , stops , guides etc . have not been described in detail herein since they are all of known type and can be differently conformed ; the plant &# 39 ; s novelty does not lie in the particular conformation of the said devices , but in their special combination and interaction .	1
referring more specifically to the drawings , our improved bridge deck vibration system for conventional trusses is generally designated by reference numeral 25 in fig1 - 6 . in the preferred embodiment , the vibration system 25 fits on the top of a conventional finishing truss 30 used to finish bridge decks and the like . a conventional truss 30 comprises several independent sections 32 that are typically coupled together to form the truss 30 at the construction site . since the sections 32 are commonly available 8 , 10 and 12 foot lengths , the overall length of truss 30 may thus be adapted to satisfy on - site parameters . in other words , the truss 30 is usually configured to conform to the specific bridge or other structure under construction . a conventional truss 30 also employs a pair of spaced apart end stanchions 34 to support it above a work area 44 . generally , the stanchions 34 are coupled to the outermost truss sections . the stanchions 34 are normally equipped with motorized wheels that move the truss 30 along a pair of spaced apart tubes 36 that typically bound the construction site 40 longitudinally . as the truss 30 traverses the tubes 36 , a finishing paver 38 laterally traverses the work area 44 beneath the truss 30 to smooth and screed the plastic concrete 42 thereunder as indicated by arrows 20 38a , 38b in fig1 ). our new vibration system 25 is adapted to be deployed on top of a conventional truss 30 with minimal truss alteration . the system 25 comprises a propulsion assembly 45 that supports and powers a vibration assembly 110 . preferably , the vibration assembly 1 10 vibrates the unconsolidated plastic concrete 44 adjacent the front of the truss 30 prior to paver finishing . however , other types of assemblies could be used with propulsion assembly 45 to otherwise work on concrete 42 . the propulsion assembly 45 traverses the truss from one end 31a to the opposite end 31b during use ( as indicated by arrows 46 , 47 in fig1 ). the propulsion assembly 45 comprises a pair of spaced apart rails 50 and a mobile carriage 70 . the rails 50 cooperatively form a lengthwise or lateral path across the top of truss 30 extending from end 31a to end 31b . the rails 50 support a mobile carriage 70 that traverses the path between ends 31a , 31b . preferably , carriage 70 is self - propelled and radio controlled so that the system 25 can be manipulated by a remote operator . each rail 50 comprises a plurality of elongated segments 52 coextensively surmounting the entire length of truss 30 ( fig1 and 3 ). each rail segment 52 is placed on the top of an individual section cross - beam 33 so that each segment end 54 abuts an adjacent segment end 54a to make each rail 50 continuous from end 31a to end 31b ( as best shown in fig1 and 3 ). each segment 52 is anchored to each section 32 adjacent both segment ends 54 by a bracket 56 . bracket 56 is conventionally secured to each segment 52 adjacent each end 54 by bolts 57 and nuts 57a or in another conventional manner ( fig3 and 4 ). each bracket 56 comprises a transverse support 58 that installs on top of cross - member 33 through hole 33a via a threaded stud 59 and nut 59a or with other conventional methods . thus , rails 50 may be easily and quickly installed on top of a conventional truss 30 with minimal alteration of the truss 30 . each rail segment 52 defines an exterior runway 60 that establishes a route for carriage movement along each rail 50 . each segment 52 also defines an interior channel 62 that houses a linked rack 64 . rack 64 ensures that carriage 70 moves positively as it traverses the rails 50 . each rack 64 is secured adjacent the truss ends 31a , 31b by an anchoring bracket 65 . preferably , anchoring bracket 65 may be quickly coupled to the rail segments adjacent the interiors of stanchions 34 . carriage 70 comprises an undercarriage 72 supporting an tipper platform 90 . undercarriage 72 comprises a rigid parallelepiped frame 74 that spans rails 50 . several wheels 76 are secured to the bottom of frame 74 by elongated tabs 75 . wheels 76 support frame 74 above the rails 50 and at least two wheels 76 ride in each runway 60 to maintain carriage orientation and alignment during movement . preferably , a hydraulic motor 78 selectively propels undercarriage 72 . motor 78 turns a sprocketed drive axle 80 via a drive chain 79 . as carriage 70 approaches truss ends 31a or 31b , a travel limit switch 77 is tripped by bracket 65 to stop carriage movement . drive axle 80 extends between the front and back of frame 74 and it is supported by pillow bearings in plates 82 , 84 adjacent the front and back of frame 74 . the drive axle 80 turns a rotary transducer 81 as well as terminal drive pinions 86 . the rotary transducer 81 sends information to the control panel , as is discussed more fully hereinafter . each linked rack 64 is entrained about a drive pinion 86 and idler sprockets 85 and 87 . thus , as drive axle 80 is turned by motor 78 , rack 64 is effectively pulled under sprockets 85 and 87 and over pinion 86 to positively move carriage 70 along rails 50 . the tipper platform 90 mounts directly on top of frame 74 . in the preferred embodiment , the upper platform 90 extends rearwardly past frame 74 so that an offset 95 is established to counterbalance the vibration assembly 110 . upper platform 90 supports the engine 92 , batteries 93 , radiator 94 , generator 96 , hydraulic fluid reservoir 98 , control panel 100 , a manifold 102 and a hydraulic pump 104 . preferably , the batteries 93 , radiator 94 and pump 104 are placed in the offset area 95 to counterbalance a portion of the torsion produced by the weight of the vibration assembly ii 0 . of course , additional weights could be added to increase the effective counterbalance produced in the offset 95 to further reduce the torsion produced by the vibration assembly 1 10 if desirable . a coupling hitch 105 protrudes outwardly from the platform 90 opposite offset 95 . the hitch 105 comprises a yoke 106 secured to platform 90 and a receiver 108 secured to the vibration assembly 110 . preferably , yoke 106 can be quick - coupled to receiver 108 via conventional nuts and bolts or in another suitable fashion . thus , the propulsion system 45 supports the vibration assembly 110 in front of the truss 30 so that the plastic concrete 42 immediately adjacent the truss 30 may be consolidated and densified . vibration assembly 110 comprises an elevator 120 and a gang of vibrators 140 . the elevator 120 vertically displaces the gang of vibrators 140 ( as indicated by arrows 111a , 111b in fig1 ) between a deployed position ( shown in fig1 and 3 ) and a retracted position ( shown in fig2 and 6 ). the elevator 120 comprises a superstructure 122 secured to the receiver 108 . the superstructure 122 captivates a hydraulic cylinder 124 between two hollow sleeves 126 , 128 . the sleeves 126 , 128 receive guide arms 127 , 129 . when actuated , the ram 125 moves into or out of cylinder 124 to vertically displace the gang of vibrators 140 . a pair of spaced apart electric quick - plug switches 130 , 132 limit the travel of ram 125 between an uppermost and lowermost position via an elongated trip rod 134 . a guidance tab 136 along with sleeves 126 , 128 and arms 127 , 129 ensure that the gang of vibrators 140 remains aligned with the elevator 120 . a plate 138 is secured by the arms 127 , 129 and the cylinder ram 125 to the top of gang of vibrators 140 by bolts and nuts or the like to connect the elevator 120 to the gang 140 . the gang of vibrators 140 comprises an elongated frame 142 that is spaced apart from and parallel to the front of truss 30 . the frame 142 suspends a plurality of elongated pendulous vibrators 145 that extend downwardly therefrom . when actuated , these pendulous vibrators 145 rapidly undulate in the plastic concrete 42 , as will be discussed more fully hereinafter . while the pendulous vibrators 145 may be driven by any conventional method , a particularly efficient configuration is to use a hydraulic motor 146 to drive a split output axle 148 that drives multiple pendulous vibrators 145 via individual pendulous vibrator gearboxes 144 . preferably the motors 146 and the elevator cylinder 124 all use hydraulic quick couplings to facilitate coupling of vibration assembly 110 to propulsion assembly 45 . the most efficient known drive alignment is to configure the pendulous vibrators 145 in banks of four per motor 146 and axle 148 . in other words , a hydraulic motor 146 turns a split output axle 148 that intersects and drives four gearboxes 144 that each drive a pendulous vibrator 145 . preferably , the gearboxes 144 are right angle gear boxes with output shafts 152 driven by axle 148 and driving the succeeding portion of axle 148 . preferably , hydraulic motors 146 rotate at approximately 2800 - 3800 rpm &# 39 ; s . thus , output shaft 152 turns the internal drive shaft of each vibrator 145 at a corresponding rate . the preferred pendulous vibrators used in system 25 are manufactured by iskco , ltd ., located in north little rock , ark . the internal pendulous of these vibrators strike the vibrator tip 145a three times for every input revolution to effectively triple the vibrator revolutions produced by the vibrator 145 . in other words , an input of 3600 rpm &# 39 ; s produces an effective vibratory rate of 10 , 800 rpm &# 39 ; s . thus , as a result of this tripling effect , our system 25 can employ a twenty horsepower engine to drive 16 pendulous vibrators requiring three quarter horsepower apiece and the other associated machinery without supplemental power being required . furthermore , in the preferred embodiment , each pendulous vibrator 145 quick couples to a power transferor 150 affixed to each gearbox output shaft 152 . a quick - coupling end 145b inserts into a conventional ball detent coupler in transferor end 154 . of course , other configurations with differing numbers of motors , axles , gearboxes and pendulous vibrators are possible and intended to be within the scope of this disclosure . the vibration system 25 is used to finish plastic concrete 42 adjacent the front of the truss 30 . the system 25 preferably uses multiple pendulous vibrators 145 to vibrate the concrete 42 to consolidate and densify it . in use , the engine 92 powers system 25 by driving a hydraulic pump 104 that provides pressurized fluids to the motor 78 and vibration assembly 110 to energize the system 25 . used fluids are cooled by an air - to - liquid heat exchanger 94 . the schematic for the hydraulic routing and controls is seen in fig7 . preferably , all internal combustion engine 210 turns the adjacent triple pump 220 at a rate in the range of 2800 to 3800 rpm &# 39 ; s . the associated reservoir 230 provides sufficient fluids to ensure proper pump operation and output into lines 240 , 280 and 320 ( preferably at a rate of 4 . 2 , 8 and 8 rpm respectively ). output line 240 supplies a manifold 250 that controls the hydraulic lift cylinder 260 and propulsion motor 270 . after line 240 enters manifold 250 , a safety line 242 branches therefrom and proceeds to a safety relief valve 243 and thence to the manifold return line 252 . the output line 240 also branches again into lines 251 to unload valve 253 and supply line 261 for the cylinder before terminating at supply line 274 for the propulsion motor 270 . supply line 261 flows to a directional solenoid valve 262 that controls lift cylinder 260 . if the cylinder is to extend , fluids flow under pressure through line 264 to cylinder 260 through flow control valve 265 while fluids leave cylinder 260 through line 266 through flow control valve 267 . the process reverses when the cylinder retracts . a holding valve 268 maintains cylinder position when there is no flow . solenoid exit line 263 permits fluid flow from solenoid 262 into manifold exit line 252 . supply line 274 flows to a directional solenoid valve 272 that controls motor 270 . if the motor is to move the carriage in one direction , fluids flow under pressure through line 274 and pressure compensated flow control valve 275 to motor 270 while fluids leave motor 270 through line 276 and pressure compensated flow control valve 277 . hydraulic cam valves 278 , 279 control fluid flow to motor 270 to control acceleration and deceleration . fluid flow is reversed to move the carriage oppositely . solenoid exit line 273 permits fluid flow from solenoid 272 into manifold exit line 252 . output lines 280 and 320 supply the gang vibrator motors 290 , 300 and 330 , 340 respectively . line 280 branches into lines 282 running through relief valve 284 and line 286 running through check valve 288 . line 280 terminates at line 292 , the supply line for motor 290 . fluids exit motor 290 via line 294 and enter motor 300 . fluids exit motor 300 via exit line 310 . when the motors 290 and 300 are off , fluids exit via check valve 288 and line 286 . line 286 intersects return line 305 . fluids in line 305 are routed through solenoid 360 , as discussed hereinafter . exit line 310 intersects exit line 350 . line 320 branches into lines 322 running through relief valve 324 and line 326 running through check valve 328 . line 320 terminates at line 332 , the supply line for motor 330 . fluids exit motor 330 via line 334 and enter motor 340 . fluids exit motor 340 via exit line 350 . when the motors 330 and 340 are off , fluids exit via check valve 328 and line 326 . line 326 intersects return line 305 . exit line 310 intersects exit return line 350 . when solenoid 360 is open , motors 290 , 300 , 330 and 340 turn at low idle speed and fluids flow through check valves 288 and 328 and line 305 through the solenoid 360 and back to reservoir 230 . when solenoid 360 is closed , fluids are forced through motors 290 , 300 , 330 and 340 to make them turn and then back to reservoir 230 . solenoid output line 362 is intersected by motor output line 350 at junction 365 to form motor return line 3 ) 64 . line 364 intersects manifold output line 252 at intersection 370 to form a system return line 372 . line 372 flows into an air - to - liquid heat exchange 380 . the exchanger 380 is cycled on and off based on the temperature setting on oil temperature sensor &# 34 ; t &# 34 ;. output fluids in line 382 from exchanger 380 then flow through filter 390 before entering reservoir return line 395 . the gasoline engine driven generator 96 provides electrical power for the control panel 100 . preferably , control panel 100 accepts radio input to control the flow of hydraulic fluid throughout system 25 to facilitate remote operator manipulation of system 25 . a frequency band radio transmitter and frequency band radio receiver are known to work effectively in system 25 . the control panel 100 houses an internal back panel 400 . panel 400 mounts two signal frequency receivers 410 , 420 with amplifiers to receive the control transmiissions . the control panel 100 is powered by the generator ( represented by box 430 ) that supplies 120 v ac that is converted by two power inverters 440 , 450 into 12 v dc and 24 v dc respectively . receivers 410 , 420 require 12 v while the other components require 24 v . a programmable controller 460 accepts system input from the gang vibrator limit switches ( represented by box 470 ), the travel limit switches ( represented by box 480 ) and the rotary transducer ( represented by box 490 ). the controller 460 interprets this data and correspondingly directs a solenoid bank 500 via relays 495 to control the vibration assembly 110 and the drive motor 78 . the system 25 nay operate in either a manual or an automatic mode . the radio transmitter 510 employs several switches to direct panel 100 . a power light 515 indicates power to transmitter 510 . a master on / off switch 520 controls the power to transmitter 510 . start button 525 initiates the automatic sequence for the grid pattern . system 25 may operate in either an automatic or a manual mode . the manual / auto switch 530 determines the operational mode of the system 25 . when in automatic mode , the system 25 will consolidate and densify concrete without operator intervention , as is to be more fully discussed hereinafter . when in manual mode , system 25 is directed by an operator manipulating up / down switch 540 and left / right switch 545 . the up / down switch controls the vertical displacement of vibration assembly 110 while the left / right switch 545 controls the positioning of carriage 70 on truss 30 . when deploying the pendulous vibrators 145 as indicated by arrow 111b ( fig1 ) in both the manual and automatic modes , the bottom pendulous vibratory portion of each pendulous vibrator is thrust into the concrete 42 . when at a suitable depth , vibration begins and continues for a predetermined time period until the concrete is suitably densified and consolidated . preferably , the pendulous vibrators 145 are arranged in two rows on one foot square centers . in other words , the pendulous vibrators 145 are one foot apart from each other front - to - back and side - to - side . moreover , the back row of pendulous vibrators are preferably one foot in front of the paver 38 . however , more than two rows of pendulous vibrators could be employed if desired . of course , the offset area 95 would require alteration to address any additional torsion caused by an expansion of the vibration assembly 110 . when a sector of concrete 42 has been vibrated , the pendulous vibrators 145 are retracted as indicated by arrow 111a ( fig1 ) and the carriage 70 moved to an adjacent sector of concrete to be vibrated ( as indicated by arrows 46 or 47 in fig1 ). when the carriage has completely traversed the truss 30 from end 31a to end 31b , the truss 30 is moved longitudinally along tubes 36 to begin work upon a new length of concrete . in the automatic mode , the programmable controller 460 directs system 25 with minimal operator supervision . the system begins in the &# 34 ; home &# 34 ; position adjacent one of the stanchions 34 . the controller then activates the vibration assembly 110 and plunges pendulous vibrators 145 into the plastic concrete 42 via elevator 120 until reaching the lower limit switch 132 . after the pendulous vibrators vibrate the concrete 42 for a preselected period of time , they cease vibrating and they are raised via elevator 120 until reaching the upper limit switch 130 . the carriage 70 then moves via motor 78 until rotary transducer 81 reports travel sufficient to advance the entire vibration assembly to an adjacent , unvibrated sector of concrete . the pendulous vibrators 145 are again lowered and the unvibrated concrete is vibrated . the sequence is repeated until the carriage limit switches 77 trip on brackets 65 . then , the truss 30 advances along tubes 36 and the entire process is repeated in the opposite direction lengthwise across truss 30 . one important consideration the control panel 100 addresses in its automatic mode is the alternate operation of motor 78 and pendulous vibrators 145 . in other words , when the carriage 70 is moving , the pendulous vibrators 145 must be in the retracted position where they do not vibrate . conversely , when the pendulous vibrators 145 are vibrating concrete 42 , motor 78 must be disengaged so that the carriage 70 does not move and drag the pendulous vibrators laterally through the concrete 42 . from the foregoing , it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth , together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure . it will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations . this is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims . as many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof , it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense .	4
referring to the drawings , fig1 shows an el panel 10 comprising a rectangular glass substrate 11 of such a size as to accomodate an active area 12 thereon which is on the order of 2 &# 34 ; by 3 &# 34 ;. the substrate 11 is provided with thin - film transparent indium tin oxide ( ito ) electrodes 14 extending horizontally and lying directly on the surface of the substrate 11 . alternate of the electrodes 14 extend beyond the active area 12 on one side of substrate 11 to form terminal pads 15a and the remaining ones of the ito electrodes extend beyond the active area 12 on the opposite side of the substrate to form terminal pads 15b . the linear density of the ito electrodes 14 may be on the order of 56 per linear inch or more and are formed by the photolithographic process . directly deposited over the surface of the substrate 11 carrying the ito electrodes 14 is a first thin - film layer 16 of a dielectric followed by a thin - film layer 18 of an electroluminescent material , and then a second layer 20 of a dielectric . the thin - films are all on the order of 1500 to 6000 angstrom units thick . the substrate 11 is now ready to have the thin - film aluminum counter electrodes 22 deposited thereon by use of the mask 25 and the method of the present invention . fig2 shows a preferred embodiment of the mask 25 as constructed in accordance with the present invention to be used for depositing the metal electrodes 22 ( fig9 ) on the back surface of the substrate 11 of the el panel 10 in fig1 . the mask 25 is formed of a thin flexible rectangular sheet of steel having a thickness on the order of five thousandths of an inch . projecting portions 35 and 36 are preferably formed on the bottom left and right sides of the mask . the central active area 28 of the mask 25 has been etched by the photolithographic process to provide a series of parallel filaments 30 extending between the top and bottom thereof . in the preferred embodiment of the mask 25 , the filaments 30 are 10 mils wide and spaced so as to provide openings therebetween which are 7 mils wide . in accordance with the present invention , in order to hold the long thin filaments 30 in the plane of the mask 25 and in parallel relationship with each other , at the time the mask is etched , rows of reinforcing portions 39 are integrally formed to bridge the spacing between successive pairs of the filaments 30 . each of the reinforcing portions 39 has a length l , as indicated in fig2 a . as best illustrated in fig2 a , the central portion of the active area 28 of the mask 25 which heats up the most in the vacuum chamber 45 due to the radiation from the tungsten heater coil 63 is provided with three rows 37a , 37b and 37c of reinforcing portions 39 . thus , in row 37a , starting from the right side of the active area 28 , a first reinforcing portion 39 is provided to bridge the spacing between the first and second filaments 30 , a second reinforcing portign 39 is provided to bridge the spacing between the third and fourth filaments 30 , a third reinforcing portion 39 is provided to bridge the spacing between the fifth and sixth filaments 30 , etc . spaced approximately three - sixteenth of an inch below the row 37a is the row 37b of reinforcing portions wherein , starting from the right side of the active area 28 , a first reinforcing portion 39 is provided to bridge the spacing between the side frame of the mask 25 and the first filament 30 , a second reinforcing portion 39 is provided to bridge the spacing between the second and the third filaments 30 , a third reinforcing portion 39 is provided to bridge the spacing between the fourth and fifth filaments 30 , etc . spaced approximately three - sixteenth of an inch above the row 37a is the row 37c of reinforcing portions 39 wherein the reinforcing portions 39 are provided between the filaments 30 in an arrangement identical to the reinforcing portions 39 in row 37b . it should now be clear that the reinforcing portions 39 provided in rows 37b and 37c are in line with each other but staggered with respect to the reinforcing portions 39 provided in row 37a . in the middle portion of the lower half of the active area 28 of the mask 25 , two more rows 37d and 37e of the reinforcing portions 39 are provided to bridge the spacings between the filaments 30 . the rows 37d and 37e are spaced approximately one - eighth of an inch apart with the reinforcing portions 39 in row 37d having a zigzag arrangement with respect to the reinforcing portions 39 in row 37e . likewise , in the middle portion of the upper half of the active area 28 of the mask 25 , two more rows 37f and 37g of the reinforcing portions 39 are provided to bridge the spacings between the filaments 30 . the rows 37f and 37g are similarly spaced approximately one - eighth of an inch apart with the reinforcing portions in row 37f having a zigzag arrangement with respect to the reinforcing portions 39 of row 37g . it should now be clearly understood that the reinforcing portions 39 serve to stiffen and rigidly hold the long thin filaments 30 in the active area 28 of the mask 25 by shortening their free length portions . as a result , the reinforcing portions 39 divide the spacing between adjacent filaments 30 into a series of elongated openings 33 . as best illustrated in fig2 and 2a , alternate ones of the series of elongated openings 33 formed between adjacent filaments 30 on the mask 25 extend to terminal openings 34a on the bottom thereof and the remaining ones of the series of elongated openings 33 between the adjacent filaments 30 on the mask 25 extend to terminal openings 34b on the top thereof . the mask 25 is provided with a single elongated locating hole 40 on the left projection portion 35 thereof and with a pair of spaced elongated locating holes 41 and 42 on the right projection portion 36 thereof . the longitudinal axis of each of the elongated holes 40 , 41 and 42 is parallel to the filaments 30 and the length of each of the elongated holes is approximately two and one - half times the length l of a reinforcing portion 39 . the tops of the elongated holes 40 and 41 are in alignment with the bottoms of the terminal openings 34a on the mask 25 and the left side of the elongated hole 42 on the right projection portion 36 is in alignment with the side edge of the substrate 11 for the el panel 10 when the mask 25 is placed thereover . reference will next be made to fig3 which diagrammatically illustrates a vacuum chamber 45 as typically used for vapor deposition through a mask onto the substrate 11 . the vacuum chamber 45 is provided with a holder unit 47 located near the upper end thereof . an exploded view of the components of the holder unit 47 is shown in fig3 a . thus , the holder unit 47 includes an upper circular plate 48 provided with a rectangular recess 49 for receiving a permanent magnet 50 , a middle circular plate 52 provided with a rectangular recess 53 for receiving the substrate 11 shown in fig1 with the back surface thereof facing downwardly , and a bottom circular plate 57 provided with a rectangular opening 59 . the circular plates of the holder unit 47 are made of aluminum . the middle circular plate 52 has a locating pin 54 on the left side of the bottom wall of recess 53 and a locating pin 55 on the right side of the bottom wall of recess 53 . in addition , a locating pin 56 is located on the lower right sidewall of recess 53 . the sides of pins 54 , 55 and 56 extend a few thousandths of an inch into the recess 53 thus providing a three point contact for the bottom and right sides of the substrate 11 when positioned in the recess 53 . leaf springs 62 , for example , are provided in the recess 53 on the opposite sides of the substrate 11 for urging the latter up against the pins 54 , 55 and 56 . the pins 54 , 55 and 56 are further used to position the mask 25 relative to the substrate 11 by passing through the elongated holes 40 , 41 and 42 provided thereon . the mask 25 is initially positioned over the substrate 11 and held by magnet 50 with the pins 54 , 55 and 56 in the upper ends of the elongated holes 40 , 41 and 42 , as illustrated in fig4 . the bottom circular plate 57 of the holder unit 47 is then placed over the mask 25 . it should be noted that the rectangular opening 59 in the bottom circular plate 57 extends beyond either side of the active area 28 and beyond the terminal openings 34a and 34b on the top and bottom of the mask 25 . clearance holes 58 are provided on the bottom circular plate 57 for receiving each of the pins 54 , 55 and 56 . wingnuts 60 are provided on the ends of four screws 61 extending down through holes provided on the upper circular plate 48 , the middle circular plate 52 and the bottom circular plate 57 to hold the parts of the holder unit 47 together . the holder unit 47 with the mask 25 in position over the substrate 11 is then positioned and supported in the upper end of the vacuum chamber 45 with the rectangular opening 59 in the lower circular plate 57 generally facing downwardly . a tungsten heater coil 63 is provided at the bottom of the vacuum chamber 45 . bent thin strips 64 of aluminum are placed over the coils 63 . upon heating the strips 64 of aluminum by energizing the tungsten heater coil 63 , the aluminum metal vaporizes in the high vacuum chamber 45 and passes through the series of elongated openings 33 formed between the filaments 30 on the mask 25 to settle on the exposed surface of the substrate 11 , as illustrated in fig4 . thus , after the substrate 11 is exposed to the aluminum vapors for the first time through the mask 25 as positioned in fig4 upon taking the holder assembly 47 out of the vacuum chamber 45 and removing the bottom circular plate 57 and the mask 25 , the aluminum pattern deposited on the substrate 11 is that shown in fig5 . it is noted that the metal pattern provided along the length of the electrodes 22 is not continuous because of the presence of the rows 37a - 37g of reinforcing portions 39 on the mask 25 . in accordance with the present invention , the mask 25 is now moved upwardly as indicated by arrow 51 in fig6 such that the locating pins 54 , 55 and 56 on the central circular plate 52 are now positioned on the lower ends of the elongated holes 40 , 41 and 42 . this changes the position of the mask 25 relative to the metal pattern previously deposited on the substrate 11 so that the reinforcing portions 39 are now covering up the areas where aluminum has already been deposited and the elongated openings 33 are now leaving exposed the places which have not yet had any aluminum deposited thereon . the bottom circular plate 57 is then placed back on the holder unit 47 and the latter is again positioned within the vacuum chamber 45 . the aluminum strips 64 on the tungsten heater coil 63 are then heated up again causing the aluminum vapor to settle a second time through the openings 33 on the mask 25 onto the surface of the substrate 11 . now then , when the holder unit 47 is taken out of the vacuum chamber 45 and the mask 25 removed from the substrate 11 , the latter has a pattern deposited thereon as illustrated in fig7 wherein each of the aluminum electrodes 22 is now continuous . it should be noted , as illustrated in fig8 that since the major portion of the length of each of the electrodes 22 receives a double exposure of aluminum vapor in the vacuum chamber 45 , those major portions are twice as thick as the minor portions thereof that only receive a single exposure of the aluminum vapor thereon . however , inasmuch as the back metal electrodes 22 are the last to be deposited on the substrate , it is of no concern that they are not of uniform thickness as long as each exposure in the vacuum chamber 45 is long enough to provide the minimum thickness required to carry the field and the current used to operate the el panel 10 . for example , if the first exposure is 1000 angstrom units thick , which is the minimum needed , the second exposure of 1000 angstrom units thickness assures that the electrodes 22 are at least 1000 angstrom units thick at all points thereof . thus , the fact that a large portion of the electrodes is 2000 angstrom units thick is of no concern . fig8 a is an exaggerated cross sectional view of the terminal pad 23a of an electrode 22 as taken along line 8a -- 8a of fig7 showing how its thickness varies due to the double exposure of aluminum vapor through the mask 25 . however , because of the thinness of the successive deposits , the variation in the thickness of the terminal pads is negligible as far as providing electrical contact therewith . it should now be clearly understood that because of the mask 25 and the method of using it to deposit the metal back electrodes 22 in accordance with the present invention , there is now no limit to the resolution or the length to which the back metal electrodes 22 can be deposited by use of the vacuum deposition process on the substrate 11 of an el panel . while the description has been concerned with a particular structural embodiment of the present invention , it is to be understood that many modifications and variations in the construction and arrangement thereof may be provided for without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages . the invention is , therefore , considered as including all such possible modifications and variations coming within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims .	7
a comparison of the present glass composition with conventional 001 glass shown in table i containing approximately 21 . 2 weight percent pbo by calculation points out important advantages during manufacture of the present glass as well as in subsequent utilization as a glass to metal sealing material . absence or reduced level of pbo in the new glass which can range between 0 - 6 percent by weight produces a glass density approximately 10 percent lower than 001 glass along with lower pbo levels which is desirable from cost and pollution considerations . as previously mentioned , the lower density provides more lineal feed of tubing per pound of the new glass than is obtained with 001 glass . the electrical resistivity of the preferred new glass , table i , example 1 , is slightly lower than 001 glass but most of the new glasses attain minimum resistivity of 10 7 . 4 at 250 ° c along with a minimum resistivity of 10 5 . 7 at 350 ° c . since the new glasses have little or no pbo , there is a reduced possibility of build - up of the &# 34 ; lead trees &# 34 ; sometimes encountered with electrically conducting glass to metal seals utilizing the high lead containing 001 glass , so that the new glass seals provide more reliable long - term electrical isolation between the electrical in - leads . the new glass composition also provides glass which is softer in the sealing point and softening point regions compared with regular soda - lime glass and has approximately the same sealing temperature as 001 glass . the softer working characteristics of the new glass composition is determined to a large extent by maintaining the na 2 o , al 2 o 3 , li 2 o , and cao constituents within the relatively narrow ranges above specified and with the further optional bao and pbo constituents helping provide the desired level of electrical resistivity . the shorter working range for the new glasses of this invention when compared to 001 glass , along with retention of comparable sealing and working points permits faster forming machine speeds during lamp manufacture without other major adjustment in the lamp - making process . on the other hand , the lower melting temperature of the new glass composition can be about 1440 ° c compared with around 1500 ° c for 001 glass . the new glass composition has lower viscosity during melting than 001 glass with lesser pbo providing more glass homogeneity and less segregation . the melting capacity of a given size glass tank can be increased as a result , or the melting temperatures can be reduced to affect fuel economy . for a particular glass composition to provide a reliable hermetic seal with dumet - type metals , the glass must have an average coefficient of linear thermal expansion in the 0 - 300 ° c temperature range between about 87 × 10 31 7 cm / cm / 0 ° c to about 97 × 10 31 7 cm / cm /° c and with said expansion coefficient for the preferred glasses of the present invention being in the range between about 89 × 10 - 7 cm / cm /° c to about 93 × 10 - 7 cm / cm /° c . it is generally desirable for dumet seals to have working characteristics for the substitute glass which are similar to 001 glass , especially with respect to both working point and sealing point . a working range of at least 300 ° c is obtained with the present glass composition along with the sealing point in the approximate range 820 °- 870 ° c and a working point which lies in the approximate range 950 °- 990 ° c so as to be essentially equal to 001 glass at these two viscosity points . that the present glasses meet all criteria for fast and reliable sealing to dumet - type metals while also being less prone to the &# 34 ; lead tree &# 34 ; type defects sometimes experienced with 001 glass can be attributed to the correct proportions of cao , k 2 o , na 2 o , and the absence of or low amount of pbo as specified herein . examples for preferred glasses which were melted and tested in the conventional manner are given below in table i . the particular glass compositions reported in table i were melted in pots containing 2 lbs . of glass each , at a temperature in the range 1425 °- 1475 ° c with the glass being refined at about 1330 ° c . as is common in glass technology , the glass compositions are reported in terms of oxides as calculated from the batch starting material . table i__________________________________________________________________________ calculated wt . % 001 std . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 20 % lead__________________________________________________________________________sio . sub . 2 70 . 6 70 . 1 70 . 1 66 . 1 74 . 1 70 . 1 70 . 1 66 . 1 74 . 1 70 . 3 62 . 6na . sub . 2 o 12 . 6 13 . 0 10 . 0 10 . 0 13 . 0 10 . 0 13 . 0 13 . 0 10 . 0 12 . 5 7 . 6k . sub . 2 o 3 . 1 3 . 0 6 . 0 6 . 0 3 . 0 6 . 0 3 . 0 3 . 0 6 . 0 3 . 5 7 . 0al . sub . 2 o . sub . 3 2 . 1 2 . 0 2 . 0 2 . 0 2 . 0 2 . 0 2 . 0 2 . 0 2 . 0 2 . 0 1 . 3as . sub . 2 o . sub . 3 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 3cao 6 . 4 4 . 0 8 . 0 8 . 0 4 . 0 4 . 0 8 . 0 8 . 0 4 . 0 6 . 7 0f 0 . 9 0 . 9 0 . 9 0 . 9 0 . 9 0 . 9 0 . 9 0 . 9 0 . 9 1 . 0 0pbo 3 . 3 6 . 0 2 . 0 6 . 0 2 . 0 6 . 0 2 . 0 6 . 0 2 . 0 0 21 . 2li . sub . 2 o 0 . 8 0 . 8 0 . 8 0 . 8 0 . 8 0 . 8 0 . 8 0 . 8 0 . 8 0 . 8 0bao 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 . 0 0soft . pt . ° c 650 635 666 657 644 649 656 644 654 658 625density gm / cc 2 . 53 2 . 57 2 . 51 2 . 58 2 . 47 2 . 56 2 . 51 2 . 59 2 . 46 2 . 52 2 . 81linear ther - 92 94 . 2 93 . 6 94 . 0 94 . 5 93 . 0 96 . 0 96 . 3 91 . 8 94 91mal expan - sion coeff . ( 0 - 300 ° c )/° celect . re - 7 . 7 7 . 4 8 . 4 8 . 6 7 . 2 8 . 3 7 . 5 7 . 8 8 . 1 7 . 6 8 . 5sis . ( logohm - cm ) at250 ° cat 350 ° c 6 . 1 5 . 8 6 . 6 6 . 7 5 . 6 6 . 5 5 . 9 6 . 1 6 . 3 6 . 0 6 . 6sealing pt . 845 830 860 850 840 855 850 825 860 860 842 ° c ( viscosity = 10 . sup . 5 poises ) working pt . 970 955 978 958 970 975 961 934 988 980 985 ° c ( viscosity = 10 . sup . 4 poises ) working range 320 320 312 301 326 326 305 310 334 322 360__________________________________________________________________________ as can be noted from the above table , the example i glass closely approximates the working characteristics and electrical resistivity of standard 001 glass . the example 7 and 8 glasses illustrate a high cao content along with a high na 2 o / k 2 o ratio being used without significant loss of electrical resistivity . correspondingly , the examples 6 and 9 glass employs a low cao content and a low na 2 o / k 2 o ratio in achieving the desired level of electrical resistivity . it can further be noted from said table that all glass compositions have a volume electrical resistivity greater than 10 7 . 1 ohm / cm at 250 ° c and a resistivity greater than 10 5 . 5 at 350 ° c . a chemical analysis for the actual glass obtained in the foregoing manner from the batch formulation recited in example 1 is reported below . the presence of small or trace amounts of fe 2 o 3 , tio 2 , mgo and bao in the glass is attributable to contamination of the indicated batch starting materials with the further reported metal ions . ______________________________________constituents weight percent______________________________________sio . sub . 2 71 . 3fe . sub . 2 o . sub . 3 0 . 03tio . sub . 2 0 . 02na . sub . 2 o 11 . 0k . sub . 2 o 4 . 1al . sub . 2 o . sub . 3 2 . 3as . sub . 2 o . sub . 3 0 . 1cao 6 . 5f 0 . 6pbo 3 . 2li . sub . 2 o 0 . 8bao 0 . 1mgo 0 . 06 100 . 11______________________________________ as can be noted from the above analysis , the minor differences found between said example 1 glass as calculated from the batch constituents and actual analyzed composition is due to slight volatility of some constituents as well as pickup of other materials from the refractories used to melt this glass . consequently , the present invention contemplates a glass composition having essentially the same composition which is calculated in conventional manner from the starting batch formulation . it will be apparent from the foregoing description that a novel lead substitute glass composition is provided which affords significant advantages as a general purpose sealing glass for the in - lead elements of various electrical devices compared with the 001 glass now being used . it is also apparent that other glasses than above specifically disclosed are included within the specified compositional limits . for example , the optional incorporation of bao for pbo in the present glass composition provides comparable physical properties for sealing to dumet metals . additionally , it is contemplated to substitute like amounts of other alkaline earth oxides for bao in the present glasses and still obtain comparable physical properties . it is intended to limit the present invention , therefore , only by the scope of the following claims .	2
the following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure , application , or uses . referring to fig1 - 2 , a gas cutting torch in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is illustrated and generally indicated by reference numeral 20 . although the term “ cutting ” is used throughout , it should be understood that the present disclosure applies generally to gas torches , such as those that heat and / or cut . accordingly , the term “ cutting ” should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure . the gas cutting torch 20 is an auto - ignition gas torch and comprises a handle portion 22 , a trigger system 30 disposed along the handle portion 22 , a gas flow control unit 36 , a tube section 38 , a head portion 44 , and a cutting tip 46 . the handle portion 22 defines a proximal end portion 24 and a distal end portion 26 . the gas flow control unit 36 is disposed at the proximal end portion 24 of the handle 22 . the trigger system 30 is disposed along the handle portion 22 and comprises an ignition trigger 32 and a cutting oxygen trigger 34 . the tube section 38 is disposed at the distal end portion 26 of the handle portion 22 . the tube section 38 similarly defines a proximal end portion 40 and a distal end portion 42 . the head portion 44 is disposed proximate the distal end portion 42 of the tube section 38 . the cutting tip 46 is secured to the head portion 44 via a tip seat 48 . the gas flow control unit 36 includes a preheat oxygen metering device 80 and a preheat fuel gas metering device 82 for metering the preheat oxygen and the fuel gas , respectively . referring to fig2 , the gas cutting torch 20 includes a preheat oxygen conduit array 70 , a fuel gas conduit array 72 , and a cutting oxygen conduit array 74 to direct the flow of preheat oxygen , fuel gas , and cutting oxygen , respectively . the preheat oxygen conduit array 70 , the fuel gas conduit array 72 , and the cutting oxygen conduit array 74 extend from the gas flow control unit 36 , through various components in the gas cutting torch 20 , through the tip seat 48 , to the cutting tip 46 . the gas flow control unit 36 is connected to an external oxygen source ( not shown ) and an external fuel gas source ( not shown ). the gas flow control unit 36 controls the flow rate of the preheat oxygen , the fuel gas , and the cutting oxygen from the external oxygen source and the external fuel gas source to the preheat oxygen conduit array 70 , the fuel gas conduit array 72 , and the cutting oxygen conduit array 74 . a first gas control device 146 ( shown in fig3 ), and a second gas control device 148 ( shown in fig3 ) are disposed within the handle portion 22 and connected to the ignition trigger 32 to initiate flow of the preheat oxygen and the flow of fuel gas , respectively . referring to fig3 and 4 , an ignition system 60 is disposed within the gas cutting torch 20 , and comprises a piezoelectric igniter 142 in communication with the ignition trigger 32 and an ignition wire 64 that extends from the piezoelectric igniter 142 to the cutting tip 46 . the ignition trigger 32 comprises a trigger body 120 , a latch 126 , and a biasing device 138 . the trigger body 120 includes a forward portion 122 defining a cam surface 124 . the latch 126 is disposed within a groove 128 in the trigger body 120 and slidably engaged within the groove 128 along the direction of arrow a . the latch 126 includes an upper extension 130 defining a ramped surface 134 . the ramped surface 134 cooperates with a corresponding ramped surface 136 of the cavity 132 in the “ on ” position . in the “ off ” position , the upper extension 130 abuts an inner surface 140 of the handle body 23 such that the trigger body 120 cannot be moved in the direction of arrow b and thus engage the ignition system 60 . the biasing device 138 is a coil spring which biases the ignition trigger 32 in the “ off ” position . the biasing device 138 abuts the inner surface 140 of the handle body 23 and the trigger body 120 and is biased to move the trigger body 120 downward , or to the “ off ” position . therefore , it an operator releases the ignition trigger 32 , the gas cutting torch 20 is turned off , or enters an “ auto shut - off ” mode , thus improving the safety of operation . in operation , an operator slides the latch 126 back and pulls up on the trigger body 120 . the trigger body 120 pivots about the hinge portion 150 , and the internal receptacles 149 engage the gas control devices 146 and 148 , and the flow of preheat oxygen and fuel gas are initiated . the forward portion 122 of the trigger body 120 engages the piezoelectric igniter 142 and an ignition source is generated , which travels down the length of the ignition wire 64 to the cutting tip 46 to start the gas cutting torch 20 . the piezoelectric igniter 142 is further engaged within the ignition trigger 32 , thus permitting operation of the cutting oxygen trigger 34 , and the flow of cutting oxygen . the ignition trigger 32 initiates the flow of preheat oxygen and fuel gas from the gas flow control unit 36 to the cutting tip 46 , while also initiating ignition with a single motion by the operator . therefore , the gas cutting torch 20 can advantageously be started with the use of only one - hand , or in other words , is configured for single - hand operation once the preheat oxygen and preheat fuel are properly set . when an operator releases the latch 126 , the biasing device 138 forces the trigger body 120 back down to its neutral or “ off ” position . therefore , the gas cutting torch 20 automatically shuts off when the ignition trigger 32 is released . referring to fig5 , the tip 46 includes an outer shell 302 , a cap 304 , an inner tube 306 , and an insert 308 . the cutting tip 46 defines a fuel gas passageway 312 , a cutting oxygen gas passageway 314 , and a preheat oxygen gas passageway 316 . the fuel gas passageway 312 is a part of the fuel gas conduit array 72 . the cutting oxygen gas passageway 314 is a part of the cutting oxygen conduit array 74 . the preheat oxygen gas passageway 316 is a part of the preheat oxygen conduit array 70 . the ignition wire 64 from the ignition system 60 extends through the central cutting oxygen gas passageway 314 and is in electrical contact with the inner tube 306 , which is conductive and thus generates the spark for ignition of the gas cutting torch 20 . the spark is generated across a gap “ g ” between the inner tube 306 and the outer shell 302 at the distal end portion 315 of the cutting tip 46 . in operation , the preheat oxygen , fuel gas , and cutting oxygen flow through separate gas conduct arrays are not mixed together until they meet at the distal end portion 315 . accordingly , the gases are mixed at the distal end portion 315 to provide the post - mix feature , while the spark is generated across the gap “ g ,” thereby providing a safety feature and a convenience feature to the gas cutting torch 20 . referring to fig6 , a method of starting an auto - ignition gas torch according to the principles of the present disclosure is described below in more detail . the method 400 of starting an auto - ignition gas torch starts in step 402 . an external oxygen source and an extern fuel gas source are turned on in step 404 . the preheat oxygen gas flow ( rate ) is adjusted and increased to a first level in step 406 . the preheat gas flow is adjusted by controlling the preheat oxygen metering device 80 . similarly , the fuel gas flow is adjusted and increased to a second level in step 408 . the fuel gas flow is adjusted by controlling the fuel gas metering device 82 . the first level is set to be higher than the second level so that an oxygen - rich mixture can be created at the distal end of the gas torch 20 . the first level and the second level are determined based on the type of fuel gas used . generally speaking , the flow of the preheat oxygen is an order of magnitude higher than a flow rate of fuel gas . after the flow of the fuel gas and the flow of the preheat oxygen are adjusted according to a predetermined setting , the ignition trigger 32 is activated in step 410 . activation of the ignition trigger 32 also makes the internal receptacles 149 to engage the gas control devices 146 and 148 . therefore , the preheat oxygen flow and the fuel gas flow are initiated in step 412 . the preheat oxygen flow and the fuel gas flow are directed from the gas flow control unit 36 to a distal end 315 of the tip 46 in step 414 . the preheat oxygen flow and the fuel gas flow are mixed at the distal end 315 of the tip 46 in step 416 . when the ignition trigger 32 is activated , a spark is generated across the gap g in step 418 . as a result , the mixture of the preheat oxygen flow and the fuel gas flow is ignited to heat the workpiece in step 420 . additionally , when the ignition trigger 32 is activated , the cutting oxygen trigger 34 is also activated to initiate the cutting oxygen flow in step 422 . the cutting oxygen flow is also directed to the distal end 315 of the cutting tip 46 in step 424 . when the cutting oxygen reacts with the heated workpiece , the cutting process is initiated in step 426 . the method 400 ends in step 428 . the method 400 of starting an auto - ignition gas torch in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure creates an oxygen - rich mixture at a distal end 315 of the cutting tip 46 . the oxygen - rich mixture results in a more reliable ignition for the auto - ignition gas torch that uses a piezoelectric igniter , as opposed to a prior art method which ignites a mixture of the fuel gas and oxygen is a highly carbonizing environment . referring to fig7 - 11 , sample test data for the method 400 of starting the auto - ignition gas torch in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure and charts showing a relationship among the preheat oxygen flow , the fuel gas , and start reliability are explained in greater detail . it should be understood that the test data illustrated herein is merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure . all of the tests were conducted under conditions where the oxygen regulator pressure was about 30 psig and the fuel gas pressure was about 12 psig . more specifically , when the fuel gas is acetylene , the preheat oxygen flow is from about two times to about six times higher than the fuel gas flow . for example , the flow of the preheat oxygen may be set to be from about 10 scfh to about 22 scfh . the flow of fuel gas is from about 1 . 5 scfh to about 4 scfh . ( scfh is a measurement of fluid flow rate and stands for standard cubic feet per hour ). when the fuel gas is propane , the flow of the preheat oxygen is from about 7 scfh to about 27 scfh , and the flow of fuel gas is from about 1 . 5 scfh to about 9 . 5 scfh . as shown in fig7 and table 1 below , when the fuel gas is acetylene , the oxygen flow can range from approximately 3 . 2 scfh or 1 . 5 standard liters per minute ( slm ) to 49 . 4 scfh ( or 24 slm ), whereas the fuel gas flow can range from 6 . 3 scfh ( or 3 . 0 slm ) to 14 . 7 scfh ( or 7 slm ). the pilot reliability or start reliability can range from about 14 % to about 100 %. start reliability may be determined , for example , based on the non - occurrence of flame burn back , sustenance of torch flame , whether the gas torch can achieve maximum delivery at 12 psig without adversely affecting the flame , and when oxygen over - powers the fuel gas , among others . for example , the start reliability of about 14 % may occur when the fuel flow is about 14 . 7 scfh and the oxygen flow is about 22 . 1 scfh . to increase start reliability , the fuel flow may be reduced while the same preheat oxygen flow is maintained . when the fuel flow is reduced to be approximately 3 . 2 scfh , the start reliability can reach 100 %. superscript “ a ” indicates a situation where burn - back occurs , superscript “ b ” indicates a situation where too much oxygen is present to sustain the flame , superscript “ c ” indicates a situation where the gas torch can achieve maximum delivery at 12 psig without adversely affecting the flame , superscript “ d ” indicates a situation where oxygen over - powers the fuel gas . as shown in fig8 and table 2 below , in another test where the fuel gas is acetylene , the preheat oxygen flow can range from about 3 . 2 scfh ( or 1 . 5 slm ) to about 55 . 7 ( or 26 . 5 slm ) and the fuel gas flow can range from about 3 . 2 scfh ( or 1 . 5 slm ) to about 34 . 7 scfh ( or 16 . 5 slm ). the start reliability ranges from about 10 % to about 100 %. as shown in fig9 and table 3 below , when the fuel gas is propane , the preheat oxygen flow can range from about 3 . 0 slm to about 27 . 0 slm , whereas the fuel flow can range from about 1 . 5 slm to about 5 . 0 slm . the start reliability can range from about 14 % to about 100 %. as shown in fig1 and table 4 below , in another test where the fuel gas is propane , the oxygen flow can range from about 7 . 4 scfh to about 55 . 7 scfh , whereas the fuel gas flow can range from about 3 . 2 scfh ( 1 . 5 slm ) to about 22 . 1 scfh ( 10 . 5 slm ). the start reliability is from about 4 % to about 100 %. for example , when the fuel flow rate is about 7 . 4 scfh ( 3 . 5 slm ) and the oxygen flow is about 11 . 6 scfh ( 5 . 5 ), the gas torch achieve a start reliability of about 17 %. when the oxygen flow is increased to about 13 . 7 , the start reliability is significantly increased from about 17 % to about 100 %. when the preheat oxygen flow continues to be increased , the start reliability is maintained at about 100 %. the oxygen flow is about two times the fuel gas flow or at least an order of a magnitude higher than the fuel gas flow to achieve about 100 % start reliability . as shown in fig1 and table 5 below , when the fuel gas is methane , the preheat oxygen flow is from about 3 . 5 slm to about 26 . 5 slm , whereas the fuel flow is from about 1 . 5 slm to about 6 . 5 slm . the start reliability is from about 21 % to about 100 %. it should be noted that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated as examples . a large variety of modifications have been described and more are part of the knowledge of the person skilled in the art . these and further modifications as well as any replacement by technical equivalents may be added to the description and figures , without leaving the scope of the protection of the disclosure and of the present patent .	5
with reference first to fig1 , creasing is an essential process in booklet making . in standard industry processes for booklet making , the booklet is creased ( folded ) once it is finished ( fig1 a ) and stitched . the last operation is trimming . however , as discussed above , this created a pillowing defect ( fig1 b ). the present invention is related to a different approach in booklet making . in one embodiment of the present invention , the sheets of the booklet are processed one - by - one and subsequently stitched in order to complete the booklet . another important aspect of the present invention is that the previously discussed “ creep ” defect can be eliminated . creep is caused when the inside sheets of the booklet appear to be longer then the outside sheets when they are actually the same size . this creep defect can be eliminated by trimming each sheet progressively to a different length in order to leave the outside sheets of the booklet longer than the inside sheets of the booklet . trimming the sheets in this controlled manner will make the edge of the booklet flat , thereby eliminating the creep defect . with respect to fig2 , one embodiment of the present invention is to take advantage of the precision drive mechanism ( not shown ) for progressively trimming each sheet to a different length in order to leave the outside sheets of the booklet longer then the inside sheets of the booklet . it is to be understood that the various sheets of the booklet could be cut shorter / longer in order to provide index pages for the booklet . as can be seen in fig2 a and 2 b , media sheet 8 is not folded at the exact middle of the sheet , but at two creases 6 centered about the middle . the distance between these two creases 6 will change from page - to - page according to its position in booklet 2 . for example , those creases 6 in the inside sheets 8 will be closer than the outside ones . it is to be understood that the inner most sheets could even be folded just once at the middle then two creases 6 could be used from the third sheet on out . it is to be understood that creases 6 between adjacent sheets 8 are located in close proximity to each other and the position between creases 6 of adjacent sheet 8 can be programmable . finally , fastener 10 is conventionally used to stitch the various sheets of media together in order to form booklet 2 after sheets 8 are centered with respect to the device ( not shown ) for inserting fastener 10 . preferably , fastener 10 is a staple . in short , this crease distance variation will provide booklet 2 with a “ square spine ” with the additional advantage that it provides multiple hinge points . with respect to fig3 , there is illustrated sheet 8 a that includes a programmable , continuous , double fold crease 6 a and sheet 8 that includes a programmable , discrete , double fold crease 6 . as can be seen in the figure , the continuous creases 6 a , that were normally located exactly opposite of each other on sheet 8 ( discrete creases 8 ), are now located at an offset location from each other on opposites sides of the same sheet 8 a . this continuous crease 6 a could provide a rounded edge for the booklet , if that is desired . with respect to fig4 , booklet 2 is illustrated . as shown in fig4 a and 4 b , booklet 2 lays flat since each sheet 8 has two hinge points or creases 6 . the “ square spine ” behaves as that of the perfectly bound book . the difference is that booklet 2 is fastened with only a couple of fasteners 10 . another aspect of the present invention is the use of a discrete / continuous , double fold process for attaining a better crease . a double fold is created by creasing the media on one side of the media and then creasing the media again at that exact location , but on the opposite side of the media . essentially , this breaks the media &# 39 ; s fibers more efficiently and reduces the media &# 39 ; s resilience or tendency to recover its original shape . variations of this double fold process will be discussed below . with respect to fig5 , there is illustrated one embodiment for creasing sheets of media . fig5 shows apparatus 20 for creating a double fold for creasing sheets 8 of media . apparatus 20 includes , in part , media sheet 8 , media guide 22 , media transport rollers 24 , media sheet guide plate 26 , media drive rollers 28 , pivotable media bail clamp 30 , media bail clamp 32 , and crease wheel 34 . media sheet 8 , preferably , is any suitable media that can be formed into the booklet . media guide 22 , preferably , is constructed of any suitable , durable material that is capable of being formed into a curvilinear shape . media transport rollers 24 , preferably , are constructed of any suitable , durable material that is capable of transporting media sheet 8 towards media sheet guide plate 26 . media sheet guide plate 26 , preferably , is constructed of any suitable , durable material that is capable of allowing media sheet 8 to traverse from media clamp 30 to media clamp 32 . media drive rollers 28 , preferably , are any suitable drive rollers that are capable of traversing media sheet 8 a predetermined distance along media sheet guide plate 26 in order to form creases at desired positions along media sheet 8 . media clamp 30 , preferably , is constructed of any suitable , durable material that is capable of securing media sheet 8 against media sheet guide plate 26 , such as by pivoting . media clamp 32 , preferably , is constructed of any suitable , durable material that is capable of retaining media sheet 8 against media sheet had plate 26 . crease wheel 34 , preferably , is constructed of any suitable , durable material that is capable of pushing a portion of media sheet 8 against an edge of media sheet guide plate 26 in order to form a crease in media sheet 8 . during the operation of apparatus 20 , as shown in fig . \ 5 a , media sheet 8 is conventionally fed along media guide 22 such that media sheet 8 interacts with media transport rollers 24 . media transport rollers 24 cause media sheet 8 to slide along media sheet guide plate 26 and under media bail clamps 30 and 32 . at this point , crease wheel 34 is not in contact with media sheet 8 and media drive rollers 28 take control of media sheet 8 and attempt to locate the predetermined crease points along media sheet 8 . as shown in fig5 b , media bail clamp 30 pivots and secures media sheet 8 against media sheet guide plate 26 while media transport rollers 24 continue to force media sheet 8 towards media sheet guide plate 26 . at this point , buckle 36 is formed . once buckle 36 is formed , crease wheel 34 moves in a direction orthogonal to the path of media sheet 8 in order to create a crease in media sheet 8 in one direction . as shown in fig5 c , the direction of rotation of media transport rollers 24 is reversed and media sheet 8 is forced downward by conventional means to make sure the when the direction of rotation of media transport rollers 24 is again reversed buckle 38 will be created . once buckle 38 is formed , crease wheel 34 moves in a direction orthogonal to the path of media sheet 8 in order to create a crease in media sheet 8 in the same location on media sheet 8 , but on the other side of media sheet 8 . media drive rollers 28 are then utilized in order to traverse media sheet 8 along media sheet guide plate 26 so that predetermined points along media sheet 8 can be creased . with respect to fig6 , there is illustrated another embodiment for creasing media sheet 8 . fig6 a – 6 c illustrate apparatus 50 for creating a roller double fold for creasing media sheet 8 . apparatus 50 includes , in part , media sheet 8 , media guide 22 , media transport rollers 24 , media sheet guide plate 26 , media drive rollers 28 , pivotable media bail clamp 30 , media bail clamp 32 , and page wide rollers 40 . page wide rollers 40 , preferably , are constructed of any suitable , durable material that is capable of pushing a portion of media sheet 8 against an edge of media sheet guide plate 26 in order to form a crease in media sheet 8 . during the operation of apparatus 50 , as shown in fig6 a , media sheet 8 is conventionally fed along media guide 22 such that media sheet 8 interacts with media transport rollers 24 . media transport rollers 24 cause media sheet 8 to slide along media sheet guide plate 26 and under media bail clamps 30 and 32 . at this point , page wide rollers 40 are not in contact with media sheet 8 and media drive rollers 28 take control of media sheet 8 and attempt to locate the predetermined crease points along media sheet 8 . as shown in fig6 b , media bail clamp 30 pivots and secures media sheet 8 against media sheet guide plate 26 while media transport rollers 24 continue to force media sheet 8 towards media sheet guide plate 26 . at this point , buckle 42 is created . once buckle 42 is formed , page wide rollers 40 move in the direction of arrow x in order to force media sheet 8 against an edge of media sheet guide plate 26 so that a crease in media sheet 8 is formed . as shown in fig6 c , page wide rollers 40 then move in the direction of arrow x ′ in order to make a second crease at the same point in media sheet 8 , but on the other side of media sheet 8 . in this manner , media sheet 8 only needs to be stopped by media drive rollers 28 at the desired locations along media sheet 8 , clamped by media bail clamp 30 , and then acted upon by page wide rollers 40 in order to form the various creases along media sheet 8 . with respect to fig7 , there is illustrated another embodiment for creasing media sheet 8 . fig7 a – 7 c illustrate apparatus 100 for creating a 240 degree fold to crease media sheet 8 . apparatus 100 includes , in part , media sheet 8 , media guide 22 , media transport rollers 24 , media sheet guide plate 26 , media drive rollers 28 , media crease bar 102 , and page wide rollers 104 . media crease bar 102 , preferably , is constructed of any suitable , durable material that is capable of creasing media 8 when acted upon by rollers 104 . page wide rollers 104 , preferably , are constructed of any suitable , durable material that is capable of pushing a portion of media sheet 8 against an edge of media sheet guide plate 26 and media crease bar 102 in order to form a crease in media sheet 8 . it is to be understood that the clearance between media sheet guide plate 26 and media crease bar 102 is such that media 8 can easily move between plate 26 and bar 102 , and allow media sheet 8 to be properly creased without movement of media sheet 8 along plate 26 and bar 102 . it is also to be understood that the clearance between plate 26 and bar 102 can be adjusted according to techniques known to those skilled in the art so as to compensate for different media thicknesses . during the operation of apparatus 100 , as shown in fig7 a , media sheet 8 is conventionally fed along media guide 22 such that media sheet 8 interacts with media transport rollers 24 . media transport rollers 24 cause media sheet 8 to slide along media sheet guide plate 26 and under media crease bar 102 . at this point , page wide rollers 104 are not in contact with media sheet 8 and media drive rollers 28 take control of media sheet 8 and attempt to locate the predetermined crease points along media sheet 8 . as shown in fig7 b , page wide rollers 104 move in the direction of arrow x in order to force media sheet 8 against an edge of media crease bar 102 so that a crease in media sheet 8 is formed . as shown in fig7 c , page wide rollers 104 then move in the direction of arrow x ′ to force media sheet 8 against an edge of media sheet guide plate 26 in order to make a second crease at the same point in media sheet 8 , but on the other side of media sheet 8 . in this manner , media sheet 8 only needs to be stopped by media drive rollers 28 at the desired locations along media sheet 8 , and then acted upon by page wide rollers 104 in order to form the various creases along media sheet 8 . with reference to fig8 , there is illustrated another embodiment for creasing media sheet 8 . fig8 a – 8 i illustrate an apparatus 150 for creating a 360 fold to crease media sheet 8 . apparatus 150 includes , in part , media sheet 8 , media transport rollers 24 , media drive rollers 28 , media creasing rollers 152 and 154 , top insert roller 156 , and lower insert roller 158 . media creasing rollers 152 and 154 , preferably , are constructed of any suitable , durable material that is capable of forming a nip between media drive rollers 28 and media creasing rollers 152 and 154 . this nip is where the crease is formed in media sheet 8 . top and lower insert rollers 156 and 158 are constructed of any suitable , durable material that is capable of forcing a portion of media sheet 8 into the nip located between media drive rollers 28 and media creasing rollers 152 and 154 , respectively . during the operation of apparatus 50 , as shown in fig8 a and 8 b , media sheet 8 is traversed towards apparatus 150 by media transport rollers 24 . media sheet 8 interacts with the nip located between the two media drive rollers 28 . at this point , top and lower insert rollers 156 and 158 , respectively , are not in contact with media sheet 8 and media drive rollers 28 take control of media sheet 8 and attempt to locate by rotation of media drive rollers 28 ( along the direction of arrows a and b ) the predetermined crease points along media sheet 8 . with respect to fig8 c , top insert roller 156 forces a portion of media sheet 8 into the nip located between media drive roller 28 and media creasing roller 154 along the direction of arrow x . with respect to fig8 d , a first crease is formed in media sheet 8 by the rotation of media drive roller 28 along the direction of arrow b and the rotation of media creasing roller 154 along the direction of arrow c . also , top insert roller 156 is moved away from the nip located between media drive roller 28 and media creasing roller 154 along the direction of arrow x ′. with respect to fig8 e , media sheet 8 is traversed towards media transport rollers 24 by the rotation of media drive roller 28 along the direction of arrows d and e . in this manner , crease 160 is located substantially over the nip located between media drive roller 28 and media creasing roller 152 . with respect to fig8 f , lower insert roller 158 forces crease 160 of media sheet 8 into the nip located between media drive roller 28 and media creasing roller 152 along the direction of arrow y . with respect to fig8 g , media sheet 8 is creased on the other side of crease 160 by the rotation of media drive roller 28 along the direction of arrow d and the rotation of media creasing roller 152 along the direction of arrow f . also , lower insert roller 158 is moved away from the nip located between media drive roller 28 and media creasing roller 152 along the direction of arrow y ′. with respect to fig8 h , media sheet 8 is traversed towards media creasing roller 154 through the rotation of media drive rollers 28 along the direction of arrows a and b . finally , with respect to fig8 i , media sheet 8 is traversed by media drive rollers 28 until a portion of media sheet 8 , upon which another crease in media sheet 8 is to the formed , is located substantially adjacent to the nip located between media drive roller 28 and media creasing roller 154 . once the second location has been achieved , the second crease ( not shown ) can be formed according to the previously discussed steps as shown in fig8 a – 8 h . once media sheet 8 has been creased in at least two positions , media sheet 8 is forwarded to a conventional sheet - accumulating device . after the desired number of creased media sheets 8 has been collected to form a bundle , a final alignment or registration of the bundle is completed . finally , the bundle is fastened and a finished booklet is ejected . with respect to fig9 , it is to be understood that any number of creases can be formed on media sheets 8 of booklet 2 . for example , as shown in fig9 a , media sheets 8 have been creased at three points ( 100 , 102 , 102 ). as shown in fig9 b , media sheets 8 have been creased at four points ( 104 , 106 , 106 , 104 ). it is to be understood that having more folds on every media sheet 8 could give better results . clearly , as the number of folds increases and the angle subtended by media sheet 8 decreases , plastic deformation requirements for media sheet 8 are reduced which , in turn , reduces pillowing and increases the tendency of the booklet to lay flat . also , the present invention can be embodied in any computer - readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction - execution system , apparatus or device such as a computer / processor based system , processor - containing system or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction - execution system , apparatus or device , and execute the instructions contained therein . in the context of this disclosure , a “ computer - readable medium ” can be any means that can store , communicate , propagate or transport a program for use by or in connection with the instruction - execution system , apparatus or device . the computer - readable medium can comprise any one of many physical media such as , for example , electronic , magnetic , optical , electromagnetic , infrared , or semiconductor media . more specific examples of a suitable computer - readable medium would include , but are not limited to , a portable magnetic computer diskette such as floppy diskettes or hard drives , a random access memory ( ram ), a read - only memory ( rom ), an erasable programmable read - only memory , or a portable compact disc . it is to be understood that the computer - readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed , as the program can be electronically captured , via , for instance , optical scanning of the paper or other medium , then compiled , interpreted or otherwise processed in a single manner , if necessary , and then stored in a computer memory . those skilled in the art will understand that various embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in hardware , software , firmware or combinations thereof . separate embodiments of the present invention can be implemented using a combination of hardware and software or firmware that is stored in memory and executed by a suitable instruction - execution system . if implemented solely in hardware , as in an alternative embodiment , the present invention can be separately implemented with any or a combination of technologies which are well known in the art ( for example , discrete - logic circuits , application - specific integrated circuits ( asics ), programmable - gate arrays ( pgas ), field - programmable gate arrays ( fpgas ), and / or other later developed technologies . in preferred embodiments , the present invention can be implemented in a combination of software and data executed and stored under the control of a computing device . once given the above disclosure , many other features , modifications or improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan . such features , modifications or improvements are , therefore , considered to be a part of this invention , the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims .	1
before any independent embodiments of the invention are explained in detail , it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings . the invention is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways . also , it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting . the use of “ including ,” “ comprising ” or “ having ” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items . the terms “ mounted ,” “ connected ” and “ coupled ” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting , connecting and coupling . further , “ connected ” and “ coupled ” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings , and can include electrical connections or couplings , whether direct or indirect . as described in subsequent paragraphs , the specific configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify independent embodiments of the invention , and other alternative configurations are possible . fig1 illustrates a longwall shearer 10 including a chassis or base 14 , a pair of cutting assemblies 18 , and an armored face conveyor 22 ( fig2 ). the base 14 is configured to tram along a wall ( not shown ) of material to be mined in a first direction 26 and a second direction 28 . as the base 14 moves in the first direction 26 , a first cutting assembly 18 a is in a leading position and a second cutting assembly 18 b is in a trailing position . the first cutting assembly 18 a is elevated to cut material from an upper portion of the mine wall , while the second cutting assembly 18 b is in a lower position to cut material from a lower portion of the mine wall . as shown in fig2 , each cutting assembly 18 includes a ranging arm 30 , a cutting drum 34 , and a guide assembly 38 . the ranging arm 30 has a first end 46 pivotably coupled to the base 14 and a second end 50 . referring to fig2 and 3 , the cutting drum 34 includes a generally cylindrical body 54 , multiple vanes 58 , and multiple cutting bits 62 . the body 54 has a first end 70 and a second end 74 , and a drum axis 78 is defined therebetween . the first end 70 is pivotably coupled to the second end 50 of the ranging arm 30 and has a generally planar surface . as used herein , the term “ axial ” and variants thereof refer to a direction parallel to the drum axis 78 and the term “ radial ” and variants thereof refer to a direction perpendicular to the drum axis 78 . the cutting drum 34 rotates about the drum axis 78 in a first direction 82 ( fig2 ). each vane 58 extends in a spiral manner along the periphery of the body 54 , between the first end 70 and the second end 74 . the cutting bits 62 ( fig2 ) are positioned along the vanes 58 . as shown in fig2 and 3 , the guide assembly 38 includes a hub 86 and a guide member 90 . the hub 86 is coupled to the second end 50 of the ranging arm 30 . as shown in fig3 , the guide member 90 includes a first end 94 adjacent the first end 70 of the body 54 , a second end 98 proximate the conveyor 22 , and an angled portion 102 . in the illustrated embodiment , the angled portion 102 is inclined downwardly from the first end 94 toward the second end 98 . in other embodiments , the angled portion 102 may include multiple facets ( see , for example , fig4 ), or may have a curved profile . during operation of the longwall shearer 10 , the base 14 travels back and forth along the mine wall . each ranging arm 30 is pivoted about its first end 46 to move the cutting drum 34 into contact with the mine wall . the cutting drum 34 rotates about the drum axis 78 and the cutting bits 62 engage the mine wall until the shearer 10 completes a pass along the wall . the cutting bits 62 liberate material from the wall , and the material scrolls along the vanes 58 , thereby transporting the material from the second end 74 of the body 54 toward the first end 70 . upon reaching the first end 70 , material exits the vane 58 and engages the angled portion 102 of the guide assembly 38 . in the illustrated embodiment , the material slides along the angled portion 102 from the first end 94 to the second end 98 , at which point the material disengages the guide assembly 38 and falls onto the conveyor 22 . the guide assembly 38 thus directs the material from the cutting drum 34 and rearwardly onto the conveyor 22 . by directing material onto the conveyor 22 , the guide assembly 38 may reduce the amount of material falling between the cutting drum 34 and the conveyor 22 , which may be lost and / or added to the windrow . the guide assembly 38 may thereby increase the efficiency of the shearer operation . fig4 and 5 show another independent embodiment of the guide assembly 338 . the guide assembly 338 is similar to the guide assembly 38 described above with respect to fig1 - 3 , and only differences are described below . common features have the same reference numbers , plus 300 . in this embodiment , the hub 386 is pivotably coupled to the second end 50 of the ranging arm 30 such that the guide member 390 can be positioned in multiple orientations with respect to the body 54 and to the arm 30 . in the illustrated embodiment , the hub 386 pivots about the drum axis 78 . in other embodiments ( not shown ), the hub 386 may pivot around an axis that is offset from the drum axis 78 and / or an axis that is not parallel to the drum axis 78 . in fig4 , the guide member 390 is shown in a deployed state in which the guide assembly 338 directs the material from the cutting drum 34 and rearwardly onto the conveyor 22 . as the arm 30 is pivoted to position and re - position the cutting drum 34 , the hub 386 may be pivoted to position / re - position the guide member 390 in an appropriate orientation to guide material onto the conveyor 22 . as shown in fig4 , the angled portion 402 has a first angled section 402 a at a first angle and a second angled portion 402 b at a second angle different than the first . in the illustrated construction , the steeper first angled section 402 a is positioned proximate the cutting drum 34 , and the shallower second angled section 402 b is positioned proximate the conveyor 22 . in other constructions ( not shown ), the angled portion 402 may have only one or more than two angled sections . in fig5 , the guide member 390 is shown in the stowed state . in this state , the guide member 390 engages against a surface of the arm 30 ( the upper surface in fig5 ) and is generally moved out of the way . in other constructions ( not shown ), the guide member 390 may also be angled on its opposite surface so that any material falling on that surface also tends to move toward the conveyor 22 . in still other constructions ( not shown ), the hub 386 could be pivoted in the opposite direction to stow the guide member 390 against the lower surface of the arm 30 . during operation , as the shearer 10 begins a new pass , the guide assembly 338 of the trailing cutting assembly 18 b ( fig1 ) is pivoted to a deployed state ( fig4 ), and , in the deployed state , the guide assembly 338 loads material onto the conveyor 22 . meanwhile , the guide assembly 338 of the leading cutting assembly 18 a ( fig1 ) may be pivoted to a stowed state ( fig5 ) or deployed in a different position in order to improve the loading capability of the leading cutting assembly 18 a . with the pivotable guide assembly 338 , the guide member 390 may be moved to avoid contacting roof supports during operation of the longwall shearer 10 , thereby providing additional versatility for operation of shearer 10 . fig6 shows another independent embodiment of the guide assembly 638 . the guide assembly 638 is similar to the guide assembly 338 described above with respect to fig4 and 5 , and only differences are described below . common features have the same reference numbers , plus 300 . in this embodiment of fig6 , the guide member 690 includes an arm 692 and a wing 696 pivotably coupled to the arm 692 . the wing 696 has an angled surface 702 . when the guide assembly 638 is pivoted to a deployed state , the wing 696 is pivoted relative to the arm 692 to a position to receive the material exiting the cutting drum 34 . an operator can adjust the orientation of the wing 696 and the angle of the surface 702 , as necessary . pivoting movement of the wing 696 may be , for example , driven hydraulically or positioned by a spring or cam . in addition , the wing 696 can be pivoted about the arm 692 to be approximately parallel with the hub 686 , allowing the guide member 690 to rotate 360 ° around the axis 78 and to be stowed inline with the ranging arm 30 . fig7 - 11 show another independent embodiment of the guide assembly 938 . the guide assembly 938 is similar to the guide assembly 338 described above with respect to fig4 - 5 , and only differences are described below . common features have the same reference numbers , plus 600 . as shown in fig9 - 10 , the hub 986 is formed as a top portion 1004 and a bottom portion 1008 , both of which are coupled to a circular rim 1012 . the top portion 1004 and the bottom portion 1008 are removably coupled together , for example , by fasteners 1016 . the hub 986 includes a ring gear 1020 positioned adjacent the rim 1012 , and a bracket portion 1024 . in the illustrated embodiment , the ring gear 1020 extends partially along the circumference of the rim 1012 . the bracket portion 1024 includes a support arm 1028 extending away from the hub 986 in a direction perpendicular to the drum axis 78 ( fig8 ). referring to fig9 - 10 , the guide member 990 is formed as a flap 1032 coupled to the bracket portion 1024 and the support arm 1028 . the flap 1032 generally extends away from the drum axis 78 in a radial direction . as shown in fig8 , the flap 1032 extends radially beyond the circumference of the cutting drum 34 . the flap 1032 covers a sector of the cutting drum 34 ( about 70 ° at the radial edge of the cutting drum 34 ). the flap 1032 deflects material cast by the cutting drum 34 in a direction away from the mine wall and directs that material downward toward the conveyor 22 or the mine floor , shielding the area behind the flap 1032 ( e . g ., the operator &# 39 ; s station ) from material that is cast by the cutting drum 34 . the flap 1032 is made from a generally flexible material so that the flap 1032 can deform when the flap 1032 comes into contact with an object or structure ( e . g ., a mine surface , a component of the shearer 10 , a roof support ( not shown ), etc .). the flexible material allows the flap 1032 to absorb the impact from material without causing damage to the flap 1032 . in the illustrated construction , the flap 1032 includes an edge portion 1036 that is folded over and secured to the bracket support arm 1028 . the support arm 1028 and / or the folded edge portion 1036 provide structural reinforcement for the flap 1032 , preventing the edge of the flap 1032 from bending under its own weight and coming into contact the cutting drum 34 . referring to fig1 , the second end 50 of the ranging arm 34 includes a motor 1040 and a groove 1044 for receiving the rim 1012 to secure the hub 986 against movement in a direction parallel to the drum axis 78 . the ring gear 1020 is also positioned within the groove 1044 . the motor 1040 drives a pinion gear 1048 that engages the ring gear 1020 . as the pinion gear 1048 rotates , the pinion gear 1048 moves the ring gear 1020 relative to the drum axis 78 ( fig8 ), rotating the guide assembly 938 about the drum axis 78 . this allows the operator to pivot the guide member 990 to a desired position with respect to the cutting drum 34 . while not shown , a similar arrangement may be provided for the pivoting hub 386 or 686 , described above and shown in fig4 - 5 or fig6 , respectively . during operation , the operator actuates the motor 1040 to move the guide assembly 938 to a desired position . the ranging arms 30 move the cutting drums 34 to engage various portions of the mine wall , including upper wall portions . as the cutting drum 34 is raised and lowered , the guide member 990 is pivoted to a desired position to provide maximum coverage of an area behind the cutting drum 34 in which liberated material is likely to be cast . the guide member 990 is positioned so that the flap 1032 does not bend or press against a mine surface , or interfere with the cutting drum 34 . the flap 1032 intercepts material that is liberated from the mine wall and causes the material to fall toward the conveyor 22 or mine floor below . the flap 1032 can thus shield the operator from material that is cast from the wall . thus , the invention may provide , among other things , a guide assembly for a mining machine . the guide assembly may guide material away from the cutting drum toward a conveyor . the guide assembly may deflect material cast in a direction away from the mine wall . various independent features and independent advantages of the invention may be set forth in the following claims :	4
for greater clarity , the flow sheet of a conventional isotopic enrichment cascade and the general features of such a cascade modified according to the invention will first be described with reference to fig1 . it will now be assumed that this cascade is intended for isotopic enrichment of natural uranium in isotope 235 by a method according to the invention of exchange between an aqueous phase containing u iii and an organic phase containing u iv . the exchange battery 11 of the cascade comprises p identical stages which will be denoted as 1 , . . . , n , . . . , p . at stage n for example , the aqueous phase 1 containing u + 3 coming from stage n + 1 is mixed with the organic phase containing u + 4 coming from stage n - 1 ; after separation , the aqueous and organic phases emerge respectively at 3 and 4 . the phase containing u iv is enriched in light isotope u 235 . if β is the enrichment coefficient per stage and if r n is the ratio of the richnesses u 235 / u 238 ( assumed equal at the inputs 1 and 2 ), the organic phase at the output has the richness r n · β of u 235 . fig1 also shows diagrammatically , the &# 34 ; rich &# 34 ; reflux 7 , where u iv enriched in u 235 is reduced to the state of u iii and reintroduced at stage p in aqueous phase , and the &# 34 ; depleted &# 34 ; reflux which fulfills the reverse functions of oxidation , of transferring the uranium from the aqueous phase to the organic phase and of reintroduction into stage 1 . conventional computation of an enrichment cascade shows that it is advantageous to adjust at each stage the ascending ( from 1 to p ) and descending flow - rates so as to avoid isotopic remixtures , that is to say to bring the uranium arriving at 2 to the same isotopic richness as the uranium arriving at 1 : this condition is not feasible economically ; it is therefore convenient to approach as far as possible this ideal condition by carrying out partial refluxes between a limited number of so - called &# 34 ; square &# 34 ; sub - cascades , such as those of fig1 with a very low flow - rate input at n and a very low corresponding flow - rate outputs of enriched uranium at e and depleted uranium at d . fig2 shows a cascade which comprises an exchange battery , where instead of exchange between u iii and u iv , there is used exchange between an inorganic liquid phase of uranium iii and an organic phase of u iii . the use of those organic solvents mentioned above which cannot complex u iii is obviously excluded in this case . the exchange battery 11 can have a constitution similar to that described in fig1 but the refluxes are of different nature . organic phase : uranium in the form of a complex in a dilute organic solvent , capable of placing the uranium iii in the form of a complex such as phosphonate . at ambient temperature , an aliphatic or aromatic inert diluent , like for example dodecane , kerosene or xylene , is added to the solvent . there can for example be used an organic phase o constituted by : ______________________________________ phosphonate = 50 % ( for example dibutylbutylphos - phonate dbbp ) o xylene = 50 % u iii = 0 . 005 m______________________________________ inorganic phase : uranium at low concentration in the aqueous phase . to this phase there must imperatively be added a strong salting out agent intended to maintain the uranium complex in the organic phase . if the uranium is in the form of ucl 3 , the salting out agent may be cl - at strong concentration in the form of hcl and / or alkali or alkaline - earth chloride . there can for example be used as the aqueous phase a : ______________________________________ u . sup .+ 3 : 0 . 2 m in the form of ucl . sub . 3 hcl : 5 to 8 n , advantageously 7 n . ______________________________________ the aqueous phase enters the exchange battery 11 through 12 . in the compartment 13 , the acidity of this aqueous phase has been raised from 0 . 5 to 7 n due to the hydrochloric acid coming from the separator 14 through 15 . after isotopic exchange , this aqueous phase goes from the exchange battery 11 to an extractor 17 through a pipe 16 . in this extractor , the aqueous phase a is brought in contact with a 50 % exhausted dbbp in xylene . the uranium iii then passes entirely from the aqueous phase into the organic phase . the aqueous phase exhausted of uranium then goes into the separator 14 . this separator 14 extracts the hydrochloric acid at 15 and restores an aqueous phase whose normality of hcl has passed from 7 n to 0 . 5 n . the hydrochloric acid is sent into 13 through 15 whilst the aqueous phase 0 . 5 n , exhausted of uranium , is sent through 18 to a reextractor 19 where it is brought in contact with the organic phase o coming from the exchange battery 11 . the whole of the uranium iii passes from the organic phase into the aqueous phase , the latter containing practically no more salting out agent . the charged aqueous phase a then enters through 21 in an apparatus 20 , where the uranium , of which a portion has possibly been oxidized , is brought back entirely to valence iii . finally , the aqueous phase is brought through 22 into the compartment 13 in which hcl , playing the role of salting out agent , is introduced . the organic phase o , after isotopic exchange in the exchange battery 11 , is sent through 23 to the extractor 19 where the uranium is extracted by the aqueous phase . the exhausted organic phase emerging from 19 through 24 goes to the extractor 17 where the uranium contained in the aqueous phase passes into the exhausted organic phase , owing to the presence of salting out agent in the aqueous phase . finally , the organic phase loaded with uranium enters 11 through 25 . the supply of natural uranium is effected at very low flow - rate through n , the withdrawal of depleted uranium at d and the taking off of enriched uranium at e . the components of the battery can have the constitution which will be described below with regard to fig3 and 4 . there will now be described in more detailed manner exchange batteries between u iii and u iv according to the diagram of fig1 . the liquid - liquid isotopic exchange between the compounds of u iii and compounds of u iv in the liquid phase , may be effected under various conditions , two of which will be described in the following , i . e . : the exchange in homogeneous aqueous phase with extraction of u iv by an organic phase ; exchange between an aqueous phase containing u iii and an organic phase containing u iv , this condition giving rise to a lower consumption of energy and to a simpler apparatus than the first and being generally preferable . these two embodiments will be described successively by making reference to the examples . in all cases , the phase containing the u iv is enriched in light isotope ( u 235 in the case of enrichment of natural uranium ). fig3 shows diagrammatically three intermediate stages ( of rank n - 1 , n and n + 1 ) of a cascade employing exchange in homogeneous aqueous phase , as well as two end stages 1 and p and the refluxes . the number p of stages is chosen as equal to the number of theoretical plates to obtain the desired enrichment . the poor reflux ( that is to say depleted in u 235 ) and rich reflux are constituted by apparatuses enabling the uranium contained respectively in the phases containing u iii and u iv and emerging through one end of the cascade to pass at the other valence before reintroduction at the same end of the battery in the other phase . the stages are all identical . the stage n for example comprises an apparatus 29 in which the aqueous phases are mixed prior to exchange , then subjected to extraction by the organic phase . the apparatus 29 is for example a pulsed column , a mixer - decanter ( which has the drawback of not permitting allowing for a contact time of less than about 40 seconds in the present state of the art ), or a static mixer - centrifugal separator assembly . these apparatuses should not have any surface which is electrically conducting in contact with the phases undergoing exchange and must not introduce catalytic ions . for this purpose , recourse should be had to either apparatuses made of plastic materials , or apparatuses with surfaces coated with an insulating material . the apparatus 29 of the stage n receives , through 45 , the aqueous phase charged with u iii coming from the subsequent stage n + 1 , and , through 41 , the aqueous phase charged with u iv from the preceding stage n - 1 . the aqueous phase charged with u iii and depleted in u 235 emerges from the stage at 37 to go to stage n - 1 , after treatment . in the apparatus 29 , u iv is extracted entirely by an organic phase circulating in counter - current , entering at 34 and emerging at 30 . as input phase charged with u iii , an aqueous hydracid solution ( generally hydrochloric ) about 5 n , whose content of u iii ranges from 0 . 1 to 2 m / l ; as input phase charged with u iv , an aqueous solution of the same hydracid ( generally hydrochloric ) about 5 n , of which the content of u iv ranges from 0 . 1 to 2 m / l ; as organic phase for the extraction of u iv , capable of extracting the u iv entirely from the aqueous phase having the contents of hydracid ( constituted by hcl ) indicated above , various solvents , such as : trioctylphosphine oxide ( topo ), diluted in an aromatic organic diluent like xylene in the proportion of 10 % of trioctylphosphine oxide by weight , if one works at ambient temperature , an assembly for adjusting the acidity of the aqueous solutin of u iii , before its being sent to the preceding stage , an assembly for re - extraction of u iv from the organic phase by an aqueous phase and adjustment of the latter before being sent to stage n + 1 . the first assembly comprises a hydrochloric acid concentrator 33 , which may use electrolysis , osmosis or evaporation ( with the addition of a salt to avoid the azeotrope h 2 o -- hcl with 20 % of hcl at atmospheric pressure ). the latter solution will generally be the most advantageous . the concentrator may be one of the well known types for the preparation of concentrated hcl , such as those described in u . s . pat . no . 2 , 357 , 095 ( evans et al ) and g . b . pat . no . 669 , 671 ( wingfoot corp .) or in the article of m . j . dehan &# 34 ; carbon and hydrochloric acid &# 34 ; ( chimie et industrie , vol . 105 , no . 23 , november 1972 , pages 1683 - 1687 ), but provided to avoid the addition of oxidizing ions and the contact with any conducting surface ( which implies glass members ). from the concentrator 33 supplied with hydrochloric aqueous solution 4 - 9 n arriving through 37 emerge : at 32 , an aqueous solution freed of uranium , very slightly acid ( less than 0 . 5 n ) to be able to extract u iv from an organic phase ; the extraction can even be effected with water ; the topo having retained sufficient acid to avoid the precipitation of u iv ; at 42 , an aqueous solution , containing the whole of u iii ( depleted in u 235 ) which goes to stage n - 1 . the second assembly comprises a re - extractor 31 ( which can be very similar to the apparatus 29 ) in which u iv is entirely extracted by the very slightly acid aqueous phase coming through 32 from the concentrator 33 . the aqueous solution charged with u iv goes through 35 to the stage n + 1 where it will be reacidified before introduction into the exchange apparatus of the stage . at each stage ( n , for example ), the aqueous solution coming through 40 from the re - extractor of the preceding stage ( n - 1 for example ) is acidified before introduction into the apparatus 29 : this operation is effected in a mixing acidifier 39 supplied with hydrochloric acid by the concentrator 33 , by means of 38 . the u iv uranium enriched in u 235 emerging in concentrated aqueous phase , very slightly acid , from the re - extractor of stage p is reduced to the u iii state and reintroduced at stage p through a reducing reflux . this reducing reflux comprises an apparatus 46 , supplied through 47 from the re - extraction of stage p , which restores u iv to the state u iii . it can be very similar to that which will be described below with reference to fig4 and it suffices here to note that this apparatus 46 may be : a reactor in which u iv is reduced to u iii in the aqueous phase by a reducing solid product such as metallic zinc or a zinc amalgam , recovery of the zinc having then to be provided for . an electrolysis tank with a diaphragm in which the uranium is reduced by the electrochemical route . the tank can be of the type used for the manufacture of chlorine , but with non - metallic walls or covered with insulation ( except for the electrodes ) and a porous diaphragm of sintered glass , pvc , ptfe , or an ion exchange membrane insulating the cathode compartment . the cathode can for example be of a metal or alloy whose hydrogen overpotential is sufficient , such as mercury or an amalgam , of lead for example . the anode may be of graphite . lead , cadmium , tin can also be contemplated . the solution in the cathode compartment is brought to between 1 and 2 n by addition of hcl from the concentrator 52 of the stage 1 to improve the faraday yield . the chlorine which is released at the anode is fractionated : a part is recombined with hydrogen formed at the cathode ; the rest is used in the oxidizing reflux , as will be seen below . in practice , 0 . 25 a / cm 2 is not exceeded in the course of the electrolysis . the aqueous solution of u iii taken up through 48 in the apparatus 46 supplies the last stage p of the cascade , after having been acidified by a delivery of hcl coming through 51 from the concentrator 52 of stage 1 . the reducing reflux , when a mercury cathode is used , also effects the elimination of troublesome cations ( such as ni , cu , . . . ) and enables the maintenance of their content at a very low value ( less than one ppm ) which is necessary : these cations are amalgamated and then retained by an auxiliary mercury purification system . the oxidizing reflux is provided on the other hand to oxidize the uranium emerging through 53 from the concentrator 52 from the first stage in slightly acid concentrated aqueous phase from the u iii form to the u iv form , and to reintroduce it through 54 in to the apparatus 29 1 of this first stage . the reflux comprises a reactor 50 in which u iii is restored to u iv , for example by one of the following operations : bubbling of an oxidizing gas ( cl 2 for example , coming through 49 from the tank 46 as indicated in fig3 ). the operational conditions must be obviously selected to avoid bringing the uranium to valency vi . in the case of the refluxes indicated in fig4 there is a double interaction between the refluxes : the chlorine serving for the oxidizing reflux comes through 49 from the anode compartment of the electrolyser 46 used for the reducing reflux ; the acid coming from the deacidifier 52 at stage 1 ( corresponding to the oxidizing reflux ) is used before and after the electrolysis at 46 to enable good electrolysis and adjust the acidity of the emerging solution . the table below brings together the results of a certain number of trials in flasks for which the uranium salts were 0 . 2 m ucl 4 and ucl 3 chlorides in an hcl medium of 4 to 9 n . __________________________________________________________________________n ° 1 2 3 4 5 g 7 8 9__________________________________________________________________________n hcl medium 7 7 7 7 5 4 5 5 5extraction agent topo topo topo topo topo topo topo topo topoduration 3 m 5 m 5 m 10 s 30 s 30 s 1 m 3 m 7 mα - 1 × 10 . sup . 4 38 40 40 38 39 38 37 36 35diluent tol tol tol tol tol tol tol tol toltemperature amb - 20 ° - 20 ° amb amb amb amb amb amb - 25 ° - 25 ° __________________________________________________________________________n ° 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18__________________________________________________________________________n hcl medium 5 7 7 9 5 6 5 5 5extraction agent topo topo eh tbpo eh eh 3h th . sub . p po th . sub . x poduration 15 m 2 m 1 m 4 m 1 m 1 m 1 m 1 m 1 mα - 1 × 10 . sup . 4 32 37 39 35 35 40 41 36 37diluent tol tol ker tol ker ker ker tol toltemperature amb amb amb amb amb amb amb amb amb__________________________________________________________________________ acidity of the aqueous medium in mixer - decanters around 5 n hcl ; the enrichment coefficient α is all the higher as the extraction is rapid ; it diminishes with the duration of contact to reach an ultimate value corresponding to the reversible exchange and which corresponds to values of α of the order of 1 . 0027 . after the example of exchange in the homogeneous aqueous phase illustrated in fig3 there will now be described the exchange between the hydrochloric aqueous phase of ucl 3 and organic phase ( for example ucl 4 in tbp diluted in dodecane ) with reference to the examples illustrated in fig4 and 5 . in fig4 the battery of isotopic exchange stages is again denoted by 11 . each stage is constituted by an apparatus for bringing two phases in contact and , subsequently , for separating them , similar to the apparatuses 29 of fig3 . for example , use can be made of : pulsed columns for liquid - liquid extraction , such as those marketed under the name pse by stahl apparate and geratebau , viernheim , hessen , r . f . a . ; multiple mixer - decanters or mixer settlers ( which have however the drawback of long duration of contact ) such as those marketed under the name lte by lurgi ges . fur warmetechnik mbh , frankfurt , west germany ; continuous podbielniak centrifugal contacters for liquid - liquid extraction , marketed by baker - perkins inc . saginaw , mich ., u . s . a . ; lurgi westfalia drum extractors with counter - current circulation , marketed by westfalia separator ag , oelde , west germany , which enable flow - rates going up to 7m 3 / hour ; extraction centrifuges , such as those marketed by liquid dynamics , chicago , u . s . a ., under the trade mark &# 34 ; quadronic &# 34 ;. all the above - mentioned apparatuses , such as are available in commerce , comprise numerous metallic parts in contact with the liquid : they must obviously be modified and the parts concerned must be constituted or coated with electrical insulation . this can be glass or plastics . however plastics must be selected to resist at the same time concentrated acids ( the hydrochloric aqueous phase ) and constituents of the organic phase ( especially phosphates and aromatic hydrocarbons ). a rich or reducing reflux , comprising a re - extractor 71 , an apparatus 72 for reducing u 4 + to u 3 + , an acidifier 69 , an apparatus 73 for the possible extraction of ucl 4 and the associated pipes and equipment . a poor or oxidizing reflux , comprising an apparatus 68 for oxidation of u 3 + to u 4 + , an apparatus 74 for increasing the acidity , an extractor 66 and the associated pipes and equipment ; lastly apparatuses 70 and 75 for purification and recycling of the aqueous and organic phases . the apparatus 70 is intended to remove all or part of the hydrochloric acid from a 5 - 7 n aqueous hydrochloric phase free of uranium which it receives at 76 ; there emerges therefrom ; at 77 , a solution containing between 0 . 2 and 2 n hcl and , at 78 , hcl gas containing little water . this apparatus is for example a still . in the re - extraction apparatus 71 , the solution coming from 77 re - extracts completely the uranous chloride ucl 4 contained in an organic phase arriving at 79 . u 4 + contained in the aqueous loaded with ucl 4 emerging from the re - extractor 71 is reduced in the electrolyser 72 containing a semi - permeable membrane and of which the cathode is constituted either of mercury , or of lead , or of lead amalgam , or of metals whose hydrogen overpotential is sufficient , for example cd , sn ; there is formed hypo - uranous chloride ucl 3 in the cathode compartment . the electrolyser 72 may be of one of the types currently used in the preparation of chlorine by electrolysis , such as described for example in &# 34 ; chlorine -- its manufacture , properties and uses &# 34 ; j . s . scance , robert e . krieger publishing company , chapters 5 and 6 . there may also for example be used : cells with horizontal cathode , with forced or gravity flow ; in particular , one may use cells operative with co - currents of the aqueous phase and of a thin layer of mercury , the cathode compartment being surmounted by a diaphragm of sintered glass provided with evacuation ducts for the hydrogen , and the anode compartment provided with pipes for the exit of chlorine ; vertical cathode cells constituted by a film of mercury falling by gravity , provided with diaphragms not capable of introducing impurities , for example of ptfe , pvc , fluon , grafted ptfe ( the diaphragms may be of purified ion exchange resins or sintered glass ), such as described at chapter 15 pages 575 - 596 of the work . &# 34 ; industrial electrochemical processes &# 34 ; of a . t . kuhn , observer publ . co . ; 1971 ; the mercury also serves as a heat carrier and is cooled before being returned to the cells ; the aqueous phase emerging from the cathode compartment through 80 is acidified at 69 by hcl gas arriving through 78a until an aqueous solution containing more than 2 n hcl is obtained which emerges at 81 . if residual ucl 4 subsists , it is extracted in a contact apparatus 73 by a portion of the exhausted organic phase brought in through a by - pass 82 . the aqueous phase then enters at 83 the exchange battery 11 where it circulates in counter - current with an organic phase entering at 84 and containing ucl 4 . at 68 , the uranium from the aqueous phase is oxidized by the chlorine arriving through 85 of the anode compartment of the electrolyser 72 : ucl 3 is converted into ucl 4 . the acidity of the aqueous phase is brought to 5 - 7 n at 74 by a portion of the hcl gas arriving from 70 through 78b . then ucl 4 is extracted in the apparatus 66 ( a battery of pulsed columns for example ) by the organic phase arriving at 86 , almost entirely , because of the high content of salting out hcl of the aqueous phase . the aqueous phase freed of its uranium then feeds the deacidifier 70 and 76 . the organic phase which is loaded with ucl 4 at 66 emerges at 84 and circulates in 11 in counter - current with the aqueous phase entering at 83 : the organic phase is enriched in 235 u whilst the aqueous phase is depleted in 235 u . ucl 4 is re - extracted at 71 . the organic phase freed of its uranium is then washed at 75 by a current of sodium carbonate which retains the hydrolysis products of the solvents as well as the possible oxidizing metals which precipitate . the purified organic solution is then recycled through 86 . a small fraction is drawn off through 82 to extract residual u iv from the aqueous phase . the assembly thus described will constitute a total reflux battery ; production is ensured by introducing at n a flow of organic phase loaded with ucl 4 very small with respect to the circulating flow ; this flow is compensated by portions taken off at e on the enriched uranium and at d on the depleted uranium . other modifications of this system are possible , for example as regards deacidification . it is possible for example to replace hcl gas arriving at 78b by a concentrated aqueous solution of depleted ucl 4 and to regulate the extraction battery 66 such that only a predetermined fraction of ucl 4 be extracted ; the solution 76 which then contains ucl 4 is concentrated at 70 to liberate slightly acid water at 77 , hcl gas at 78 and a concentrated solution of ucl 4 at 78b . hcl may be replaced by mgcl 2 or licl , at least partly , to increase the content of salting out agent without increasing the acidity . the embodiment illustrated at fig5 differs from the preceding one only by the constitution of the refluxes . for greater simplicity , the apparatuses corresponding to those of fig4 bear the same reference numerals . in fig5 the counter - current exchange battery 11 receives through 90 the 8 n hydrochloric aqueous solution of ucl 3 to be enriched . this solution is mixed with an aqueous phase of ucl 3 coming from a reducing reflux constituted by an extractor 71 , an electrolyser with a mercury cathode 72 , an acidifier 69 , and entering the battery 11 through the supply pipe 83 . in the battery 11 , this aqueous phase encounters , in countercurrent , an organic phase entering through 84 , constituted by tbp diluted to 30 % in dodecane and loaded with ucl 4 , which emerges from the battery through 79 . the 8 n hydrochloric aqueous phase , emerging from the battery 11 , is divided into two fractions . the first fraction , of slight flow - rate is rejected at d . the other is sent through 92 to the oxidizing reflux . it is oxidized in a bubbler 68 , by a current of chlorine entering through 85 , and ucl 3 thus passes to the state of ucl 4 . the aqueous phase charged with ucl 4 leaves the bubbler through the pipe 93 and enters an extractor 66 . in this extractor 66 , ucl 4 passes from the 8 n hydrochloric medium into the organic phase entering 66 through the pipe 86 . the organic phase , charged with ucl 4 , leaves the extractor 66 through 84 and supplies the exchange battery 11 . the 8 n hydrochloric aqueous phase exhausted of ucl 4 leaves the extractor 66 through 76 . a portion of this hydrochloric solution is directed to a distillation apparatus 70 and the remainder ( to which their is added through 71 water coming from the still 70 , in order to bring its normality of about 3 n ) enters through 102 re - extractor 71 , wherein the 3 n hydrochloric phase encounters in counter - current the organic phase loaded with ucl 4 coming , through the pipe 79 , from the exchange battery 11 . the acidity conditions are such that almost the whole of the ucl 4 passes into the 3 n hydrochloric aqueous phase . the organic phase , freed of ucl 4 , leaves the re - extractor 71 through the pipe 94 and is introduced into a separator 95 , where the degradation products of the tbp are removed through 96 . this separator may be a chamber for washing by na 2 co 3 . the degradation products of the tbp comprise vigorous complexants and can entrain a portion of the enriched ucl 4 . the fraction of these products which retain ucl 4 corresponding to the production is removed through e . the other fraction is treated to recover the uranium which is reintroduced into the aqueous phase in the installation through 98 . the 3 n hydrochloric aqueous phase containing ucl 4 emerges from the re - extractor 71 through the pipe 99 . after mixing with ucl 4 recovered from 95 , it is lead through the pipe 100 to the electrolyser 72 in which uranium iv is brought back to valence iii . the distillation apparatus 70 separates the 8 n hydrochloric solution emerging from the extractor 66 , on the one hand into concentrated hydrochloric acid 78 which serves to restore to about 8 n the normality of the ucl 3 solution emerging from the electrolyser 72 , before its entry into the exchange battery 11 and , on the other hand , into water 101 used to reduce the normality of the 8 n hydrochloric solution arriving through 76 before its entry into the re - extractor 71 . in fig6 to 9 are described various examples in which are to be found the same functions of enrichment and of oxidizing reflux on the depleted side ( which is not shown ), but where the reduction on the rich reflux side is ensured by an amalgam , according to various alternatives : the same reference numerals will again be used to denote the corresponding members . fig6 shows the same devices to be used in connection with the method as in fig5 . however ucl 4 is reduced by zinc amalgam . the plate column 71 receives , besides the organic and aqueous phases , as in fig5 a third phase constituted by zinc amalgam coming from the electrolyser 103 through the pipe 104 . this amalgam is recycled from the column 71 to the electrolyser 103 through the pipe 105 . since a small amount of zinc is being entrained by the organic phase , a supplementary washer 106 is provided in the return pipe 86 of the aqueous phase . fig7 shows again the same devices to be used in connection with the method as in fig4 but the electrolyser is replaced by a contactor 107 in which the reduction of the uranium iv to uranium iii is effected by zinc amalgam coming through 108 of the electrolyser 109 . in the case of fig8 the reflux 71 and reducing 107 apparatuses are replaced by a single apparatus 110 in which the three phases circulate : organic , aqueous and zinc amalgam . the two aqueous and organic phases circulate in counter - current whilst the direction of flow of the zinc amalgam is immaterial . ucl 4 is re - extracted and reduced in a single operation . for an aqueous phase highly concentrated in salting out agent ( hcl or chloride ), the apparatus 110 constitutes by itself the whole of the reducing reflux . in fig9 there is shown an alternative of the method which is convenient for aqueous phases with low contents of salting out agent ( 0 . 5 n ). in this case , it is advantageous to combine the apparatuses 107 - 110 and 71 into a single tower , the flow of znhg arriving at mid - height of the tower . the aqueous solution then contains zinc chloride ; it passes through the apparatuses 69 - 73 - 67 - 68 - 74 - 66 without disturbing their operation . in fig7 to 9 , the addition at 74 of hcl gas may be advantageously replaced by the addition of a concentrated solution of salting out agent 111 ( licl or mgcl 2 for example ) emerging from the deacidifier 70 . the flow - rate is adjusted so that the concentration of salting out agent in the solution 112 emerging from 74 is such that the uranium is extracted at 66 in a suitable number of stages . the solution 76 exhausted of uranium is electrolysed at 109 , the cathode being constituted by a film if amalgam 113 depleted of zinc coming from the reactors 107 and 110 . the solution 114 which emerges from the electrolyser is not completely depleted of zncl 2 to maintain a suitable faraday yield in the electrolyser . in the deacidifier 70 which is , in these examples , a group of rectifying columns , there is removed at 115 steam containing little hcl , at 78 hcl containing little water , and at 111 a concentrated more or less acid solution of licl or mgcl 2 containing also zncl 2 . after condensation , the solution 115 serves to re - extract at 71 , not only ucl 4 from the organic phase , but also the amount of zncl 2 which might also be contained therein . it will be noted that with this system it is advantageous to minimise attack by the hydrochloric acid on the zinc dissolved in the mercury , to replace a portion of the hydrochloric acid of 115 by a chloride not reduceable by the zinc amalgam and having a good salting out effect ( mgcl 2 or licl already mentioned may be suitable ). this is obtained by by - passing part of the flow 114 directly to 115 . some zncl 2 however remains in the organic phase emerging from 71 ; this zncl 2 must be removed or not by washing with acidified water according as the washing with carbonate 75 is run or not . in this case , the zinc electrolyser may , if necessary , be placed after the by - pass proposed hereabove . zncl 2 can again be extracted by an organic phase which forms a complex of the zncl 2 ( tbp for example ), independent of the principal organic phase , at the level of 76 , this zncl 2 being then re - extracted by 1 n hydrochloric acid in order to reduce the zinc in the amalgam with a good faraday yield . the following examples ( of unit exchange for the examples 1 to 9 ) enable the magnitude of the separation factor to be appreciated . u iii : in 0 . 4 m aqueous solution , 7 n hydrochloric medium ______________________________________ iii = 0 . 2 maqueous phase hcl = 7 n u iv = 0 . 2 morganic phase : 50 % tbp in a dodecane - toleune mixture 40 %- 10 % ______________________________________ separation factor : α = 1 . 0012 to 1 . 0026 according to the contact time and agitation . ucl 3 = 0 . 4 m in 7 n aqueous hydrochloric solution ucl 4 = 0 . 4 m complexed by tbp ( 40 %) diluted in kerosene r ( 60 %) ucl 3 = 2 . 35 m + ucl 4 = 0 . 13 m in 1 . 55 n hcl solution ucl 4 = 0 . 42 m in tri - isobutylphosphate ( 42 % by volume ) diluted in xylene ( 58 % by volume ) ucl 3 = 1 m + 0 . 125 m ucl 4 in 4 . 6 n hcl solution ucl 4 = 0 . 55 n in n - butyl di - isobutylphosphonate at 40 % in dodecane ucl 3 = 0 . 11 m + ucl 4 = 0 . 01 in 5 n hcl ucl 4 = 0 . 12 m in trioctylphosphine oxide ( topo ) diluted to a content of 10 % in toluene ucl 3 = 0 . 42 m + ucl 4 = 0 . 16 m in 4 . 5 n hcl ucl 4 = 0 . 44 m in an organic phase containing 2 m / l of di - n - amylsulfoxide diluted in a mixture of equal volumes of tetrachlorethane and tetrabromethane separation factor : α = 1 . 0020 ( which corresponds at least to 1 . 0025 if account is taken of the ucl 4 remaining in the aqueous phase ) ucl 4 = 0 . 08 m in the aliquat 336 diluted in the proportion of 17 % in toluene ( the aliquat 336 is an industrial mixture of quaternary ammoniums manufactured by general mills , kankakee , ill .) ucl 3 = 0 . 7 m in 7 . 35 n hydrochloric aqueous solution ucl 4 = 0 . 68 m complexed by 50 % tri - isobutylphosphate in kerosene r ucl 3 = 0 . 7 m in 8 . 2 n hydrochloric aqueous solution ucl 4 = 0 . 67 n complexed by 50 % tri - 2 - methylbutylphosphate in dodecane ucl 4 = 0 . 08 m in d 2 ehpa ( diethyl 2 hexylphosphoric acid ) diluted to 30 % in toluene cascade of the woodward type with four stages according to the system of fig1 organic phase o : ucl 4 = 0 . 42 m , 50 % tep - 50 % toluene the ratio of the richnesses of u 235 was measured at the different steps ( see diagram ); in particular , the ratio between the richness of the richest product in u 235 and the richness of the poorest product in u235 is equal to 1 . 0109 , which corresponds to an average separation factor of 1 . 0027 per stage . right hand branch : the uranium contained in the organic phase o is divided into two parts ; half is brought to valence iii and subjected to the previously indicated conditions for the aqueous phase ; the remainder is kept in the organic phase and a fresh contact is effected ; the operation is repeated at each stage . left hand branch : identical operations but applied to the aqueous phases . a cascade with four plates was formed and four equilibrating operations were carried out , each being followed by a rotary transfer to approach equilibrium . successive exchanges in a cascade of the total reflux counter current type that is to say a &# 34 ; square &# 34 ; cascade with four stages according to fig1 each of the contacts as well as the refluxes being effected step by step . isotopic analyses enabled the rise to equilibrium of such a cascade in total reflux to be followed , filled uniformly at the start with natural uranium . the phases had the following characteristics : the various steps certainly resulted in enrichment according to theory , in particular the ratio of the end richnesses was 1 . 0080 , which corresponds to α = 1 . 0026 . all the particular embodiments described until raw use liquid phase exchange . the invention may also use exchange between a solid phase and a liquid phase . the isotope exchange reaction is advantageously the same as in the preceding cases , that is to say that one of the phases contains preferentially valence iii uranium and the other valence iv uranium ; it is the latter which is enriched in light isotope . the operational technique using solid supports ( ion exchange resins for example ) and enabling multiplication of the exchange is that of band displacement . the band displacement may be considered as being the meeting of two frontal analyses , one called direct at the head of the band , the other called reverse at the tail of the band . these two operations being symmetrical , there will be given an example of a direct frontal analysis . it is assumed that the conditions are such that u iv is fixed on the solid mass . before any introduction of uranium , a compound capable of oxidizing u iii to u iv is fixed on the solid phase in a quantitative manner and a solution of u iii is introduced at the top of the column . in a short height of the solid phase , which is similar to a plate , u iii in solution arriving in contact with the oxidizing compound will be fixed on the solid phase at the u iv state , provided that it has more affinity for the solid phase than the product obtained as a result of the reduction of the initial oxidizing compound . if the choice is suitable , a displacement in the first plate is effected . if , by transfer of solution , there is brought into this plate a new fraction of the supply solution , there will be isotopic exchange between the u + 4 fixed on the solid phase and the u + 3 in solution . under such conditions of operation , it will be noted that , for a given height of solid phase , the first drop of uranium emerging will be depleted in u 235 all the more as the column is greater , whilst the last drop emerging will have the initial isotopic composition . if the supply of uranium is interrupted once all the solid phase is saturated with u iv and if a reducer is supplied which converts u iv into u iii and whose oxidation product has more affinity for the solid phase than u iii , the phenomena which occur at the level of the theoretical plate can again be considered . it will thus be appreciated that , as the pasage of the solution progresses , the u iv will emerge from the column in a more and more enriched form . a reverse frontal analysis will thus be effected . four types of frontal analysis can be considered in respect of the invention according as said analysis is direct or reverse and as the reflux which corresponds to the passage of uranium from one phase to the other by means of the oxidation - reduction reaction is of the oxidizing or reducing type . to effect a displacement as a band , two opposite frontal types are opposed , one oxidizing , the other reducing . there are hence two possibilities according as the oxidizing front is at the head or at the tail of the band : the choice of one or other of the two systems being made depending on practical reasons . two red / ox compounds whose reaction product displaces uranium ( reverse front ) or is displaced by it ( direct front ) and whose reaction speed with the uranium is of the order of magnitude of the isotopic exchange speed . oxidation - reduction reactions may be carried out outside of the solid phase and the two operations in the reflux , i . e . : the passage of the uranium from one phase to the other , can be accomplished separately . one then has a method called an external reflux , which is necessarily discontinuous . the phases coming into play in the method are liquid and solid phases , as previously described . the concentrations in the aqueous phase may vary between 0 . 01 and 1 mole / liter and in the resin phase between 0 . 1 and 1 . 5 mole per kg of dry resin . there will now be described an example of a method with an external reflux . fig1 shows diagrammatically an elemental cascade and its auxiliary elements in the case of an anionic resin . the exchange section 116 is constituted by columns in series , the length of each resulting from optimisation taking into account the height of the theoretical plate , of the route of the enriched band brought into play . the solid phase loaded with u iv emerging from the exchange section 116 goes into the rich reflux 117 . in the case of a strong anionic resin ( fig1 ), a slightly acid aqueous phase ( 0 . 5 n hcl ) displaces uranium iv from the resin . the solid phase freed of uranium iv goes through 118 into the poor reflux 119 where it is loaded with uranium iv before returning to the exchange section 116 . the liquid phase emerging from the rich reflux 117 is acidified through 120 before passing into the reducer 121 . the reduction of the valence iv to the valence iii is effected by chemical or electrochemical route . after acidification through 122 , the liquid phase passes through the exchange section 116 . it is then oxidized at 123 by any known method , such as previously described , for example by chlorine coming through 124 of the electrolyser 121 . this liquid phase passes through the poor reflux 119 where it yields its uranium to the solid phase . the liquid phase then goes into the deacidifier 125 . there emerges therefrom on one hand , a slightly acid aqueous solution which is sent through 126 to the rich reflux and on the other hand , a solution of hcl through 127 . a solution of u iii being very sensitive to the presence of any substance capable of oxidizing it , it is necessary not only that the purity conditions of the solution with respect to dangerous substances be ensured to preserve the stability of the u iii . the resin should be maintained in such a purity condition as well . should commercial resins be used , they should be carefully freed of the oxidizing groups which they contain peroxides which have served as polymerisation catalysts as well as impurities fixed on the resin , particularly products resulting from attack of metallic components of the installation , etc . in the course of the manufacture of acid resins . uranium iv was fixed on a strong anionic resin in a 8 n hcl medium . this resin , similar to dowex 2 × 10 resins , has been manufactured from a matrix obtained by copolymerisation of styrene and divinylbenzene and fixation thereon of exchange groups bearing quaternary ammonium groups , and has been purified . the resin with u iv fixed thereon was then contacted with a solution of uranium iii in the same medium and in equal amount . the uranium was recovered separately from each of the phases , the uranium iv being eluted from the resin by weakly acidified water . the ratio of the isotopic richnesses of each of the two fractions obtained is : 1 . 0024 . there can also be used , at least for unitary exchanges , a cation exchange resin with moderate cross - linking , constituted by a polystyrene structure cross - linked with divinyl - benzene , with active sulphonic groups grafted thereon . the resin obtained is comparable to the dowex 50 wx8 resin , but is free of oxidizing impurities . u + 3 was fixed on the resin in h 2 so 4 medium of 0 . 5 acidity . this resin was placed in contact for about two hours with a solution of uranium iv in equal amount , then the uranium was recovered separately from each of the phases ; the ratio of the richnesses was measured ; the value found was α = 1 . 0020 . industrial installations can have generally the same constitution as certain of those using the exchange u + 4 - u + 6 , already described in the documents mentioned above . in the figures and in the examples , it is not always specified if the supply , the production and the removal are ensured through the aqueous or organic phase . in fact this is immaterial . in the same way , the points of introducing and withdrawing rich and poor materials can be differently placed . in general , it must be understood that the scope of the present patent extends to modifications of all or part of the features described within the scope of equivalents .	1
fig1 shows a self - injection guide tablet , generally as 10 in the figures . the self - injection guide tablet 10 includes a spine 12 and opposed upper and lower covers 14 , 16 , respectively . the upper and lower covers 14 , 16 may be substantially rigid to provide support for the self - injection guide tablet 10 . the spine 12 preferably has an adhesive or tape - like binding to fasten the covers 14 , 16 together and to provide further support for the tablet 10 . sandwiched between the covers 14 , 16 are a plurality of templates , generally indicated as 18 , as will be explained in greater detail below , with specific reference to fig3 - 9 . the templates 18 each have an adhesive backing , similar to the adhesive backing commonly found on adhesive bandages or other like materials , in order to permit easy peeling from the tablet 10 and from the self - injection areas of the body . there is also a perforation 19 extending through the tablet 10 for tearing off the templates 18 . with reference to fig2 a and 2b , there are indicated seven different common self - injection areas on a human body , which are typically utilized for subcutaneous injections . the injection areas are the left thigh 20 , the fleshy area of the upper left hip 21 , the fleshy , upper back portion of the left arm 22 , the abdomen 24 , the fleshy , upper back portion of the right arm 26 , the fleshy area of the right upper hip 27 , and the right thigh 28 . these seven body injection areas correspond to the days of a week , allowing the user to rotate through the body parts , with one body part being assigned to a corresponding day of the week . for example , on monday , a self - injection may be performed in the body injection area of the left thigh 20 . on tuesday , a self - injection is the performed in the body injection area of the left hip 21 . on wednesday , the self - injection is performed in the body injection area of the left arm 22 . on thursday , the self - injection is then given in the body injection area of the abdomen 24 . on friday , the self - injection is performed in the body injection area of the right arm 26 . on saturday , the self - injection is given in the body injection area of the right hip 27 . finally , at the end of the one - week cycle , a self - injection is performed in the body injection area of the right thigh 28 , on sunday . the process may then be repeated the following week , with a week &# 39 ; s time being given for healing of each body part . it should be understood that the above was only a selected example , and that the sequence of days matching the body injection sites is entirely dependent upon the user , though once the sequence has been defined by the user , the tablet 10 should always have the same injection body area assigned to a particular day , thus allowing a one - week period being injections for each body part . accordingly , by corresponding a body injection area with a particular day of the week , the user of the tablet 10 will easily remember , based upon the day of the week , where a self - injection is to be made . this eliminates repeating a self - injection in a particular body injection area during the week or week cycle . thus , in a one - week cycle , each of the seven body injection areas 20 , 21 , 22 , 24 , 26 , 27 , and 28 will have been injected only once and only on its particular day of the week . each template in the tablet 10 includes a removable grid guide that is shaped to cover the particular body injection area . additionally , each grid guide is divided into eight injection grids , numbered between one and eight . there is a unique numbering sequence to the eight injection grids , as shown in fig3 - 9 , as will be described in detail below . generally , the unique numbering sequence of the injection grids is to ensure that there will be at least 5 . 08 centimeters , or a two - inch space , between injections . for example , on some of the guide grids , the injection grid number one is positioned catty - corner from injection grid number two , as injection grid number two is similarly catty - corner from injection grid number three ( as shown in fig3 ). injection grid number three is catty - corner from injection grid number four . similarly , injection grid number five is positioned catty - corner from injection grid number six , and injection grid number six is catty - corner from injection grid number seven . further , injection grid number seven is catty - corner from injection grid number eight . an alternative numbering sequence may also be assigned so as to ensure that no numbered injection grid is next to its sequentially numbered injection grid . this sequence also ensures that there is at least 5 . 08 centimeters , or at least two inches , between injection points . this sequence is used when the grid guide has the numbered injection grids in a row , as opposed to columns ( as will be described in detail below ). in fig3 , a first template is illustrated , with the first template being configured for usage with the left thigh area 20 . in the example of fig3 , area 20 has been assigned to monday , and the following examples will be provided with each body part being assigned a sequential day from the first day of monday , given in the example of fig3 . as noted above , the assignment of days to each body part is entirely dependent upon the user &# 39 ; s preferences , and the assignments in fig3 - 10 are shown for exemplary purposes only . the first template 30 includes indicia 32 , shown here for exemplary purposes only as “ monday — left thigh ”, provided as a heading to guide the user . there are also instructions 34 , 35 imprinted on the face of template 30 to indicate to the user where to place a first grid guide 36 , once it is peeled from the first template 30 . thus , the user has the instructions 34 , 35 readily available while using the first template 30 of the self - injection guide tablet 10 . the first grid guide 36 is preferably rectangular and includes eight injection grids , numbered one to eight , as described above . the numbering of the injection grids begins with an injection grid numbered one , preferably located in the top left corner , and indicated generally as 38 . each of the numbered injection grids identifies one injection area for the particular injection area . the numbered injection grids are preferably formed in two columns , and the catty - corner numerical sequence described above is utilized to ensure that the injections are sequentially given for the selected body part at least 5 . 08 centimeters , or at least two inches , from the previous injection . a perforated edge 39 is shown at the top of template 30 , near the spine 12 , to permit removal of the first template 30 from the tablet 10 . when the user is ready to make the first injection , on monday , the user will peel the first grid guide 36 from the first template 30 and place it 5 . 08 centimeters , or two inches , above the knee at the left thigh area 20 , and two inches below the groin , as noted in the printed instructions 34 , 35 . because the number one injection grid is placed at the knee , and the number four injection grid is positioned below the groin , the user can read the numbered injection grids during the performance of the self - injection . additionally , as the first grid guide 36 is peeled off , the number one grid 38 ( shaded in fig3 ) remains on the first template 30 . as the first grid guide 36 is placed on the left thigh area 20 , there will be an empty area , where the number one grid 38 is removed ( by remaining fixed to template 30 ). the user will then perform the self - injection , within the open area of the vacated first grid . after self - injection , the first grid guide 36 is peeled off the left thigh area 20 and may be disposed of . once the first grid guide 36 has been discarded , it obviously will not be used again in the first week , ensuring that there will not accidentally be an injection in the left thigh area 20 . once the user has gone through a full week of templates , on the following monday , when injection is due in the left thigh area again , the number two space of the grid guide will be vacated , and on the third week , the number three space will be vacated , etc . fig4 illustrates a second template 40 . this second template 40 has indicia 42 formed thereon , forming a heading reading “ tuesday — left hip ”, in order to guide the user . as described above , there are instructions 44 for placement of a second grid guide 46 on the left hip area 21 . the shape of the second grid guide 46 is similar to the configuration described above with regard to fig3 , with the injection grids numbered one , six , three , and eight in a first column ( formed on the left on fig4 ), and a second column , having a substantially half - elliptical shape , including injection grids numbered five , two , seven , and four . thus , the catty - corner sequence is maintained to ensure that there is at least 5 . 08 centimeters , or at least two inches , between successive injections in the left hip area 21 . as this is the first week cycle , the number one injection grid , indicated generally as 48 and shown being shaded , will remain on the second template 40 when the second grid guide 46 is peeled off . the second grid guide 46 is placed on the fleshy area of the upper hip 21 , below the waist , as indicated by instructions 44 . when the injection is going to be preformed , the user injects into the empty injection grid area , where the number one injection grid 48 was removed . after injection , the second grid guide 46 is peeled off and discarded . since , the grid guide 46 has been discarded , the user will not use the template 40 again in this first week cycle and will not inject in the left hip area 21 during this first week cycle . there is also a perforated edge 49 on the template 40 , so the user may tear off the used template 40 from tablet 10 , and discard it as well . fig5 shows a third template 50 of the tablet 10 . this third template 50 has the indicia 52 formed thereon , reading “ wednesday — left arm ”, as well as instructions 54 for placement of a third grid guide 56 on the left arm area 22 . the shape of the third grid guide 56 is substantially oval with the injection grids numbered one , six , three , and eight in a first column . the second column has the injection grids numbered five , two , seven , and four . as above , the catty - corner sequence is maintained to ensure that there is at least two inches from a previous injection grid any time an injection is given on a wednesday into the left arm area 22 . as previously noted , this is wednesday in the first week cycle . since , it is still the first week cycle , the number one injection grid 58 is shaded , indicating that it will remain on the third template 50 when the third grid guide 56 is peeled off . as noted above , in the second week cycle , the number two grid will remain on the template as the grid guide 56 is removed from the template , and so on . the third grid guide 56 is placed on the fleshy area of the upper back portion of the left arm 22 . the injection is preformed in the empty injection grid vacated by the number one injection grid 58 . after the self - injection , the third grid guide 56 is peeled off the left arm 22 and discarded . a perforated edge 59 is formed near the spine 12 of the tablet 10 , allowing the user to tear off the template 50 and discard it as well . fig6 illustrates a fourth template 60 of the tablet 10 . this fourth template 60 has indicia 62 formed thereon , reading “ thursday — abdomen ”, as well as instructions 64 for placement of the fourth grid guide 66 on the abdomen injection area 24 . the fourth grid guide 60 has an arch shape , with only one row of injection grids , numbered in a sequence of one , five , two , six , three , seven , four and eight . fourth template 60 includes this arcuate configuration for grid guide 66 due to the unique contouring of the abdominal area . while the catty - corner sequence is not used on this fourth grid guide 66 , this sequence still maintains at least 5 . 08 centimeters , or at least two inches , from a previous injection grid in the fourth grid guide 66 , because each of the sequential numbered injection grids on the fourth grid guide 66 are approximately 5 . 08 centimeters , or two inches , apart . as indicated previously , this is still the first - week cycle , so the number one injection grid 68 remains on the fourth template 60 when the fourth grid guide 66 is removed from the template 60 . the fourth grid guide 66 , with the number one injection grid 68 vacated , is placed on the fleshy area of the abdomen injection area 24 . as the fourth grid guide 66 is placed on the abdomen injection area 24 , the instructions 64 inform the user to avoid injection in the region about two inches around the navel . once the self - injection is performed into the empty injection grid space vacated by the number one injection grid 68 , the fourth grid guide 66 for the abdomen area 24 is peeled off and safely discarded . with the grid guide 66 being discarded , the user will not use the template 60 in this first week cycle again , and will not inject in the abdomen area 24 during the first week cycle . a perforated edge 69 near the spine 12 of the tablet allows the user to tear off the template 60 and discard it as well . fig7 shows a fifth template 70 of the tablet 10 . fifth template 70 includes indicia 72 , forming a heading reading “ friday — right arm ”, as well as instructions 74 for placement of the fifth grid guide 76 on the right arm injection area 26 . the shape of the fifth grid guide 76 is substantially oval to cover the right arm injection area 26 . the fifth grid guide 76 has the injection grids numbered one , six , three , and eight in the right column . the other column has the injection grids numbered five , two , seven , and four . as can be seen , the catty - corner sequencing of the numbers identifying the injection grids on the fifth grid guide 76 is used again . this catty - corner sequence ensures that no injection is made within a 5 . 08 centimeter , or a two inch , area from a previous injection in this right arm area 26 . additionally , the number one injection grid , indicated generally as 78 , is in the opposite column , as opposed to the third grid guide 56 of fig5 , utilized with the left arm injection area 22 . by switching or reversing the columns of the numbered injection grids , the user , when injecting in the same vacated injection grids in each arm , will inject in a symmetrical area , with respect to the other arm . for example , the injections made in the column with the number one injection grid will be on the outside of both the left arm 22 and right arm 26 . again , this is still the first week cycle of self - injections . since , it is the first week cycle of self - injections , the number one grid square 78 , which is shown as being shaded , will remain on the fifth template 70 when the fifth grid guide 76 is peeled off and placed on the right arm injection area 26 . this makes it simple for the user to perform injections , since the injection is made in the vacated spot left by the number one injection grid 78 . after the self - injection , the fifth grid guide 76 is peeled off the right arm injection area 26 and conveniently discarded . with the grid guide 76 being discarded , the user will not use the template 70 again in this first week cycle , and will not inject in the right arm area 26 during the first week cycle . a perforated edge 79 near the spine 12 of the tablet 10 allows the user to tear off the template 70 and discard it . with respect to fig8 , a sixth template 80 is illustrated . this sixth template 80 has indicia 82 formed thereon , forming a heading of “ saturday — right hip ”, as well as instructions 84 for placement of a sixth grid guide 86 on the right hip injection area 27 . the shape of the sixth grid guide 86 is symmetrical with respect to the grid guide described above for the user &# 39 ; s left hip injection area . in the right - hand column , a number one injection grid is indicated generally by numeral 88 and is shaded . this number one injection grid 88 is in a column with the injection grids numbered six , three , and eight . the second , half - elliptical column includes the injection grids numbered five , two , seven , and four . thus , the catty - corner sequence described above is maintained . additionally , the number one injection grid 88 is in the opposite column compared to the second grid guide 46 , shown in fig4 , utilized with the left hip injection area 21 , as are all the numbered injection grids . by switching or reversing the columns of the numbered injection grids , the user , when injecting in the same vacated injection grids in each hip , will be in the same area of the body part ; i . e ., injection will be symmetrical about the center - line of the body . since , this is still the first week cycle , the number one injection grid 88 will remain on the sixth template 80 as the sixth guide grid 86 is peeled and removed from the sixth template 80 . the sixth guide grid 86 is then placed on the fleshy area of the upper right hip injection area 27 , below the waist , as indicated by the instructions 84 . the self - injection is performed in the open space left by the number one injection grid 88 and then the sixth grid guide 86 is peeled off and appropriately discarded . a perforated edge 89 is formed near the spine 12 of the tablet 10 . with respect to fig9 , on the seventh and final day of the first cycle week , a seventh template 90 is used for a self - injection into the right thigh injection area 28 . the seventh template 90 includes indicia 92 , forming a heading of “ sunday — right thigh ”, along with instructions 94 , 95 , indicating to the user where to place the seventh grid guide 96 once it is peeled from the seventh template 90 . the seventh grid guide 90 , for the right thigh injection area 28 , is rectangular - shaped , similar to the first grid guide 36 for the left thigh injection area 20 . the number one injection grid 98 , however , is in the opposite column from that of the first grid guide 36 ( shown in fig3 ), as are all the numbered injection grids . by switching or reversing the columns of the numbered injection grids , the user , when injecting in the same vacated injection grids in each thigh , will be in the same area of the body part , as described above . as the instructions 94 , 95 note , the seventh grid guide 96 , after peeling from the seventh template 90 , is placed two inches above the knee and two inches below the groin so that the user can read the numbers as he or she is performing a self - injection . as the seventh grid guide 96 is peeled off the seventh template 90 for the right thigh injection area 28 , the number one injection grid 98 is shaded and remains on the template 90 . the seventh guide grid 96 is then placed on the right thigh injection area 28 , as indicated by the instructions 84 . the self - injection is made in the open space left by the number one injection grid 98 and then the seventh grid guide 96 is peeled off and discarded . a perforated edge 99 is formed near the spine 12 of the tablet , allowing the user to tear off the template 90 and discard it as well . thus , with the grid guide 96 being discarded , the user will not use the template 90 again in this first week cycle , and will not inject in the right thigh area 28 during the first week cycle again . at this point , the week - long cycle has been completed , and the next injection is due on the next monday , with the second week cycle to begin . the user will have used and discarded the seven grid guides 36 , 46 , 56 , 66 , 76 , 86 , and 96 from the seven daily templates 30 , 40 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 , and 90 . the user will also have performed a self - injection in each of the seven injection areas 20 , 21 , 22 , 24 , 26 , 27 , and 28 utilizing the space vacated by the number one injection grids 38 , 48 , 58 , 68 , 78 , 88 , and 98 . thus , completing the first week cycle . now , on monday of the second week cycle , the self - injection of seven injection areas 20 , 21 , 22 , 24 , 26 , 27 , and 28 begins again . however , in the second week cycle , each of the seven grid guides 36 , 46 , 56 , 66 , 76 , 86 , and 96 of each of the seven templates 30 , 40 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 , and 90 in the tablet 10 will have all seven of the number two injection grids shaded when the user makes a self - injection . the number one injection grids 38 , 48 , 58 , 68 , 78 , 88 , and 98 are not shaded and are part of the respective grid guide 36 , 46 , 56 , 66 , 76 , 86 , and 96 when peeled and placed on the respective injection areas 20 , 21 , 22 , 24 , 26 , 27 , and 28 . thus , the user can easily complete their daily injections for the second week . this injection cycle repeats over an eight - week cycle that corresponds to the eight numbered injection grids in each of the seven guide grids 36 , 46 , 56 , 66 , 76 , 86 , and 96 . thus , the tablet 10 will be completed after approximately a two - month period . preferably , each tablet 10 is manufactured to include eight sets of the seven templates 30 , 40 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 , and 90 in the tablet 10 . it should also be noted that the perforations 39 , 49 , 59 , 69 , 79 , 89 , and 99 added to each of the templates in the tablet 10 allow the user to remove an entire template or more , if necessary . such removal could be utilized when the user is on a trip and only needs to take a few days worth of templates for self - injections , rather than bringing the entire tablet 10 . alternatively , the user may want to remove a respective template from the tablet 10 after using and discarding the respective grid guide . the use of an adhesive backing , such as found on adhesive bandages , does not necessarily have to cover the entire back of the template , it is only required to have enough adhesive surface area to hold a grid guide on a template , and to ensure the grid guide adheres to the body injection area long enough for the self - injection ( and to be readily removable without much discomfort to the user ). additionally , the tablet can be modified for those individuals who require more than one injection per day or even for those who require between one and several injections per week . some medications require varied injections times . for example , rebif ® requires injection three times per week , whereas humira ® requires injection only every other week . tablet 10 may be customized to accommodate such irregular injection schedules . with respect to the numbering on the injection grids , the use of numbers one through eight is common in the medical field to identify an injection area . however , letters or other indicia could be alternatively used to guide the individual making self - injections . furthermore , general instructions could be printed on one or both of the covers 14 , 16 . in use , the user should wash and dry his or her hands prior to peeling the grid guide from the template . the user should then place the grid guide on the area indicated ( e . g ., right thigh , right hip , etc . ), with the adhesive backing holding the guide in place . the user should clean the skin in the open injection grid area with an alcohol pad , or with any other suitable sanitizer , and allow the skin to dry . the self - injection is given in the open injection grid , and then gentle pressure is applied with a cotton ball or gauze to dry the open injection grid area . finally , the entire grid guide is peeled and discarded . the user should avoid injection in areas with stretch marks , bruises , tattoos , scars , lesions , swelling , lumps , redness , or warts . it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above , but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims .	0
in describing certain features of the present invention ( s ), specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity . however , the invention ( s ) is not intended to be limited to any specific terms used herein , and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents , which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose . referring to fig1 a - c , such depicts footwear 10 being composed of a number of components , namely an outer shell 20 and an assembled chassis 50 inserted and secured into the shell 20 . fig1 a - b depict , in detail , outer shell 20 and chassis 50 , the latter of which may itself include a number of components , particularly : ( 1 ) a safety toe box or cap 52 ; ( 2 ) a puncture resistant insole board 66 ; ( 3 ) a shock diffusion plate 76 ; and ( 4 ) a heel counter 86 . other components may also form part of chassis 50 , as set forth in additional embodiments discussed below . nonetheless , in each embodiment , chassis 50 may be inserted into shell 20 and secured thereto so that a user may not remove chassis 50 . in this manner , footwear 10 may provide safety for a user in certain dangerous or harsh environments ( e . g ., in the drilling industry ). as shown in fig1 b , in one embodiment chassis 50 may include a toe cap 52 having inner and outer surfaces 54 , 56 , the toe cap 52 being arrangeable over a user &# 39 ; s forefoot region to protect the user &# 39 ; s toes from injury due to an impact or other event . indeed , toe cap 52 may be formed of rigid material , such as a hard polymer , metal , or other material , and include a section 58 overlying a user &# 39 ; s toes . toe cap 52 may also include a lower protruding section 62 , in this embodiment , that is connected at its inner surface 54 to insole board 66 , as discussed below . lastly , toe cap 52 may include stop surfaces 60 , 64 for engaging with certain stop surfaces in outer shell 20 . referring still to fig1 b , chassis 50 may include , as alluded to above , an insole board 66 that in some cases is puncture resistant . insole board 66 may have inner and outer surfaces 68 , 70 and ends 72 , 74 , which are connected at their outer surface 70 to toe cap 52 and heel counter 86 , respectively . heel counter 86 may likewise include inner and outer surfaces 88 , 90 , and a lower protruding section 92 for engaging with insole board 66 . heel counter 86 may also provide rigidity to chassis 50 at that section so that , when a user inserts his / her foot into footwear 10 , stability is provided in the heel region . as with toe cap 52 , heel counter 86 also has stop surfaces 94 , 96 for engaging with corresponding stop surfaces in shell 20 . chassis 50 further includes a shock diffusion plate 76 in this embodiment ( fig1 b ) that overlies insole board 66 . shock diffusion plate 76 may , if desired , take the form of tuck board - type material ( e . g ., standard footwear cellulose , or entangled non - woven or woven - type materials , with or without stiffening agents ) that is rigid in nature so as to absorb any shock or force impacted on insole board 66 . in an alternate embodiment , shock diffusion plate 76 may be any of the shock diffusion plates shown and described in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 205 , 683 to clark et al ., owned by the timberland company , the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference . together , the aforementioned components create one embodiment of chassis 50 that is insertable into shell 20 in the manner discussed below . shell 20 , as shown in fig1 a , may include several aspects common to typical footwear , such as an outsole 22 , an upper 24 , and heel 26 , forefoot 28 , and instep 30 sections . in one embodiment , shell 20 is also impermeable to certain substances , such as water , mud , or other solutions or corrosives . shell 20 may also include an inner cavity 21 shaped to accommodate a user &# 39 ; s foot , which has various recessed areas or cutouts 31 , 32 for receiving a portion of chassis 50 . in one embodiment , recessed areas 31 , 32 may be bounded by stop surfaces 34 on either side to receive and securely hold a portion of chassis 50 within the relevant recessed area 31 , 32 . in a particular embodiment , as shown in fig1 a , shell 20 may include two ( 2 ) recessed areas 31 , 32 for accommodating toe cap 52 and heel counter 86 therein , although more or less recessed areas may be employed . as shown in fig1 c , to construct footwear 10 , chassis 50 may be inserted into shell 20 , such that toe cap 52 is situated in recessed area 31 of shell 20 , and heel counter 86 is likewise situated in separate recessed area 32 . once so inserted into shell 20 , stop surface 64 of toe cap 52 and stop surfaces 94 , 96 of heel counter 86 may contact respective stop surfaces 34 surrounding recessed areas 31 , 32 of shell 20 so that toe cap 52 , heel counter 86 , and thus chassis 50 are securely retained within shell 20 . while not shown in fig1 c , in one embodiment stop surface 60 may also contact an alternate stop surface 34 within shell 20 ( e . g ., recessed area 31 may be made to be smaller so that a stop surface 34 of recessed area 31 contacts stop surface 60 to retain toe cap 52 within shell 20 ). to ensure that chassis 50 is not removable from shell 20 , in compliance with safety standards , it is possible to cement or otherwise adhere certain portions of chassis 50 to shell 20 ( e . g ., the whole of chassis 50 or , for example , only insole board 66 may be cemented or adhered to shell 20 ). alternatively , it is contemplated that chassis 50 may snap into place within shell 20 so that chassis 50 is non - removable therefrom . in other words , during insertion of chassis 50 within inner cavity 21 of shell 20 , a user may press - fit toe cap 52 and heel counter 86 within recessed areas 31 , 32 , such that chassis 50 is retained within shell 20 due to interference between stop surfaces 34 , 64 , 94 , 96 ( and in an alternate embodiment , stop surface 60 ). this may be achieved by manufacturing chassis 50 so that a dimensional interference is created between chassis 50 and shell 20 ( e . g ., certain portions of chassis 50 , such as toe cap 52 and heel counter 86 , may be arranged so that such portions can be press - fit into recessed areas 31 , 32 ). as an example , stop surface 64 on toe cap 52 and stop surface 94 on heel counter 86 may be separated by a first distance , which is slightly less than a second distance separating stop surfaces 34 of recessed areas 31 , 32 that contact stop surfaces 64 , 94 . in this manner , once chassis 50 is inserted into shell 20 , stop surfaces 64 , 94 may be forced past stop surfaces 34 of recessed areas 31 , 32 to securely lock chassis 50 in place ( e . g ., via a dimensional interference ). with chassis 50 inserted into shell 20 , as discussed above , toe cap 52 may adequately ensure that a user &# 39 ; s toes are not injured due to an impact event ( e . g ., an object striking the toes ), insole board 66 may provide puncture resistance , shock diffusion plate 76 may diminish or absorb any impact forces borne on the foot , and heel counter 86 may provide support for a user &# 39 ; s heel during use . in addition , shell 20 may provide corrosion resistance and / or impermeability with respect to several substances ( e . g ., water , mud , corrosive liquids / chemicals , etc .) it is also contemplated that shell 20 ( or any of the alternate shells described below ) may be manufactured from particular corrosion - resistant materials , such as cross - linking post - injection expansion polyolefin elastomers . as an example , shell 20 may be manufactured through an injection - molding process that uses expandable polymers , such as eva . in short , during such a process , a mold may be injected with eva or eva - type material to form shell 20 , and once appropriately cured , shell 20 may be released from the mold into the configuration shown in fig1 a ( or any of the remaining figures depicting alternate embodiments of shell 20 ). the curing process may be controlled by subjecting shell 20 to engineered expansion ( e . g ., controlling ambient conditions , temperature , time , etc .) stated differently , as injected into the mold , shell 20 may be relatively smaller than in its final configuration ( fig1 a ), and once released , shell 20 may expand to its final state . then , after shell 20 has been released from the mold and allowed to expand to its final form ( fig1 a , or the other figures depicting the shell ), chassis 50 may be inserted into and secured within shell 20 in the manner discussed previously . as such , through this process , it is possible to manufacture footwear 10 meeting the various requirements mandated in certain industries ( e . g ., the non - removability of safety components ), such as in the drilling industry . in addition , footwear 10 utilizing the aforementioned features not only provides comfort for the user , along with safety , but also lasts far longer in corrosive environments than other existing arrangements . as such , within these industries , the consumer is not forced to purchase footwear 10 at exceedingly short intervals of time . an alternate version of footwear 10 is shown in fig2 a - c , in which chassis 50 and shell 20 are slightly modified . here , like numerals refer to like elements , except where indicated ( although reference numerals are in the 100 - series instead of , as an example , the 10 - series ). referring to fig2 b , chassis 150 is generally the same as chassis 50 , except that chassis 150 includes a metatarsal guard 198 . metatarsal guard 198 may have respective inner and outer surfaces 200 , 202 and an end 206 that connects with toe cap 152 . in one embodiment , end 206 includes an l - shaped groove that connects with toe cap 152 so that both components are an integral unit forming part of chassis 150 . in some cases , metatarsal guard 198 may take the form of any of the metatarsal guards shown or otherwise described in u . s . patent application ser . no . 13 / 648 , 839 ( the &# 39 ; 839 application ), entitled “ protection devices for use in shoes or other products ,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein . as taught in the &# 39 ; 839 application , a metatarsal guard , such as metatarsal guard 198 , may be positioned over the metatarsal region of a user &# 39 ; s foot to protect the same from injury . in particular , as shown in fig2 c , metatarsal guard 198 may be positioned within instep 130 of shell 120 to overlie the metatarsal region of the user &# 39 ; s foot . fig2 a depicts shell 120 as having a recessed area 131 that extends from a portion of a floor 136 of shell 120 adjacent forefoot end 128 to a section of shell 120 adjacent instep 130 . thus , in this embodiment , recessed area 131 may be designed specifically to accommodate metatarsal guard 198 and toe cap 152 , in combination . recessed area 132 may be of the same configuration and shape as recessed area 32 of the previous embodiment of shell 20 so that heel counter 186 may be received within such recessed area 132 . metatarsal guard 198 may also include a stop surface 204 ( fig2 b ) that engages with stop surface 134 bordering recessed area 131 upon insertion of chassis 150 within shell 120 . much like the previous embodiment , to assemble footwear 110 , chassis 150 may be inserted within inner cavity 121 of shell 120 so that heel counter 186 is received within recessed area 132 , and metatarsal guard 198 and toe cap 152 are received within recessed area 131 . in particular , stop surfaces 194 , 196 of heel counter 186 may engage with stop surfaces 134 of recessed area 132 to secure heel counter 186 within recessed area 132 , and stop surface 164 of toe cap 152 and stop surface 204 of metatarsal guard 198 may engage with stop surfaces 134 of recessed area 131 to secure toe cap 152 and metatarsal guard 198 within recessed area 131 . in one embodiment , the aforementioned components of chassis 150 ( e . g ., heel counter 186 , toe cap 152 , and metatarsal guard 198 ) may also be cemented or adhered within recessed areas 131 , 132 so that chassis 150 may be non - removable from shell 120 . alternatively , it is contemplated that chassis 150 may simply snap into place within recessed areas 131 , 132 , such that chassis 150 is not removable from shell 120 , as detailed more fully above . indeed , as an example , a distance between stop surface 164 of toe cap 152 and stop surface 204 of metatarsal guard 198 may be greater than a distance between stop surfaces 134 of recessed area 131 , such that toe cap 152 and metatarsal guard 198 may be press - fit into recessed area 131 . the same may be true for heel counter 186 and recessed area 132 , in one embodiment . referring to fig3 a - c , an alternate embodiment of footwear 10 , 110 , namely footwear 310 , is shown . as with above , like numerals refer to like elements in this embodiment , although in the 300 - series instead of , as an example , the 10 - series . as shown in fig3 b , chassis 350 is generally the same as chassis 50 ( fig1 a - c ), except that chassis 350 may include an insole 410 that is specifically configured to be puncture resistant ( e . g ., via being composed of rigid material ( s ), such as metal , hard plastics or composites , etc .) thus , although insole board 366 may have puncture - resistant characteristics as well , insole 410 may provide yet additional puncture resistance to chassis 350 . referring to fig3 b , insole 410 may have inner and outer surfaces 412 , 414 and respective toe and heel ends 416 , 418 , the outer surface 414 of such ends 416 , 418 being bonded , respectively , to lower protruding section 362 of toe cap 352 and lower protruding section 392 of heel counter 386 . as such , insole 410 may overly the inner surfaces 354 , 388 of lower protruding sections 362 , 392 of toe cap 352 and heel counter 386 , respectively . referring now to fig3 a , shell 320 in this embodiment may be generally identical to the previous shells 20 , 120 so as to accommodate chassis 350 . thus , the assembly of footwear 310 , as shown in fig3 c , may proceed substantially as discussed above with respect to footwear 10 of fig1 a - c ( with the addition of added puncture resistance via insole 410 ). as such , chassis 350 may be non - removable from shell 320 , as in previous embodiments , so that footwear 310 satisfies certain safety requirements of various recognized regulatory bodies . a further variant of footwear 10 , 110 , 310 may be provided , the shell 520 of which is shown in fig4 a - c . in this embodiment , as shown in fig4 a , the footwear shell 520 may include an opening 538 . opening 538 may be shaped to accommodate an outsole 522 ( fig4 b ) that is applied to shell 520 after manufacture thereof . thus , opening 538 may be specifically configured to accommodate outsole 522 . for example , as shown in fig4 b , outsole 522 may include a set of flanges 540 , 542 and stop surfaces 544 , 546 adjacent such flanges 540 , 542 ; and , to fully construct shell 520 , outsole 522 may be inserted through opening 538 , such that flanges 540 , 542 engage corresponding flanges 547 , 548 of shell 520 ( fig4 a ) and stop surfaces 544 , 546 engage respective stop surfaces 543 , 545 formed adjacent flanges 547 , 548 of shell 520 . the engagement between shell 520 and outsole 522 is shown in detail in fig4 c . thus , outsole 522 may be securely retained within shell 520 post - manufacture of shell 520 . indeed , in one embodiment , outsole 522 is cemented to shell 520 , or adhered via an adhesive , chemical bonding , etc . once adhered to shell 520 , outsole 522 may serve to create the same configuration as the previously - described shells 20 , 120 , 320 . indeed , referring to fig4 c , a portion of outsole 522 adjacent flange 540 may create a stop surface 534 forming part of recessed area 531 , and a portion of stop surface 546 of outsole 522 may act as a stop surface 534 for recessed area 532 , as shown . as such , once outsole 522 is attached to shell 520 , any of the aforementioned chassis 50 , 150 , 350 may be inserted into and secured within shell 520 in the manner described previously . in other embodiments , it is also contemplated that the size of opening 538 and the configuration of outsole 522 may be modified , if desired . yet an additional variant of footwear is shown in fig5 a - b . in this variant , as with the others , like reference numerals refer to like elements unless otherwise indicated ( although in the 600 - series instead of , as an example , the 10 - series ). referring to fig5 a , an alternate shell 620 is shown . shell 620 may be made of any of the materials and according to any of the processes as set forth above for shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 . shell 620 includes an internal cavity 621 , an upper 624 , an outsole 622 , and heel 626 , forefoot 628 , and instep 630 sections , as with shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 . shell 620 differs from shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , however , in that it has a different arrangement for engaging with its corresponding chassis 650 , shown in fig5 b . indeed , shell 620 includes a set of recesses 606 , 607 for engaging with certain sections of chassis 650 ( described in more detail below ) to retain chassis 650 within shell 620 . recesses 606 , 607 , in a preferred embodiment , extend substantially entirely or entirely around the perimeter of shell 620 , as shown in fig5 a - b , although it is contemplated that recesses 606 , 607 may alternatively be formed along only certain sections of the perimeter of shell 620 and not along other sections . in one embodiment , recess 606 may be stepped to engage with a correspondingly - shaped section of chassis 650 . chassis 650 is shown in fig5 b ( and represented in outline in fig5 a ). chassis 650 includes a chassis body 601 and , in some cases , an optional puncture device 605 overlying a section of chassis body 601 . puncture device 605 may protect a user &# 39 ; s foot from damage due to a sharp object puncturing through chassis body 601 , and thus , puncture device 605 is constructed of a rigid material adapted to block the object from puncturing through device 605 and injuring the user &# 39 ; s foot . chassis 650 also includes an optional safety toe 652 ( not shown ). although safety toe 652 is not actually shown in the figures , it is represented by a cavity in the area of chassis 650 where safety toe 652 would be located . in one embodiment , safety toe 652 may be press - fit , adhered , or otherwise secured within that cavity of chassis 650 , if desired , so that chassis 650 includes a safety toe 652 for protection . safety toe 652 , as with the previous toe caps 52 , 152 , 352 , may be formed of rigid material , such as a hard polymer , metal , or other material , and include a section overlying a user &# 39 ; s toes to protect the toes from injury ( e . g ., due to a heavy object falling on the user &# 39 ; s toe area ). in one embodiment , chassis body 601 also includes specific geometries for engaging with shell 620 . for instance , chassis body 601 includes a set of flanges 602 for engaging with recesses 606 , 607 in shell 620 , and a set of projections 603 for receiving optional puncture device 605 and / or contacting a section of recess 606 ( e . g ., in the case of the right - side projection 603 in fig5 b ). flanges 602 may be formed entirely or substantially entirely around the perimeter of chassis 650 , as shown in fig5 a - b , so that , once engaged , chassis 650 is not removable from shell 620 ( e . g ., during ordinary use by the user ). in alternate embodiments , flanges 602 are formed only along certain sections of the perimeter of chassis 650 , but not along other sections . chassis body 601 also includes a stop surface / end 604 for engaging with a separate stop surface 634 of shell 620 . to insert chassis 650 within shell 620 so that the combined unit is usable as footwear , shell 620 may first be produced according to the methods discussed above and allowed to expand to its final state ( e . g ., by using expandable eva materials inserted into a mold ). then , chassis 650 may be inserted into cavity 621 of shell 620 , such that its flanges 602 are arranged within recesses 606 , 607 , as shown in outline in fig5 a . this acts to at least partially retain chassis 650 within shell 620 , such that chassis 650 cannot be removed by a user . in other words , since flanges 602 are engaged with recesses 606 , 607 about substantially or the entire perimeter of chassis 650 and shell 620 , as shown in outline in fig5 a , chassis 650 is securely retained within shell 620 . during insertion of chassis 650 into shell 620 , stop / end surface 604 of chassis 650 may also come to rest on stop surface 634 of shell 620 to assist in securing chassis 650 relative to shell 620 . in one embodiment , a step is also formed in chassis body 601 and shell 620 adjacent instep region 630 for even further enhanced engagement between chassis 650 and shell 620 at that area . with chassis 650 secured in shell 620 , for example through press - fitting , adhering , cementing , or otherwise securing chassis 650 into shell 620 , as described in more detail with reference to the previous embodiments , the user may utilize the footwear of this embodiment in applicable industrial or other environments and obtain adequate protection . in the devices depicted in the figures , particular structures are shown that are adapted for use in footwear , such devices serving to protect the foot of a user and provide compliance with certain safety standards . the use of alternative structures for such purposes , including structures having different lengths , shapes , and configurations is also contemplated . as an example , while the disclosed footwear is described above in connection with use in the drilling industry , such footwear is equally usable in other industries in which corrosive environments and / or safety hazards are encountered . for instance , the footwear may be equally usable in the context of the hazmat , food processing , environmental clean - up , or other such industries . put simply , the footwear has applicability in any area in which the working environment includes the presence of corrosive materials and / or safety dangers . as another example , it is contemplated that stop surfaces 34 , 134 , 334 , 534 , 634 of respective shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 may be angled in certain embodiments to better retain chassis 50 , 150 , 350 , 650 ; and that , if necessary , the respective stop surfaces of chassis 50 , 150 , 350 , 650 that engage stop surfaces 34 , 134 , 334 , 534 , 634 of shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 may be angled as well . in other words , in one embodiment , stop surfaces 34 , 134 , 334 , 534 , 634 of respective shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 may be arranged so that an acute angle is formed at the junction of the inner surface of shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 and the relevant stop surface 24 , 134 , 334 , 534 , 634 . in this manner , the respective component of chassis 50 , 150 , 350 , 650 ( e . g ., toe cap 52 , 152 , 352 , 652 , heel counter 86 , 186 , 386 , and / or metatarsal guard 198 ) may be more securely retained within shell 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 via the interaction between the stop surface ( s ) of those components , and the angled stop surfaces 34 , 134 , 334 , 534 , 634 of shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 . of course , in some cases several of stop surfaces 34 , 134 , 334 , 534 , 634 of shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 may be arranged at an acute angle while others are arranged as shown in the figures and described above . thus , varying combinations are possible . it is also the case that the stop surface ( s ) on certain components of chassis 50 , 150 , 350 , 650 ( e . g ., toe cap 52 , 152 , 352 , 652 , heel counter 86 , 186 , 386 , and / or metatarsal guard 198 ) may be angled as well to mate with the acute angle of stop surfaces 34 , 134 , 334 , 534 , 634 . as yet another example , while metatarsal guard 198 is not shown in connection with chassis 350 of fig3 b , it is contemplated that guard 198 may be situated on chassis 350 in much the same manner as chassis 150 . thus , certain components from one of chassis 50 , 150 , 350 , 650 may be substituted or added to another of chassis 50 , 150 , 350 , 650 , although not depicted in the figures . further , it is also contemplated that the various components of chassis 50 , 150 , 350 , 650 may be arranged differently than shown in the figures . for example , while puncture - resistant insole 410 is shown as being attached to inner surfaces 354 , 388 of toe cap 352 and heel counter 386 , respectively , insole 410 may be arranged to overlay toe cap 352 and heel counter 386 ( e . g ., be attached to outer surfaces 356 , 390 thereof ). in such an embodiment , shell 320 ( in particular recessed areas 331 , 332 ) may also be reconfigured so that chassis 350 is securely retained within shell 320 . thus , a number of different configurations are contemplated in which the various chassis 50 , 150 , 350 , 650 may be rearranged and accommodated , securely , within one of shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 . as yet another example , it is contemplated that any of chassis 50 , 150 , 350 , 650 may be composed of expandable materials ( like shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 ) so that , once inserted into shell 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 , the chassis 50 , 150 , 350 , 650 may expand and be more securely retained within recessed areas 31 , 32 , 131 , 132 , 331 , 332 , 531 , 532 . the expandable materials that could be utilized to compose chassis 50 , 150 , 350 , 650 are set forth above . it is also the case that shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 , while described above as being formed via the use of expandable materials , may alternatively be formed with non - expandable materials ( e . g ., traditional rubber materials , other composites , etc .) in short , the concepts of the present invention ( s ) have applicability with non - expandable shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 in that such shells 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 may receive any of chassis 50 , 150 , 350 , 650 securely therein to adequately comply with the aforementioned safety standards . the chassis 50 , 150 , 350 , 650 , once inserted within the particular shell 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 , however , would likely be non - removable from such shell 20 , 120 , 320 , 520 , 620 to meet those standards . although aspects of the invention ( s ) herein have been described with reference to particular embodiments , it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of aspects of the present invention ( s ). it is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention ( s ) as set forth in the appended claims . it will also be appreciated that the various dependent claims and the features set forth therein can be combined in different ways than presented in the initial claims . it will also be appreciated that the features described in connection with individual embodiments may be shared with others of the described embodiments .	0
hereinafter , an embodiment of a preferred configuration and operation of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached figures . a circuit as shown in fig2 is provided in order to reduce the number of selection transistors per cell string in a nand - type flash memory in accordance with the present invention . referring to fig2 one sense amplifier 11 ( page buffer ) is arranged to correspond with four bit lines bl1 to bl4 . each bit line is coupled to one reference cell string and plural cell strings , although for simplicity of illustration only one cell string is shown explicitly for each bit line , the others being indicated by a broken line denoting respective connections of additional cell strings connected to the same bit line . referring for example to bit line bl1 , a reference cell string rc1 is constructed of an enhancement - type reference cell transistor re , a depletion - type reference cell transistor rd and a reference ground selection transistor rs , all connected in series between bl1 and ground . gates of the transistors re , rd and rs are coupled to first reference signal ref1 , second reference signal ref2 and reference selection signal rsl , respectively . reference cell string rc2 has the same arrangement as that of rc1 . as for strings rc3 and rc4 , the location of the enhancement - type and depletion - type reference cell transistors in the serial loop between the corresponding bit lines and ground is reversed . in rc3 ( or rc4 ), a depletion - type reference cell transistor is first connected to bit line bl3 ( or bl4 ). cell string sc1 ( sc2 , sc3 or sc4 ) has two string selection transistors st1 ( depletion - type ) and st2 ( enhancement type ), and one ground selection transistor gt . for the purpose of selecting the cell strings and the reference cell strings reciprocally and alternatively , while depletion - type string selection transistors of sc1 and sc2 are controlled by the first string selection signal ssl1 , in cell strings sc3 and sc4 , the selection signal ssl1 is commonly applied to the gates of enhancement - type string selection transistors . a second string selection signal ssl2 is applied to gates of enhancement - typed string selection transistors of sc1 and sc2 , and also coupled to gates of depletion - type string selection transistors of sc3 and sc4 . ground selection transistors of the cell strings sc1 to sc4 are controlled by a common ground selection signal gsl for controllably connecting the cell strings to the ground . multiple cell transistors in each string , like mc1 , mc2 , . . . in sc1 , are serially connected between the second string selection transistor ( enhancement - type string selection transistor in sc1 and sc2 , or depletion - type string selection transistor in sc3 and sc4 ) and the ground . it should be noted that the enhancement - type and depletiontype selection transistors can be reversed , in both the reference cell strings and the memory cell strings , as may be advantageous in a specific circuit design . to each bit line , high voltage blocking transistors bd1 ( depletion - type ) and be1 ( enhancement - type ) for bl1 , bd2 and be2 for bl2 , bd3 and be3 for bl3 , and bd4 and be4 for bl4 , respectively , are provided in serial connection in order to prevent a high voltage retransfer toward the cell strings after transferring read data to the sense amplifier 11 . the depletion - type blocking transistors bd1 to bd4 are controlled by a blocking signal φt and the enhancement - type blocking transistors be1 to be4 are controlled by blocking signal blshf , the φt and blshf signals being at power supply voltage level during a read operation . between the blocking transistors and the sense amplifier 11 , additional transistors are provided for controlling interactions with the bit lines bl1 , to bl4 and sense amplifier 11 as follows . the lines between the blocking transistor and the sense amplifier will be referred to as column lines cl1 to cl4 . thus , the column lines cl1 to cl4 are connected to the bit lines bl1 to bl4 through the blocking transistors bd1 / be1 to bd4 / be4 , respectively . bit line precharge transistors ( pmos transistors ) pt1 to pt4 are connected between the power supply voltage and column lines cl1 to cl4 , respectively . transistors pt1 and pt3 are controlled by program control signal pgml / and transistors pt2 and pt4 are controlled by program signal pgmr / ( a virgule is used herein where a horizontal bar appears over the corresponding signal name in the drawing indicating an active low signal ). additionally , ground shielding transistors sd1 to sd4 are provided between column lines cl1 to cl4 , respectively , each shielding transistor having a gate coupled to receive a read control signals rl or rr . the rl signal is applied to the gates of sd1 and sd3 for cl1 and cl3 , and the rr signal is applied to the gates of sd2 and sd4 for cl2 and cl4 . connecting the column lines to the sense amplifier 11 is conducted by column selection transistors yt1 to yt4 interposed therebetween . similar to the precharge and shielding transistors , the column selection transistors receive control signals yl and yr . yl controls yt1 and yt3 , for connecting cl1 and cl3 to the first and second inputs of the sense amplifier 11 , while yr controls yt2 and yt4 , for connecting cl2 and cl4 to the first and second inputs of the sense amplifier 11 , respectively . below the column selection transistors , the column lines are wired in pairs and applied to the input terminals of the sense amplifier 11 . thus cl1 and cl2 are connected to the first input , and cl3 and cl4 are connected to the other input . for the purpose of maintaining the voltage level of an unselected bit line which is not electrically connected , for a decoupling effect between bit lines in a specific voltage level ( vcc or vss ) during a reading operation , these shielding transistors are used . the shielding transistor s can provide a shielding line for inhibiting the coupling phenomenon between two bit lines during a reading operation . to further illustrate operation , assume the cell string sc1 is connected to the bit line bl1 , for example , and the reference cell string rc3 is electrically connected to the bit line bl3 . vcc ( power supply voltage ) is applied to the lines ssl2 , gsl and ref2 , and vss ( ground voltage ) is applied to the lines ref1 and ssl1 . rsl is asserted ( vcc ) so the reference strings are coupled to ground . the cell strings sc3 and sc4 are disconnected from the bit lines bl3 and bia by selection transistors , and the cell strings sc1 and sc2 are electrically connected to bit lines bl1 and bl2 , respectively . at the same time , the reference cell strings rc3 and rc4 are electrically connected to the bit lines bl3 and bl4 , respectively . meanwhile , only one bit line out of the pair bl1 and bl2 corresponding to one of the cell strings sc1 or sc2 is connected to one input terminal of the sense amplifier 11 through the corresponding column selection transistor yt1 or yt2 . similarly , only one reference bit line of the bl3 , bl4 pair is connected through the column select transistors to the other input terminal of the sense amplifier . the column selection transistors are turned on , or turned off , responsive to the column selection signals yl and yr so as to connect only one of two bit lines for the cell strings and one of two bit lines for the reference cell strings , to the sense amplifier , as described above . for example , when vcc is applied to the signal yl and vss to the signal yr , the bit lines bl1 and bl3 ( column lines cl1 , cl3 ) are switched to the sense amplifier so that the data voltage from sc1 and the reference voltage from rc3 are applied to the sense amplifier . thus , while the operation , bl1 , and bl3 may be referred to as a data bit line and a reference bit line , respectively . the sense amplifier senses potential difference between the data bit line and the reference bit line connected in the foregoing manner . accordingly , in the case of a circuit having the 4 string cell / 1 sense amplifier structure , the number of select transistors can be reduced by one with respect to each cell string . accordingly , the invention provides for reducing the entire area of a memory chip and also attaining a decoupling effect between bit lines . it should be understood of course that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed herein as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention . rather , the scope of the invention is as defined in the appended claims and equivalents thereof .	6
before the present invention is described , it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular methods and experimental conditions described , as such methods and conditions may 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 the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims . 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 term “ about ,” when used in reference to a particular recited numerical value , means that the value may vary from the recited value by no more than 1 %. for example , as used herein , the expression “ about 100 ” includes 99 and 101 and all values in between ( e . g ., 99 . 1 , 99 . 2 , 99 . 3 , 99 . 4 , etc .). although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention , the preferred methods and materials are now described . all publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to describe in their entirety . other embodiments will become apparent from a review of the ensuing detailed description . in order that the invention herein described may be fully understood , the following detailed description is set forth . the clb assay developed here was based on the meso scale discovery ( msd ) platform . fig1 and 2 illustrate the two assay formats investigated . fig1 illustrates the drug capture format in which nabs in human serum sample were incubated with biotinylated - sarilumab and subsequently captured on a streptavidin - or avidin coated microplate . addition of ruthenylated - il6rα then resulted in signal in the absence of nabs and an inhibition of the signal in the presence of nabs . the principle remains the same in the target capture format , except ruthenylated - sarilumab is now captured by biotinylated - il6rα target on the plate . development of a sensitive and reliable assay included optimization of drug , target , label , ph and incubation times . the two assay formats were compared and the superior format was then optimized and validated . initial characterization suggested that the target capture was more susceptible to drug interference , while the drug capture format resulted in higher non - specific signals . several optimization strategies were examined followed by a comparative evaluation to select the best assay for this program . the high background signal leading to false negative results from rf + serum was effectively eliminated by switching to a different solid substrate of avidin - coated microplates . low ph treatment improved drug tolerance , while target interference was mitigated with an anti - target antibody that specifically blocks the interaction between the target and the drug . results showed that the drug capture format provided a sensitive and robust assay with minimal interference from either target or drug . the validated assay demonstrated precision ranging from 1 - 8 % with the following characteristics : sensitivity =˜ 150 ng / ml , drug tolerance =˜ 500 ng / ml , target interference =˜ 1 μg / ml . although target capture and drug capture formats can both be used successfully to establish clb nab assays , it is important to study the specific binding characteristics of the drug and target pair to devise successful strategies for sensitivity , drug tolerance , and mitigating target interference . based on the results obtained , the drug capture format was superior and thus validated and utilized for clinical sample bioanalysis . the invention features an immunogenicity assay for the detection of neutralizing antibodies to a protein biotherapeutic . in one embodiment , the protein biotherapeutic is a monoclonal antibody ( mab ); more specifically , the protein biotherapeutic is a mab that specifically binds interleukin - 6 receptor alpha ( il - 6rα ); more specifically the biotherapeutic is sarilumab . sarilumab ( also called regn88 ) has been developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis . accordingly , in a specific embodiment the invention presents an immunogenicity assay for the detection of neutralizing antibodies in a patient treated for rheumatoid arthritis with sarilumab . it is envisioned that other anti - il - 6rα monoclonal antibodies can be used in the method of the invention , for example , the humanized anti - il - 6rα tocelizumab . “ neutralizing antibody ( nab )” is an anti - drug antibody having the ability to neutralize the biotherapeutic molecule . in one embodiment , the biotherapeutic molecule is the anti - il6rα antibody sarilumab , and the nab binds the il6rα antibody and prevents it from binding il6rα . the term “ analyte ” is used to refer to the substance being analyzed , i . e ., mouse anti - regn88 monoclonal antibody ( regn575 ) present in quality controls or human anti - regn88 nabs in human serum samples . “ cut point ” is a term referring to a threshold value ( i . e ., % inhibition ) used to distinguish between a nab negative and a nab positive response in the assay . it is a constant value , determined statistically by analyzing assay responses of a set of drug - naïve diseased human samples . 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 to make and use the methods and compositions of the invention , and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention . efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers used ( e . g ., amounts , temperature , etc .) but some experimental errors and deviations should be accounted for . unless indicated otherwise , parts are parts by weight , molecular weight is average molecular weight , temperature is in degrees centigrade , and pressure is at or near atmospheric . regn88 is a human monoclonal antibody ( igg1 subclass ) specific for human interleukin - 6 receptor α ( il - 6rα ). a method to detect anti - regn88 neutralizing antibodies ( nab ) using a competitive ligand binding assay format was developed as described below . the assay procedure employs a mouse anti - regn88 monoclonal antibody ( regn575 ) as the positive control , biotinylated regn88 ( biotinylated - regn88 ) as the capture reagent , ruthenium - labeled soluble hil - 6rα ( ruthenium - regn78 ) as the detection reagent , and regn17 ( an anti - human il - 6rα monoclonal antibody ) to mitigate ligand interference . briefly , samples and controls are diluted in low ph conditions ( with acetic acid ) and then neutralized using a tris - base solution containing biotinylated - regn88 and regn17 . the low ph treatment results in the dissociation of nab : drug and drug : target complexes present in serum samples , allowing for improved detection of nab in the presence of excess drug in the serum . in order to mitigate target interference , regn17 is used to bind free target released by the low ph treatment . during the incubation , the positive control ( regn575 ) or any nab present in the sample binds to the biotinylated - regn88 . the low ph treated samples were then added to the avidin precoated microplate , where the avidin captured the biotinylated - regn88 along with any nab that was bound to it . after incubation and washing , ruthenium - regn78 was added to the microplate . in the absence of nab in the sample , the avidin captured biotinylated - regn88 binds to the ruthenium - regn78 forming a biotinylated - regn88 : ruthenium - regn78 complex on the surface of the microplate . a tripropylamine ( tpa ) based read buffer was added to the microplate which was read by a meso scale discovery ( msd ) electrochemiluminescence reader . in the presence of nab , the nab will bind the biotinylated - regn88 preventing the formation of the biotinylated - regn88 : ruthenium - regn78 complex which in turn reduces the electrochemiluminescent signal . hence , the measured electrochemiluminescence ( i . e ., counts ) is inversely proportional to the amount of nab in the sample . eighty drug - naïve patient samples were analyzed to determine the cut point . the selected % inhibition cut point was 40 , calculated using a parametric method based on a 0 . 1 % false positive rate . percent inhibition (% inhibition ) was calculated as the decrease in signal resulting from the presence of nab . positive quality control ( pqc ) were control samples with a known amount of regn575 , prepared in nqc , used to verify the assay &# 39 ; s performance : hqc = high quality control ; 20 × hqc : 4 μg / ml ; mqc = mid quality control ; 20 mqc : 0 . 4 μg / ml ; lqc = low quality control ; 20 × lqc : 0 . 2 μg / ml . negative quality control ( nqc ) were control samples without analyte ( neat human serum ), used to calculate % inhibition . spiked negative quality control ( snqc ) were control samples with a known amount of regn78 , prepared in nqc , used to verify regn17 &# 39 ; s performance cv %— coefficient of variation expressed as a percentage . limit of detection ( lod ) was the lowest concentration of the positive control ( regn575 ) with a % inhibition that is greater than the cut point . the lod of the assay in neat serum was approximately 150 ng / ml of mouse anti - regn88 monoclonal antibody ( regn575 ). counts = unit of electrochemiluminescence signal . materials and equipment . reagents : mouse anti - regn88 monoclonal antibody ( regeneron , regn575 ) also referred to as anti - regn88 mab ; biotinylated regn88 ( biotin - regn88 or biotinylated - regn88 ); ruthenium - labeled hil - 6rα ( ru ( bpy ) 3 regn78 or ruthenium - regn78 ); mouse anti - human il - 6rα monoclonal antibody ( also referred to as anti - hil - 6rα mab ); hil - 6rα ( regn78 ); 5 % bsa blocking buffer ; phosphate buffered aaline , ph 7 . 2 ( 1 × pbs ); avidin - coated microplate — multi - array ® 96 - well avidin gold plate ; 300 mm acetic acid ; 1 . 5 m trizma - base solution ( tris or tris - base ); read buffer — msd read buffer t ( 4 ×), with surfactant ( 4 × read buffer ); 1 × wash buffer ; purified water ; pooled human serum . instruments and labware . 96 - well polypropylene plate ( deep well plate or block ); sector imager 2400 ( meso scale discovery , model 1250 ) with accompanying msd discovery workbench application ; microsoft excel ; softmax ® pro application , version 5 . 2 or higher ( molecular devices ). procedure . plate shaking was performed during the incubation steps . a minimum of 10 μl was used for all volume transfers . biosafety level 2 precautions were adhered to when handling human serum . quality controls ( qcs ): qcs were shown to be stable for up to 10 freeze - thaw cycles , storage at room temperature for at least 4 hours ( 4 hours and 32 minutes ), or storage in a 4 ° c . refrigerator up to 23 hours ( 23 hours and 20 minutes ). qc stability was used as a surrogate for study sample stability . negative quality control ( nqc ): a commercial normal human serum pool was qualified for use as the nqc . aliquots the human serum pool ( nqc ) and store in a − 80 ° c . freezer . preparation of pqcs —( hqc , mqc , lqc ). pqcs were qualified if they are intended for use in sample analysis after the day of preparation . 20 × pqcs were prepared at the concentrations listed in the table below , by spiking mouse anti - regn88 monoclonal antibody ( regn575 ) into nqc . the following may be used as an example for the preparation of each pqc : example : 10 μl of regn575 ( 0 . 88 mg / ml ) was added to 166 μl of nqc and mixed to yield a 50 μg / ml regn575 solution ( qc precursor a ). 10 μl of the 50 μg / ml regn575 solution was added to 490 μl of nqc and mix to yield a 1 μg / ml regn575 solution ( qc precursor b ). pqcs may be used on the same day or may be aliquoted and stored in a − 80 ° c . freezer . spiked negative quality control ( snqc ). snqc were qualified for use in sample analysis after the day of preparation . a solution of 0 . 6 μg / ml hil - 6rα ( regn78 ) was prepared in nqc . the following may be used as an example for the preparation of the snqc : example : 10 μl of regn78 ( 2 . 3 mg / ml ) was added to 220 μl of nqc and mixed to yield a 100 μg / ml regn78 solution . 10 μl of the 100 μg / ml regn78 solution was added to 90 μl of nqc and mixed to yield a 10 μg / ml regn78 solution . 30 μl of the 10 μg / ml regn78 solution was added to 470 μl of nqc and mixed to yield a 0 . 6 μg / ml regn78 solution ( snqc ). the snqc was used on the same day or aliquoted and stored in a − 80 ° c . freezer . assay procedure . qcs were retrieved and thawed , and study samples kept on ice or in a 4 ° c . refrigerator . in a deep well polypropylene plate ( sample plate ), a 1 : 10 dilution of each qc and study sample was prepared in 300 mm acetic acid and mixed . example : 10 μl of each qc / sample was added to 90 μl of 300 mm acetic acid and mixed . the sample plate was covered and incubate for 45 ± 15 minutes at room temperature . a 1 % bsa solution in 1 × pbs was prepared and mixed . example : 8 ml of 5 % bsa blocking buffer was added to 32 ml of 1 × pbs and mixed . a solution containing 10 ng / ml of biotinylated - regn88 , 50 μg / ml of regn17 , and 0 . 2 m tris in 1 % bsa was prepared and mixed . example : 10 μl of biotinylated - regn88 ( 3 . 8 mg / ml ) was added to 370 μl of 1 % bsa and mixed to yield a 100 μg / ml biotinylated - regn88 solution . 10 μl of the 100 μg / ml biotinylated - regn88 was added to 190 μl of 1 % bsa and mixed to yield a 5 μg / ml biotinylated - regn88 solution . 15 μl of the 5 μg / ml biotinylated - regn88 , 19 . 3 μl of the 19 . 5 mg / ml regn17 , and 1 ml of 1 . 5 m trizma base was added to 6 . 5 ml of 1 % bsa and mixed to yield a 10 ng / ml biotinylated - regn88 , 50 μg / ml regn17 , and 0 . 2 m tris in 1 % bsa solution . in a deep well polypropylene plate ( sample plate ) a final 1 : 2 dilution ( 1 : 20 total dilution ) of the qcs and study samples were prepared in the 10 ng / ml biotinylated - regn88 , 50 μg / ml regn17 , and 0 . 2 m tris in 1 % bsa solution and mixed . example : 100 μl of 10 ng / ml biotinylated - regn88 , 50 μg / ml regn17 , and 0 . 2 m tris in 1 % bsa solution were added to 100 μl of acidified qcs / samples and mix . the sample plate was covered and incubated for 60 ± 15 minutes at room temperature , shaking at 400 rpm during the incubation . the assay plate 3 × was washed with 300 μl / well of 1 × wash buffer using the msd plate 3 × wash program . 50 μl of each qc and study sample were added from the sample plate to the assay plate in duplicate . the assay plate was covered and incubated for 60 ± 15 minutes at room temperature , shaking at 400 rpm during the incubation . a solution containing 2 μg / ml of ruthenium - regn78 in 1 % bsa was prepared and mixed . example : add 10 μl of ruthenium - regn78 ( 2 . 9 mg / ml ) to 280 μl of 1 % bsa and mix to yield a 100 μg / ml ruthenium - regn78 solution . 140 μl of the 100 μg / ml ruthenium - regn78 was displaced into 7 ml of 1 % bsa and mixed to yield a 2 μg / ml ruthenium - regn78 in 1 % bsa solution . the assay plate 3 × was washed with 300 μl / well of 1 × wash buffer using the msd plate 3 × wash program . 50 μl / well of the 2 μg / ml ruthenium - regn78 in 1 % bsa solution was added to the assay plate . the assay plate was covered and incubated for 60 ± 15 minutes at room temperature , shaking at 400 rpm during the incubation . microplate preparation . 300 μl / well of 5 % bsa blocking buffer was added to the avidin - coated microplate ( assay plate ). the microplate was sealed and incubated for 1 to 4 hours at room temperature . a 2 × read buffer solution was prepared and mixed . example : 10 ml of 4 × read buffer was added to 10 ml of purified water and mixed . the assay plate 3 × was washed with 300 μl / well of 1 × wash buffer using the msd_plate_3 × wash program . 150 μl / well of the 2 × read buffer solution was added to the assay plate . the assay plate was read on a sector imager 2400 within 10 minutes after addition of 2 × read buffer . data analysis . the plate reading data was transferred it to a softmax pro file format . once in the softmax file , if mask wells were needed , wells were masked in the transformed data section . this allowed the masked value to be viewed , but not used in the calculations . the mean counts , % inhibition , and cv % counts were then calculated for each qc and study sample . assay performance specifications : lqc % inhibition must be & gt ; cut point ; snqc % inhibition must be & lt ; cut point ; hqc % inhibition must be & gt ; mqc % inhibition ; mqc % inhibition must be & gt ; lqc % inhibition ; the cv % counts of each pqc and the snqc must be ≦ 20 %; the cv % counts of the nqc must be ≦ 15 %. study sample acceptance criteria . assay performance — all assay performance specifications were met , otherwise the study samples were re - documented and re - analyzed . precision — the cv % counts had to be ≦ 20 %, otherwise the study samples were re - documented and re - analyzed . any study sample with a % inhibition greater than the cut point was reported as positive . any study sample with a % inhibition less than or equal to the cut point was reported as negative . an experiment was conducted to test the effect of low ph treatment on drug tolerance in both the drug capture and target capture formats . human serum was spiked with 1 μg / ml of sarilumab at the indicated concentrations of positive control . these samples were tested with or without low ph treatment in both assay formats . qcs and samples were diluted in an acetic acid working stock concentration and incubated . these were then diluted in a tris neutralization buffer containing the appropriate ruthenylated - detection reagent . the results are shown in fig3 and 4 . results : low ph treatment effectively mitigates the interference from excess drug , improving the detection of nab in both assay formats . the ability of the drug to generate a false positive response in the absence of nab is defined as drug interference . a study was conducted to compare the interference of drug in the absence of nab in both assay formats . method : normal human serum was spiked with the indicated concentrations of sarilumab . all samples were treated in low ph and tested in both the drug capture format and the target capture format . results . target capture format : higher concentrations of free sarilumab outcompete the ruthenylated - sarilumab for binding with the biotinylated - il6rα , resulting in a false positive response ( fig5 ). drug capture format : sarilumab in the absence of nab cannot bind to the capturing sarilumab on the plate and is therefore unable to interfere in the assay ( fig6 ). the effect of specific target il6rα on the mitigation of false positive results was studied as described above . normal human serum was spiked with the indicated concentrations of il6rα and tested with low ph treatment in both assay formats ( fig7 ). similar samples were tested with or without the addition of an anti - target ( il6rα ) antibody ( fig8 ). false positive responses from target interference were observed in both assay formats . similar results were observed when il6rα : sarilumab complexes were tested . addition of an anti - target antibody mitigated the interference in the drug capture format . however , the anti - target antibody cannot be added to the target capture format since it would block capture . the drug capture format was selected and used from this point on . a study was conducted to mitigate false positive results caused by target ( il6rα ). normal human serum was spiked with the indicated concentrations of il6rα and tested with low ph treatment in both assay formats . similar samples were tested with or without the addition of an anti - target ( il6rα ) antibody . false positive responses from target interference were observed in both assay formats ( fig7 ). similar results were observed when il6rα : sarilumab complexes were tested ( fig8 ). addition of an anti - target antibody mitigated the interference in the drug capture format . however , the anti - target antibody cannot be added to the target capture format since it would block capture . the drug capture format was selected and used from this point on . next , rf + serums were treated in low ph and screened in the drug capture format . comparison between a selected high signal rf + individual versus a normal signal rf + individual . positive control at lqc level was spiked in these drug naïve serums before low ph treatment and then run in the assay . results : the signal generated by certain rf + individuals was greater than the signal of the nqc and resulted in highly negative % inhibitions . in these individuals , spiking with positive control still resulted in false negative results ( fig9 and 10 ). a study was conducted comparing between standard streptavidin - coated plates versus high bind avidin - coated plates . two high signal rf + individuals were treated in low ph and tested in the assay . then , a comparison between a selected high signal rf + individual versus a normal signal rf + individual was conducted . positive control at the lqc level was spiked in these drug naïve sera before low ph treatment and then run on a high bind avidin - coated plate . results : high signal rf + individuals could be normalized by changing to high bind avidin - coated plates ( fig1 ). by normalizing the signals , these plates allowed the detection of nab in these “ high signal ” rf + individuals ( fig1 ).	6
fig3 ( a ) is a plan view of an ink jet recording apparatus of a first embodiment of the present invention . fig3 ( b ) is a sectional view of an ink jet recording apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention . a common electrode 23 serving also as a heat device ( abbreviated to common electrode ), comprising a rectangular resistance device , is attached on an air nozzle plate 2 surrounding a plurality of air discharge channels 1 disposed in a straight line . a terminal of the common electrode 23 is connected to a positive terminal of a bias power source 24 and to a positive terminal of a heat power source 25 . the other terminal of the common electrode 23 is connected to a negative terminal of the heat power source 25 . the common electrode 23 serves as a common electric electrode for applying a bias voltage and as a heating device . the common electrode 23 is connected to the power sources 24 , 25 utilizing silver paste 26 . other elements constituting the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention are similar to the conventional ink jet recording apparatus as shown in fig1 . the common electrode 23 is formed by depositing cr 1000a thick on the air nozzle plate 2 by utilizing an electron beam evaporation method . the width of the common electrode 23 is 2 mm and the length of the common electrode is 19 mm , and it is formed by using a mask such that a 30 ω resistance is obtained . the common electrode 23 has a voltage applied by the heat power source 25 , thereby to heat . the heat increases the temperature of the air nozzle plate 2 . for example , when the room temperature is 25 ° c . and the air flows , 3 . 5v is necessary to make the temperature of the air nozzle plate 32 ° c . fig4 is a graph of the relation between the temperature of the air nozzle plate 2 and ink jet volume . as shown in fig4 with a room temperature of 25 ° c . and a relative humidity of 65 %, the ink jet volume decreases and becomes unstable . but when the temperature increases , the ink jet volume increases . when the temperature is 32 ° c . or more , a stable ink jet volume , as with low relative humidity , is obtained . the stable ink jet volume is due to water adsorbed in the air discharge ports 1 being vaporized by heating the air nozzle plate 2 . therefore , an electric potential is not applied to the adsorbed water and the electric field is not unstable . the problem of the ink meniscus not extending because of the divergent electric field thus eliminated . when the voltage applied to the common electrode 23 is 3 . 5v or more , for example 5v , the temperature of the air nozzle plate 2 is high and a stable ink jet volume is obtained even when the relative humidity is 65 % or more . even when the room temperature varies , the temperature of the air nozzle plate 2 increases on the basis on the room temperature , as it is applied with heat by the common electrode 23 . thus , stable ink jet volume is obtained . since the common electrode 23 is provided neighboring the air discharge ports 1 , the volume near the air discharge ports 1 is efficiently heated . while cr is used as the material for the common electrode 23 in the above - mentioned embodiment , other materials can be used , that is , materials with a specific resistivity of several tens μ ω cm - 100μ ω cm , for example ti ( 50μ ω cm ), hf ( 29 . 6μ ω cm ) and ni - cr ( 100μ ω cm ) are suitable . the specific resistivity of cr is 18 . 9μ ω cm . the shape of the common electrode 23 is not limited to rectangular and other shapes can be used , considering resistance or temperature distribution . fig5 ( a ) is a plan view of the ink jet recording apparatus of another embodiment of the present invention . fig5 ( b ) is a sectional view of the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment of the present invention . a warm current device 30 comprises a fan 27 , a heater 28 and a nozzle 31 . the fan 27 blows air , the heater 28 heats the air and the warmed air 29 is jetted from the nozzle 31 . the warm current device 30 is disposed so as to blow the warmed air 29 on the air nozzle plate 2 of the ink jet recording apparatus . other elements of the ink jet recording apparatus are similar to the conventional ink jet recording apparatus of fig1 . when the ink jet volume is unstable because of high relative humidity ( large water ( moisture ) volume in the atmosphere ), the water adsorbed near the air discharge ports 1 is vaporized by increasing the temperature of the air nozzle plate 2 utilizing the warmed air 29 . therefore , the electric field is formed so as to efficiently extend the ink meniscus and stable ink jet volume is obtained irrespective of the humidity in the atmosphere . the common electrode 23 formed on the air nozzle plate 2 or the warm current device are used as the method for increasing the temperature of the air nozzle plate 2 in the above - mentioned embodiments . other methods for increasing the temperature of the air nozzle plate 2 can be used . for example , a resistance device for heating , a ceramic heater , an infrared lamp or a band heater covered with insulating material may be attached to the air nozzle plate 2 . fig6 is a block diagram of an air supply system of another embodiment of the present invention . a humidity decreasing apparatus 50 is provided between the air source 3 and a three way conduit 40 . other elements are similar to that of fig1 . the humidity decreasing apparatus 50 includes a humidity decreasing system and a reclamation system . the humidity decreasing apparatus 50 interchanges the two systems , thereby successively decreasing the water volume in the atmosphere and decreasing the relative humidity . referring to the humidity decreasing system , the air source 3 takes air from the room , increases the pressure and blows the air into absorbent container 41 through a four - way valve 37 . a casing of the adsorbent container 41 has a filter 51 , 52 at the inlet and outlet thereof to prevent loss of an absorbent 53 . the absorbant 53 absorbs water from the air , thereby decreasing the relative humidity . a heater 33 for reclamation is buried in the absorbent 53 . when a moderate size globule of silica gel is used as the absorbent 53 in the filler case 41 having a volume of 500cm 3 , the relative humidity of air at 25 ° c . and 60 % humidity is reduced to 20 %. the humidity reduced air passes through the fourway valve 36 and enters into the three - way conduit 40 . referring to the reclamation system , the air source for reclamation 39 takes air from the room , increases the pressure and blows the air into absorbent container 42 through a four - way valve 36 . a casing of the container 42 has a filter 54 , 55 at the inlet and outlet thereof to prevent loss of an absorbent 56 , for example silica gel . a heater 34 is buried in the absorbent 56 . by driving a heater switch 38 of the heater 34 a voltage from power source 57 is applied to the heater 34 . then the absorbent 56 is heated to 100 ° c . or more and the air passes through the adsorbent 56 . thus the absorbent 56 , whose capability of absorbing water is reduced on account of water , is reclaimed . the air passed through the absorbent container 42 flows out into the room through the four - way valve 37 . the absorbent 56 is reclaimed for about 10 minutes . then , after 10 minutes the heater switch 38 is switched off and the air source for reclamation 39 stops the air supply . when the temperature of absorbent 56 returns to room temperature by natural cooling the reclamation of the abosorbent 56 is completed . while the container 41 operates as the humidity decreasing system , the container 42 operates as a reclamation system . conversely , while the container 42 operates as the humidity decreasing system , the container 41 operates as a reclamation system . the interchange of the humidity decreasing system and a reclamation system is executed by switching the four - way valves 36 , 37 with the valve switch 35 and the heater switch 38 among heaters 33 , 34 . thus the absorbents 53 , 56 repeat the absorbing and the discharge of water . the air having the reduced humidity flows into the air supply passage 8 as shown in fig1 through the three way conduit 40 and is made uniform in the circular air chamber 9 and enters into the air passage 7 and finally is jetted from the air discharge channels 1 . the humidity decreasing apparatus 50 reduces the water in the air , thereby to make 20 % relative humidity air of 60 % relative humidity air . thus the ink jet volume is stable . as a result , by reducing the relative humidity of the supplying air to about 50 % or less , the water in the air is not adsorbed to the air discharge channel 1 . the electric field is thus formed so as to efficiently extend the ink meniscus and stable ink jet volume is obtained irrespective of the humidity in the atmosphere of the room . in the above - mentioned embodiments , silica gel is used as the absorbent 53 , 56 , but other material can be used , for example , alumina gel or zeolite .	1
fig1 shows a cross sectional view illustrating components of a mass magnifier according to one embodiment of the present invention . the mass magnifier includes a cylinder or drum 2 with magnetic devices 4 1 - 6 placed around the circumference of the cylinder 2 . the magnetic devices 4 1 - 6 can be permanent magnets or electromagnets , as can other components described as magnetic devices herein . the cylinder 2 and magnetic devices 4 1 - 6 in the embodiment shown are assumed to be fixed in place to form a stator . additional two pole magnets 6 1 - 3 are rotatably connected together inside the cylinder 2 to form a rotor . rotation of the rotor is illustrated by the arrows going in a clockwise direction , although rotation can likewise be counterclockwise . although rotation of the center magnetic devices 4 1 - 6 is illustrated , a further embodiment of the present invention allows for rotation of the cylinder 2 with magnets 4 1 - 6 , while magnets 6 1 - 3 remain fixed . between the stator magnets 4 1 - 6 and rotor magnets 6 1 - 3 are strips of mu - metal 8 1 - 6 . the mu - metal material strips 8 1 - 6 can be attached together to a ring or disk ( not shown in fig1 ) that is rotatably rocked in a back and forth in a manner relative to the magnets as illustrated by the arrows above mu - metal strip 8 1 . the rocking of the mu - metal strips 8 1 - 6 is controlled in one embodiment to block magnetic fields when the stator magnets 4 1 - 6 apply a force on the rotor magnets 6 1 - 3 to prevent motion in the clockwise direction shown . control further removes the mu - metal strips 8 1 - 6 from between the stator magnets 4 1 - 6 and rotor magnets 6 1 - 3 when the magnetic field applies a force to move the rotor in the desired clockwise direction . more details of movement of the mu - metal strips 8 1 - 6 is described with respect to fig5 a - d subsequently . fig2 illustrates how pure strips of mu - metal can be affected by the magnets . the mu - metal is made up of molecules with valence electrons that do not align in any particular direction . in contrast , a metal such as iron will have its valence electrons aligned between the magnets and will not attenuate the magnetic field significantly . the mu - metal will provide greater than a 90 % attenuation of a magnetic field when placed between magnets relative to a conventional magnetic material . the magnetic field between the two magnets will cause a thin piece of conventional magnetic material to bend and stick to one of the poles . the mu - metal , although having less tendency to bend and stick to one of the poles will still have some valence electrons that align and can bend and stick to one of the poles , as illustrated by mu - metal strip 10 attaching in fig2 . in one embodiment of the present invention , to prevent the mu - metal from bending and sticking to the pole of one magnet as shown in fig2 , the metal is provided within a rigid material such as ceramic . the mu - metal can be cut into strips , or ground into a powder and impregnated into a ceramic material . the combined ceramic and mu - metal will offer substantially the same attenuation properties as a pure mu - metal strip , but will not bend to attach to either magnet pole . in another embodiment the mu - metal material is made thick enough to resist bending , but this may be undesirable to a designer because the rotor and stator magnets will be more effective when placed closer together . another alternative is to provide the mu - metal within a softer low dielectric material such as teflon ™ that is more flexible than ceramic yet has a low coefficient of friction so that it can contact the magnets of the rotor and stator and slide on the surfaces virtually unimpeded . fig3 is a perspective view illustrating how mu - metal can be formed in strips 12 and connected to a disk 14 ( a ring can likewise be used instead of disk 14 ) to be rotatably mounted between a rotor and stator . the disk 14 provides a support for the mu - metal strips , and can be supported on a drive shaft 16 that is also the drive shaft for the rotor of the electric motor . the disk 14 is mounted behind the rotor and stator with the mu - metal strips 12 extending between the rotor and stator as shown in cross - section in fig1 . in the configuration of fig3 , the mu - metal strips 12 have unsupported ends opposite the disk 12 which can bend and stick to a magnet pole as illustrated in fig2 . hence , it is beneficial in some embodiments to suspend the mu - metal within a ceramic to form the mu - metal strips 12 . fig4 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment for mounting mu - metal strips 22 on a drum 20 that can be rotatably mounted between a rotor and a stator . the drum 20 can be formed from a dielectric material 24 that is readily permeated by magnetic fields . the mu - metal strips 22 can then be attached by an adhesive to the dielectric material 24 . with a drum 20 supporting the mu - metal strips 22 , the mu - metal will not have free ends that are as readily flexible as in the mounting configuration of fig3 and can thus be manufactured as pure mu - metal rather than being suspended in a ceramic to provide added support . fig5 a - 5d show cross sectional views of components of a mass magnifier illustrating a process for moving the mu - metal material between a rotor and stator to form an energy storage device . reference will be made to movement of a rotor magnet 30 in a clockwise direction relative to stator magnets 32 1 - 4 , and how mu - metal strips 34 1 - 4 are accordingly moved to provide an energy storage device . reference is made only to movement of rotor magnet 30 for convenience since similar forces will be applied to the other rotor magnets . beginning with fig5 a , the rotor magnet 30 is top dead center and opposed to stator magnet 32 1 . in this configuration the opposing “ s ” magnet pole 30 and “ n ” magnet pole 32 1 attract , preventing movement of the rotor . accordingly , the mu - metal strip 34 1 is placed between the poles 30 and 32 1 to attenuate the magnetic field and prevent the attractive force . the rotor is then free to move in a clockwise direction as shown by the arrows . for this example , it is assumed that an external force turns the crankshaft in a clockwise direction and the mu - metal strips 32 1 - 4 are moved to cause the rotor to continue moving clockwise . fig5 b illustrates that as the rotor continues to move clockwise , the mu - metal strip 34 1 is moved with the pole 30 to break up any magnetic field between it and poles 32 1 and 32 2 . movement of the mu - metal 34 1 is illustrated in this figure to follow the rotor pole 30 . without movement of mu - metal 34 1 , the “ n ” pole 32 1 will provide an attractive force to pull the “ s ” pole 30 in a counter clockwise direction , which is undesirable . the “ s ” pole 32 2 will further provide a pushing away force that will likewise turn the “ s ” pole 30 in a counterclockwise direction , which is undesirable . accordingly , while rotor pole 30 is between stator poles 32 1 and 32 2 the mu - metal 34 1 is moved clockwise as shown by the arrows to block or attenuate magnetic fields . fig5 c illustrates further movement of the rotor magnet pole 30 between stator magnet poles 32 2 and 32 4 . in this configuration the “ s ” magnet pole 30 and “ s ” magnet pole 32 1 push away from each other , forcing rotation of the rotor in the desired clockwise direction . accordingly , mu - metal strip 34 2 is left in place so that it is not presented between poles 30 and 32 2 as pole 30 moves clockwise away from stator pole 32 2 . the rotor is forced in a clockwise direction as shown by the arrows , and will offer resistance to a counterclockwise rotation . fig5 d illustrates movement of the mu - metal strip 34 2 that occurs when the rotor pole 30 moves half way between poles 32 2 and 32 3 and continues to proceed toward pole 32 3 . the mu - metal strip 34 2 is rotated counter clockwise , opposite the travel direction of the rotor . both the mu - metal strip 34 2 and 34 1 are now back in the position they occupied in fig5 a . the mu - metal strip 34 2 in this position will not block the magnetic field between the “ s ” rotor pole 30 and the “ n ” stator pole 323 so they will attract and pull the rotor in a continued clockwise motion . once the rotor pole 30 passes the stator pole 32 3 , the mu - metal strip 34 3 will block its attenuation , and operation will continue as described with respect to fig5 a . in this manner the rotor pole 30 will continue to be forced by magnetic fields to continue to rotate in a clockwise direction , even against a counterclockwise force applied to the crankshaft to effectively create an energy storage device . fig6 is a cross sectional view of the back of a mass magnifier showing components that allow the mu - metal support ring 40 to oscillate between a rotor 42 and stator 44 . the components include a first push rod 46 connected to a wheel 48 on the crankshaft of the rotor 42 . a second push rod 50 connects the first push rod 46 to the mu - metal support ring 40 . connected as shown , rotation of the crankshaft of the rotor 42 will cause wheel 48 to turn , resulting in the first push rod 46 and second push rod 50 to cause the mu - metal support ring 40 to oscillate back and forth as illustrated by the arrows . although not shown , a system of cams and spring operated rods can be used in place of wheel 48 push rods 46 and 50 . further , although not shown , an electronically controlled solenoid can be used to move the ring 40 . fig7 is a side view of a mass magnifier showing how a cylinder 60 supporting mu - metal material can be moved in and out from between a rotor and stator assembly 62 to alternatively provide for operation as either an electric motor or a mass magnifier type fly wheel . the components for moving the cylinder 60 include two gears 64 and 62 . the gear 62 is connected to the crankshaft of the combined rotor and stator assembly 62 . the gear 66 is connected to a push rod 68 that is further attached to the cylinder 60 . the gear 64 can be controlled so that when the crankshaft is turned the push rod 68 will move the cylinder linearly in or out of the combined rotor and stator assembly . the drive mechanism of fig7 can be combined with the drive mechanism of fig6 , so that when the cylinder 60 is asserted into the rotor and stator assembly 62 the entire assembly behaves as a mass magnifier . alternatively when the cylinder is removed , the rotor and stator assembly 62 can behave as an electric motor . although shown as a system of gears and push rods , a similar cam system or electronic control system can be used . a device connected as shown in fig7 can in one example be provided in a hybrid car that includes both a fossil fuel and an electric engine . the electric engine can be operated to drive the car , or alternatively for regenerative breaking without the mu - metal inserted . with the mu - metal inserted , the electric engine will behave as a fly wheel , enabling elimination of the need for a fly wheel in the fossil fuel burning engine . fig8 is a side view of a mass magnifier illustrating operation with a cylinder 70 made entirely of mu - metal that is moved in and out in a linear fashion rather than requiring rotation from between a rotor and stator assembly 72 with appropriate timing to enable the device to function as an energy storage device . unlike the mu - metal strips , such as illustrated in fig3 or fig4 , here the entire cylinder 70 is made of mu - metal . instead of oscillating like the mu - metal device illustrated in fig5 a - 5d , the entire cylinder 70 cannot rotate , as it will always block all magnetic fields . accordingly , the cylinder 70 is inserted between the rotor and stator when magnetic field forces are exerted to move the rotor in an undesirable direction . the cylinder 70 is then removed when magnetic field forces are applied in the desired opposite desired direction . the mechanism for moving the cylinder 70 is shown to include gears 74 and 76 and push rod 78 that operated similar to the assembly described in fig7 , although a cam driven system or electronic control system can likewise be used . the rotor and stator magnetic elements described with respect to previous figures operate to rotate . in some embodiments , however , the magnetic elements can slide linearly back and forth relative to each other . the mu - metal can be inserted between the magnetic devices in a similar fashion as to when the magnetic devices rotate to promote oscillation of the magnets linearly relative to each other . the mass magnifier device described herein can be used with conventional sized rotor and stator devices . alternatively the mass magnifier can be provided as a microtechnology or nanotechnology device . the microtechnology or nanotechnology device will reduce component sizes down to a microscopic level . with such a small device , the energy storage capabilities will significantly improve over the inertia provided by the heavier engine components used in a conventional sized device . in particular , with microtechnology and nanotechnology components one problem is that energy is provided in short bursts and cannot be sustained over time . the mass magnifier provides a fly wheel type effect allowing the short bursts of energy to be stored and maintained until another burst of energy can be provided . this fly wheel type effect is similar to a fly wheel used to assure a fossil fuel engine remains idling between combustion cycles that occur only periodically at idol speeds . although the present invention has been described above with particularity , this was merely to teach one of ordinary skill in the art how to make and use the invention . many additional modifications will fall within the scope of the invention , as that scope is defined by the following claims .	8
the present invention provides a method for measuring any parameter of interest in a particular sample using an eddy current probe . for example , the probe may be used to measure hydrogen concentration in a piece or section of metal , such as the hydrogen concentration in the cladding of a nuclear fuel rod . generally , the eddy current probe is calibrated using a calibration standard that provides varying amounts of the parameter of interest in a material or substrate that represents the sample to be measured . for example , the calibration standard may be a piece of metal having varying hydrogen concentrations similar to the piece of metal or sample to be measured . the calibrated probe is then used to measure the parameter of interest in a given sample . fig1 is a process flow diagram according to one embodiment of the present invention . fig1 provides an overview of one embodiment of a process that may be followed to obtain a measurement of hydrogen concentration in metal . the process is described in the context of measurement of hydrogen in nuclear fuel rod claddings . in this embodiment , the fuel rods will preferably be located in a fuel storage pool , which is filled with water . however , the present invention is not limited to either the measurement of hydrogen concentration or to nuclear fuel rods , nor is it limited to use in aqueous systems or any other type of environment . the invention is also discussed in a certain order of operation . the order of operation is not critical , and the invention is not limited to the order presented . at step 110 , a probe attached to an eddy current measurement device is brought into contact with a calibration standard . the eddy current probe used in this invention is preferably a surface probe . the probe should contact the surface in a reproducible manner to prevent a decrease in sensitivity due to inadequate contact with the surface . preferably , contacting the surface in a reproducible manner is accomplished through the use of spring - loading , which provides constant pressure sensor - to - surface contact . additionally , the probe will preferably be oriented perpendicular to the surface of the calibration standard with little or no variation from the perpendicular direction . also , the area ( s ) selected for measurement should be as similar as possible in geometry to each other . differences in geometry such as curves , edges or other types of discontinuities may affect eddy current response and lead to errors in concentration measurement . in addition to geometric or positioning sources of error , there are other typical material conditions that may lead to variable eddy current response that may obscure the response from the hydrogen concentration . typical sources of background include : 1 ) variation in zirconium oxide thickness , ( 2 ) ferromagnetic and non ferromagnetic crud thickness , ( 3 ) variation in the crud magnetic permeability , ( 4 ) variation in hydrogen concentration across the cladding wall , and ( 5 ) variation in cladding temperature . these material conditions should be accounted for when preparing the calibration samples . these factors may be accounted for by using a calibration standard that replicates as closely as possible whichever of these factors will be present in the actual sample to be measured . at step 115 , the calibration standard is measured at a predetermined number of frequencies and locations , where each location contains a known level of the parameter of interest and representative values of the background variables . as discussed in more detail below , the calibration standard would have varying levels of the parameter of interest extending beyond the range expected in the in - situ measurements , as well as having representative levels of background variables that may affect the measurement of the sample . when measured , the eddy current probe response is dependent upon the electrical conductivity of the calibration standard , which , in turn , is dependent upon the level of the parameter of interest in the standard , such as hydrogen concentration . fig2 is a schematic diagram of a movable probe mount and a calibration standard according to an embodiment of the invention . as shown in fig2 , to perform the calibration in this embodiment the eddy current probe 200 is brought into contact with the surface of the calibration standard 230 . the probe 200 is held using a mount 210 that allows the probe 200 to traverse the length of the calibration standard 230 . the mount 210 further includes a mode of automatically traversing the calibration standard , such as wheels 220 powered by an electric motor ( not shown ). the purpose of the mount 210 is to allow reproducible sample - to - probe contact pressure , as well as to allow the probe 200 to be moved along the length of the sample and calibration standard 230 at a reproducible rate . the probe response from the calibration standard 230 is measured as the probe 200 moves along the standard . in connection with the present embodiment , calibration standards are , in general , fabricated to duplicate the size , shape , and construction material of the fuel rod measured as closely as possible . in the present embodiment , the calibration standards should contain varying amounts of hydrogen , preferably encompassing the concentration range of hydrogen expected , with the exception that the standard contains no fissionable material . for instance , if the highest concentration of hydrogen expected is approximately 500 parts per million ( ppm ), the highest concentration standard should contain at least this concentration . preferably , the concentration of the highest standard should be at least 25 percent more than the highest concentration expected . the distribution of the varying parameter levels in each calibration standard point is determined by routine destructive and nondestructive techniques capable of measuring hydrogen concentration , e . g ., hot vacuum extraction , and imaging hydride platelets within the cladding wall , e . g ., metallography . fuel rod cladding is often constructed of zircaloy ™- 4 in a tubular shape . therefore , in a preferred embodiment , the calibration standard should be constructed of zircaloy ™- 4 material , in a tubular configuration , of approximately the same dimension as the fuel rods . typically the cladding wall thickness is the order of 0 . 6 mm . hydrogen - charged samples are prepared by any of a number of methods known to the art , such as electrochemical deposition or elevated temperature exposure of the metal standard to flowing hydrogen gas . in a preferred embodiment , the samples are prepared by flowing hydrogen gas in combination with thermal cycling . the distribution of hydrogen across the calibration standard is controlled through the application of differing temperature gradients across the standard . alternatively , the standards may be prepared by flowing hydrogen across the standard , then subsequently applying heat in the manner described above . the calibration standard may also be used for temperature calibration . such a calibration standard would include a source of heat to produce the same temperature and possibly temperature gradient across the calibration standard . in an embodiment , the heat source is an internal electrical heater rod . however , any other type of suitable heat source may be used , such as a heat exchange coil or circulating water bath or heating tape attached to the calibration standard . in practice , however , it is often not necessary to perform a rigorous temperature calibration for each set of measurements . often , it is possible to quantify the relationship between cladding temperature and eddy current response in a separate activity , such as a laboratory environment . any temperature gradient through the cladding wall can often be accounted for analytically , or , if sufficiently small , ignored . often , only one temperature calibration measurement is performed at the od of the fuel rod cladding . one method of measuring temperature at the od would be using a thermocouple , for instance . other variables may be generated in the calibration standards using a number of different methods known to the art . for example , zro 2 overlayers may be produced by flowing a mixture of helium and oxygen over the od of the calibration standard while holding the standard at elevated temperatures , and magnetic shims or magnetic tapes of varying thicknesses may be used to simulate the magnetic crud overlayers . the minimum number of frequencies to be measured at each point along the calibration standard is dependent upon the number of significant independent background variables . each data point collected at each frequency is composed of two components , a resistance component and a reactance component ( in some measurement instruments the in - phase component and the quadrature component , or the amplitude and phase angle of the response ). therefore , when n different frequencies are measured , 2n sets of data result . generally the method can suppress the effects of 2n − 1 background variables . thus if there are three background variables , two frequencies are required . if there are five background variables , three frequencies are required . the greater the number of background variables to be suppressed the higher the data precision required . in one embodiment , three background variables are assumed to have significant effects on the eddy current response : zirconium oxide thickness , effective crud permeability and fuel rod temperature . thus the test must be performed at two frequencies or more , and variation in these parameters must be included in calibration data . with two frequencies there are five first order constants . very high test frequencies are required to reduce the sensitivity to cladding wall thickness and to increase the sensitivity to the high hydrogen concentrated near the od . the penetration depth at a given frequency is given by the following relationship : here δ is the electromagnetic depth of penetration ( skin depth ) in mm , ρ is the electrical resistivity in micro ohm cm , f is the electromagnetic frequency in hz , and μ r is the relative magnetic permeability . in one embodiment , one frequency may be 25 mhz , and a second frequency may be 10 mhz . at these frequencies , the depths of penetration are the order of 0 . 085 mm and 0 . 135 mm , respectively , and only approximately 15 % and 25 % of the zircaloy ™ cladding wall is penetrated . an example calibration test matrix may include 10 or more test points . test matrices may be derived using design of experiment techniques or through other methods known in the art . below is a representative 15 point test matrix ( in this example , “ magnetic crud layers ” refers to a relative value proportional to the eddy current response obtained from measuring a crud layer of non - specified thickness and composition , i . e ., a value of “ 2 ” represents twice the measured eddy current probe response that a value of “ 1 ” does ): returning to fig1 , at step 120 calibration constants are calculated based on the eddy current responses measured for the calibration standards . it should be appreciated that no mathematical model of the instrument , sensor , or the interaction of the sensor with the fuel rod and environment are assumed , nor is an iterative procedure used to determine the free parameters of a mathematical model . it is assumed that the physical parameter of interest ( for example , hydrogen concentration ) is dependent upon eddy - current response . to determine the calibration constants , a taylor series expansion around a nominal value of the parameter of interest is performed . a description of this approach is given in suresh yagnik et al ., eddy current measurements of corrosion and metal loss in zircalloy cladding with ferromagnetic crud , nuclear technology , vol . 147 , august 2004 , p 1 , which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety . if only the first order expansion terms our included then the physical parameter of interest ( pp ) can be expressed as : pp = a + b 1 * x 1 + c 1 * r 1 + b 2 * x 2 + c 2 * r 2 + . . . + b n * x n + c n * r n , where a , b 1 , c 1 , . . . b n and c n are constants , x 1 and r 1 are the reactance and resistance at frequency 1 , x 2 and r 2 are the reactance and resistance at frequency 2 , and x n and r n are the reactance and resistance at frequency n . the constants can be determined if the detailed relationship between the physical parameter and the eddy current response parameters are known , or , as in a preferred embodiment , if a set of at least 2n + 1 measurements are made on the calibration standard . better results may be obtained if 4n or more measurements are made with a best fit used to determine the 2n + 1 calibration constants . this approach is rigorously correct for a small range of the physical parameter measured . for a larger range , higher order terms can be included in the expansion , or the expansion can be repeated at different nominal values . however , either of these approaches requires more calibration constants and calibration measurements . the calculation may be done remotely , using a desktop computer and commercially - available software packages . spreadsheet - based software packages such as microsoft excel ™, for instance , may be adequate for many applications . alternatively , the code may be resident in the data - handling system of the eddy current measurement device . at step 125 , once the calibration standards have been measured and the calibration constants have been calculated , the fuel rod sample is measured . in one embodiment , the outside surface temperatures of the cladding are measured using a thermocouple in contact with the outside of the fuel rod . the same sensor , eddy current instrument , cabling , test frequencies , voltage levels input to sensor , and measurement procedures as used in the calibration phase may be used . at step 130 , the parameter of interest , hydrogen concentration in this embodiment , is calculated using the calibration constants determined as described above . with the calculated constants and the values of r i and x i obtained from the sample measurements , the hydrogen concentration is calculated at each point of interest . the calculation may be done remotely using a desktop computer and commercially - available software packages . spreadsheet - based software packages , for instance , may be adequate for many applications . alternatively , the software code necessary to perform this calculation may be resident in the data - handling system of the eddy current measurement device and the hydrogen concentration calculated in real time . at step 135 , the calculated parameters of interest , in this embodiment hydrogen concentrations , are displayed . the display may take any form but typically comprises displaying the results on a computer screen or as a hard - copy printout . fig3 is a schematic diagram of a calibration standard 320 and a fuel rod 330 according to one embodiment of the invention . in this embodiment , the calibration standard 320 is immersed in a fuel storage tank ( not shown ) either adjacent to the tank used for the storage of nuclear fuel rods or preferably in the same tank as the one used for the storage of the nuclear fuel rods . the calibration standard 320 is held in a mechanical mount 325 . the mechanical mount 325 is further configured so that it can hold a nuclear fuel rod 330 to be measured . when a measurement is made , the nuclear fuel rod 330 is transferred using a transfer means ( not shown ) from its storage position into the mechanical mount 325 . the fuel rod 330 is positioned adjacent to and substantially in - line with the calibration standard 320 as shown in fig2 . an eddy current probe 310 is held in a movable probe mount 305 . the eddy current probe 310 is brought into contact with the calibration standard 320 . after the probe 310 is brought into contact with the surface of the calibration standard 320 , the probe 310 begins traversing down the length of the calibration standard 320 while simultaneously monitoring the eddy current response at the requisite number of frequencies . the translation rate along the calibration standard 320 , and ultimately the nuclear fuel rod 330 , in one embodiment is approximately 160 inches / minute , although any practical rate can be used depending on the nature of probe used and the configuration of the standard and sample . it should be noted that while calibration of the present invention is performed in - situ , the present method is not restricted to in - situ calibration . in the current embodiment , the outer surface temperature is read from a thermocouple 315 attached to the calibration standard 320 . if desired or necessary , temperature calibration measurements may be done alternatively in a laboratory setting . in yet another embodiment , after a sufficient number of calibrations have been performed on a given fuel rod type , a large enough database may exist to allow for calculation of the temperature effect , thus eliminating the need for a separate temperature measurement . once a sufficient number of measurements have been made on the calibration standard 320 , the eddy current probe 310 continues on to traverse the nuclear fuel rod 330 . less preferably , the calibration standard 320 may be removed using a remotely - controlled transfer means ( not shown ), and a nuclear fuel rod substituted for the calibration standard 320 in the rod mount 325 . once the nuclear fuel rod 330 is in place , the eddy current probe 310 is brought into contact with the surface of the nuclear fuel rod 330 , and the probe 310 is driven along the surface of the nuclear fuel rod 330 at the same rate used for the calibration . after completion of calibration and nuclear fuel rod data collection , calibration constants are calculated from the calibration measurements , and hydrogen concentrations for each sample point are calculated using the calibration constants and nuclear fuel rod data . after calculating the hydrogen concentrations , the results are displayed using whatever means are convenient and appropriate . possible means include digital meter readout , analog meter readout , computer display , or operator notation . typical units for display will be ppm hydrogen . although the present invention has been described with particular reference to its preferred embodiments , it should be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein . it is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified in ways that such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention . for example , the present invention may be utilized to measure other parameters that influence metal conductivity , such as temperature and microstructural damage from irradiation alone or in combination with parameters that influence the separation of the sensor from the metal surface , such as oxide and crud thickness . in these cases , the same methodology may be used by first calibrating the eddy current probe using a calibration standard that has known amounts of the parameter of interest and is also configured to similar the material or substrate against which the eddy current probe will be used . therefore , the scope of the invention should not be limited by the specific disclosure herein .	6
embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings , which are provided as illustrative examples so as to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention . notably , the figures and examples below are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment , but other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements . resolution of a microscope is dictated by the numerical aperture ( na ) of the objective , expressed as na = n sin θ , where n is the index of refraction of the working medium , and θ is the half - angle of the cone of light that can enter the objective . objectives using air as the working medium ( n ≈ 1 ) are limited to an na of approximately 1 . 0 ( θ ≈ 90 °). substantial improvements in na and thus resolution can be achieved by displacing air with a transparent fluid , such as oil , with an index n & gt ; 1 . high numerical aperture objectives can be designed to work with a fluid typically comprise an immersion objective that may be operated such that a liquid that spans or bridges the space between the objective front surface and the microscope specimen , forming an immersion liquid column . the immersion liquid can comprise water , glycerin and / or a specialized oil selected for use with an immersion objective . for example , a high - magnification oil immersion objective may employ an immersion liquid with a refractive index of 1 . 516 to match the refractive index of a front lens of the objective and to achieve a working numerical aperture of 1 . 40 . certain embodiments of the invention support immersion microscopy by providing a plurality of immersion liquid drops , spots or droplets on a substrate or substrate cover such that a microscope objective can be moved between drops , spots and droplets without compromising the integrity of the drops , spots and droplets at which the objective is placed . thus for example , an array or pattern of droplets may be printed or otherwise deposited upon a substrate of an optical microscope comprising an immersion objective . the specimen substrate can be situated atop a microscope stage and a sample positioned on an upper surface of the substrate and beneath a substrate cover . the immersion objective may be located directly above the substrate cover and positioned over one of the array of droplets . the droplets are configured to align with areas of interest in the sample . the droplets typically comprise a material having a high refractive index with respect to air and the material may be a liquid or gel . certain embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for printing an array of immersion liquid droplets onto a specimen substrate or specimen substrate cover . certain embodiments of the invention provide numerous advantages and addresses and resolves various issues associated with conventional systems ; for example , certain embodiments of the invention overcome the above described problems related to replenishing immersion liquid when using a high numerical aperture immersion objective . more specifically , by spacing the immersion liquid droplets at appropriate intervals across a specimen substrate or specimen substrate cover , certain embodiments of the invention avoid the formation of air bubbles in the immersion liquid and the accumulation of excess , instrument damaging amounts of immersion liquid . by selectively locating the droplets of immersion liquid , the array of droplets can be optimized for both the scan area and the scan pattern of the microscope or imaging instrument . it will be appreciated that small droplets adhering to a surface can be quite stable because of surface - tension and droplet - surface effects , even in an inverted geometry . with reference to fig1 and 2 , certain embodiments of the present invention provide a printer 10 . printer 10 can comprise a base 30 that may be operable to support a specimen substrate or specimen substrate cover ( hereinafter collectively referred to as a “ substrate ”). printer 10 may further comprise a series of specifically sized tubes or ducts 60 located such as to deliver droplets of immersion liquid to a surface of substrate 20 . base 30 may comprise port 50 and be attached to base plate 40 . in practice , substrate 20 may be placed upon or within base 30 such that the surface of substrate 20 requiring application of immersion liquid is oriented proximate to ducts 60 . a precision metering pump can be activated to pump immersion liquid from an immersion liquid reservoir ( pump and immersion liquid reservoir not shown ). the immersion liquid may be pumped into printer 10 through port 50 such that the flow of the immersion liquid can be divided between ducts 60 . the precision pump may be utilized to control the specific volumes of the immersion liquid delivered to and dispensed upon the surface of substrate 20 . by specifically locating ducts 60 relative to one another , as well as to the relative area of the substrate , the array of drops can be optimized for both the scan area and the pattern of the scan . in certain embodiments of the present invention , printer 10 may be external to the imaging system and utilization of these embodiments may require no modification to a microscope or imaging instrument . embodiments of the invention can be effectively configured for use with conventional or inverted and manual or automated instruments . prior to immersion liquid printing , the microscopist typically determines whether conventional or inverted equipment is to be used and can print accordingly . for example , the top of the specimen substrate cover may be printed in the case of conventional microscopes and the bottom of the specimen substrate may be printed in the case of inverted microscopes . certain embodiments of the invention may be incorporated into a particular conventional or inverted microscope or imaging instrument , thus providing for the automation of both the substrate printing and imaging . such embodiments may utilize means , such as robotics , precision actuators , computer processors , and instructional software , to move and position the substrate for printing and viewing . as depicted in fig1 and 2 , ducts 60 may comprise individually fabricated hollow cylinders that may be embedded or otherwise attached to base 30 . in certain embodiments , ducts 60 may be formed within base 30 by fabricating individual openings in base 30 , thus requiring no additional structures for delivery of the immersion liquid droplets from base 30 to substrate 20 . ducts 60 have been depicted as circular in the examples presented although ducts 60 can be constructed in a variety of forms and shapes , including for example , square , oval , linear and triangular shapes . the resulting immersion liquid droplets may be accordingly shaped or , depending of the surface tension characteristics of the liquid , assume a shape distinct from the shape of the duct from which the liquid was dispensed . certain embodiments of the present invention may utilize immersion liquids such as water , glycerol , and hydro - carbon and synthetic oils . as depicted in fig1 and 2 , ducts 60 may comprise dissimilar sizes or shapes . fig1 and 2 show a single larger diameter duct among the otherwise uniform smaller ducts . in certain embodiments of the present invention , it may be advantageous to provide a large immersion liquid droplet to serve as a starting point for the imaging or scanning of the specimen . fig1 and 2 show a staggered hash pattern of ducts 30 . fig3 shows an array of immersion droplets 70 in a staggered hash pattern resulting from printing by a staggered hash pattern of ducts 30 . it should be noted that the immersion liquid array pattern is not limited to staggered hash patterns but can be designed and optimized for the scan direction and method . for example , immersion liquid arrays may comprise of two of more immersion liquid droplets or lines or other shapes in a regular grid of columns , rows , diagonals , purely random array patterns and / or in any other pattern that may be appropriate for the scanning requirements . in certain embodiments , immersion liquid droplets may be printed on the substrate in an “ on - demand ” manner . for example , two or more ducts can be used to place immersion liquid in the direction of the next movement or scan during imaging and as the sample is moved relative to the lens . in certain embodiments , the printer may be incorporated into the microscope or imaging instrument in order to coordinate viewing and dispensing steps . certain of the components comprising printer 10 may be fabricated of any suitable material or combination of materials including metal , alloy , plastics and glass . the materials may be chosen based on their individual characteristics including , for example , rigidity , corrosion resistance , ease of fabrication and cost . it is contemplated that , in certain embodiments , alternative methods may be used for printing an immersion liquid pattern onto a substrate . for example , immersion liquid printing techniques analogous to those used in the ink printing industry can be used where these techniques may include use of a thermal inkjet printer , a piezoelectric ink jet and / or continuous inkjet printing . in certain embodiments , immersion fluid can be delivered to a substrate as droplets in a fine mist . the mist may be produced by an ultrasonic nebulizer or by other suitable means . a mist technique typically requires no contact between the fluid applicator and the substrate , and may operate during the imaging process , continuously refreshing the immersion fluid . when used continuously or intermittently , the flowing mist applies only the tiniest of forces to the substrate , and thus will not displace the substrate , which otherwise could potentially upset the imaging focus . entrained air bubbles may be eliminated through judicious nebulizer design and operation . certain embodiments of the invention provide a system for providing immersion liquid comprising a substrate , an immersion liquid , and a printer operable to disperse an array of droplets of said immersion liquid on to a surface of said substrate . in some of these embodiments , the substrate comprises a specimen substrate . in some of these embodiments , the specimen substrate comprises a microscope slide . in some of these embodiments , the substrate comprises a specimen substrate cover . in some of these embodiments , the specimen substrate cover comprises a microscope slide cover . in some of these embodiments , the substrate is made of glass or plastic . in some of these embodiments , the printer is manually operable to provide droplets of an immersion liquid to said substrate . in some of these embodiments , the printer is operable to automatically provide droplets of an immersion liquid to said substrate . in some of these embodiments , the immersion liquid is selected from the group of immersion liquids comprising water , glycerol , and oil . in some of these embodiments , the printer employs a system of ducts . in some of these embodiments , the printer employs an ultrasonic nebulizer . in some of these embodiments , the printer employs a thermal printing element . in some of these embodiments , the printer employs a piezoelectric element . certain embodiments of the invention employ a method of providing immersion liquid to a substrate comprising the steps of providing a substrate and printing an array of immersion liquid droplets on a surface of said substrate . in some of these embodiments , the substrate comprises a specimen substrate . in some of these embodiments , the specimen substrate comprises a microscope slide or a multi - well plate . in some of these embodiments , the substrate comprises a specimen substrate cover . in some of these embodiments , the specimen substrate cover comprises a microscope slide cover . in some of these embodiments , the substrate is made of glass or plastic . in some of these embodiments , the providing is manual . in some of these embodiments , the providing is automated . in some of these embodiments , the immersion liquid is selected from the group of immersion liquids comprising water , glycerol , and oil . in some of these embodiments , the printing is manually controlled . in some of these embodiments , the printing is automatically controlled . certain embodiments of the invention include a system or method as described above , wherein the printing delivers said immersion liquid through ducts . in some of these embodiments , the printing delivers said immersion liquid through an ultrasonic nebulizer . in some of these embodiments , the printing delivers said immersion liquid by means of a thermal printing element . in some of these embodiments , the printer delivers said immersion liquid by means of a piezoelectric element . certain embodiments of the invention provide methods for preparing a specimen substrate . some of these embodiments comprise printing an array of droplets onto the substrate , positioning the array of droplets relative to a specimen and contacting an objective to a selected one of the droplets , wherein the droplets comprise a substance having a high refractive index . in some of these embodiments , the substance includes a gel . in some of these embodiments , the substance includes a liquid . in some of these embodiments , the liquid includes water . in some of these embodiments , the liquid includes glycerol . in some of these embodiments , the liquid includes oil . in some of these embodiments , the objective is an objective of a microscope . in some of these embodiments , the step of printing includes shaping the array of droplets . in some of these embodiments , shaping the array of droplets optimizes a scan area of the microscope . in some of these embodiments , shaping the array of droplets optimizes a scanning pattern of the microscope . in some of these embodiments , shaping the array of droplets is based on surface tension characteristics of the liquid . in some of these embodiments , the substance includes a liquid and shaping the array of droplets is based on surface tension characteristics of the liquid . in some of these embodiments , printing an array of droplets includes dispensing a liquid through ducts and wherein shaping the array of droplets includes selecting a shape of a duct . in some of these embodiments , the microscope is an inverted imaging instrument . in some of these embodiments , the substrate comprises a microscope slide . in some of these embodiments , the substrate comprises a multi - well plate . certain embodiments of the invention provide a microscopy system comprising a high refractive index liquid , and a printer configured to print an array of drops of the liquid on to a surface of a substrate . in some of these embodiments , the array of drops provides a high refractive index interface for an immersion objective of a microscope . in some of these embodiments , the substrate comprises a specimen substrate . in some of these embodiments , the immersion liquid is selected from the group of immersion liquids comprising at least one of water , glycerol and oil . in some of these embodiments , the printer includes an ultrasonic nebulizer . in some of these embodiments , the printer includes a piezoelectric element . certain embodiments of the invention provide a microscopy system comprising an immersion objective configured to be positioned in contact one or more drops of a high refractive index liquid and a printer configured to print an array of drops of the liquid on to a surface of a substrate . in some of these embodiments , one or more of the array of drops are arranged to provide an interface between a specimen carried by the substrate and the immersion objective . in some of these embodiments , one or more drops provide high refractive index interfaces for the immersion objective of a microscope . in some of these embodiments , the liquid includes one or more of water , glycerol and oil . in some of these embodiments , the printer includes an ultrasonic nebulizer for dispersing the liquid , thereby forming the array of drops . in some of these embodiments , the printer includes a piezoelectric element includes an ultrasonic nebulizer for dispersing the liquid , thereby forming the array of drops . although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments , it will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention . accordingly , the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense .	6
this invention relates to systems for the construction of virtual intellectual lottery games based on the individual actions , or moves , of real professional players participating in a real event ( e . g . a competition , a tournament , a game , a sporting event , etc .). via the internet , mobile communications , and a data processing and analysis software - hardware complex , the system provides for the placement of bets ( made by participating members ), in numeric and / or graphic format , on certain actions , or moves , of the professional players , as well as the formation of a prize pool from which the winnings are distributed to winning participating members . the claimed system can apply to games including , but not limited to , chess , checkers , go , poker , bridge , and other intellectual games . the claimed system achieves the objective and technical result of creating a new virtual intellectual lottery game platform , where participants can place bets ( to win a prize ) on the actions of real professional players within a real game , which is displayed concurrently and in real time on the chosen game page . it allows to improve the ability to detect and record using hardware and software intellectual skill level gifted individuals among members of virtual intellectual games by the hardware - software complex of the system which compares the bets made to the real actions performed , thus analyzing the betting field for those participants who predict with higher accuracy . the system gives a high potential for growing intellectual skill level of participants and brings to intellectual games the masses of new members through a virtual tournaments using the principle of material incentives . the system is comprised of a virtually constructed network , where intellectual table games , such as chess , go , checkers , poker , bridge , etc ., are played by people ( e . g . professional players ) in real time ( hereafter “ real members ” or “ real players ”) and bet on virtually by online participants ( hereafter “ betting members ” or “ betting players ”). the betting members have the opportunity to guess the moves of the real members . the guessing , or betting , process is performed concurrently with the game being played in real time . betting members can view the event and statistics and place bets by using mobile communications to introduce alphanumerical notation , using a website on the internet or other network with a screen interface , or by using a game terminal and moving objects on the playing field , with subsequent transfer of the information to the game server . the system provides for registration of betting members and assignment of a user name and password for each participant who desires to be a betting player . the game server contains a game selection page , where each game is displayed alongside rules for participation and rules for each respective game . any number of betting players may enter any number of games by selecting the game they choose to play from the game selection page . by selecting a specific game , betting players enter the betting page . there , betting members accumulate points by correctly predicting each successive move of the game being played . betting members &# 39 ; points are determined and compared by the hardware - software complex of the system , and prizes are distributed based on point differentials . the prize pool is generated from betting member payments ( e . g . via game or system membership fees ) as well as contributions from the system organizer . within the system , and more specifically within each game of the system , two games are played concurrently — a real game is played between playing members and a virtual game is played between betting members , wherein the betting members attempt to predict each move , or action , of each playing member . the real game is linked , through the hardware and software of the system , to the virtual game , such that the virtual game can follow the real game . the real game is displayed in real time on the betting page , and the virtual game proceeds accordingly . as the real game proceeds , each move of each real player is displayed ( e . g . in table format ) on the betting page ( note : each betting player views the same betting page , except for one element specific to his / her bets , described below ). before each move , each betting member has the opportunity to predict the move / action which they believe the real player will make . once the move is made , betting members lose this opportunity as well as the chance to gain points for that action . the displayed personal results show the betting member the prior real moves made , the betting member &# 39 ; s predictions compared to those moves , and the points accumulated ( note : this element of the betting page is distinct and unique for each individual betting member ). in addition to personal results , the betting page displays a leaderboard , showing total point comparisons among all the betting members signed into the game . in one embodiment of the claimed system , betting members are provided with options for each action , which are based on commonly - known strategies and the well - known rules of the game being played . in comparison , another embodiment of the claimed system does not provide any suggested moves , forcing the betting member to decide each move / action without any computer assistance . betting members are invited , and encouraged , to bet on every move made within a game . betting members are also allowed the option to bet on only one team or individual within the game or , in the alternative , on several teams / individuals within the game . each betting member can bet on each move , accumulating points for each move correctly predicted within the actual game . betting member fees are determined based in part on the number of bets made and the number of teams / individuals chosen . the point accumulation can be further described as follows . the predicted move information from each individual betting member is transferred to the game engine software of the system , wherein the software performs a comparison of the actual game move with the predicted move information . if the comparison results in a match , the game engine software sends a positive signal back to the betting member file , resulting in point accumulation ( at least one point , further based on the specific rules of the game being played ). if the comparison results in a mismatch ( i . e . the prediction was wrong ), game engine software sends no signal back to the betting member file , resulting in no point accumulation for that specific move . this process applies simultaneously and individually to each betting member making a prediction , and it is repeated for each round of predictions . in one embodiment of the present invention , the point accumulation is additionally based on the amount of time it takes the betting member to predict the next action . since the real game proceeds in real time , the betting member has a finite amount of time to predict each successive move . the faster the betting member submits his / her prediction , the more points that betting member will be eligible to accumulate ( if his / her prediction is correct ). fig1 shows one embodiment of how the elements and files described above might interact . each betting member who joins to participate in a game receives a betting member file 10 a , 10 b . 10 c . . . 10 x , where the betting member &# 39 ; s personal game statistics are stored . these statistics help to build the unique personal results that each betting member sees on their game screen . when a betting member submits a prediction , the betting member file 10 , 10 b , 10 c . . . 10 x sends the prediction data to the virtual game unit 2 , which marks the submission with a timestamp ( for point determination ) and forwards the data to the virtual data unit 4 , where the data is organized according to betting member number . meanwhile , and simultaneously , as the real game 1 proceeds in real time , each successive move or action made is recorded , turned into data , and transferred to the real data unit 3 , where the data is grouped according to each professional playing the real game . the real data unit 3 and virtual data unit 4 concurrently send their respective organized data to the processing unit 5 , which compares the data to determine any potential winning predictions . if a given betting member prediction matches the present action of the real professional player , the processing unit 5 sends a signal to the corresponding better member file , thus awarding the betting member at least one point . the timestamp given by the virtual game unit 2 also plays a role in determining the amount of points awarded ( e . g . an earlier correct submission will earn more points than a later correct submission ). if a given betting member prediction does not match the present action , no signal is sent to the corresponding better member file , and thus no points are rewarded . this process occurs continuously and repeatedly as the real game proceeds and each move is made . this process occurs within every specific game offered by the claimed system . an example of boxing competition game is shown in fig2 . the smart phone 11 has a screen 12 and keyboard 13 . the real fight is between two boxers shown in the window 14 . during the fight the player , the owner of the smart phone , predicts the next move . the types of moves are shown in the window 15 . the player prediction is shown in the window 16 . currently , four moves are already predicted , shown as x . optionally the player &# 39 ; s choice of the next move may be inserted via touch screen . a practical application of the presently claimed system can be offered using the game of chess as an example . a real game occurs between real chess players . this game can occur , for example , in the olympics , tournaments , other competitions , or even privately between professional players . the board and chess pieces being used by the real players are connected , through hardware and software , to the operator of the virtual game pages . on the virtual chessbetting page , each participating betting member is able to view several elements : ( 1 ) an emulated chess board following the real time game ; ( 2 ) a video or image ( streaming or recorded ) of the chess game in real time ; ( 3 ) a display of personal results ( e . g . a table ) showing point accumulation / earnings ; ( 4 ) a leaderboard , comparing all betting members &# 39 ; point totals for the chess game ; ( 5 ) buttons / tools for selecting each successive bet . each betting member has the opportunity to place a bet on every move made in the real game . alternatively , a bet may be placed on a sequence of moves or a variation . for example , a betting member can place a bet on one of opening variations that white uses against the sicilian defense ( 1 . e4 c5 ) other than the most common plan of 2 . nf3 followed by 3 . d4 cxd4 4 . nxd4 ( the open sicilian ). some anti - sicilians include the alapin variation ( 2 . c3 ), moscow variation ( 2 . nf3 d6 3 . bb5 +), rossolimo variation ( 2 . nf3 nc6 3 . bb5 ), grand prix attack ( 2 . nc3 nc6 3 . f4 g6 4 . nf3 bg7 and now 5 . bc4 or 5 . bb5 ), closed sicilian ( 2 . nc3 followed by g3 and bg2 ), smith - morra gambit ( 2 . d4 cxd4 3 . c3 ), and wing gambit ( 2 . b4 ). the betting member can also choose whether to play as a single chess player ( i . e . predict the moves of only one chess player ) or as both chess players . by interacting , clicking , or moving the buttons / tools element on the virtual game page , the betting member places his / her bet for each successive real move made . it should be noted that the betting member must place his / her bet before the actual move occurs in the real game . if the bet is not made in a timely fashion , the opportunity to predict that individual move is forfeited . thus , as the real chess game proceeds , the virtual game follows it and the emulated chess board , display of personal results , and leaderboard grow and change accordingly . the winning betting members are determined by the following two criteria : ( 1 ) number of correct predictions of real moves made within the chess game , and ( 2 ) time spent in placing each bet ( e . g . an earlier - placed bet will receive more points than a bet made right before the real move occurs ). another embodiment of the present invention includes a tennis game . the betting member can place his bet not only on each serving result , but , alternatively , on each set results without mentioning its score . thus the betting can be placed either on each move or on each part of the game longer than one move . the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description . it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed . obviously , many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art . it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents .	6
the solid , polymeric resin substrate component of the articles of the invention may be fabricated from any polymeric resin , natural and synthetic , conventionally employed to fabricate articles commonly employed in contact with blood . for example , artificial blood vessels , valves and like prosthetics are frequently fabricated from polyethylene , polyacrylics polypropylene , polyvinyl chloride , polyamides , polystyrene , polytetrafluorethylene , polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate , silicone rubber , natural rubber , polycarbonates and like polymeric resins . such polymeric resins may be employed for the polymeric resin substrate for the articles of the present invention . the resin substrate may be rigid or flexible in character , cellular or non - cellular , porous or non - porous . the substrate may be first formed into any desired shape , size or configuration . representative of such are valves , pins , containers , sleeves , connectors , medical - surgical tubing , prosthetic devices and the like of any size . to the substrate there is affixed a compound of the formula ( i ) given above , to reduce its thrombogenicity when brought into contact with whole blood for prolonged periods of time . the compounds of formula ( i ) given above are well known complexes resulting from the reaction of a dodecylmethylammonium halide and sodium heparin . the complexes may be prepared by known methods ; see for example u . s . pat . no . 3 , 634 , 123 . the compounds of formula ( i ) are affixed to the polymeric resin substrates by their permeating throughout the molecular structure of the resin substrate , ie ; a chemisorption . it is believed that the alkyl chain portion of the compound of formula ( i ) also binds itself to the resin substrate . the compounds ( i ) may be prepared and then chemisorbed into the resin substrate by steeping the substrate in a dispersion of the compounds ( i ) at elevated temperatures ( at the softening point temperature for the resin substrate ). by the term &# 34 ; softening point temperature &# 34 ; we mean temperature at which the surface of the resin substrate becomes pliable due to the additional mobility of the substrate molecules . alternatively , the compounds ( i ) may be formed in - situ in or on the resin substrate by first affixing the dodecylmethylammonium halide to the reisin substrate as described above and then reacting the sodium heparin with the free halide ion of the affixed amine salt . the articles of the invention may be prepared by the method of the invention which first comprises providing a polymeric resin substrate , as previously defined , in the desired article configuration and size . as an example , fig1 of the accompanying drawing shows a cross - section of a medical - surgical tube 10 of the invention . the tube 10 comprises a tube substrate 12 and a lumen 14 . the substrate 12 is steeped for from about 1 to 72 hours in an aqueous dispersion of dodecylmethylammonium halide such as the chloride , bromide or iodide at or just above the softening point temperature for the substrate resin . the concentration of halide in the aqueous dispersion is not critical , but advantageously is within the range of from about 0 . 01 % to 2 . 0 % by weight . this assures that a monolayer 16 of high concentration of the halide is provided in contact with the surface of the resin substrate . preferably the aqueous dispersion is degassed before placing the substrate therein , by heating to a temperature of about 100 ° c . for 15 minutes . this degassing assures obviation of oxidation of the substrate surface during steeping . following the period of steeping , the substrate 12 is removed from the dispersion of halide and allowed to cool to ambient temperatures . the resulting article , upon drying , bears a surface layer 16 as shown in fig1 of the dodecylmethylammonium halide on inner and outer surfaces of substrate 12 . the layer 16 actually penetrates to some extent the surface of substrate 12 , and is chemisorbed or fixed to the substrate 12 , as shown in the fig1 . the treated substrate may then be washed with water or an organic solvent for the halide to remove excess halide not firmly fixed to the substrate 12 . subsequent to steeping in the halide dispersion and washing , the treated substrate 12 with its halide layer 16 is then &# 34 ; heparinized &# 34 ; by immersion in an aqueous solution of sodium heparin . the temperature at which immersion occurs is advantageously within the range of from about room temperature to about 80 ° c ., but less than the softening point temperature for the resin substrate . the length of immersion is dependent on the temperature used , but is generally long enough to permit the substrate 12 to pick up at least about 0 . 1 international unit per square centimeter of substrate surface . at a temperature of circa 70 ° c ., for example , this is usually accomplished in about 1 hour , using a heparin solution with a concentration of from about 1 % to about 15 % by weight of sodium heparin . during &# 34 ; heparinization &# 34 ; the negative ion of the sodium heparin complexes with the positive ion of the dodecylmethylammonium halide according to the scheme : ## str3 ## wherein a is as previously defined and x represents halide . the product following &# 34 ; heparinization &# 34 ; is schematically shown in fig1 where the layer 18 covering inner and outer layers 16 represents the active heparin moiety which is complexed with the halide of coating layers 16 and in fact also permeates to some extent the substrate 12 . following the heparinization step , the desired product as schematically exemplified in fig1 may be removed from the heparin solution , allowed to cool , washed with water and / or saline , dryed and used in contact with blood . the article so obtained will exhibit reduced thrombogenicity and a lack of toxicity . the following examples illustrate the method of making and using the invention and represent the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the invention but are not to be construed as limiting the invention in any way . the blood compatibility ( clotting times ) reported were determined by the test method of our copending u . s . pat . application ser . no . 752 , 247 , filed dec . 30 , 1976 . the entire specification of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto . the toxicity test results reported were by the method described in the u . s . pharmacopeia , vol . xviii at page 927 . in general the method comprises extracting 10 gm samples of tubing with 20 ml . of cotton seed oil at 70 ° c . for 24 hours . the extract eluate is injected intraperitoneally in groups of 10 charles river mice at a dose of 50 mg . eluate per kg . body weight . a tube fabricated from 70 % by weight polyethylene and 30 % by weight bismuth oxychloride is treated by first steeping in an aqueous dispersion of 15 % by weight of dodecylmethylammonium chloride for 16 hours at a temperature of 65 ° c . the steeped tube is then allowed to cool to room temperature , removed from the steeping dispersion and washed with water at a temperature of 25 ° c . the washed tube is allowed to dry and is then immersed in an aqueous solution of 90 % by weight sodium heparinate for 16 hours at 65 ° c . the heparinized tube is washed in water at a temperature of 25 ° c . and then cross - linked by immersion in gluteraldehyde for 4 hours at 65 ° c . the crosslinked tube is then washed with a solution of triton - 100 , 5 % by weight in water at 25 ° c . and dried in a vacuum oven at 50 ° c . for 1 hour . the dried tube is then washed twice with 70 ml . portions of distilled water and dried again . a representative 10 gm . portion of the tube is then subjected to toxicity testing and a representative length is subjected to blood compatibility testing . the results are shown in table i , below . this example is not an example of the invention but is made for comparative purposes . the procedure for example 1 , supra is repeated in 3 separate runs , except that the 15 % dodecylmethylammonium chloride dispersion as used in example 1 is replaced with 20 %, 12 % and 2 % dispersions , respectively , of tridodecylmethylammonium chloride . the toxicity and blood compatibility test results are set forth in table i , below . this example is not an example of the invention but is made for comparative purposes . repeating the procedure of example 1 , supra , but replacing the 15 % dispersion of dodecylmethylammonium chloride as used therein with a 15 % dispersion of didodecylmethylammonium chloride , the toxicity and blood compatibility tests reported in table i , below , are obtained . table i__________________________________________________________________________ blood toxicity compat - example ( no . of ibilityno . quart . complex conc . mice dead minutes__________________________________________________________________________1 dodecylmethylammonium chloride 15 % 0 186 . 32 tridodecylmethylammonium chloride 20 % 5 142 . 0 &# 34 ; 12 % 2 48 . 0 &# 34 ; 2 % 0 13 . 53 didodecylmethylammonium chloride 15 % 1 106 . 0__________________________________________________________________________ it will be observed from table i , above , that , at a desirably effective blood compatibility level , only the tubing of example 1 provides an acceptable non - toxicity . the procedure of example 1 , supra , is repeated except that the polyethylene tubing as used therein is replaced with a polyurethane . 020 inch id 12 inch length tube . the toxicity and blood compatibility tests are shown in table ii , below . this is not an example of the invention , but is provided for comparative purposes . a representative portion of the polyurethane tubing treated in example 4 , supra , is tested for toxicity and blood compatibility prior to any treatment . the results are shown in table ii , below . table ii______________________________________ toxicity blood compat - ( no . of ibilityexample mice killed ( minutes ) ______________________________________4 0 250 . 05 ( control ) 0 19 . 7______________________________________ a stainless steel guidewire coated with a 1 % solution of polyurethane in thf , is treated with dodecylmethylammonium chloride and heparin following the general procedure set forth in example i , supra . the guidewire was then tested for blood compatibility . the test results are set forth in table iii , below . as a control , the stainless steel guidewire coated with polyurethane as used in example 6 , supra ., was tested before treatment with dodecylmethylammonium chloride and heparin for blood compatibility . the result is shown in table iii , below . table iii______________________________________ clottingexample timeno . quart . complex conc . ( minutes ) ______________________________________6 dodecylmethylammonium 15 % 170 . 87 ( control ) -- 15 . 8______________________________________	2
under general anesthesia and double - lumen ventilation , the patient is prepped and draped so as to allow ample surgical access to the right lateral , anterior and left lateral chest wall ( from the posterior axillary line on one side to the posterior axillary line on the other side ). as shown in fig1 , one or more thoracoscopic ports are inserted in the left chest through the intercostal spaces and an instrument 10 is inserted through one of these ports into the chest cavity . alternatively , a small ( 3 - 5 cm ) left thoracotomy is performed in the fifth or sixth intercostals space on the anterior axillary line . the patient is fully heparinized . after collapsing the left lung , the pericardium overlying the apex 12 of the left ventricle 14 is opened and its edges are suspended to the skin incision line . this provides close access to the apex of the heart . guidance of the intracardiac procedure is provided by a combination of transesophageal or intravascular echocardiography ( not shown in the drawings ) and with direct visualization through a fiber - optical system built into the instrument 10 as will be described in detail below . a double - pledgeted purse - string suture is placed on the apex of the left ventricle 12 and a stab incision is made at that location . the surgical instrument 10 is inserted through this incision , into the left ventricular chamber 14 of the beating heart . referring particularly to fig2 , the instrument 10 may be used to grasp a prolapsing segment of the mitral valve 16 and an artificial chorda 18 may be secured to its free edge . accurate positioning of the implanted artificial chorda 18 is guaranteed by both echo and direct fiberoptic visualization as will be described in detail below . the instrument 10 is then withdrawn from the left ventricle chamber 14 pulling the unattached end of the neo - implanted chorda 18 with it . hemostasis is achieved by tying the purse - string suture around the incision in the left ventricular apex 12 after the instrument 10 and chorda 18 are withdrawn . as shown in fig3 , the neo - implanted chorda 18 is appropriately tensioned under direct echo - doppler visualization and secured outside the apex 12 of the heart . that is , a tension is placed on the neo - implanted chorda 18 and the operation of the repaired valve 16 is observed on the ultrasound image . the tension is adjusted until regurgitation is minimized . while a single chorda 18 is implanted in the above description , additional chorda , or sutures , can be implanted and attached to the apex 12 of the heart wall with optimal tension . in this case the tensions in all the neo - implanted chorda 18 are adjusted until optimal valve operation is achieved . as shown in fig4 and 5 , the instrument 10 used to perform the above procedure includes a rigid metal shaft 100 having a handle 120 at its extrathoracic ( proximal ) end which enables the instrument to be manipulated and guided into position . actuating mechanisms for controlling the grasping mechanism and needle mechanism located at the distal end 140 of the instrument are also mounted near the handle 120 . as will be described below , the grasping mechanism is operated by squeezing the scissor - grip handle 120 , and the needle mechanism is operated by moving an up - turned control shaft 122 . located on the distal , intracardiac end 140 of the instrument 10 is a grasping mechanism which can be operated to hold a prolapsing valve leaflet . as shown in fig6 and 7 , in the preferred embodiment this mechanism is a tip 160 which is supported on the distal end of the shaft 100 by a set of rods 162 . the rods 162 slide within the shaft 100 to move the tip 160 between an open position as shown in fig6 b and 7 and a closed position as shown in fig6 a when the scissor - grip handle 120 is operated . as will be explained below , a mitral valve leaflet is located in the gap between the open tip 160 and the distal end of shaft 100 and it is captured by closing the tip 160 to pinch the valve leaflet therebetween . disposed in a needle lumen 164 formed in the shaft 100 is a needle 180 which connects to the control shaft 122 at the proximal end of shaft 100 . needle mechanism 180 slides between a retracted position in which it is housed in the lumen 164 near the distal end of the shaft 100 and an extended position in which it extends into the sliding tip 160 when the tip is in its closed position . as a result , if a valve leaflet has been captured between the tip 160 and the distal end of shaft 100 the needle may be extended from the lumen 164 by moving control shaft 122 to puncture the captured leaflet and pass completely through it . the distal end of the shaft 100 also contains an artificial chorda , or suture 18 that is to be deployed in the patient &# 39 ; s heart . the suture 18 is typically a 4 - 0 or 5 - 0 suture manufactured by a company such as gore - tex . this suture 18 is deployed by the operation of the grasping mechanism and the needle mechanism 180 as described in more detail below . the shaft 100 has a size and shape suitable to be inserted into the patient &# 39 ; s chest and through the left ventricle cardiac wall and form a water - tight seal with the heart muscle . it has a circular or ellipsoidal cross - section and it houses the control links between the handle end and the intracardiac end of the instrument as well as a fiber optic visualization system described in more detail below . as shown in fig8 a - 8f , the preferred embodiment of the suture deployment system at the distal end of the instrument 10 is positioned around a valve leaflet 16 to be repaired as shown in fig8 a . the suture 18 is folded at the middle to form a loop 19 that is positioned in the tip 160 . both ends of the suture 18 are disposed in a suture lumen 165 formed in the shaft 100 beneath the rods 162 . as shown in fig8 b , the valve leaflet 16 is grasped by closing the tip 160 , and the needle 180 is extended to puncture the leaflet 16 and extend into the tip 160 . a notch 166 formed on one side of the needle 180 hooks the suture loop 19 . the needle 180 is then retracted back through the leaflet 16 to pull the suture loop 19 through the puncture opening as shown in fig8 c . the leaflet 16 is then released and the instrument 10 is withdrawn from the heart as shown in fig8 d pulling both ends and the midpoint of the suture 18 with it . as shown in fig8 e , the suture 18 is released by the instrument 10 and the surgeon inserts the two suture ends 21 through the loop 19 at its midpoint . the ends 21 are then pulled and the loop 19 slides along the suture 18 back into the heart chamber 14 where it forms a larks head around the edge of the valve leaflet as shown in fig8 f . multiple sutures 18 may be implanted in this manner until a satisfactory result is obtained . after deployment of the sutures 18 , the heart wall incision is repaired by either a pre - positioned purse - string suture or by any kind of appropriate hemostatic device or technique . hemostasis is checked , appropriate chest drainage tubes are positioned and secured , and all incisions are closed . as shown in fig9 a - 9d , a second embodiment of the suture deployment system at the distal end of the instrument 10 is positioned around a valve leaflet 16 to be repaired as shown in fig9 a . the suture 18 in this embodiment is a closed loop with one end of the loop disposed in the tip 160 and its other end disposed in the lumen 164 and wrapped around the needle 180 . the needle 180 is extended through the grasped valve leaflet 16 into the instrument tip 160 where it hooks one end of the looped suture 18 in a notch 166 formed on one side of the needle as shown in fig9 b . the needle 180 is then retracted to pull the the looped suture 18 through the puncture opening in the leaflet 16 . the leaflet is then released as shown in fig9 c by sliding the tip 160 to its open position . the instrument 10 is then withdrawn as shown in fig9 d to slide the unhooked end of the looped suture 18 along the length of the needle toward the leaflet 16 where it forms a larks head around the leaflet edge . the instrument 10 is then withdrawing from the heart chamber 14 pulling the hooked end of the suture 18 through the heart wall . the suture 18 is secured to the outside of the heart apex . as shown in fig1 a - 10d , a third embodiment of the suture deployment system at the distal end of the instrument 10 is positioned around a valve leaflet 16 to be repaired as shown in fig1 a . the midpoint 17 of the suture 18 is looped around the lumen 164 and its two loose ends 20 are coiled up in the tip 160 . after the tip 160 is closed to capture the valve leaflet 16 , the needle 180 is extended through the grasped valve leaflet 16 into the instrument tip 160 . the free ends 20 of the suture 18 are positioned in the tip 160 to form a loop 19 and a notch 166 formed on one side of the needle extends through this loop 19 and “ hooks ” the free ends of the suture 18 as shown in fig1 b . the needle 180 is then retracted back into the lumen 164 to pull the hooked ends of the suture 18 through the puncture opening in the leaflet 16 . the leaflet is then released as shown in fig1 c by sliding the tip 160 to its open position . the instrument 10 is then withdrawn from the heart as shown in fig1 d to pull the free ends 20 back through the valve leaflet 16 and a larks head is formed around the leaflet edge by the midpoint 17 of the suture 18 . the instrument 10 is then withdrawn from the heart chamber 14 pulling the free ends 20 of the suture 18 through the heart wall . the free ends 20 of the suture 18 are secured to the outside of the heart apex . other suture deployment systems are possible where , for example , the needle may penetrate through the leaflet and link up with a snap fitting device that is attached to one end of the looped suture 18 in the instrument tip 160 . the needle then withdraws pulling the device and looped suture back through the penetration opening in the leaflet as described above . as shown in fig7 to enhance visibility during this procedure , four fiberoptic channels 170 extend along the length of the instrument shaft 100 and terminate at its distal end . each channel 170 contains at least one illuminating fiber which connects at its extrathoracic end to a white light source ( not shown in the drawings ). each channel 170 also contains at least one sensor fiber which conveys reflected light from the distal end back to a visualization monitor ( not shown in the drawings ) connected to its extrathoracic end . in the preferred embodiment each channel 170 includes two illuminating fibers and two sensor fibers . the four fiberoptic channels 170 are disposed around the needle lumen 164 such that when a valve leaflet 16 is properly grasped , the valve leaflet tissue 16 rests against the distal end of all the fibers 170 . as a result , light is reflected off the tissue back into the sensor fibers and four white circles are displayed on the visualization monitor . when the leaflet 16 is not properly pressed against the distal end of a channel 170 , light is not reflected from the leaflet 16 and the visualization monitor displays the red color reflected from blood . when no valve tissue is captured , the monitor shows four red dots and when valve tissue is captured , the dots corresponding to the fiberoptic channels 170 contacting the tissue turn white . if the monitor shows all four dots as white , it means that the valve tissue capture is optimal . if only the upper two dots turn white and the bottom dots remain red , the “ bite ” on the valve leaflet 16 is too shallow for a proper attachment of the suture 18 . in addition to the fiberoptic visualization system that insures that a valve leaflet is properly captured , other real - time visualization systems are employed to help guide the instrument 10 to the valve leaflet 16 . preferably a transesophageal or intravascular color - doppler echocardiography system is used for this purpose . as explained above , this imaging system is also used to determine the length of the neo - implanted artificial chordae in real - time by observing reduction or disappearance of regurgitation by transesophageal or intravascular color - doppler echocardiography .	0
a novel indenter has been developed for cold working treatment of metallic structures , and most advantageously , relatively thick structures , or “ deep stacks ” of metallic structure . this indenter is thus advantageously utilized in the manufacture of various fatigue life enhanced structures . for the purposes of this disclosure , a thick structure or deep stack is considered to be a material having an overall thickness t that is about two times the diameter d of the hole that passes through the material , or greater ( i . e ., t ≧ 2d ) importantly , the indenter shape disclosed herein can be used on automated manufacturing equipment , including fastener installation devices , and other devices that span a continuum of strain ranges . these include process applications in the creep range ( quasi - static ) for treating strain sensitive materials , and high speed ( dynamic impact ) for treating material with low strain rate sensitivity or those benefiting from the higher rate . as is illustrated in fig1 , a unique indenter 18 is provided with an end shape that is characterized by compound shape on the working end . specifically , a first indenter 20 of overall diameter d 1 , also called the small or primary indenter , is located at the leading edge of a second indenter 22 of overall diameter d 2 , also called the large or secondary indenter , both of which are formed , if integrally , on an indenter shaft 24 . normally , both the first indenter 20 and the second indenter 22 are smaller than the selected fastener hole diameter . the primary indenter 20 allows for great indentation depth , resulting in desirable residual stresses at the interior of a deep stack , for example , a deep stack 30 of elements 32 and 34 , as seen in fig2 . the secondary indenter 22 imparts a high level of residual stress at or near the surface 36 of element 32 , and , if used , at or near surface 38 of element 34 . the length l 1 of the primary indenter 20 is governed by the amount of indentation desired which in turn is governed by the overall thickness ( and specific material ) of stack 30 . the indenter 18 is designed such that the secondary indenter 22 engages the stack surface ( s ) 36 or 38 at a point where the action of the primary indenter 20 begins to impart residual tensile stress at the surface 36 or 38 . when the secondary indenter 22 makes contact with the surface 36 or 28 of the workpiece 32 or 24 , it begins to reverse the tensile stress developed by the action of the primary indenter 20 by imparting compressive stresses . in comparison , should be noted that a prior art single feature indenter , such as a flat bottom punch , a tapered punch , or a spherical nose punch , instead imparts a deleterious residual tensile stress at the surface , and adjacent to the hole , when used to treat a deep stack of structural material . however , as illustrated using the compound indenter design disclosed herein , the primary 20 and secondary 22 indenter diameters work together to impart advantageous residual compressive stress , preferably substantially uniformly through the entire thickness t s of the deep stack 30 . it should be understood that a plurality of indenter “ steps ” may be used depending on the stack thickness , i . e ., there may be more than two . thus , a compound indenter 18 should be understood to include n steps , where n is a positive integer of 2 or greater . the working face edge of the primary indenter may feature a chamfer , or small lead in taper or blend radius 40 to give it both a measure of sharpness for ease of penetration and edge relief for resisting wear . the primary indenter 20 may also feature a slight taper portion 42 , preferably having an angle alpha ( α ) of about 3 ° more or less , to improve radial flow of the metal being impacted , and to facilitate removal of the indenter 18 from a workpiece after processing . this is important because it might be expected that a straight shanked primary indenter would tend to bind in any resultant dimple in a workpiece , making removal of such an indenter from a workpiece difficult after processing . the primary indenter 20 transitions ( working right to left in fig1 ) to the secondary indenter 22 diameter d 2 through the aforementioned blend radius 40 and then the taper 42 , and thence into a blend radius 44 , and subsequently into secondary indenter working face 22 . the working face of secondary indenter 22 is followed by an external blend radius 46 . the deep stack indenter illustrated in fig1 is shown ready for the processing of a single side of a work piece or of a stack of workpieces , such as stack 32 shown in fig2 . however , in fig2 , an additional element is introduced , in that a typical two - sided treatment of a two element stack 30 is shown . an indenter 24 as described in the embodiment set forth above may be advantageously provided in a fixed geometry , in the sense that the length l 1 of the primary indenter 20 is machined into the indenter 18 , i . e ., it is an integral , one - piece , solid indenter . another embodiment for a desirable indenter is improved indenter 48 , seen in fig3 . the indenter 48 preferably includes a hollow secondary indenter 52 of outside diameter d 52 surrounding a solid primary indenter 54 of outside diameter d 54 . as illustrated , the primary and secondary indenter can be considered both cylindrical , however , certain applications ( non - circular cutouts , for example ) lend themselves to being worked by non - cylindrical or odd shaped compound indenters . importantly , the working length l 54 of the primary indenter can be adjusted , depending on the desired depth of material treatment , the stack thickness t s , and on the composition of material 58 . in this way the primary 54 and secondary 52 indenters can be positioned independently . if provided in cylindrical fashion , the composite shape of indenter 48 is similar , overall , to the solid - piece , deep stack indenter 18 described above . moreover , it should be noted that use of multiple indenters ( for example a two - indenter design using a primary and secondary indenter ) may provide as advantageous results as shown herein , if such multiple indentations are provided as separate , sequential tooling operations ( in the example noted , with the primary indenter tool operation preceding a secondary indenter tool operation ). turning now to fig4 , a further variation of my indenter design is provided by deep - stack indenter 60 . indenter 60 uses yet another hollow device ( preferably , but not necessarily , in concentric cylindrical fashion ) for a foot or stop 62 of outside dimension d 62 that facilitates the manufacture of differing dimple depths in material 68 . such features may be advantageously employed in the case of processing of unbalanced deep stacks as shown in fig5 . in this instance , “ balance ” refers to the relative thickness t 1 of first stack material element 70 and compared to the thickness t 2 of the second stack material element 72 . as an example , a perfectly balanced stack would have two members 70 and 72 of the same thickness and material . in such a situation , the proportion of the stack elements is 50 : 50 , and thus the dimple depth would be equal . for unbalanced stacks , as in the 30 : 70 for example illustrated in fig5 , it may be necessary to independently control the dimple depth dd dim1 of the dimple in first material 70 and the dimple depth dd dim2 of the dimple in the second material 72 , i . e , vary the dimple depth in opposing sides . when using cylindrical indenters , a larger diameter hollow cylindrical member 60 provides a stop or “ foot ” for transferring load without indentation in surface 76 of first material 70 or in surface 78 of second material 72 . the foot 60 also provides resistance to surface upset in the surfaces 76 and 78 . use of this unique tool , and this method of processing materials , allows complete freedom and independence in the selection of desired heights in primary , secondary , tertiary or more indenter portions n , and thus allows the depth of treatment in opposing materials in a stack to be dissimilar . additionally , it should be noted that in some circumstances , it may be advantageous to provide , in an integral , one - piece combination , either ( a ) ( 1 ) the primary indenter , ( 2 ) the secondary indenter feature and ( 3 ) the foot , or ( b ) ( 1 ) the secondary indenter and ( 2 ) the foot . in fig5 , it should be noted that treatment in an unbalanced stack 73 allows for less indentation , i . e ., small dimple depth dd dim2 in the thinner material 72 of thickness t 2 . the lower primary indenter 54 ′ and secondary indenter 52 ′ penetration is thus desirably smaller , which is important since a high amount of penetration of a thin structural element could cause undesired deformation . conversely , the upper material 70 requires greater penetration because of its greater thickness t 1 . because greater load is required to make a deeper penetration than a light penetration , the foot or stop 60 is advantageous in carrying the larger load acting on the upper element 70 . without the foot 60 , the indenters 52 and 54 might achieve equilibrium at undesirable dimple depths dd dim1 . and or dd dim2 . the cross sectional contact area of the foot 60 is desirably large enough so that at any anticipated processing load , no surface yielding on surface 76 would occur as a result of its contact of the bottom 80 of foot 60 with the surface 76 of material 70 . moreover , the foot is an important tool in automated manufacturing , where it also serves to secure a workpiece at a desired working location while the indenter acts on the workpiece . it is a significant improvement in the art that the novel compound indenter shapes disclosed herein provide a unique and important advantage for treating thick sections or deep stack - ups of material . one example of data which illustrates the efficacy of the indenter designs shown herein , and of the methods of employing such indenters in improving fatigue life of materials , can be seen by comparison of fig1 ( which illustrates hoop stress profiles in materials worked according to the present invention ) with the data in fig6 through fig9 ( which illustrate materials worked with a single shaped end indenter ). the data illustrated in fig6 through 10 was developed by using a one - inch thick piece of 2000 series aluminum alloy as the workpiece . however , the data apply equally to two one - half inch pieces of 2024 - t3 aluminum that are stacked on top of each other , where the back surface is the interface between the two pieces of aluminum . first , the stress profiles resulting from the actions of individual , single shaped end indenters , both before and after machining a hole in the structure , are shown in fig6 through fig9 . then , in fig1 , the stress profile results from the action of a compound indenter of the type taught herein , wherein the number of indenter portions n = 2 was utilized . the data generated in fig1 results from cold working a material using a compound indenter with a primary indenter 20 diameter of 0 . 210 inches ( 5 . 33 mm ) and a secondary indenter 22 diameter of 0 . 300 inches ( 7 . 62 mm ), to provide sufficient cold working for a an adequate residual stress profile in the manufacture of a { fraction ( 5 / 16 )}- inch ( 0 . 3125 inch ) ( 7 . 94 mm ) diameter fastener hole . note that in fig6 through 9 , the stress profiles result from only the action of a single indenter with a suitable end profile acting on the workpiece . each of fig6 through 9 show only two primary regions , namely ( a ) the compressive stress region , and ( b ) and the tensile stress region . the dividing line between the compressive stress region and the tensile stress region is designated as “ the zero stress profile ” line and denoted as line “ z ”. it is that line “ z ” which is indicated in each of fig6 through 9 , for a series of dimple depths “ dd ”. since the benefit of cold working is derived from the size and shape of the compressively stressed region surrounding the hole , an examination of the dividing line between compressive stress and tensile stress greatly simplifies the comparison between the figures . since the finite element analysis results which are presented in these fig6 through 10 are symmetrical from top to bottom , only one - half of the material stack thickness is shown in the fig6 through 10 . what is referred to in the various figures as the “ back surface ” is really the mid - plane of an entire one - inch stack , or the interface of two one half - inch pieces . the “ work surface ” is the side that is acted on by the indenter , to create a dimple in the surface of the workpiece . the x - axis shows the radial distance from the center of a desired { fraction ( 5 / 16 )}- inch ( 7 . 94 mm ) hole which is to be , or has been , manufactured ( depending on whether the applicable figure shows the stress profile before or after reaming ). a line at the left of each fig6 through 10 is designated as the “ hole radius ”, and the relationship of this location to the “ zero stress profile ” line shows the nature of the stresses as they appear at the hole wall , i . e ., the radius of the hole . further details seen in the various figures should be noted as follows : fig6 shows the extent of the compressive stress caused by an indenter diameter of 0 . 210 inches ( 5 . 33 mm ). for purposes of this example , the dimple depths “ dd ” imparted into the workpiece are 0 . 095 inch ( 2 . 41 mm ), 0 . 114 inches ( 2 . 90 mm ), and 0 . 133 inches ( 3 . 38 mm ), as shown by the various lines and depicted by separate legend in the figure . in this fig6 , the stresses plotted for comparison are those present after indentation of the workpiece , but before the hole is machined by reaming . fig7 shows the extent of the compressive stress caused in a workpiece by an indenter diameter of 0 . 210 inches ( 5 . 33 mm ). dimple depths in the workpiece are 0 . 095 inch ( 2 . 41 mm ), 0 . 114 inches ( 2 . 90 mm ), and 0 . 133 inches ( 3 . 38 mm ), as shown by the various lines and depicted by separate legend in the figure . the stresses plotted for comparison are those present after ( a ) indentation , and ( b ), the hole has been machined by reaming . note the extent of the compressive zone at the back surface , shown at the bottom of fig7 . it is larger , i . e , extends to through a larger radius from the center of the hole , than provided by a larger , 0 . 300 inch ( 7 . 62 mm ) diameter indenter , as can be seen by comparison with fig9 . also note that tension forms at the work surface for all dimple depths “ dd ”. the presence of a tension area at the work surface is an undesirable condition which may be experienced when utilizing a single diameter indenter to act on thick materials or deep stack workpieces . thus , this result shows why improved stress profile development when performing manufacturing operations on thick materials , i . e ., deep stack workpieces , would be desirable . such an improved indenter tool , and an optimized method of utilizing such a tool to provide an improved residual stress profile when processing a deep stack , is taught herein . fig8 illustrates the extent of the compressive stress caused by a single indenter having a diameter of 0 . 300 inches ( 7 . 62 mm ) acting on a workpiece to produce a dimple of preselected depth . stress profiles are indicated for dimple depths “ dd ” of 0 . 014 inch ( 0 . 36 mm ), 0 . 034 inches ( 0 . 86 mm ), and 0 . 053 inches ( 1 . 35 mm ), as indicated by the various line patterns depicted by separate legend , as set forth in the illustration . note that in this fig8 , the stress profile illustrated is after indentation of the workpiece , but before the hole is machined . next , fig9 shows the extent of the compressive stress caused by an indenter of 0 . 300 inches ( 7 . 62 mm ) diameter acting on a workpiece to produce a preselected dimple depth “ dd ”. the illustrated dimple depths “ dd ” are 0 . 014 inch ( 0 . 36 mm ), 0 . 034 inches ( 0 . 86 mm ), and 0 . 053 inches ( 1 . 35 mm ), as indicated by the various line patterns depicted by separate legend , as set forth in the illustration . in this fig9 , the stress profile shown is ( a ) after indentation of the workpiece to form a dimple , and ( b ) after the hole is machined . in particular , note the radial extent of the compressive zone at the work surface ; utilizing the larger diameter indenter . the compressive zone is much larger than that imparted by utilization of the 0 . 210 inch ( 5 . 33 mm ) indenter earlier illustrated . importantly , desirable compressive stress is created at all dimple depths “ dd ”. also , note the reduced compressive stress at the back surface when compared to that generated by the 0 . 210 diameter ( 5 . 33 mm ) indenter . this is an undesirable condition which results from the action of the prior art indenters on deep stacks . in order to create an optimized stress profile , we have developed a compound indenter tool , which can be utilized in obtaining an optimized residual stress profile in a thick workpiece or deep stack of material . the stress profile generated by action on a workpiece of our compound indenter , having a primary indenter 20 ( designated “ dprim ” in the figure ) diameter of 0 . 210 inches ( 5 . 33 mm ), and secondary indenter 22 ( designated “ dsec ” in the figure ) diameter of 0 . 300 inches ( 7 . 62 mm ), is shown in fig1 . the elements of fig1 have been developed and are noted like the data set forth in fig6 through 9 above . importantly , the action of the compound indenter incorporates the best effects of a single diameter indenter , without producing the undesirable effects of surface tension in a workpiece . as a result of using our new indenter shape , a large zone of compressive stress extends through the full depth of a thick workpiece material or deep stack components . fig1 shows three lines , depicting ( 1 ) use of a simple , single indenter of 0 . 210 inches ( 5 . 33 mm ) diameter to produce a dimple depth of 0 . 114 inches ( 2 . 90 mm ) in a workpiece , ( 2 ) a simple , single indenter of 0 . 300 inches ( 7 . 62 mm ) in diameter to produce a dimple depth of 0 . 014 inches ( 0 . 36 mm ) in a workpiece , and ( 3 ) a compound indenter , with a primary indenter shape of 0 . 210 inches ( 5 . 33 mm ) diameter , and a secondary indenter shape of 0 . 300 inches ( 7 . 62 mm ) in diameter , to produce an overall dimple depth dd of 0 . 100 inches ( 2 . 54 mm ) in a workpiece . the extent of the compressive stress generated by the compound indenter is greater at all areas of the workpiece when compared to either of the single diameter indenters when acting on a workpiece alone . as clearly illustrated in this fig1 , the use of a compound indenter for thick workpieces and deep stacks of materials is clearly an important advance in the art of manufacturing structures with improved fatigue life . a close review of the information depicted in fig9 and 10 reveals one aspect of the improvement provided by the present invention . in fig9 , the zero hoop stress line z 100 represents a maximal extent of residual stress which can be provided using a prior art single indenter of diameter 0 . 300 inches ( 7 . 62 mm ). this line has vastly different residual stress performance at the work surface 102 as compared to the back surface 104 . more precisely , the distance from the hole wall 106 of the compressive stress along the work surface 102 as compared to the distance of the compressive stress along the back surface 104 results in a uniformity ratio of 39 . 7 % for this workpiece and indenter combination . in contrast , on an identical workpiece ( 1 . 00 inch ( 25 . 4 mm ) thick 2024 - t3 aluminum plate ), by using the compound indenter as taught herein , the zero hoop stress line z 110 shown in fig1 shows that a uniformity ratio of 53 . 9 % was achieved . this represents an improvement of 36 % in the uniformity ratio resulting from cold working of the workpiece by use of or novel compound indenter . we have found that use of dynamic indenters , while not absolutely necessary , can be employed in carrying out the process set forth herein . in conjunction with such efforts , it is sometimes advantageous to use an optimized profiled indenter with an uniform pressure profile , having a surface shape of the primary indenter of any compound indenter to be defined by the equation : p z = 4 ⁢ ( 1 - v 2 ) ⁢ p m ⁢ a e ⁢ ∫ [ 1 - r _ 2 ⁢ sin 2 ⁢ θ a 2 ] 1 / 2 ⁢ ⅆ θ p z = normal displacement of a selected surface location of said contacting end of said indenter above a flat reference plane ; v = poisson &# 39 ; s ratio of the material comprising said structure ; e = elastic modulus of the material comprising said structure ; p m = a pre - selected uniform pressure greater than the yield stress of the material comprising said structure ; a = radius of the contacting end of said indenter ; and θ , r = polar coordinates of a selected surface location on said contacting end of said indenter . regardless , this method is characterized by working a bounding portion of material in a structure , where the bounding portion is adjacent a pre - selected location for an opening in said structure , in order to provide residual compressive stresses in said bounding portion for improving the fatigue life of said structure . the method includes providing a first compound indenter having a first indenter surface portion , where the first indenter surface portion adapted to impact the structure at pre - selected surface locations adjacent said pre - selected location for the desired opening in the structure . a second indenter surface portion is provided , adapted to impact the structure at pre - selected surface locations adjacent the pre - selected location for the desired opening in said structure . the structure is indented by the primary and secondary indenters for a selected dimple depth . this provides beneficial residual stress in the structure toward the bounding portion of material of the structure . turning now to fig1 , the use of a pair of adjustable compound indenters 120 and 122 as taught herein is depicted during automated work flow for indenting the obverse side 124 of a workpiece 126 located on a platen or anvil 128 . the adjustable compound indenters 120 and 124 can be actuated downward in the direction of reference arrow 130 against the workpiece 126 to provide suitable indentations 132 and 134 therein so as to provide a desired residual compressive stress pattern in the workpiece 126 along sidewalls of apertures ( not shown in fig1 ) after the manufacture of the desired holes through the workpiece 126 . importantly , the compound indenters 120 and 122 can be moved as indicated by reference arrows 136 to impact on , and release from , the obverse surface 124 of workpiece 126 by using an appropriate striking mechanism 138 , which may be hydraulic , pneumatic , mechanical , electromechanical , electromagnetic , or any other appropriate striking mechanism . alternately , or additionally , one or more indenters 120 and 122 affixed to mount 140 can be moved back and forth to and away from workpiece 126 by a ram or press actuator 142 or other suitable device as better indicated in fig1 . fig1 shows the use of a two pairs of adjustable compound indenters as taught herein to indent ( a ) the obverse side 126 of a workpiece using indenters 120 and 122 , as just described in reference to fig1 , so that the adjustable compound indenters 120 and 122 can be actuated downward against workpiece 126 , and ( b ) the reverse side 150 of workpiece 126 , so that the second pair adjustable compound indenters 160 and 162 can be actuated upward against the reverse side 150 of workpiece 126 . lower unit striking mechanisms 138 l and work as described above for upper striking mechanisms 138 . lower mount 140 l and lower press ram 142 l function as described above for the mount 140 and the press ram 142 , respectively . also , for automated manufacturing , it is anticipated that such an apparatus will often include a base 170 and a stand 172 , often including a generally c - shaped yoke 174 , all as necessary for spacing upper compound indenters 120 and 122 and / or lower compound indenters 160 and 162 at a desired distance from obverse 124 and reverse 150 sides of a workpiece 126 . each one of the adjustable compound indenters 120 , 122 , 160 and 162 can be adjusted as required , both with respect to the length of primary indenters ( further described below ) and with respect to the amount of indentation ( dimple depth “ dd ”) achieved in the workpiece 126 , so as to provide a desired residual compressive stress pattern in the workpiece 126 after manufacture of desired holes through the workpiece 126 . specific details of one embodiment for a desirable adjustable compound indenter 120 are illustrated in fig1 . an adjustable primary indenter 200 is adjustably secured in a primary indenter housing 202 . the indenter housing is removeably secured from an adapter block 204 . a nose cap 210 is provided at the distal end of the indenter housing , with a passageway 212 therethrough defined by sidewalls 214 that is sized and shaped for passage of the support 216 of working end 218 of adjustable primary indenter 200 . a top plate 220 above sidewalls 222 of the adapter block 204 provide a suitable location for a threaded adapter 224 . as better seen in fig1 , the primary adapter housing 202 utilizes external threads 230 for threaded engagement to the internal threads 232 in the adapter block 204 . more importantly , the primary indenter 200 utilizes load receiving threads 240 for acting with respect to interior threads 242 in the indenter housing 202 , for translating rotation of the primary indenter into vertical motion , to change the primary indenter 200 protruding length x between a first length x 1 and a second length x 2 , with respect to the foot face portion 246 of nose cap 210 . the primary indenter 200 further includes a driver receiver 250 for receiving the drive end 252 of a drive pin 254 . the drive pen 254 is drive pin is driven via a 90 degree worm type gear 258 or other suitable speed reducer for connection to a stepper motor 260 ( not shown , but see fig1 or fig1 ) or other suitable drive for adjustment of the length x of the primary indenter 200 . i have found that the necessary drive mechanism 258 is easily accomplished by use of speed reducer drive catalogue number 2z18 - e0200 , from stock drive products , inc . of 2101 jericho turnpike , box 5416 , new hyde park , n . y . 11042 - 5416 . this device provides input to rotating shaft 262 that is acted upon by the aforementioned stepper motor for turning as indicated by reference arrow 264 . in fig1 , a vertical cross sectional view of the adjustable compound indenter 120 just illustrated in fig1 , shown , additionally and more clearly showing certain internal components , including drive pin 250 and the 90 degree angle speed reducer 258 for connection to a stepper or other drive motor 260 suitable drive for turning the primary indenter 200 to rotate in threads 242 of the primary indenter housing 202 to achieve vertical adjustment of the length x of the primary indenter 200 . also , note further details of the nose cap 210 with integral secondary indenter 300 ( better seen in fig1 below ) which is attached to the distal end 302 of the primary indenter housing 202 . also illustrated is the working end 218 primary indenter 200 that has indented a dimple 308 in a workpiece 310 to a dimple depth of “ dd ”. it has been observed that for like materials and for like treatment , the dimple depths required are consistent . thus , this provides for the use of dimple depths as a quality control measure for the process , and thus as a measure of effectiveness of the method . fig1 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable compound indenter 120 illustrated in fig1 and 14 , now additionally showing certain internal components , including threads 320 on threaded adapter 224 for attachment to the threaded receiver 322 in top plate 220 , and external threads 330 on the primary indenter housing 202 for receiving internal threads 332 ( see fig1 ) in the nose cap 210 , for threaded attachment of the nose cap 210 to the to the primary indenter housing 202 . also shown is the knurled surface 340 of nose cap 210 , suitable for manually affixing nose cap 210 to the primary indenter housing 202 . additionally , not the passageway defined by edgewall 342 for tightly receiving therethrough the support shaft 216 of the primary indenter 200 . for a complete understanding of the invention , attention is directed to fig1 , 17 , and 18 , each of which shows important details of the nose piece or nose cap 210 . in fig1 , a bottom view of the nose cap 210 is provided , taken looking up at the nose cap 210 shown in fig1 . as illustrated , the nose cap 210 includes an integral secondary indenter 300 , which is substantially in the form of a flat , annular contacting ring . as shown , the secondary indenter 300 is of narrow radial width of approximately 0 . 003 inches ( 0 . 076 mm ). radially outward from the secondary indenter 300 , the contour of the nose piece 210 includes a contour 360 having a first blend angle bend of approximately 135 ° with a 0 . 01 inch ( 0 . 25 mm ) radius . then , the contour of the nose piece 210 includes a tertiary indenter 400 having an outside radius of 0 . 029 inches ( 0 . 74 mm ). next , the contour of the nose cap 210 includes a second blend radius 402 , radially outward from the tertiary indenter 400 , having a second blend angle bend of approximately 133 ° with a 0 . 01 inch ( 0 . 25 mm ) radius . next , the nose cap 210 includes a concave portion 410 before flat portion 246 of foot 412 is completed . importantly , the nose piece 210 has a contour , in the radially outward direction , which includes a foot 412 having an concave annular portion 410 radially outward from a last , here second 402 , blend radius . as illustrated , for work on aluminum for many common fastener sizes , it has been found that best results are achieved by locating the concavity 402 at a location approximately 0 . 05 inches ( 1 . 27 mm ) radially outward from the edge wall 422 of a cylindrical slot for receiving said primary indenter , and to define the concavity by removing material with an angle of approximately five ( 5 ) degrees with respect to the flat surface 246 of foot 412 . for most applications , it is appropriate that the flat portion 246 of foot 412 be oriented transverse to the axis of indentation ( see reference numeral 430 in fig1 ) in workpiece 310 . details of the primary indenter 200 as set forth in fig1 have been previously discussed . however , this figure more clearly shows drive receiver 250 of depth of about 0 . 75 inches ( 19 . 05 mm ) for receiving the drive end 252 of drive pin 254 . also shown in better detail is the peripheral wall angle beta ( β ) of about five degrees , more or less , which enables cleaner indentation to and withdrawal from a workpiece . importantly , the supporting shaft 216 and end 218 of the primary indenter 200 , as well as the various components just described on the nose cap 210 , are provided with a durable low friction coating . thus , both the primary indenters , the secondary indenter , and any tertiary indenters , ideally include such a durable low friction coating . a suitable durable low friction coating includes a coating of chromium nitride . better yet , such a coating also includes tungsten disulfide . such coatings , although relatively thin , have a thickness from 0 . 0002 inches ( 0 . 005 mm ) to about 0 . 0003 inches ( 0 . 008 mm ). these low friction coatings reduces friction and shearing at the edge of the dimple , and allows better radial flow of metal , which in turn provides greater residual stress , thus better achieving the ultimate objective , greater fatigue life improvement . also , such coatings also reduce stripping force as the primary 200 and secondary 300 indenters are removed , as well as minimize metal pickup on the indenter surface . the use of the compound indenters in manufacturing of thick stacks of material is further shown by fig2 , 21 , 22 , 23 , and 24 . fig2 illustrates the use of opposing , integral , one - piece compound indenters on a thick stack , to create desirable residual stresses in both the first side of an upper workpiece and in the second side of a lower workpiece , so that desirable compressive stress is created throughout the thick stack . with respect to fig2 and 21 , it should be noted that the anticipated actual aperture hole edge location 480 may be located radially inward of , or radially outward of , the peripheral edge 502 of the indenter 503 or peripheral edge 504 of indenter 506 . the choice of wall location is dependent on various factors , most importantly of course the amount of beneficial residual stress present , after treatment , at the pre - selected wall location . another feature of the method of the present invention is the use of wet sealant , or bonding agent between a first and second workpiece , such sealant 920 between workpiece 900 and 910 illustrated in fig2 . this is important in the manufacture of aircraft for corrosion resistance and wet wing construction using polysulfide type sealants or other materials . fig2 illustrates the use of a flush rivet with a shank portion to join a first workpiece having a chamfered hole edge therein to accommodate the flush rivet head , and a second workpiece having a straight or transverse hole edgewall therethrough for accommodating the shank of the rivet . fig2 illustrates the use of rivet having a round head to join a first workpiece having a straight or transverse hole edgewall therethrough , and a second workpiece also having a straight or transverse hole edgewall therethrough . in fig2 , the peripheral edge 802 of a fastener 800 , is shown with a small indentation if adjacent thereto . fig2 is particularly interesting since it provides an indication that a countersunk type outer edge wall 804 can be prepared according to the methods described herein to provide a desirable beneficial residual stress pattern in the body 806 of structure 808 . likewise , the body 810 of structure 812 adjacent to the more conventional perpendicular edge wall 814 can be treated to provide a desirable beneficial stress pattern in the body 810 . more conventionally , as shown in fig2 , a fastener 840 having an externally protruding head 842 is provided to join structural members 844 and 846 . in such structures , apertures defined by sidewalls 848 and 850 , respectively , accommodate the fastener shank 852 . the beneficial residual stress is advantageously provided in both structural member 844 and in member 846 . although it is generally expected that most structures would substantially benefit from increased fatigue resistance being imparted from both the obverse and the reverse sides of the structure . however , in some applications , there may arise useful results when only a single side is treated . such one - sided treatment of a structure is depicted in fig2 . here , a first workpiece 900 has been dimpled 902 in a single , obverse side 904 according to the method taught herein . preferably , a tapered drill 906 is utilized to drill the desired aperture , through workpiece 900 , as well as through matching workpiece 910 in which no cold working for stress relieve has been achieved . alternately , in fig2 , single side working of two workpieces in a stack is depicted . indenters 503 and 506 are used to provide beneficial residual stress near the desired locations for fastener apertures in the finished structure fabricated from the workpiece 532 and 534 . fig2 illustrate the use of a tapered drill 906 for drilling a blind hold defined by edgewall 940 in thick workpiece 942 . further , it is also important to understand that unusual configuration , non - circular type apertures can be treated with the method described herein , to provide beneficial residual stress levels at desired locations bounding locations adjacent the interior edge wall of through passageways in structures . thus , structures having non - circular holes therein can advantageously be treated with this method to provide beneficial residual stress levels at desired locations in the structure . it is to be appreciated that the novel compound indenter , and the process of utilizing such compound indenter in thick materials or deep stack workpieces , to reduce fatigue stress degradation of such parts , is an appreciable improvement in the state of the art of cold working metal parts subject to fatigue concerns . importantly , this compound indenter and the method of employing the same can advantageously treat a hole before it is machined . thus , the tooling apparatus and the method of its use disclosed herein provide substantial improvement over currently used treatment methods by eliminating various tooling and tooling aids , such as expansion mandrels , sleeves , and hole lubricants . in this improved method , control of the magnitude and depth of residual stress is determined by the properties and characteristics of a particular workpiece , nature of the force or displacement imparted on the workpiece , as particularly and effectively accomplished via advantageous use of appropriately dimensioned and designed compound indenters . importantly , the use of a compound indenter in manufacturing process as disclosed herein are readily automated and can be put into any automated fastening environment . although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail , it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that our novel methods for cold working metal , and the tooling and other apparatus for advantageously implementing such processes , may be modified from those embodiments provided herein , without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages provided herein , and may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof . therefore , the embodiments presented herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive . as such , the disclosure and the claims are intended to cover the structures described herein and not only structural equivalents thereof , but also equivalent structures . thus , the scope of the invention is intended to include all variations described herein , whether in the specification or in the drawing , including the broad meaning and range properly afforded to the language and description set forth herein to describe such variations . therefore , it will be understood that the foregoing description of representative embodiments of the invention have been presented only for purposes of illustration and for providing an understanding of the invention , and it is not intended to be exhaustive or restrictive , or to limit the invention only to the precise forms disclosed . alternative features serving the same or similar purpose may replace each feature disclosed in this specification ( including any accompanying claims , the various figures of the drawing ), unless expressly stated otherwise . thus , each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features . further , while certain materials are described for the purpose of enabling the reader to make and use certain embodiments shown , such suggestions shall not serve in any way to limit the claims to the materials disclosed , and it is to be understood that other materials , including other metals and various compositions , may be utilized in the practice of our methods , and in the manufacture of structures utilizing the apparatus and methods disclosed herein . the intention is to cover all modifications , equivalents , and alternatives falling within the scope and spirit of the invention , as expressed herein above and in the appended claims . as such , the claims are intended to cover the structures , apparatus , and methods described herein , and not only the equivalents or structural equivalents thereof , but also equivalent structures or methods . the scope of the invention , as described herein and as indicated by the appended claims , is thus intended to include variations from the embodiments provided which are nevertheless described by the broad meaning and range properly afforded to the language of the claims , as explained by and in light of the terms included herein , or the equivalents thereof .	1
referring to fig1 and 2 , the device of the invention is comprised of a dilatation catheter portion indicated generally at 10 and a syringe portion indicated generally at 12 . the catheter portion 10 is comprised of an outer catheter 14 , a y - shaped catheter housing 16 having one leg 17 secured in sealed fluid communication with the proximal end of the catheter 14 , a balloon inflation port 18 disposed in another leg and a third leg 19 aligned with the leg 17 . an annular , elongated balloon 20 is connected to the distal end of the outer catheter 14 . an inner catheter 24 is sealingly secured to the balloon 20 to provide a passageway therethrough and extends through the housing 16 and a seal ( not illustrated ) disposed within the leg 19 . a fitting 26 is connected to the proximal end of the catheter 24 . the outer catheter 14 and the inner catheter 24 are made of a plastic material that is flexible but non - collapsing under pressure . the balloon 20 is made of a flexible essentially non - elastomeric material , such as polyethylene . the inner catheter 24 and the balloon 20 may be constructed in a single piece , or they may be separate pieces joined together by adhesive or adhesive and suture winding . the syringe portion 12 comprises a housing 28 mounted on a handle 22 and having defined therein a cylindrical passageway 30 terminating in a distal outlet passage 32 of reduced size , the latter being in communication with the catheter 14 through a valve 34 and pressure gauge 36 . the valve 34 is attached to inflation port 18 in housing 16 . a first , free - moving , flexible land piston member 38 is slidably disposed within cylinder tube 28 , defining a chamber 39 . a second piston member 40 comprised of flexible land 42 and shaft 44 is slidably disposed within cylinder 26 with first piston member 38 located between second piston member 40 and outlet passage 32 , thus defining a second chamber 41 . shaft 44 extends through a friction ratchet mechanism 46 of the type commonly used in caulking guns . the mechanism 46 is comprised of a gripping plate 48 connected to a trigger 50 , a release lever 56 , a first spring 52 on shaft 44 between gripper plate 48 and release lever 56 , and a second spring 54 on shaft 44 between gripping plate 48 and a stop portion 58 of handle 22 . in operation , the catheter 10 is positioned in a blood vessel 62 near an occlusion of arteriosclerotic material 64 which is desired to be cleared . the volume between the outer catheter 14 and the inner catheter 24 is filled with an incompressible fluid , such as water , as is the distal chamber 39 in the syringe 12 formed between piston member 38 and the outlet passage 32 . preferably , the bore of passageway 30 is of a sufficiently large cross - section that the volume of fluid in said distal chamber 39 exceeds the volume of the balloon 20 in its fully everted or extended position . the second chamber 41 in the syringe , that between pistons 38 and 40 , is then filled with a compressible fluid , such as air . with the valve 34 in its closed position , pressure is applied to the second piston 40 by squeezing the trigger 50 and thus advancing the shaft 44 by the friction ratchet mechanism . this compresses the compressible fluid in the second chamber 41 and thus increases the pressure on the incompressible fluid in the distal chamber 39 . a pressure of approximately 75 psi is desired , but any pressure between 50 and 100 psi will work reasonably well . the valve 34 is then turned to its open position , thus pressurizing the fluid in the outer catheter 14 . the balloon 20 is extended by feeding the inner catheter 24 into the housing 16 while the fluid in the outer catheter 14 is pressurized . this functions to evert the balloon 20 from the catheter 14 in an inflated condition . any desired length of the balloon 20 may be everted this way . as this is done , the incompressible fluid in the distal chamber 39 of the syringe 28 flows into the outer catheter 14 to fill the space created by the dilation of the balloon 20 . the volume of the chamber 39 correspondingly shrinks , and the first piston 38 moves toward the distal end of the syringe housing 28 . the volume of the second chamber 41 thus increases and the pressure on the compressible fluid drops . the balloon 20 may be as long as 30 to 40 cm in length , with a volume of up 25 cc or more . if sufficient incompressible fluid is contained in the distal chamber 39 of the syringe , and a sufficient quantity of the compressible fluid is contained in the second chamber 41 , the extrusion of the balloon 20 and resulting expansion of the second chamber 41 will not decrease the pressure below the level necessary for full inflation of the balloon . it has been found that a syringe with a total volume of approximately 60 cc and the pressure of 75 psi will produce satisfactory results with a balloon of the above size . this also allows a single operator to sequentially perform both operations , i . e ., pressuring the catheter 14 and then everting and inflating the balloon 20 , rather than requiring two persons as is commonly done at present . after the balloon 20 is inflated to dilate the occlusion 64 , the release lever 56 is pushed to release the shaft 44 and relieve the pressure on the fluids . the balloon 20 may then be inverted within the distal end of the catheter 14 by pulling on the portion of the inner catheter 24 extending past the housing 16 to draw the catheter 24 through the housing . the through lumen in the inner catheter 24 provides a passageway from the fitting 26 to the distal end of the balloon 20 when it is everted or to the distal end of the outer catheter 14 when the balloon is inverted . this passageway allows the catheter to be inserted by means of a guide wire in a manner to which angiographers are accustomed . it also permits materials to be injected into the vessel 62 at the distal tip of the catheter , and pressures at the distal end of the catheter or balloon to be monitored proximally . fig3 shows an alternative embodiment of the syringe portion of the apparatus , where the second piston member 42 and ratchet mechanism 46 has been replaced by a source of pressurized gas , such as a cartridge of carbon dioxide illustrated here . the syringe portion of the fig3 embodiment is designated 12a . the elements of the fig3 embodiment corresponding to those of the previous embodiment are designated by like numerals followed by the letter &# 34 ; a &# 34 ;, as follows : 18a , 28a , 30a , 32a , 34a , 36a , 38a , 39a and 41a . the proximal end of the housing 28a is threaded to match a second housing 60a , open on one side , which receives a cartridge 66a of compressed gas , such as carbon dioxide . a thumbscrew 68a pushes the cartridge 66a into a pin 70a that punctures the end of the cartridge 66a , releasing the gas into the housing 28a via holes 72a in the end of housing 60a . a seal 74a surrounds the end of the cartridge 66a and prevents the gas from escaping in any other direction . in this embodiment the distal chamber 39a in the housing 28a and the outer catheter 14 are filled with water . a gas cartridge 66a is inserted into housing 60a and thumbscrew 68a is tightened , causing pin 70a to puncture the cartridge 66a and releasing pressurized gas into the proximal chamber 41a of housing 28a . this creates pressure upon the water in the syringe in the first embodiment described and catheter , and the balloon 20 may then be extended as above . to reinvert the balloon , the thumbscrew is loosened ; the remaining pressure in the cartridge 66a will unseat the cartridge 66a and release the remaining gas , or the cartridge 66a may be unseated by hand . the cartridge may then be removed through the open side of housing 60a . the threads on the housings 28a and 60a allow the housings to be separated so that the piston 38a may be removed in preparation for the next use . alternatively , the entire housing 28a may be replaced . from the foregoing description it is believed apparent that the present invention provides an improved syringe for maintaining a substantially constant pressure on a balloon catheter , without the necessity of constantly manually pressurizing the syringe as the balloon is inflated . it should be understood , however , that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments described , but rather is defined by the accompanying claims .	0
preferred embodiments of a peeling detector for a tunnel wall surface of the present invention will now be described in detail by reference to the drawings . fig1 is a schematic structural view of a peeling detector for a tunnel wall surface showing an embodiment of the present invention . as illustrated in fig1 a light emitting heater 4 ( e . g ., an infrared lamp ) is mounted on a self - propelled vehicle 2 via an extendible arm device 3 to inspect a tunnel wall 1 . a truck 5 pulled by this vehicle 2 is mounted with an infrared ( ir ) camera 6 for measuring infrared radiation radiated by the tunnel wall 1 ; a distance sensor 7 for measuring the distance traveled by the vehicle 2 and the truck 5 ; a recording device 8 for recording temperature distribution images obtained by the infrared camera 6 , and data on mileage obtained by the distance sensor 7 ; and a display device 9 indicating , in real time , the temperature distribution images obtained by the infrared camera 6 . in the recording device 8 , the temperature distribution images and mileage data recorded on a tape 10 are reproduced by an external reproduction device 11 , and processed by an image processor ( computer ) 12 . in the drawing , the numerals 13 and 14 denote a monitor and a printer , respectively , for the image processor 12 . fig2 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure for inspecting the tunnel wall surface by the detector of fig1 ; according to this flow chart , the light emitting heater 4 approache to the tunnel wall 1 by the arm device 3 for the efficient heating of the tunnel wall surface 1 , whereafter the heater 4 is turned on ( step p 1 ). then , the vehicle 2 starts running at a constant speed while pulling the truck 5 ( step p 2 ). as will be described later , the distance between the light emitting heater 4 and the infrared camera 6 should be as long as possible . according to the instant embodiment , therefore , the light emitting heater 4 is provided on the vehicle 2 , while the infrared camera 6 is provided on the truck 5 , so that it becomes easy to secure a long distance between the two members . as the vehicle 2 moves , the tunnel wall 1 is sequentially heated uniformly by the light emitting heater 4 ( step p 3 ). the wall after heating is photographed by the infrared camera 6 , proceeding behind the light emitting heater 4 , a constant period of time after heating ( step p 4 ). the constant period of time from heating until photographing depends on the moving speed of the vehicle 2 and the distance between the light emitting heater 4 and the infrared camera 6 . the temperature distribution images obtained by the infrared camera 6 , and the mileage data obtained by the distance sensor 7 are recorded by the recording device 8 ( step p 5 ). upon completion of measurement , the travelling of the vehicle ( step p 6 ) is stopped , and the tape 10 is withdrawn from the recording device 8 . the data on the tape 10 are analyzed by the reproduction device 11 and the image processor 12 ( step p 7 ). in the reproduced temperature distribution images , the portions higher in temperature than the surroundings are judged as peeled , and other portions as normal ( steps p 8 , p 9 , p 10 ). the results of judgment on peeling can be outputted as a development view as shown in fig3 along with the simultaneously reproduced data from the distance sensor 7 . in accordance with certain criteria including the results of judgment , the magnitude of peeling and the denseness of peeling , the soundness of the tunnel wall surface 1 is evaluated to determine whether to repair the tunnel wall surface 1 or not ( step p 11 ). in the instant embodiment , the light emitting heater 4 is used to heat the tunnel wall 1 . for information , a comparison of this method with other heating methods is shown in fig4 . fig4 demonstrates that the light emitting heater 4 is the most suitable tool for inspection while in motion . next , the effectiveness of the detector of the above - described construction , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention , will be described . fig5 is a simulation model used in the calculation of the difference in temperature that occurs between a normal portion and a peeled portion upon heating with the light emitting heater 4 . according to this model , the tunnel wall 1 was assumed to be an infinite flat , and peeling was assumed to spread infinitely with a constant thickness in the wall . the flow of heat was considered as occurring only in the direction of the wall thickness during heating on the wall surface with a constant energy density . given these assumptions and consideration , the computer set up an equation of one - dimensional heat conduction . behind the peeling , an air layer 1 mm thick was assumed to be present . the physical properties of concrete were used for the wall , while the physical properties of air were used for the air layer . these properties were set at the following values , and used for calculation : fig6 shows an example in which the temperature differences between normal and peeled portions were calculated using the above calculation method . heating was performed using the inventive detector , and the specifications for the detector were set at the following values : heater size : 0 . 5 m ( proceeding direction )× 2 . 0 m ( direction perpendicular to proceeding direction ) the interior of the tunnel is free from changes in the ambient temperature or influences from sunlight . thus , the tunnel wall 1 has a uniform temperature distribution before heating with the light emitting heater 4 . after uniform heating with the light emitting heater 4 , it is only the peeled portion that has a higher temperature than the surroundings . if the difference in temperature of the peeled portion is sufficiently high compared with the temperature resolution of the infrared camera 6 , therefore , it is possible to identify the peeled portion . the temperature resolution of the infrared camera 6 is 0 . 025 ° c . in fig6 therefore , the temperature difference detectable as peeling by the infrared camera 6 was set at 0 . 3 ° c . ( 12 times the temperature resolution ). based on the position of the infrared camera 6 and the travel speed , the photographing timing of the infrared camera 6 was found to be 35 seconds (= 8 . 75 / 0 . 25 ) after the start of heating . the above results given in fig6 show that the thickness of peeling detectable under the above - described calculation conditions is about 8 mm . in view of the calculation process in fig6 one will see that the detectable peeling thickness for the inventive detector depends on the specifications for the detector , such as travel speed . fig7 shows the results of calculation of the detectable peeling thickness using the following specifications for the detector : position of ir camera : 2 . 5 m , 7 . 5 m , 12 . 5 m behind heater heater size : 0 . 5 m ( proceeding direction )× 2 . 0 m ( direction perpendicular to proceeding direction ) temperature resolution of ir camera : 0 . 025 ° c . ( temperature difference detectable as peeling : 0 . 3 ° c .) from fig7 one will see that when the infrared camera 6 is positioned 12 . 5 m behind the heater , a peeling with a thickness of about 1 cm can be detected , although depending on the heater output . one will also see that as the infrared camera 6 is moved more rearward of the light emitting heater 4 , or as the heater output is increased , the detectable peeling thickness tends to become larger . fig8 shows the general characteristics of peeling of the tunnel wall 1 , the detection limits of the inventive detector estimated from fig5 , and 7 , the evaluation results on the effectiveness of the peeling detecting capability of the inventive detector , in relation to each of the items , peeling area , peeling thickness , and cavity thickness . from fig8 the inventive detector is found effective for detecting the peeling of the tunnel wall 1 . of the calculation conditions for fig6 and 7 , the width of the light emitting heater 4 in the direction perpendicular to the proceeding direction is as small as 2 m . in this case , the range of heating by the light emitting heater 4 may be too narrow to inspect the whole of the tunnel wall surface 1 during a single travel . however , several travels at the same places with the heating position being shifted enable the entire tunnel wall surface 1 to be inspected . the detector of the present invention , as described above , can markedly increase the inspection speed in comparison with a conventional hammering inspection method by making an inspection using an infrared camera while moving . furthermore , the inventive detector moves while heating a tunnel wall using a light emitting heater . thereby , the detector can cause a difference in the wall temperature to the tunnel wall which has small fluctuations in ambient temperature and which , under natural conditions , generates no difference in the wall temperature between a peeled portion and a normal portion . thus , the invention can apply an infrared inspection method to the inspection of a tunnel wall .	6
referring to fig1 , a plan view of a reverse side of a flexible support seen generally has having a necktie shape and referred to as a necktie 21 . necktie 21 may have a tapering tube shape joined along seam 23 . neckties 21 need not have a broader and a narrower end , but the necktie 21 illustrated has a broader end 25 having a broader end opening 27 . similarly , necktie 21 has a narrower end 29 having a narrower end opening 31 . so long as any blocking stitching from attachment of tags or decorative stitching is not present , an object can pass through from the broader end opening 27 to the narrower end opening 29 , as the necktie 21 is structurally a tube . reinforcement stitching 33 is shown along the length of tie 21 to hold the seam 23 together especially where steps for the construction of the invention facilitate entry into a tube space within the necktie 21 . referring to fig2 , a plan view of a front side of a necktie 21 of fig1 shows it to have an opening 35 which may be a reinforced button hole opening typically formed with thickened stitching on either side of a center cut slot . formation of the opening may require an opening or separation of the seam 23 most closely adjacent the opening 35 in order to properly perform the side stitching needed to form the opening 35 and may have reinforcement stitching 33 on one or both sides of any section of seam 23 which needed to be opened . referring to fig3 , an expanse of pocket material 41 is shown as having a shape roughly matching the angled shape of the broader end 25 of the necktie 21 so that it can be sewn to the broader end 25 of the necktie 21 and preferably onto the reverse side of necktie 21 . expanse of pocket material 41 is also and perhaps partially attached , as by sewing or welding , closely adjacent one or more edges 43 . expanse of pocket material 41 to lie over the seam 23 if such a seam exists . the expanse of pocket material 41 may have a reinforcement band 45 which may be either a sewn addition of material or a folding of the material from which the expanse of pocket material 41 is constructed . the reinforcement band 45 is used to combat wear across the entrance of a display pocket which will be formed upon a stitching of all edges of expanse of pocket material 41 except for at least part of an outer edge along reinforcement band 45 . also seen in fig3 is a looped pull tab 47 which can be grasped to help manipulate reinforcement band 45 . also seen is an area of hook and loop fastener material 49 which may be utilized as a closure member . other closures can be used including buttons , snaps , magnetic fasteners , button loops , zippers and hooks , naming but a few . referring to fig4 , a plan view of one embodiment of a storage pouch and cord set routing guide 53 is seen . the overall shape of the routing guide 53 generally matches and may be smaller than the shape of the broader end 25 of the necktie 21 seen in fig1 and 2 . the routing guide 53 need not be made from see - through or touch sensitive material , but can be . in the embodiment shown , the routing guide 53 is made from two layers of material sewn together ( or folded ) at their edges , or otherwise joined using a length of zipper material 57 having a zipper 59 , to form a closed utility or privacy pocket into which any object may be carried including or in addition to a primary electronic housing . routing guide 53 has edges 55 that may preferably match the edges of the necktie 21 structure when the routing guide 53 is aligned with the broader end 25 of the necktie 21 structure . routing guide 53 has an angled end 60 which generally matches or follows the angled end 51 of the expanse of pocket material 41 , and will preferably , though not necessarily , match the shape of the broader end 25 of the necktie 21 structure . in the embodiment shown , the expanse of pocket material 41 will be mounted directly over a portion of the routing guide 53 generally allowing the matching or following of the angled end 51 and 60 , although other configurations are possible . thus , the expanse of pocket material 41 and an exterior part of routing guide 53 will form an inside of display pocket with any electronic device within the formed display pocket being amenable to viewing and touch manipulation . zipper 59 will operate the length of zipper material 57 to permit introduction of other objects into a privacy pocket even when electronic housings are supported by the display pocket formed by expanse of pocket material 41 . also seen in fig4 , surrounded by button hole stitching 61 , is a first routing opening 63 and a second routing opening 65 . these may preferably be slits into the material which are reinforced along with edges with stitching like a button hole and may be similar in construction to opening 35 seen in fig2 . also seen is an area of hook and loop fastener material 67 which is most preferably complementary to area of hook and loop fastener material 49 to enable the partial closure of a formed touch sensitive display pocket when periphery of a greater portion of the expanse of pocket material 41 is attached to the periphery of the storage pouch and cord set routing guide 53 . referring to fig5 , a sectional view taken along line 5 - 5 of fig4 illustrates further configurational details of the storage pouch and cord set routing guide 53 and especially the existence of the possibility of through opening sets . as can be seen , the area of hook and loop fastener material 67 is supported by a first layer 69 of the storage pouch and cord set routing guide 53 and that the first and second routing openings 63 and 65 extend through that first layer 69 . a second layer 71 of the storage pouch and cord set routing guide 53 can be seen as having third and fourth routing openings 73 and 75 extend through second layer 71 . first , second , third and fourth routing openings 63 , 65 , 73 & amp ; 75 may all preferably include button hole type reinforcing stitching 61 . the space inside the storage pouch and cord set routing guide 53 is shown as a privacy pocket 77 . also seen is some edge stitching 79 which may , with or without any folding , form a part of the boundary closure for the storage pouch and cord set routing guide 53 . referring to fig6 , an exploded view of an electronic device and accessory support 101 . the narrower end 29 of the necktie 21 is attached adjacent a portion of the broader end 25 of the necktie 21 and secured into the side of the broader end 25 by one or more securing stitches 103 which preferably extend through both of portions of the broader end 25 and narrower end 29 to securely bind them together . further , securing stitches 103 may preferably extend along the edge so as to not obstruct the front side of the necktie 21 structure so that there is minimum disruption of either the cloth pattern at the front side of the electronic device and accessory support 101 . the necktie 21 which is a support for the electronic device and accessory support 101 may be made from conventional neckties as well as specially constructed necktie 21 structures which may have added structural integrity . when the necktie 21 support is formed by modifying a conventional necktie , it may be remembered that many have a three layer structure , including a decorative outer layer , a strong core layer and a rear layer which may be a separate covering layer or simply an extension of the decorative outer layer . in attaching narrower end 29 to a position away from the front , decorative side of the broader end 25 , the narrower end 29 can be attached overlapping the rear side of the necktie structure of fig1 , or the decorative outer layer of necktie 21 can optionally be slit open and the narrower end 29 inserted into the decorative outer layer and between the decorative outer layer and a strengthened layer , either forward or rearward of the reinforcing layer ( not shown in the figures ). the engagement of the securing stitches 103 with the much stronger , inner layer will enable the resulting electronic device and accessory support 101 has much more stability and strength . an illustration of the position of attachment of the narrower end 29 onto the broader end 25 of the necktie 21 and is shown with the storage pouch and cord set routing guide 53 overlying both for both aesthetic covering and to enable a sandwich stitching attachment is seen in fig7 which is a sectional view taken along line 7 - 7 of fig6 . the angle of approach of the narrower end 29 into the broader end 25 may preferably be parallel to one of the angled ends of the broader end 25 of the necktie 21 structures so that one of the edges of the main length of the narrower end 29 is continuous with one of the angled ends of the broader end 25 of the necktie 21 structure . since the necktie 21 structure may be generally consistent along its length , both of the sectional views of the narrower end 29 and broader end 25 are generally consistent with each other . broader end 25 has one or more covering layers including a front covering layer 111 and a rear covering layer 113 which may be continuous with each other or separate . the covering layers 111 and 113 surround a strength core layer 115 . the narrower end 29 is seen as having the same structures , including front covering layer 111 , rear covering layer 113 , and surrounded strength core layer 115 . the seam 23 is seen as the view is looking in parallel to the direction of the seam 23 . referring to fig8 , a rear perspective view of the assembled electronic device and accessory support 101 previously seen in exploded format of fig6 , is shown . the view shown is that looking into the rear of the support 101 and viewing the surfaces which would face inward and toward a user &# 39 ; s body when the electronic device and accessory support 101 is worn . an electronic device 125 , having a cord set 129 , is shown supported within the expanse of pocket material 41 which is now formed as a touch sensitive display pocket 131 with the numbered arrow showing the display pocket 131 entry . cord set 129 is shown as extending from the electronic device 125 , out of the display pocket 131 near the electronic device 125 entry opening and back through the first routing opening 63 and although not directly seen , through the third routing opening 73 and through some permissible entry past the seam 33 and out through the opening 35 . at the end of the cord set 129 , a set of personal earphones , or ear buds 135 are seen as emerging from opening 35 . note that they need have only enough exposed length to comfortably reach the user &# 39 ; s ears from opening 35 , typically positioned just atop a user &# 39 ; s shoulder . any additional length of cord set 129 can be stored in any available space , and especially between the guide 53 and rear covering layer 113 , but the excess may be stored anywhere . referring to fig9 , a rear perspective view of another embodiment of the assembled electronic device and accessory support is seen as support 151 . a view of the expanse of pocket material 41 and touch sensitive display pocket 131 is seen but the routing of the cord set 129 is seen , for example , to be into the seam 23 by virtue of a broken line indication with seam 23 being omitted from fig9 for clarity . length of zipper material 57 is seen , and a privacy pocket 77 ( not shown in fig9 ) may be attached onto or formed into the broader end 25 . details of the connection of the narrower end 29 to the broader end 25 are also not shown , and can be accomplished in any fashion . referring to fig1 , a front perspective view of the assembled electronic device and accessory support 151 as previously seen in fig9 is illustrated . the front of the broader end 25 is seen which may normally assume the appearance of its front covering layer 111 cloth pattern , or used as a support for decorative items , can support a visible storage pocket 155 with a closure flap 157 . referring to fig1 , a front perspective view of a user 161 wearing the assembled electronic device and accessory support 101 , which would wear similarly to support 151 as previously seen in any of the foregoing figures . fig1 illustrates the ease of manual access and somewhat concealed nature of both the privacy pocket 77 and touch sensitive display pocket 131 which are not readily seen in fig1 . as can be seen , the electronic device and accessory support 101 is expected to be worn on one side of the neck and extend across near the opposite side at elbow length , with the broader end 25 and joined narrower end 29 resting near the user 161 elbow . it can be worn over clothing or underneath outer wear such as a coat or jacket . with one hand , for example the right hand , the user 161 can grasp the broader end 25 with thumb over the expanse of pocket material 41 and fingers on the outside of the front covering layer 111 and turn it ninety degrees to place the electronic device 125 subtly into view . the user 161 can view electronic device 125 at a level just above belt level , or can lift the electronic device 125 and broader end 25 closer within the user &# 39 ; s visual field . while the present invention has been described in terms of a storage pouch and cord set routing guide , and in particular a sash - style clothing accessory which can be used to provide organized support to both electronic devices and personal items , the structure and process of the invention can be realized in many different types of embodiments and combination . although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof , many invention changes and modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention . therefore , included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art .	0
one embodiment of the sports equipment carrier which can be worn is shown in fig3 . the carrier is preferably fabricated from a polyester , polypropylene or nylon webbing but can be fabricated from any thin flexible strap , belt or equivalent material . while dimensions can vary , a reasonable size is generally about 5 . 08 cm ( 2 ″) wide and 2 . 44 m ( 8 ′) long . in general , pieces attaching to this webbing share its width ( 5 . 08 cm ( 2 ″)) and only the length will be specified . furthermore , it shall be assumed that throughout this description the attachment method for attached pieces will be sewing or some other suitable method . one end of the webbing is inserted through a free moving buckle 22 and folds back and attaches to itself to form a fixed loop element 24 . the length of the webbing used to form the attachment junction point 26 should be sufficient length to provide a good connection for the type of material used ; generally , about 5 . 08 cm ( 2 ″) long works well . the fixed loop element 24 length can be chosen for the size of the person using the carrier and the object to be carried . additionally , with some selection in fixed loop 24 and strap element 20 lengths the sports equipment carrier can accommodate a variety of different size surfboards and users . generally , about ⅔ the length of the webbing material is used to form the fixed loop element 24 leaving approximately ⅓ its length leftover after the end junction point 26 to form a strap element 20 . at the end of the strap element 20 can be a tongue 28 which can be made using a hook fastener . the tongue 28 length can vary but generally about 5 . 08 cm ( 2 ″) long is a sufficient to form a good attachment when mated to a loop fastener . when hook fastener is used the hook attaches to the webbing so that the hook &# 39 ; s surface is on the opposite side of the webbing from the junction point 26 . that is , if the webbing is held horizontal , with the junction point 26 facing up then the hook surface would be facing down ( see fig1 and 14 ). if the tongue 28 was made from a hook fastener , then attachment - surface 30 would be made from a loop fastener . the attachment - surface 30 attaches to the webbing so that the loop surface faces the same direction as the hook surface of the tongue 28 . the attachment - surface 30 can extend the entire length of the sports equipment carrier with the one edge beginning at the tongue 28 and the other the edge ending at the fixed loop 24 center fold - over point ( see fig1 ). however , its length can be reduced and chosen for the waist size of its largest user . generally , a size of at least 1 . 1 m ( 44 ″) works well to accommodate extra large waist size ( xxl ). the hook and loop of connecting surfaces face the same direction so that when the tongue 28 passes through the buckle 22 and folds back towards the attachment - surface 30 they can form a hook / loop type attachment . the sports equipment carrier can be used to carry a surfboard or other object ( sup , snow board , snow skies , sports equipment bags , mountain bicycles , firewood , lumber , etc .) by wrapping it around the lengthwise center of the surfboard , or object , at roughly the center of mass . to utilize the carrier , the user can lay the carrier with the hook surface of the tongue 28 facing the ground . slide the buckle 22 to approximately the center fold - over point of the fixed loop 24 leaving it easily accessible when the surfboard is in place . lay the surfboard onto the carrier so its approximate center of mass is on top of the carrier and the length of the surfboard is perpendicular to the length of the carrier ( see fig5 ). position the surfboard so that one lengthwise edge of the surfboard is approximately over the end junction point 26 of the carrier and the other lengthwise edge of the surfboard is nearest to the buckle 22 . this should leave the strap element 20 uncovered . take the tongue 28 with the strap element 20 and wrap it over the surfboard and feed it through the buckle 22 and back onto attachment - surface 30 to form a hook / loop type attachment ( see fig6 ). this attachment produces a secondary adjustable loop . increasing the distance from buckle 22 to the end of the tongue 28 decreases the secondary loop for a narrower surfboard or a shorter person . conversely , decreasing the distance from buckle 22 to the end of the tongue 28 increases the secondary loop size for a wider surfboard or taller person . this adjustment is best performed when the surfboard is held in place by the secondary adjustable loop and the carrier is on the user ( see fig1 ). thus , it is easiest to start with a larger secondary adjustable loop by attaching the tongue 28 close to the buckle 22 and then reduce it to the desired size . next , pull the webbing of the fixed loop 24 away from the buckle 22 which causes the secondary loop to tighten around the surfboard . by lifting the fixed loop 24 up , the surfboard can be transitioned to a vertical position ( see fig7 ) where the surfboard &# 39 ; s weight causes the secondary adjustable loop to tighten holding the surfboard in place . thus , the sports equipment carrier is auto - tightening to hold a surfboard securely in place . the fixed loop 24 portion of the carrier can be used to hang on a shoulder or across the body of the user to carry a surfboard ( see fig1 for a user with a surfboard or fig4 for the carrier by itself ). while an embodiment ( s ) of the sports equipment carrier has distinct advantages over one or more aspects of prior art in that it is quick to install ( approximately 15 seconds ), its auto - tightening ( holding the surfboard in place ), and easily adjustable for many sizes ( in seconds ), it also has the distinct advantage over prior art for its ability to convert into a belt and travel with the user . this belt is accomplished by putting the carrier in a full - length position and sliding the buckle 22 to the end which is approximately the center fold - over point of the fixed loop 24 . the user shall position the carrier around the waist of his / her body with the buckle 22 in one hand the tongue 28 in the other with both the hook and loop surfaces facing away from the body . take the tongue 28 of the strap element 20 and wrap it around the waist and feed it through the buckle 22 and fold it back onto the attachment - surface 30 forming a belt held in place by the hook / loop type attachment ( see fig2 ). another embodiment ( s ) of sports equipment carrier can be made for users whose waist size is proportionally smaller with respect to the width of the surfboard . for this embodiment the user makes a smaller belt by first folding the carrier back on itself . to do this a hook length - reducer 32 and a loop length - reducer 34 are added to the carrier . the loop reducer 34 is not required if the attachment - surface 30 extends the entire length of the sports equipment carrier as shown in fig1 . the loop reducer 34 can be made from loop fastener with a length about 3 . 81 cm ( 1 . 5 ″) long . the loop reducer 34 is attached with its loop surface facing out and on the same side as the attachment - surface 30 . it is attached so that it is edge - to - edge with the center fold - over point of the fixed loop 24 ( see fig8 ). the hook length - reducer 32 can be made from a hook fastener with a length of 6 . 35 cm ( 2 . 5 ″). position the hook reducer 32 so that when the hook / loop connection is made the folded carrier length becomes the same length as the attachment - surface 30 as described above ( for example 1 . 1 m ( 44 ″)). when a folded carrier has an attachment - surface 30 length of 1 . 1 m ( 44 ″) the carrier will accommodate a waist size from 1 . 1 m ( 44 ″) down to half that length or 0 . 55 m ( 22 ″). attach the hook reducer 32 on the same side of the webbing as the junction point 26 . in this embodiment , attach hook reducer 32 with the hook surface facing in towards the webbing ( the reason for this will soon become evident ). in addition , attach only a portion ( approximately 20 %) of the hook material ( approximately 1 . 27 cm ( 0 . 5 ″)) to the webbing leaving the majority of the hook surface ( 5 . 08 cm ( 2 ″)) available to fold up and mate with the loop . attaching the hook surface facing the webbing has two advantages . the first advantage is that the smooth side , and not the hook surface , is exposed to surface wax when wrapping and carrying a surfboard . this prevents wax build up on the hook surface interfering with it ability to function as loop fastener receiver . the second advantage increases the structural strength of the hook and loop connection . the ocean can be a turbulent environment with many forces acting at many angles . with the hook facing the webbing it takes more perpendicular force upon the strap element 20 to break the hook / loop connection and thus there is a lower probably the ocean will break their attachment apart resulting in the loss of the belt . as described above the attachment - surface 30 or loop reducer 34 can be connected to the hook reducer 32 ( see fig8 ). this folded carrier makes for a smaller belt ( see fig9 ). when using this length shortening technique a two open buckle 22 a ( see fig8 ) is preferred over a standard single opening buckle 22 ( see fig3 ). when the carrier is folded over to be worn as a belt the second inner opening of the two opening buckle 22 a holds the inner fold of the webbing in place when it is in the folded position ( see fig9 . and 10 ). this prevents the inner fold from being dislodged in the ocean &# 39 ; s turbulent environment and reduce the tension on the belt . different materials , size and interconnections can be used for all components the webbing material could be eliminated if the attachment - surface 30 is two sided in lieu of hook and loop some other fastening system like fasteners , snaps , buttons , etc . can be used for securing the surfboard or other object in lieu of a buckle or two opening buckle some other length adjusting system like a ring , etc . can be used in lieu of one fold , two or more folds could be made to further decrease the size of the carrier ( see fig1 ) and various connections and buckles can hold the folded material in place	0
the embodiment variant of a belt and conical pulley transmission partially depicted in fig1 possesses a drive - side on the drive shaft a non - rotatably disposed pair of conical pulleys , 1 and a pair of conical pulleys non - rotatably disposed on the driven - shaft b , 2 . each pair of pulleys has an axially displaceable , such as movable , pulley part , such as conical pulley , 1 a and 2 a and a fixed pulley part , like conical pulley , 1 b and 2 b . between both pairs of pulley is a wrapping means 3 , in the form of a plate - link chain , provided for torque transmission 3 . in the upper half of the respective depiction of the corresponding pair of pulleys 1 , 2 , the relative axial position between the corresponding conical pulley 1 a , 1 b and / or 2 a , 2 b is shown respectively , corresponds ( underdrive ) to the largest transmission ratio into slow speed , whereas in the lower half of these depictions the relative position is shown correspondingly assigned to conical pulley part 1 a , 1 b and / or 2 a , 2 b , that corresponds to the largest transmission ratio into the fast ( overdrive ) speed . the pair of pulleys 1 can be tensioned axially via an actuator 4 that is formed as a piston -/ cylinder unit . the pair of conical pulleys 2 in a similar manner can be tensioned via an actuator 5 , which is formed also as a piston -/ cylinder unit , axially against the chain 3 . in the pressure chamber 6 of the piston -/ cylinder unit 5 is an energy accumulator 7 formed by a provided coil spring pushing the axially displaceable conical pulley part 2 a towards the axially fixed conical pulley part 2 b . when the chain 3 on the driven - side is located in the radial internal area of the pair of pulleys 2 , the applied tensioning force 7 is greater than if the chain 3 is in the larger diameter area of the pair of pulleys 2 . that means therefore that with an increasing transmission ratio of the transmission into the fast speed the tensioning force applied by the energy accumulator 7 increases . the coil spring 7 is supported on the one hand directly on the axially displaceable conical pulley part 2 a and on the other hand , on a pot - shaped component 8 limiting the pressure chamber 6 and rigidly connected with the driven shaft b . a further piston -/ cylinder unit 10 , 11 actively connected parallel to the piston -/ cylinder units 4 , 5 is respectively provided , which serve for transmission ratio change of the transmission . the pressure chambers 12 , 13 of the pistons -/ cylinder units 10 , 11 can be filled with pressure medium or emptied alternately corresponding to the demanded transmission ratio . for this , the pressure chambers 12 , 13 corresponding to the requirements can be connected either with a pressure medium source like a pump , or with a discharge line . in case of a change in transmission ratio , one of the pressure chambers 12 , 13 is filled with pressure medium , thus , its volume is increased , whereas the volume of the other pressure chamber 13 , 12 is at least partially emptied , thus its volume is decreased . this mutual pressurization and / or emptying of the pressure chambers 12 , 13 can occur by means of an appropriate valve . regarding the embodiment and the functional manner of such a valve , reference is especially drawn to the already mentioned prior art . for instance , in de - os 40 36 683 , a valve 36 formed for this purpose as a four - edged slide is provided , which is supplied by a pressure medium source 14 formed as pump . to generate pressure that at least depends on the torque a torque sensor 14 is provided , which is based on a hydro - mechanical principle . the torque sensor 14 transmits the torque introduced via a drive gear wheel or drive pinion 15 to the pair of conical pulleys 1 . the drive gear wheel 15 is supported by a roller bearing 16 on the drive shaft a and is connected non - rotatably via form closure and / or a tooth system 17 with which it is connected also axially to the cam disk 18 of the torque sensor 14 supported on the drive gear wheel 15 . the torque sensor 14 possesses the axially fixed cam disk 18 and an axially displaceable cam disk 19 , which have respectively run - up ramps between which spreading bodies are provided in the form of balls 20 . the cam disk 19 is axially displaceable on the drive shaft a ; however , it is non - rotatable relative to the latter . for this , the cam disk 19 features a radial outer area 19 a pointing axially away from the balls 20 that bears a tooth system 19 b that interacts with a counter - tooth system 21 of a component 21 fixed with the drive shaft a both axially as well as circumferentially . the tooth system 19 b and counter tooth system 21 a are formed with reference to one other such that an axial displacement between the components 19 and 21 is possible . the components of the torque sensor 14 limit two pressure spaces 22 , 23 . the pressure space 22 is limited by a ring - shaped component 24 connected rigidly with the drive shaft a as well as by the cam disk 19 and / or supported areas and / or components 25 , 26 . the ring - shaped component 24 is thereby secured axially by means of a safety element , with the shaft a such as drive shaft . at the same time , the element 24 can be connected non - rotatably for example with a tooth system . the ring - shaped pressure space 23 is disposed practically radially outside the ring - shaped pressure space 22 , however , axially offset . the second pressure space 23 is likewise limited by the ring - shaped component 24 as well as by the sleeve - like component 21 connected in a fixed manner with the latter and further by the cam disk 19 firmly connected with the ring - shaped component 25 that can be axially displaced and acts like a piston . the input shaft a bearing the torque sensor 14 and the pair of conical pulleys 1 is supported on the torque sensor side by means of a needle bearing 27 and on the side facing away from the torque sensor side 14 of the pair of conical pulleys 1 it is supported via a ball bearing 28 and a roller bearing 29 provided for radial forces in a housing 30 . the driven shaft b receiving the pair of driven pulleys is supported at the end neighboring the actuators 5 and 11 via a dual tapered roller bearing 31 that braces both radial forces and the axial forces occurring in both axial directions , and on the side of the pair of pulleys 2 facing away from the actuators 5 , 11 it is supported by a tapered roller bearing 32 inside the housing 30 . the driven shaft b carries a bevel gear wheel 33 on its end facing away from the actuators 5 , 11 , which is in active connection , for example , with a differential . to produce the pressure that is at least torque - dependently modulated via the torque sensor 14 , which is required for bracing the belt and conical pulley transmission , a pump 34 is provided , which is in active connection via a central channel 35 inside the drive shaft a , which flows into at least a radial channel 36 , with which pressure space 22 of the torque sensor 14 is in connection . the pump 34 is further connected via a connection line 37 with the pressure chamber 6 of the piston -/ cylinder unit 5 on the second pair of pulleys 2 . the connection line 37 flows into a central channel 38 possible that in the driven shaft b it is again connected with the pressure chamber 6 via at least a channel 39 extending radially . the pressure space 22 of the torque sensor 14 is connected with the pressure chamber of 9 the pistons -/ cylinder unit 4 via the channel 40 that is offset in circumferential direction vis - à - vis the section in accordance with fig1 and thus depicted in dashed line . the channel 40 is fitted in the annular component 24 connected with the shaft a . via the channel 40 a connection between the first pressure space 22 and the pressure chamber 9 is therefore always available . in the drive shaft a , at least a drain channel 41 is provided furthermore , which is and / or can be brought in connection with the pressure chamber and its drainage cross - section can be changed depending at least on the transmitted torque . the drain channel 41 flows into a central boring 42 of the shaft a that can be connected again with a line through which the oil flowing out of the torque sensor 14 , for example , for the lubrication of components can be guided to an appropriate point . the axially displaceable ramps and / or cam disk 19 , which are supported axially displaceably on the drive shaft a , forms a closing area with the internal area 26 a which can more - or - less close the drainage channel 41 more or less depending upon at least the prevailing torque . the closing area 26 a forms a valve and / or a throttle point in connection with the drain channel 41 . at least depending on the torque present between both pulleys 18 , 19 , the drainage opening and / or drainage channel 41 is correspondingly opened or closed by means of the pulley 19 acting as control piston , by what means at least pressure generated by the pump 34 is developed at least in the pressure space 22 corresponding to the prevailing torque . since the pressure space 22 is in connection with the pressure chamber 9 and via the channels and / or lines 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 and 39 with the pressure chamber 6 , corresponding pressure is also developed in these chambers 9 , 6 . based on parallel connection of piston -/ cylinder units 4 , 5 with the piston -/ cylinder units 10 , 11 the forces generated by the pressure supplied by the torque sensor 14 on the axially displaceable pulleys 1 a , 2 a are added to the forces acting on these pulleys 1 a , 2 a as a result of the pressures prevailing in the chambers 12 , 13 for setting the transmission ratio of the transmission . the supply with pressure medium of the pressure chamber 12 takes place via a channel 43 provided in the shaft a , which is in connection via a radial boring 44 with an annular groove 45 inside the shaft a . at least a channel 46 formed in the ring - shaped component 46 originates from the annular groove 45 , which establishes connection with the radial passage 47 formed inside the sleeve - shaped component 21 , which converges into the pressure chamber 12 . in a similar manner also the pressure chamber 13 is supplied with oil , thus via the channel 38 fitted inside the channel 48 , which communicates with the pressure chamber 13 via radially extending connection channels 49 . the channels 43 and 48 are supplied by a common pressure source via a valve 50 interposed between connection lines 51 , 52 . the pressure source 53 in connection with the valve 50 and / or valve system 50 can be formed by a separate pump or also by the already provided pump 34 , whereby a corresponding volume and / or pressure distribution system 54 that can then comprise several valves is required . this alternative solution is depicted in dashed line . the pressure space 23 connected actively in parallel with the pressure space 22 during pressurization in the relative position of the individual components depicted in the upper half of the pair of conical pulleys is separated from a pressure medium supply and thus , because the channels in connection with the pressure space 23 and / or borings 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 are not in connection with a pressure medium source as is the case especially of the pump 34 . owing to the position of the axially displaceable pulley 1 a , the radial boring 60 is opened fully so that the chamber is fully relieved in pressure . the axial force exercised because of the torque to be transmitted by the torque sensor to the cams and / or cam disk 19 is solely absorbed through the pressure oil cushion developed in the pressure space 22 . at the same time the pressure occurring in the pressure space 22 is the higher the larger the torque to be transmitted is . this pressure , as already mentioned , is controlled via the areas effective as throttle valve 26 a and drainage boring 41 . for transmission ratio change into fast speed , the conical pulley 1 a is displaced to the right towards the conical pulley 1 b . this has the effect on the pair of conical pulleys 2 that the conical pulley 2 a axially moves away from the axially fixed conical pulley 2 . as already mentioned , in the upper halves of the depictions of the pair of conical pulleys 1 , 2 the relative positions between the pulleys 1 a , 1 b and 2 a , 2 b are depicted , which correspond to the extreme position for a transmission ratio into slow speed , whereas in the lower halves of this depictions , the relative positions between the corresponding pulleys 1 a , 1 b and 2 a , 2 b are shown , which correspond to the other extreme position of the pulleys 1 a , 1 b and 2 a , 2 b relative to each other for transmission ratio into fast speed . in order to go from the transmission ratio shown in the upper halves of the depictions of the pair of conical pulleys 1 , 2 into the transmission ratio shown in the corresponding lower halves , through appropriate control of valve 50 , the pressure chamber 12 is filled accordingly and / or the pressure chamber 13 is emptied accordingly . the axially displaceable conical pulleys 1 a , 2 a are coupled non - rotatably with the shaft assigned to them respectively over a connection 61 , 62 by means of a tooth system . the non - rotatable connections formed by an interior tooth system on the pulleys 1 a , 2 a and an outside tooth system on the shafts a and b enable an axial displacement of the pulleys ia , 2 a on the corresponding shaft a , b . the dashed position of the axially displaceable pulley 1 a and of the chain 3 depicted in the upper half of the depiction of the driving pair of pulleys 1 corresponds to the highest possible transmission ratio into fast speed . the position of the chain 3 of the set of pulleys 1 drawn in dash - dotted line is assigned to the fully drawn depiction of the chain 3 of the set of pulleys 2 . the position in the lower half depiction of the driven set of pulleys 2 in the position of the axially displaceable conical pulley 2 a and of the chain 3 corresponds to the largest possible transmission ratio of the transmission into slow speed . this position of the chain 3 in the upper half of the depiction of the first set of pulleys 1 is the position of the chain in depicted continuous line . in the depicted exemplary embodiment , the pulleys 1 a , 2 a possess radial interior centering areas 63 , 64 and / or 65 , 66 , through which they are either received directly on the corresponding shaft a and / or b and / or are centered . the guiding surfaces 63 , 64 of the axially displaceable pulley 1 a that are received practically without clearance on the jacket area the shaft a in connection with the channels 59 , 60 form valves , whereby the pulley 1 a serves with regard to the channels 59 , 60 practically as valve slides . in case of a displacement of the pulley 1 a from the position depicted in the upper half of the set of pulleys , to the right , after a certain distance , the channel 60 is gradually closed by the guiding surface 64 whilst the axial distance of the pulley 1 a increases . that means that the guiding surface 64 finally lies radially above the channel 60 . in this position , also the channel 59 is closed radially outwards through the conical pulley 1 a by the guiding surface 63 . by continuation of the axial displacement of the pulley 1 a towards pulley ib , the channel 60 remains closed whereas pulley 1 a and / or its control and / or guiding surface 63 gradually opens the channel 59 . thus , a connection between the pressure chamber 9 of the cylinder -/ piston unit 4 and the channel 58 will be established via the channel 59 , again by means of the channels 57 , 56 and 55 a connection to the pressure space 23 is established . because the channel 60 is practically closed and now a connection between the pressure chamber 9 and the two pressure spaces 22 and 23 is available , the same pressure adjusts practically between the pressure spaces 22 , 23 and in the pressure chamber 9 and therefore also in the chamber 6 connected via the channel 35 and lines 37 , 38 in an active manner apart from the small losses possibly available in the transmission path . through the transmission - ratio dependent connection between both pressure spaces 22 and 23 is the axially effective area of the pressure medium cushion available in the torque sensor 14 , because the axially effective areas of both pressure spaces 22 , 23 are added together in effect . this enlargement of the axially effective support surface has the effect that based on the same torque of the pressure developed by the torque sensor ; it is practically reduced proportionally to the area increase , what again means that also in the pressure chambers 9 and 6 a correspondingly reduced pressure acts . in addition , torque - dependent modulation of the pressure superimposed with transmission - ratio dependent modulation of pressure can be generated by means of the torque sensor 14 . the depicted torque sensor 14 enables practically a two - stage modulation of the pressure and / or of the pressure level . in the depicted exemplary embodiment , both channels 59 , 60 in relation to each other and to the areas 63 , 64 of the pulley 1 a interacting with them are disposed and / or formed such that switchover from the one pressure space 22 to the two pressure spaces 22 and 23 and vice versa occurs for a transmission ratio of approx . 1 : 1 of the belt and conical pulley transmission . as already indicated , such a switchover cannot occur abruptly based on the design version so that a transition area is provided , with which the drain channel 60 is closed already , the connection channel 59 , however , still does not feature a connection with the pressure chamber 9 . in order to guarantee in this transition area the function of the transmission and / or of the torque sensor 14 , for which an axial displacement possibility of the cam disk 19 must be guaranteed , balance means are provided , which enable a volume change of the pressure space 23 , so that the torque sensor 14 can pump , what which means that the cylinder and piston components of the torque sensor 14 can move axially to each other . in the depicted exemplary embodiment , these balance means are formed by a tongue - and / or lip seal 67 that is accommodated in a radial groove of the ring - shaped component 24 and it cooperates with the internal cylinder area of the component 25 , in order to seal both pressure spaces 22 , 23 relative to one another . the sealing ring 67 is formed and disposed such that it is only blocked in an axial direction and / or prevents pressure balance between both chambers 22 and 23 whereas in the other axial direction at least in the presence of a positive differential pressure between the pressure space 23 and the pressure space 22 a pressure balance and / or a flow through the seal ring 67 is possible . the sealing ring 67 acts gradually like a non - return valve , whereby flow from the pressure space 22 is prevented into the pressure space 23 , however , flow is possible through the sealing point formed by the sealing ring 67 when a certain excess pressure in pressure space 23 relative to the pressure space 22 is exceeded . when the cam disk 19 moves to the right , the pressure fluid can flow from the closed pressure space 23 to the space 22 . in a subsequent motion of the cam disk 19 to the left , a low pressure can occur in the pressure space 23 and air bubbles can form in oil where applicable . this is not harmful , however , for the function of the torque sensor and / or of the belt and conical pulley transmission . instead of the non - return valve - like acting seal 67 , a non - return valve could also be provided between both pressure spaces 22 , 23 that would be installed in the ring - shaped component 24 . a seal 67 effective in both axial directions could then be used . furthermore , such a non - return valve could also be disposed such that it acts between both channels 35 and 58 . the non - return valve must be disposed at the same time such that a volume flow from the pressure space 23 is possible towards the pressure space 22 , in the reverse direction , however , the non - return valve blocks . from the preceding function description , it follows that practically over the entire partial area of the transmission ratio range in which the transmission occurs into slow speed ( underdrive ), which through the axial force developed by the ball ramps provided on the pulleys 18 , 19 only axially effective surface formed by the pressure space 22 is supported , whereas practically over the entire partial area of the transmission ratio in which the transmission occurs into fast speed ( overdrive ), the axial force produced by the ball ramps on the pulley 19 is absorbed by both axially effective areas of the pressure spaces 22 , 23 . therefore , based on the same input torque for a transmission into slow speed , the pressure developed by the torque sensor is higher than that generated by the torque sensor 14 for a transmission ratio into fast speed . as already mentioned , the depicted transmission is designed such that the switch - over point of the one connection or separation between the two pressure spaces 22 , 23 is effected in a transmission ratio range of approx . 1 : 1 . through a corresponding disposition and embodiment of the channels 59 , 60 and the areas 63 , 64 interacting with the latter , the conical pulley 1 a , however , can displace the switchover point accordingly and / or switchover within the entire transmission ratio of the conical pulley transmission . the connection and / or separation between both pressure spaces 22 , 23 can also occur via a valve provided especially for this , in that one of both pressure spaces 22 , 23 can be disposed in the area of the connecting channel , whereby this valve must additionally not be actuated directly above the pulley 1 a or 2 a , but , for example , be actuated via an energy source . for this , for example , an electromagnetically , hydraulically or pneumatically actuatable valve can find application , which is switchable , depending on transmission ratio change . for example , a 3 -/ 2 - valve can find application , which effects a connection or separation between both pressure spaces 22 , 23 . however , also pressure valves can find application . a corresponding valve could not be provided in one of the channels 35 and 58 connecting line whereby both channels 59 and 60 are then closed and / or not available . the corresponding valve is connected such that for divided pressure spaces 22 , 23 of the pressure space 23 , pressure is relieved via the valve . for this , the valve can be connected with a line leading into the oil sump . when using a valve controllable from outside , this can also still be actuatable depending on other parameters . for instance , this valve can be actuatable for example also in dependence on torque impacts occurring in the drive . in this way , for instance , the chain can at least slide through in certain operation conditions and / or transmission ratios of the conical pulley transmission can be avoided and / or reduced at least . in the design depicted in fig1 , the torque sensor 14 is disposed on the drive side and next to the axially displaceable conical pulley 1 a . the torque sensor 14 can be provided , however , in the torque flow to any space and it can be adapted accordingly . as such , a torque sensor 14 can be provided as already known , also on the driven side , for example on the driven - shaft b . such a torque sensor , in a similar manner as the torque sensor 14 , can be disposed next to the axially displaceable conical pulley 2 a . also as already known , several torque sensors can find application . for example , both on the drive side as well as on the driven side , a corresponding torque sensor can be disposed . in addition , the torque sensor 14 with at least two pressure spaces 22 , 23 can be combined with other measures for torque dependent and / or transmission - ratio - dependent pressure modulation . for instance , the rolling bodies 20 , in similarity with the description in de - os 42 34 294 , could be displaceable depending on a transmission ratio change in radial direction along the rolling ramps and / or rolling surfaces interacting with the latter . in the described exemplary embodiment in accordance with fig1 , the pressure chamber 6 is connected with the torque sensor 14 . it is possible also , to pressurize the external pressure chamber 13 with the pressure delivered by the torque sensor 14 , whereby then the internal pressure chamber 6 serves for the transmission ratio change . for this , it is solely required to exchange the connections of the two lines 52 and 37 on the second set of pulleys 2 alternately and / or with one another . in the exemplary embodiment of the torque sensor 14 in accordance with fig1 , the forming parts are mostly made of sheet metal . particularly , the cam disks 18 and 19 can be produced as a sheet metal form part , for example , through stamping . fig2 of the drawings shows different shapes by means of dash - dotted depictions of the plate - link chain 101 , which adjust themselves upon changes of the transmission ratio of the belt and conical pulley transmission 100 according to fig1 . these transmission ratio variations will adjust through axial shifting of the respectively axially displaceable conical pulley 102 or 103 . these transmission ratio variations lead to a displacement of the slide rail 104 on the support 105 towards the arrow a and to a tilt movement on the support 105 towards the arrow b . the slide rail 104 at the same time has a receiving area 106 that is formed between two tongues spaced apart , namely a first tongue 107 and a second tongue 108 . on the two tongues 107 , 108 , slide surfaces 109 are formed , on which the plate - link chain 101 can slide with its top side and underside , so that transverse oscillations of the plate - link chain 101 , thus oscillation transversely to the running direction , can be avoided . fig3 of the drawings features a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the slide rail 104 . as obviously evident , the slide rail 104 possesses a u - shaped receiving area 110 , by means of which the slide rail 104 on the support 105 depicted on fig2 of the drawing in form of a pipe piece disposed between the conical pulleys 102 and 103 and thus the mobility of the slide rail 104 clarified relatively in the drawing of the support 105 is provided for , and in addition , the slide rail 104 can also be displaced relatively to the support 105 , in that this can execute a relative movement on the support 105 out of the plane of the drawing of fig2 , thus it can be displaced axially on the support 105 . if a transmission ratio variation is carried out namely with the belt and conical pulley transmission 100 , then this leads to an axial displacement of the respectively displaceable conical pulley 102 or 103 relative to the fixed conical pulley . this axial displacement movement leads to a corresponding displacement movement of the plate - link chain 101 from the drawing plane of fig2 from or into the latter , thus perpendicularly to the drawing plane of fig2 . the slide rail 104 is now disposed with its receptacle 110 on the support 105 axially displaceably , thus on the support 105 there are no fastening means with which the receptacle 110 of the slide rail 104 is fixed axially on the support 105 , but rather the projecting described displacement movement of the plate - link chain 101 transversely to its circulation direction according to fig2 leads to a movement of the plate - link chain 101 in the receiving area 106 of the slide rail 104 in accordance with the double arrow d according to fig3 . in its circulation movement , the plate - link chain 101 with its underside slides on the slide surface 109 of the first tongue 107 and with its top side on the slide surface 109 of the second tongue 108 . in the disposition of the slide rail 104 depicted in fig2 of the drawing , this receives the tight - side of the plate - link chain 101 in the receiving area 106 so that transverse wrappings of the plate - link chain 101 by the contact between the plate - link chain and the slide surfaces 109 of the lower tongue 107 as well as the upper tongue 108 are avoided . if now the transmission ratio change of the belt and conical pulley transmission 100 comes to a displacement movement of the plate - link chain 101 towards the double arrow d according to fig3 , then the pressure pieces ( not more closely depicted ) of the plate - link chain 101 do not come in contact with the respectively formed guiding surface bodies 111 on the first tongue or lower tongue 107 and the second tongue and / or top tongue 108 , respectively . this means , in other words , that the largely perpendicular guiding surface bodies 111 formed on the first and second tongues feature guiding surfaces 112 on which the pressure pieces of the plate - link chain 101 come to rest such that between the pressure pieces and the guiding surfaces 112 an axial force is developed , which provides that the slide rail 104 with its receptacle 110 on the support 105 is displaced toward the axis of the support 105 and therefore in this axial movement towards the double arrow d according to fig3 of the contact surface between the underside of the plate - link chain 101 and / or the top side of the plate - link chain 101 are retained with the respective slide surfaces 109 of the lower and upper tongue 107 , 108 . as is evident based on fig4 of the drawing , the guiding surface 112 on the guiding surface body 111 is curved . it means , in other words , that in the run - in of the plate - link chain 101 in the receiving areas 106 a contact between the face surfaces of the pressure pieces of the plate - link chain 101 and the guiding surfaces 112 takes place , that is extensively free of an impact impulse , and leads to a slow development of a normal force between the pressure pieces and the guiding surfaces for so long until the slide rail 104 with its receptacle 110 moves axially on the support 105 , and thus , the movement of the slide rail 104 towards the axis of the support 105 with the corresponding movement of the plate - link chain 101 towards the axis of this support 105 corresponds . as fig4 of the drawings closely features , the first tongue 107 with respect to its flat extension is formed smaller than the second tongue 108 . this results , based on the cone angle of the conical pulleys 102 and 103 , because the first tongue 107 passes more closely to the respective conical pulleys than the second tongue 108 lying outside . as fig5 of the drawings features closely , the respective guiding surface 112 in the angle on the slide surface 109 whereby this angle corresponds largely to an angle α formed on the face surface of the pressure pieces ( not depicted more closely ) depicted of the plate - link chain , so that in the run - in of the pressure pieces of the plate - link chain 101 in the receiving area 106 of the slide rail 104 gradual development and more softly normal force development between the pressure pieces and the respective guiding surface 112 , up to the slide rail 104 with its receptacle 110 on the support 105 executes an axial displacement movement and thus the movement of the plate - link chain 101 in the direction of the double arrow d according to fig3 , thus transversely to the circulation direction of the plate - link chain 101 follows . fig6 is a sectional depiction in the area of the receptacle 110 transversely through the slide rail 104 . as in the exemplary embodiment according to fig3 to 5 , the slide rail 104 likewise features a first tongue 107 and a second tongue 108 . on the two - sided guiding surface bodies 111 , four guiding surfaces 114 are formed , which however touch the outwardly - facing surfaces of the chain links ( not shown here ). between the upper and lower guiding surfaces , a recess 115 is introduced in each of both guiding surface bodies 111 that are formed large , but which are formed so large that they carry the pressure pieces of the chain link without touching the guiding surface bodies 111 . in the transition areas between the slide surfaces of the tongues 107 and 108 and the guiding surfaces 114 , radii and / or undercuts can be provided . in the exemplary embodiments depicted in fig3 to 6 of the slide rail 104 according to this invention they consist of two halves . the slide rail , as can be seen on middle dividing joints , is divided in the longitudinal extension direction of the plate - link chain . both parts , which can be supplemented by further components , for example , consist of an injection - cast plastic and they can be put together by means of clip connections . obviously , also other materials and connection methods are applicable . as is evident on the basis of fig3 of the drawings , the slide surfaces 109 on the lower tongue 107 and on the upper tongue 108 respectively on the run - in side and run - out side is provided with a radius 113 that provides that when the plate - link chain 101 runs in the receiving area 106 a smooth run - up of the underside and top side of the plate - link chain 101 in the receiving area 106 occurs between both slide surfaces 109 of the slide rail 104 . since the slide rail 104 follows the axial displacement movement of the plate - link chain 101 for the change of the transmission ratio of the belt and conical pulley transmission 100 , the contact surface between the underside and top side of the plate - link chain 101 and the slide surfaces 109 on the slide rail 104 during the complete transmission ratio change of the belt and conical pulley transmission 100 according to the present invention remains free . this additionally leads to the surface pressures between the top and the underside of the plate - link chain 101 and the slide surfaces 109 of the slide rail 104 not changing during the transmission ratio change , thus , a uniform load of the slide surfaces is provided for and the wear problem on the slide surfaces is eliminated . with respect to the above features of the invention not clarified more closely , reference is drawn expressly to the claims and drawings .	5
the present apparatus and method provides for a uniform freezing (“ crusting ”) of the meat log to a selected depth from the meat log surface , preferably ¼ inch , which crusting is uniform throughout the surface of the meat log , in order to overcome the disadvantages of known apparatus and methods . freezing or crusting time for apparatus and process disclosed herein is about 1½ minutes to about 2 minutes . the apparatus provides a cylindrically shaped freezing section that crusts a meat log product uniformly and much more efficiently than known chilling tunnels . in one embodiment , an impinging - type gas flow is employed which is directed uniformly along an exterior surface of the meat log , disposed within a cylindrically shaped chamber , so that the high velocity and perpendicular impingement heat transfer is effected along the entire surface of the meat log . in an alternative embodiment , a cross - flow gas flow is used , wherein the gas moves at high velocities parallel to a surface or longitudinal axis of the meat log . this embodiment produces comparable surface heat transfer coefficients to that of the impingement heat transfer embodiment . each of the embodiments described provides for a very cold surface crust ( approximately ¼ inch deep ) to be rapidly achieved by the meat log . upon removal from the apparatus , the meat log can be sped to a high - speed slicer , wherein the crusting process permits a uniform , neat , and cost effective slicing operation . as an example , one embodiment of the apparatus and process utilizes impingement type gas flow of cryogen , such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen gas , in a straight pass - through configuration . the meat log is loaded into one end of the apparatus , and is removed with a full frozen crust at the opposite end . a plurality of screw - type conveyors may be used to convey the product through the freezing apparatus and process . this method is effective for freezing round , cylindrical shaped meat logs . as a result of the conveying process , the meat log is rotated while it is frozen , eliminating the need for a moving impingement cylinder . since meat logs are produced in a number of various cross - sectional shapes , other embodiments of the apparatus and process accommodate these shapes . the “ cryogen ” discussed in this specification may include solid or liquid carbon dioxide or nitrogen , provided by a cryogen supply and mixed with the respective cryogenic gas to form a cooling gas flow . in certain embodiments , the meat log is conveyed for crusting along a passage formed between a pair of dual hemispheres or impingement plates through which a cooling flow of a cryogen , such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen gas , is circulated to crust the meat log . in an alternative embodiment , the arrangement of the dual hemisphere impingement plates may be set off to the side , as opposed to being beneath the blower which circulates the cryogen . the conveyer in these embodiments may be a screw - type system , where the meat log has a circular cross - section . however , if the cross - section of the meat log is other than round , the conveyer may comprise belts . in yet another embodiment , the apparatus is inverted to facilitate cleaning beneath the apparatus , and between the apparatus and the underlying surface . in alternative embodiments , the blower may be opposite the slot so that gas is drawn through the cylinder . that is , the blower may be positioned at an exit of the impingement cylinder and the slot at an entrance to the impingement cylinder . in certain embodiments , a “ rotary type ” meat log crusting apparatus may be employed , again utilizing impingement type gas flow . the meat logs may be loaded and discharged at one port , for example by being placed in a stainless steel mesh basket , and being conveyed between two cylinders . one complete rotation will result in all surfaces of the product being frozen . centrifugal fans mounted to the sidewall of the freezer provide the high - pressure cryogen gas to the impingement cylinders . another “ rotary type ” apparatus embodiment utilizes cross - flow type gas movement . the meat log is conveyed along a similar path as described above . however , without using impingement cylinders , the total space required for freezing is significantly reduced . as in the above embodiment , the meat logs are conveyed in mesh baskets and centrifugal fans provide the necessary gas flows . the cryogen gas is forced along the surface of the meat log and is circulated back into the fans , as the process continues . food freezing apparatus and methods are disclosed in u . s . pat . nos . 4 , 803 , 851 ; 6 , 263 , 680 ; and 6 , 434 , 950 ; and in u . s . published patent application no . 2001 / 0025495 , all assigned to the boc group . these patents and application are incorporated by reference herein , as if fully written below . for a more complete understanding of the apparatus and process , reference may be had to fig1 to 11 shown in connection with the description of various the embodiments . the flow patterns of the various embodiments of the cruster apparatus are generally described in fig1 and 2 . the cylinders 12 and 16 are used for exemplary purposes to illustrate the flow patterns used to freeze the surface layers of the rte meat logs in the various embodiments of the apparatus and process . in fig1 the surface layer of an rte meat log 13 is frozen to a specified depth with impingement flow of a cooling flow . for example , the cylinder 12 is provided with holes 14 up and down its length , and the holes 14 provide for communication between the interior cavity 37 and exterior of the cylinder 12 . therefore , when the cooling flow is directed toward the cylinder 12 , it is focused by the holes 14 into various cooling jets 15 . inside the cylinder 12 , the cooling jets 15 are perpendicular to the exterior of the rte meat log 13 . as the cooling jets 15 impinge the exterior of the rte meat log 13 , the cooling jets 15 absorb heat , and subsequently freeze the surface layer of the rte meat log 13 . the impingement flow as described hereinabove is used in the first , second , third , and fourth embodiments described hereinafter , to freeze the surface layer of the rte meat logs . in fig2 , the surface layer of an rte meat log 17 is frozen to a specified depth with cross flow of a cooling flow 18 . for example , the cylinder 16 is provided with a slot 19 , and the slot 19 allows for communication between the interior cavity 37 and exterior of the cylinder 16 . therefore , when the cooling flow 18 is directed toward the cylinder 16 , it enters the slot 19 , and moves at a high velocity parallel to the exterior of and along the longitudinal axis of the rte meat logs 17 . as the cooling flow 18 is applied to the exterior of the rte meat log 17 , the cooling flow 18 absorbs heat , and subsequently freezes the surface layer of the rte meat log 17 . the cross flow as described hereinabove is used in the fifth embodiment of the apparatus and process to freeze the surface layer of the rte meat logs . as shown in fig3 and 4 , the first embodiment of the cruster using impingement flow is generally indicated by the numeral 20 . the impingement cruster 20 includes a refrigeration shell 21 having a ceiling 22 , a floor 23 , and side walls 24 and 25 . the refrigeration shell 21 has an entrance 26 and exit 27 , and functions as a tunnel freezer for freezing the surface layer of the rte meat log 30 . extending through the ceiling 22 is a motor shaft 31 attached to a motor 32 . the motor 32 is located on the exterior surface of the ceiling 22 , and is provided with an electrical supply ( not shown ). the motor 32 drives a blower assembly 33 , and the blower assembly 33 includes an impeller 34 and a volute 35 . the blower assembly 33 is attached to an impingement shell 40 using a shroud 36 , and is used to circulate and re - circulate gas around the impingement shell 40 . the impingement shell 40 is formed from hemispherical impingement plates 41 and 42 , and is supported in the interior of the refrigeration shell 21 using support legs 38 and 39 . as shown in fig3 , the impingement shell 40 is cylindrically shaped to accommodate the cylindrical shape of the rte meat log 30 . that is , the hemispherical impingement plates 41 and 42 effectively envelop the cylindrical shape of the rte meat log 30 . however , the impingement shell 40 can be adapted to accommodate rte meat logs having different shapes . as shown in fig4 , the impingement shell 40 extends through the longitudinal length of the refrigeration shell 21 . furthermore , as shown in fig3 , a conveyer system 44 consisting of two rotating screws 45 and 46 is provided on the interior cavity 37 of the impingement shell 40 . the rotating screws 45 and 46 support the rte meat log 30 inside the impingement shell 40 , and are used to convey the rte meat log 30 along the longitudinal lengths of the refrigeration shell 21 and impingement shell 40 . furthermore , as the rotating screws 45 and 46 move the rte meat log 30 through the impingement shell 40 , the rotating screws 45 and 46 simultaneously rotate the rte meat log 30 . the rotation of the rte meat log 30 allows a cooling flow 47 supplied by the blower assembly 33 to be applied uniformly to the exterior of the rte meat log 30 . for example , the impingement shell 40 is provided with holes ( or apertures ) 48 , and these holes 48 allow the cooling flow 47 to enter , and be spread throughout the interior cavity 37 of impingement shell 40 . the cooling jet pattern 50 created by cooling flow 47 inside the impingement shell 40 is shown in fig3 . various cooling jets are formed as the cooling flow 47 passes through the holes 48 . the cooling flow 47 may comprise a cryogenic gas ( co or n 2 ), and the heat of the rte meat log 30 is absorbed when the cooling flow 47 impinges the exterior of the rte meat log 30 . as such , the uniform application of the cooling jet pattern 50 to the exterior of the rte meat log 30 uniformly freezes the surface layer of the rte meat log 30 to a selected depth . in practice , the rte meat log 30 is loaded onto the conveyer system 44 and into the impingement shell 40 at the entrance 26 of the refrigeration shell 21 , and is subsequently removed from the exit 27 with a frozen surface layer . after the cooling jet pattern 50 is applied to the exterior of the rte meat log 30 , the reflected gas flow 51 is drawn by the impeller 34 into the blower assembly 33 , and is subsequently re - circulated . for example , the impeller draws the reflected gas flow 51 into the shroud 36 . the shroud 36 communicates with the interior cavity 37 of the impingement shell 40 , and encloses an opening therein . after entering the shroud 36 , the impeller 34 draws the reflected gas flow 51 through the volute 35 . the volute 35 acts as the entrance to the impeller 34 . after entering the impeller 34 , the reflected gas flow 51 is mixed with the above - discussed cryogen , and subsequently re - circulated as the cooling flow 47 . attached to the exterior of the impingement shell 40 are vibrators 56 and 57 . the vibrators 56 and 57 can be pneumatically or mechanically actuated , and are used to prevent snow and ice from building up inside the holes provided in the impingement shell 40 . the frequency and time intervals of the vibrations provided by the vibrators 56 and 57 are dependent on the process conditions , including the moisture content of the rte meat log 30 , the humidity of the ambient air in and outside the refrigeration shell 21 , and the temperature on the interior of the refrigeration shell 21 . as shown in fig5 , the second embodiment of the cruster apparatus using impingement flow is generally indicated by the numeral 60 . the impingement cruster 60 includes a refrigeration shell 61 having a ceiling 62 , a floor 63 , and side walls 64 and 65 . like refrigeration shell 21 , the refrigeration shell 61 functions as a tunnel freezer for freezing the surface layer of an rte meat log 30 is frozen . however , unlike the refrigeration shell 21 , the motor shaft 31 extends through the floor 63 . the motor shaft 31 is attached to a motor 32 , and the motor 32 is located on the exterior surface of the floor 63 . as such , the legs 66 and 67 support the refrigeration shell 61 , and provided clearance for the motor 32 . like the impingement cruster 20 , the motor 32 in the impingement cruster 60 drives the blower assembly 33 , and the blower assembly 33 is used to circulate and re - circulate gas around the impingement shell 40 . however , in the impingement cruster 60 and refrigeration shell 61 , the blower assembly 33 is inverted . for example , a support plate 68 is provided inside the refrigeration shell 61 . the support plate 68 extends between the side walls 64 and 65 , and carries the support legs ( not shown ) supporting the impingement shell 40 . consequently , the volute 35 is provided below the support plate 68 , the shroud 36 is provided above the support plate 68 , and a opening ( not shown ) in the support plate allows the volute 35 and shroud 36 to communicate . other than the different configuration , the impingement cruster 60 operates like the impingement cruster 20 . that is , as the rte meat log 30 is conveyed and rotated by the conveyer system , the cooling flow supplied by the blower assembly 33 enters the impingement shell 40 , and a cooling jet pattern is applied uniformly to the exterior of the rte meat log 30 . the uniform application of the cooling jet pattern to the exterior of the rte meat log 30 uniformly freezes the surface layer of the rte meat log 30 to a selected depth . after the cooling jet pattern impinges the exterior of the rte meat log 30 , the reflected gas flow is drawn by the impeller 34 through the shroud 36 into the volute 25 , and is subsequently re - circulated by the blower assembly 33 . as shown in fig6 and 7 , the third embodiment of the cruster apparatus using impingement flow is generally indicated by the numeral 70 . the impingement cruster 70 includes a refrigeration shell 71 having a ceiling 72 , a floor 73 , and side walls 74 and 75 . like refrigeration shells 21 and 61 , the refrigeration shell 71 functions as a tunnel freezer for freezing the surface layer of an rte meat log 30 . furthermore , like the refrigeration shell 21 , but unlike the refrigeration shell 61 , the motor shaft 31 extends through the ceiling 72 . the motor shaft 31 is attached to a motor 32 , and the motor 32 is located on the exterior surface of the ceiling 72 . like the impingement crusters 20 and 60 , the motor 32 in the impingement cruster 70 drives the blower assembly 33 , and the blower assembly 33 is used to circulate and re - circulate gas around the impingement shell 40 . however , in the impingement cruster 70 and refrigeration shell 71 , a low pressure plenum 76 and shroud 77 are used . for example , the impingement shell 40 is attached to the low pressure plenum 76 using brackets 78 . the shroud 77 provides for communication between the interior cavity 37 of the impingement shell 40 and the low pressure plenum 76 . when operating , the cooling flow supplied by the blower assembly 33 enters the impingement shell 40 through holes 48 to create cooling jet pattern 50 . the uniform application of the cooling jet pattern 50 the exterior of the rte meat log 30 uniformly freezes the surface layer of the rte meat log 30 to a selected depth . furthermore , after the cooling jet pattern 50 is applied to the exterior of the rte meat log 30 , the reflected gas flow is drawn by the impeller 34 into the lower pressure plenum 76 through the shroud 77 , and is subsequently re - circulated by the blower assembly 33 . as shown in fig8 and 9 , the fourth embodiment of the cruster apparatus using impingement flow is generally indicated by the numeral 100 . the impingement cruster 100 includes a cube - shaped refrigeration shell 101 having a ceiling 102 , a floor 103 and side walls 104 , 105 , 106 and 107 . the impingement cruster 100 is supported by pedestals 108 and 109 attached to the exterior surface of the floor 103 . extending through the side wall 107 are motor shafts 112 and 113 attached to motors 114 and 115 . the motors 114 and 115 are located on the exterior surface of the side wall 107 , and are provided with an electrical supply ( not shown ). the motors 114 and 115 are used to rotate blowers 116 and 117 attached to the motor shafts 112 and 113 . as will be discussed hereinbelow , the blowers 116 and 117 are used to circulate and re - circulate gas around the interior of the refrigeration shell 101 . supported on the interior of the refrigeration shell 101 is a cup - shaped impinger 118 . the cup - shaped impinger 118 is partially formed from concentric impingement cylinders 120 and 121 . as shown in fig9 , the impingement cylinder 120 has a larger diameter than impingement cylinder 121 . furthermore , the impingement cylinder 120 also has a longer length than the impingement cylinder 121 . to form the cup shape of the cup - shaped impinger 118 , the space between the impingement cylinders 120 and 121 is enclosed using a ring - shaped plate 124 , and circular - shaped plates 125 and 126 . for example , the ring - shaped plate 124 is joined to the diameters of the impingement cylinders 120 and 121 , and encloses one end of the cup - shaped impinger 118 . furthermore , to enclose the other end of the cup - impinger 118 , the circular - shaped plate 125 is joined around the circumference of the impingement cylinder 120 and the circular - shaped plate 126 is joined around the circumference of the impingement cylinder 121 . as such , the impingement cylinders 120 and 121 , along with the ring - shaped plate 124 and the circular plates 125 and 126 form the cup - shaped impinger 118 . like the above - referenced impingement shell 40 , the cup - shaped impinger 118 is provided with holes 128 . the holes 128 extend through the impingement cylinders 120 and 121 , and allow for communication between the interior of the refrigeration shell 101 and the interior of the impinger 118 . supported on the interior of the cup - shaped impinger 118 is a drive wheel 131 . the drive wheel 131 supports a plurality of conveying baskets 132 at various positions around the circumference of the cup - shaped impinger 118 . the conveying baskets 132 are hinged to the drive wheel 131 , and , like the baskets of a ferris wheel , the orientation of the conveying baskets 132 adjusts with respect to the drive wheel 131 as the drive wheel 131 rotates . the conveying baskets 132 are composed of wire mesh , and , as shown in fig9 , extend through the interior of the cup - shaped impinger 118 . carried by each of the conveying baskets 132 are rte meat logs 133 . the individual conveying baskets 132 are adapted to accommodate the shape of the rte meat logs 133 . consequently , as the drive wheel 131 rotates , the conveying baskets 132 and rte meat logs 133 are rotated within the interior of the cup - shaped impinger 131 . as will be discussed hereinbelow , the rotation of the drive wheel allows the surface layer of the rte meat logs 133 to be frozen . as the drive wheel rotates inside the cup - shaped impinger 118 , cooling flows 134 and 135 are provided by the blowers 116 and 117 . the cooling flows 134 and 135 circulate around the interior of the refrigeration shell 101 and the exterior of the cup - shaped impinger 118 , and ultimately enter the interior of the cup - shaped impinger 118 through holes 128 . as the cooling flows 134 and 135 enter the holes 128 various cooling jets ( not shown ) are formed . the cooling jets ultimately impinge the exterior of the rte meat log 133 . the cooling flows 134 and 135 consist of a cryogenic gas ( co or n 2 ), and the heat from the rte meat logs 133 is absorbed when cooling jets formed from the cooling flows 134 and 135 are applied to the exterior of the rte meat logs 133 . an inlet 136 and an outlet ( not shown ) are provided near the bottom of the refrigeration shell 101 , and a conveyer system 138 extends therethrough . the inlet 136 allows rte meat logs 133 to be loaded and the outlet allows rte meat logs 133 to be unloaded via the conveyer system 138 into the conveying baskets 132 . as such , the conveying system effectively allows the individual rte meat logs 133 to be loaded and subsequently unloaded from the conveying baskets 132 as the drive wheel 131 rotates between various positions . in practice , each of the rte meat logs 133 is loaded into the conveyor baskets 132 via the conveyor system 138 at the inlet 136 . the rotation of the drive wheel 131 , enables each of the rte meat logs 133 to complete at least one rotation around the interior of the cup - shaped impinger 118 . during the rotation of the rte logs 133 around the interior of the cup - shaped impinger 118 , the uniform application of the cooling flows 134 and 135 to the exterior of the rte meat logs 133 uniformly freezes the surface layer of the rte meat logs 133 to a selected depth . after at least one rotation around the interior of the cup - shaped impinger 118 , each of the rte meat logs 133 is unloaded from the conveying baskets 132 at the outlet . as described hereinabove , the cooling jets formed from the cooling flows 134 and 135 freeze the surface layer of the rte meat logs 133 . however , after the cooling jets impinge the exterior of the rte meat logs 133 , the reflected gas flows 140 and 141 are drawn from the interior of the cup - shaped impinger 118 through the holes 142 and 143 and into the blowers 116 and 117 . the holes 142 and 143 are provided in the circular - shaped plate 125 , and allow the reflected gas flows 140 and 141 to enter the blowers 116 and 117 to be re - circulated as cooling flows 134 and 135 . as shown in fig1 and 11 , the fifth embodiment of the cruster apparatus using cross flow is generally indicated by the numeral 200 . the cruster 200 includes a box - shaped refrigeration shell 201 having a ceiling 202 , a floor 203 and side walls 204 , 205 , 206 and 207 . the cruster 200 is supported by pedestals 208 and 209 attached to exterior surface of the floor 203 . extending through the side wall 207 are motor shafts 212 , 213 , and 214 attached to motors 216 , 217 , and 218 . the motors 216 , 217 , and 218 are located on the exterior surface of the side wall 207 , and are provided with an electrical supply ( not shown ). the motors 216 , 217 , and 218 are used to rotate blowers 220 , 221 , and 222 attached to the motor shafts 212 , 213 , and 214 . as will be discussed hereinbelow , the blowers 220 , 221 , and 222 are used to circulate and re - circulate gas around the interior of the refrigeration shell 101 . supported on the interior of the refrigeration shell 201 is an oval - shaped plate 225 with holes 226 , 227 , and 228 . extending from the perimeter of the oval - shaped plate 225 is an elongated shell 230 having an oval cross - section . furthermore , provided adjacent the blowers 220 , 221 , and 222 is an oval - shaped baffle 231 . supported on the interior of the refrigeration shell 201 is a drive wheel 241 . the drive wheel 241 supports a plurality of conveying baskets 242 at various positions . the conveying baskets 242 are hinged to the drive wheel 241 , and , like the baskets of a ferris wheel , the orientation of the conveying baskets 242 adjusts with respect to the drive wheel 241 as the drive wheel 241 rotates . the conveying baskets 242 are composed of wire mesh , and , as shown in fig1 and 11 , are encapsulated inside the elongated shell 230 along with the drive wheel 241 . carried by each of the conveying baskets 242 are rte meat logs 243 . the individual conveying baskets 242 are adapted to accommodate the shape of the rte meat logs 243 . like the conveying baskets 132 , the conveying baskets 242 are composed of wire mesh . as will be discussed hereinbelow , as the drive wheel 241 rotates , the conveying baskets 132 and rte meat logs 243 are rotated within the interior of the elongated shell 230 , and the rotation of the drive wheel 241 allows the surface layer of the rte meat logs 243 to be frozen . as the drive wheel rotates inside the elongated shell 230 , a cooling flow 244 is provided by the blowers 220 , 221 , and 222 . the cooling flow 244 circulates around the inside of the elongated shell 230 . for example , the oval - shaped baffle 231 causes the cooling flow 244 to be directed outwardly from the blowers 220 , 221 , and 222 toward the conveying baskets 242 and rte meat logs 243 . however , the elongated shell 230 captures the cooling flow 244 , and ensures that the cooling flow is adequately applied to the rte meat logs 243 . the cooling flow 244 is a cross flow which moves at a high velocity parallel to the exterior along the longitudinal axis of the rte meat logs 243 . as shown in fig1 , parts of the cooling flow 244 are disposed adjacent the conveying baskets 242 and rte meat logs 243 . the cooling flow 244 consists of a cryogenic gas ( co or n 2 ), and the heat from the rte meat logs 243 is absorbed when the cooling flow 244 is applied to the exterior of the rte meat logs 243 . overall , the heat transfer coefficients of the cooling flow 244 is comparable to the heat transfer coefficients of the cooling jets formed from the cooling flows 134 and 135 when using impingement flow . an inlet 246 and an outlet ( not shown ) are provided near the bottom of the refrigeration shell 201 , and a conveyer system 248 extends therethrough . the inlet 246 allows rte meat logs 243 to be loaded and the outlet allows rte meat logs 243 to be unloaded via the conveyer system 248 into the conveying baskets 242 . as such , the conveying system effectively allows the individual rte meat logs 243 to be loaded and subsequently unloaded from the conveying baskets 242 as the drive wheel rotates between various positions . in practice , each of the rte meat logs 243 are loaded into the conveyor baskets 242 via the conveyor system 248 at the inlet 246 . the rotation of the drive wheel 241 , enables each of the rte meat logs 243 complete at least one rotation around the inside of the elongated shell 230 . during the rotation of the rte logs 243 around the inside of the elongated shell 230 , the uniform application of the cooling flow 244 to the exterior of the rte meat logs 243 uniformly freezes the surface layer of the rte meat logs 243 to a selected depth . after at least one rotation around the inside of the elongated shell 230 , each of the rte meat logs 243 are unloaded from the conveying baskets 242 at the outlet . as described hereinabove , the cooling flow 244 freezes the surface layer of the rte meat logs 243 . however , after the cooling flow 244 is applied to the exterior of the rte meat logs 243 , the remaining gas flows 250 and 251 flow around the outside of the elongated shell 230 and into the blowers 220 , 221 , and 222 . the holes 226 , 227 , and 228 allow the remaining gas flows 250 and 251 to pass into the blowers 220 , 221 , and 222 , and be re - circulated as cooling flow 244 . each of the embodiments of the cruster apparatus act to rapidly freeze the surface layer of the rte meat logs to approximately 0 . 25 inch deep . upon removal from the various embodiments , the rte meat logs can be transferred to a cutting blade to be sliced . the frozen surface layer of the rte meat logs allows for a uniform , neat , and cost - effective slicing operation as described hereinabove . all dimensions and parameters discussed with respect to all the embodiments are by way of example and not limitation . it will be appreciated that other sizes and shapes of the apparatus and its component parts may be employed . although the invention has been described in detail through the above detailed description and the preceding examples , these examples are for the purpose of illustration only and it is understood that variations and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention . it should be understood that the embodiments described above are not only in the alternative , but can be combined .	0

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