1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to composite materials technology, and more specifically to a relatively light-weight, inexpensive, durable, high performance structural laminate composite material for use to 1000xc2x0 F., and above, which can advantageously be used in high temperature environments. More particularly, the preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a graphite-fiber/phenolic-resin composite material which retains relatively high strength and modulus of elasticity at temperatures as high as 1,000xc2x0 F. (538xc2x0 C.). The material costs only 5 to 20 percent as much as refractory materials do. The fabrication of the composite includes a curing process in which the application of full autoclave pressure is delayed until after the phenolic resin gels. This modified curing process allows moisture to escape, so that when the composite is subsequently heated in service, there will be much less expansion of absorbed moisture and thus much less of a tendency toward delamination. In contrast, internal pressure caused by the expansion of moisture absorbed in other prior art composite materials like prior art graphite/epoxies and prior art graphite/polyimides causes delamination at temperatures in the range of 500 to 700xc2x0 F. (260 to 370xc2x0 C.).
2. General Background
At the request of NASA/MSFC, Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems has performed an extensive development/verification activity for a composite nose cone for the external tank (ET). At the time of the initiation of this effort, there was no materials technology available to provide a nose cone which could withstand the high heating and structural loading of the ET nose cone without (a) requiring the use of secondary heat shield materials, (b) increasing the weight of the existing nose cone, and (c) significantly increasing the cost over the existing nose cone cost. There were high temperature polymeric composite materials available; however, none met all requirements. Carbon/phenolic laminates have been proven in rocket nozzle applications to be able to withstand extreme heating conditions; however, these materials did not possess the specific strength and stiffness required for a weight-effective structure. Also, recent data shows that the materials on the market today have the potential to xe2x80x9cply lift,xe2x80x9d or delaminate due to internal pressure caused by absorbed moisture, at about 500xc2x0 F. Graphite/polyimide laminates showed promising mechanical properties, but suffered from the moisture-induced delamination problem (also known as xe2x80x9cthermal shockxe2x80x9d) at temperatures below 700xc2x0 F. in laminates of the thickness required for a composite nose cone. Other technologies such as ceramic matrix composites and carbon/carbon were considered too expensive for this application. Therefore, a program was initiated to develop laminate material which could meet all requirements.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,386 for xe2x80x9cAblative Nose Tips and Method for their Manufacturexe2x80x9d discloses in Example II heating graphite yarn impregnated with phenolic resin slowly to 160xc2x0 F. to slowly evaporate solvent from the resin (see column 8, lines 16-18).
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,100,322 and 4,215,161 for xe2x80x9cFiber-Resin-Carbon Composites and Method of Fabricationxe2x80x9d disclose impregnating graphite yarn with phenolic resin under vacuum and a temperature of about 150xc2x0 F. until the solvent has gone and the resin gels, then further heating the composite to cure it. However, the solvent stripping process was interrupted twice and each time pressure of 200 psig was applied to the composite material. It is then subjected to pyrolysis, and then pores of the composite are impregnated with phenolic resin. After this, the phenolic resin is cured at about 350xc2x0 F. The resulting structure is said to be graphite/carbon/phenolic composite, and its porosity is disclosed to be 4%. A carbon/carbon/phenolic composite described therein is said to have a porosity of 5.8%.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,624 for xe2x80x9cHybrid and Unidirectional Carbon-Carbon Fiber Reinforced Laminate Compositesxe2x80x9d discloses a method similar to the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,100,322 and 4,215,161 (and with similar materials), but one in which more resin is added and pyrolized up to 5 times. This patent points out at column 2, line 50 through column 3, line 2 that it is important to properly initially cure laminate materials to provide interconnecting pores which allow the escape of gases formed during post-cure pyrolysis.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,801 for xe2x80x9cAdvance Composites with Thermoplastic Particles at the Interface Between Layersxe2x80x9d discloses a resin-impregnated fiber layer with outer layers of resin thereon. The fiber can comprise, for example, graphite.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,547 for xe2x80x9cToughened Resins and Compositesxe2x80x9d discloses a composite in which a porous membrane film of thermoplastic material is sandwiched between two layers of resin-impregnated fibers, and then the composite is cured in an autoclave, for example. The resin can be, for example, phenolic resin.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,850 for xe2x80x9cSelf Venting Carbon or Graphite Phenolic Ablativesxe2x80x9d discloses a resin-impregnated reinforcing cloth made of, for example, graphite fibers with degradable fibers interwoven therewith. The degradable fibers are chosen such that they degrade at a temperature of about 400xc2x0 F. to 500xc2x0 F. so that they will provide passageways for the gaseous decomposition products produced as the resin matrix approaches the char temperature. In this patent, foreign material is introduced to create porosity. The fabric weave is altered by introducing a low-temperature degradable thread which may not assure fabric strength properties. The porosity which is created by this process is uniform. There is a definite pattern when the foreign material is replaced by voids. It is believed that the addition of these special degradable fibers will add to the cost of the material. Further, it is believed that in some cases the degradable fibers might not burn away before the plies blow apart.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,500 for xe2x80x9cMethod of Producing Light-Weight High-Strength Stiff Panesxe2x80x9d discloses a panel made by a pair of surface members separated and supported by an internal core in which spaces or interconnected pores provide vents to an edge of the panel so that gas can flow through the vents during a pyrolysis process. The vents are on the order of 10 mm in diameter.
None of these patents discloses a composite material with a weight, thickness, structural performance, and pore structure as advantageous for use in a nose cone of the external tank of the space shuttle, or other high temperature structural applications, as the material of the present invention.
A novel materials technology has been developed and demonstrated for providing a high modulus composite material for use to 1000xc2x0 F. The material of the present invention can be produced at 5-20% of the cost of refractory materials, and has higher structural properties. This technology successfully resolves the problem of xe2x80x9cthermal shockxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cply lift,xe2x80x9d which limits traditional high temperature laminates (such as graphite/polyimide and graphite/phenolic) to temperatures of 550-650xc2x0 F. in thicker (0.25xe2x80x3 and above) laminates. The technology disclosed herein is an enabling technology for the nose for the External Tank (ET) of the Space Shuttle, and has been shown to be capable of withstanding the severe environments encountered by the nose cone through wind tunnel testing, high temperature subcomponent testing, and full scale structural, dynamic, acoustic, and damage tolerance testing.
In the present invention, cure conditions (temperature, pressure, vacuum) and cure apparatus (specific vacuum bag methodology) are manipulated to produce a graphite/phenolic composite laminate with a permeable microstructure comprising an interconnected network of pores which allows moisture to escape from the composite material when the composite material is heated; this helps prevent delamination (xe2x80x9cply liftxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cthermal shockxe2x80x9d) when the material is heated to temperatures above 500xc2x0 F. The graphite/phenolic composite of the present invention can be used for components for applications requiring high strength and stiffness upon exposure to very high heating (e.g. rocket nozzles for missiles or launch boosters, fire walls, heat shields, circuit boards, secondary structure on missiles or launch vehicles which see high aerodynamic heating, and parts to be used on the leading edge of aerodynamic products (airplanes, jets, rockets, fuel tanks for aerospace structures, etc.)).
The present invention comprises a method of producing a composite material, comprising the steps of:
impregnating a fiber material with a resin to create a resin-impregnated fiber material;
without applying pressure, heating the resin-impregnated fiber material under vacuum at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient amount of time until the resin gels; and
applying temperature (and, optionally, pressure) for a sufficient period to cure the resin-impregnated fiber material. The starting percentage by weight of fiber material (before being cured) is preferably 30-80%, with the balance resin. The resulting porosity of the composite material is preferably at least 3% by volume, more preferably about 3-25% by volume, and most preferably about 7-14% by volume.
The preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention of producing a composite material comprises the steps of:
(i) impregnating a graphite fiber material with a phenolic resin to create a resin-impregnated fiber material, in a ratio of 30-80% by weight graphite fiber and 20-70% by weight phenolic resin;
(ii) placing the resin-impregnated fiber in an autoclave or oven;
(iii) applying full vacuum and/or pressure;
(iv) raising the temperature to cause the resin to flow and initiate cure,
(v) holding the material at a temperature to allow gellation of resin while volatiles are being released;
(vi) raising the temperature for final cure if required;
(vii) cooling the material;
(viii) removing the material from the autoclave or oven;
(ix) post-curing the composite laminate material removed from the autoclave, if required.
The present invention includes the composite material made by the method of the present invention disclosed herein, as well as a composite material, produced by any method, having a composition and structure which is the same as the composite material produced by the method of the present invention disclosed herein.
The material of the present invention comprises a high performance structural laminate composite material for use in high temperature applications, consisting essentially of resin-impregnated fiber, the resin-impregnated fiber consisting essentially of:
(a) preferably 50-80% by weight fiber, and
(b) preferably 20-50% by weight cured resin, the composite material having:
(c) a permeability sufficient to allow moisture to escape from the composite material, without causing plylift, when the composite material is heated to temperatures up to 1000xc2x0 F. More preferably, the permeability is sufficient to allow moisture to escape from the composite material, without causing plylift, even when the composite material is heated to temperatures above 1000xc2x0 F. The material of the present invention has a microscopic construction which provides permeability that is sufficient to allow moisture to escape therefrom as it is heated to temperatures up to 1000xc2x0 F. and above without exhibiting ply-lift.
The composite material preferably has an across-ply permeability having a Darcys constant of at least 10xe2x88x9215 cm2. More preferably, the across-ply permeability of the composite material has a Darcy""s constant of at least 10xe2x88x9214 cm2. Most preferably, the across-ply permeability of the composite material has a Darcy""s constant of at least 10xe2x88x9213 cm2.
The material of the present invention comprises a high performance structural laminate composite material for use in high temperature applications, consisting essentially of phenolic resin-impregnated graphite fiber, the phenolic resin-impregnated graphite fiber consisting essentially of:
(a) preferably 50-80% by weight graphite fiber; and
(b) preferably 20-50% by weight cured phenolic resin, the composite material having:
(c) a permeability sufficient to provide a network of pores which allows moisture to escape from the composite material, without causing plylift, when the composite material is heated.
The percentage by weight of graphite fiber is more preferably 60-80%, and the percentage by weight of cured phenolic resin is more preferably 20-40%. Most preferably, the percentage by weight of graphite fiber cloth is 65-75%, and the percentage by weight of cured phenolic resin is 25-35%.
Preferably, the porosity is 3-25% by volume. Most preferably, the porosity is 7-14% by volume.
Preferably, the compressive strength of the material after exposure to temperatures above 700xc2x0 F. for several minutes is at least 50% of the compressive strength of the material immediately after being cured, the shear strength of the material after exposure to temperatures above 700xc2x0 F. for several minutes is at least 50% of the shear strength of the material immediately after being cured, and the compressive strength of the material at 900xc2x0 F. is at least 25% of the compressive strength of the material at room temperature.
The graphite fiber cloth was selected to have a combination of high strength, high modulus, good thermo-oxidative stability, and moderate cost. The optimum fiber type to provide this balance is a fiber made from a polyacrylynitrile (PAN) precursor, such as the Toho G30-5001 fiber used in the development documented herein. Similar fibers are Hercules AS4 and IM-7, and Amoco T300, T650-35, and T650-45. Fiber types which were not selected were fibers based on pitch precursors (e.g., Amoco P-75 and P-100), or fibers based on rayon precursors. Pitch based fibers are much more expensive and do not have adequate strength. Rayon based fibers do not have the desired strength or modulus. The selected fiber was woven into an 8-harness satin fabric to facilitate part fabrication. The selected fiber can be, for example, an eight-harness fabric woven from Toho G-30/500-3K graphite fiber. The resin is advantageously selected from a group consisting of phenolics, bismaleimides (BMIs), polyimides, cyanate esters, epoxies, or any blend of these resins. The resin can comprise Cytec 506 phenolic resin.
Preferably, the graphite fiber material has a minimum tensile strength of at least 300 KSI, more preferably at least 400 KSI, and most preferably at least 500 KSI, a minimum modulus of at least 20 MSI, more preferably at least 25 MSI, and most preferably at least 30 MSI, and relatively low cost. Most preferably, the resin is phenolic resin.
The material can consist of phenolic resin-impregnated graphite fiber cloth, and the phenolic resin-impregnated graphite fiber cloth can consist of graphite fiber cloth and cured phenolic resin.
The present invention also includes apparatus comprising a component which requires high strength and stiffness upon short term exposure to very high heating, made of the material of the present invention. The component can be a rocket nozzle, a part for an aerodynamic vehicle, or some other component exposed to high heating. The component can be part of a fire wall or heat shield.
Further, the present invention comprises vacuum bag apparatus for producing a composite laminate material having a network of pores. This vacuum bag apparatus can comprise:
(a) a base for receiving the laminate material thereon;
(b) a non-stick layer to be received on the laminate material for helping to prevent the laminate material from sticking to layers above the non-stick layer;
(c) a first volatiles flow and resin retaining layer above the non-stick layer for allowing volatiles, but not the majority of the resin, to escape from the laminate material through the first volatiles flow and resin retaining layer as heat is applied and the vacuum is drawn in the bag apparatus;
(d) a bleeder layer on the first volatiles flow and resin retaining layer for absorbing most of the resin which flows through the first volatiles flow and resin retaining layer;
(e) a second volatiles flow and resin retaining layer on the bleeder layer for allowing volatiles, but very little resin, to flow through the bleeder layer as heat is applied and the vacuum is drawn in the vacuum bag apparatus;
(f) a first gas-flow layer on the second volatiles flow and resin retaining layer for allowing gas to flow evenly through the vacuum bag apparatus when a vacuum is drawn in the apparatus;
(g) a lateral gas-flow layer surrounding the laminate material to ensure that volatiles can flow out of the laminate in virtually any direction;
(h) a vacuum bag layer attached to the base in an air-tight manner, the base and the vacuum bag layer enclosing the laminate material and the non-stick layer, the first volatiles flow and resin retaining layer, the bleeder layer, the second volatiles flow and resin retaining layer, the gas-flow layer, and the lateral gas-flow layer. In certain circumstances, one or more of the layers can be omitted, as described further below. The vacuum bag apparatus preferably also comprises a port in the vacuum bag layer communicating with a vacuum source for allowing a vacuum to be pulled in the bag. In a room at standard temperature and pressure, the vacuum causes a pressure of about 15 psi to be applied to the laminate in the vacuum bag. The application of additional pressure may not be a necessary step to make the present invention work.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a high-strength, low weight, high temperature material which has sufficient permeability to allow moisture to exit therefrom, even when the material has a thickness of more than 0.40xe2x80x3, when heated to temperatures of above 500xc2x0 F., without damaging the internal structure of the material.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a high-strength, low weight, high temperature material which has sufficient permeability to allow moisture to exit therefrom, even when the material has a thickness of more than 0.40xe2x80x3, when heated to temperatures of above 1000xc2x0 F., without damaging the internal structure of the material.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of making such material.
A further object of the present invention is to provide components made of such material.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a material which can withstand the high heating and structural loading of the ET nose cone without (a) requiring the use of secondary heat shield materials, (b) increasing the weight of the existing nose cone, and (c) significantly increasing the cost over the existing nose cone cost.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an ET nose cone made of this material.
Unlike many prior art methods of producing composite material, in the method of the present invention, there is no pyrolizing step (the composite material of the present invention is not pyrolized). In the method of the present invention, unlike the method of U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,850: no foreign material is introduced to create porosity; the fabric weave is not altered and areal weight of fabric is constant, which assures strength properties; the porosity which is created by the process of the present invention is random and spread over the composite laminate; no material is decomposed by the method of the present invention; and the cost of creating the porosity is relatively low.
Because of the high permeability of the material of the present invention, it is believed by the inventors that there will be no ply lift at any thickness, whether the laminate is at least 0.1 inch thick, at least 0.2 inch thick, at least 0.4 inch thick, or even more than 4 inches thick.
Although the specific examples described herein relate to graphite fiber and phenolic resin, other appropriate fibers and resins could be used in conjunction with the present invention.


Commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,015,062; 7,069,763; 7,370,507 and published application US2006-0011633 and disclose containers/cans and caps therefor, tooling for making the can bodies and caps, and the method or processes of making cans that employ a reclosable cap. The disclosure of each of these U.S. patents and published applications is incorporated herein by reference. Heretofore, this technology has been used to manufacture new can bodies and oftentimes includes the manufacture of a separate dome that is connected or seamed to the open end of a main can body. The dome in an exemplary arrangement typically has a conical tapering conformation that narrows to an opening that receives a removable cap. To retain the cap in closed relation with the opening, external thread portions are provided adjacent one end of the dome about an outer periphery of the opening. These thread portions are selectively engaged by thread lugs that extend from an inner peripheral portion of a cap rim to draw a cap into sealed, reclosable engagement with the periphery of the opening. In other instances, the thread lugs are formed on an outer peripheral portion adjacent the open end of a can body which may not be tapered. The thread portions are still adapted to receive the corresponding thread lugs of a reclosable cap.
In the food and beverage can industry, for example, open ended can bodies having a bottom wall that is integrally formed with the side wall. A blank of material is punched from a cold-rolled sheet and initially formed into a cup that has an end with integral sidewall. The cup is subsequently formed or ironed with dies and forming machinery to shape the metal and form a can body into an open-top can. An open or upper, second end is subsequently closed with a separately formed lid or end panel. The end is connected along a peripheral portion to the open-ended sidewall of the can body via a crimp or seam. Typically, the ends are seamed to the open end of the can body and the consumer accesses the contents of the can by (i) removing the end with a can opener, (ii) removing or tearing away the end via a pull tab, or (iii) an easy-open, retained scored region or panel portion in the end that is opened with a retained tab.
There are times, however, where the entire contents of the food or beverage container, for example, may not be used. The consumer must then empty the entire contents from the can since there is no effective way to close and seal the can for future use once the can has been opened. Likewise, these cans are made time and again at the same volume and do not easily lend themselves to converting to new sizes of containers without a significant capital investment in equipment.
Therefore, a need exists for providing a reclosable can, particularly in the metal food container industry. There is also a desire to accomplish this goal without adding additional metal to the container, while advantageously providing additional volume.


The neuronal cell membrane comprises a phospholipid bilayer and numerous embedded ion channels traversing the membrane. Embedded proteins transport charged molecules altering the electrochemical gradient across the membrane. In response to a stimulus, a voltage differential across the membrane crosses a depolarization threshold, resulting in an action potential.
Numerous studies have established that the neuronal cell membrane displays the electrical characteristics of resistance (R), derived from embedded ion channels, and capacitance (C), derived from the phospholipid bilayer structure, as a parallel-RC circuit. The parallel-RC circuit equivalent circuit of all cell membranes, including neurons, uses the resistance and capacitance of the phospholipid bilayer. Nerves are preferential electrical current conduction pathways through tissue, and their presence in living tissue makes the tissue anisotropic to electrical current flow. This anisotropicity and phenomenological inductance of the neuronal cell membrane may be demonstrated using externally applied fields.
The impedance neurography developments based on this anisotropicity of nerve conduction pathways, in combination with methods to develop a transmembrane current flow, have led to insights regarding the neuronal cell membrane electrical responses. As a result, a wide range of clinical applications may be advanced.


In many commercial endeavors, a plurality of computer applications share a set of data. For example, in the field of medicine, a user can input the same information describing a particular patient to multiple computer applications. The information can be patient information (such as name, sex, social security number, primary physician, medical history, drug interactions, etc.), user information (such as user identification, password, etc.), encounter or visit information (such as date, encounter number, name of treating physician, etc.), observation information (such as diagnosis, blood test results, etc.), financial information (such as insurance coverage, billing history, etc.), or other types of information. The user's task historically entailed repeatedly entering the same data describing the patient into multiple computer applications. This practice of repeatedly entering the same data for multiple computer applications not only applies to the medical field, but also extends to other fields.
The healthcare industry recognizes the need for managing and sharing data, and in 1999, the Health Level Seven (HL7) published the first Clinical Context Object Workgroup (CCOW) standard (hereafter “the CCOW standard”) for context management. The CCOW standard defines a context management architecture (CMA) and processes for managing information describing a subject across a range of clinical and other healthcare-related computer applications. The nature of the CCOW standard is described, for example, in HL7 Context Management Standard, Version 1.5, which was rectified in May 2004.
While the CCOW standard allows context and data sharing, a user still must repeatedly enter the same information into multiple computer applications. For example, following a patient visit, a nurse may have to use the same login information and enter the same patient identification information into three or four different computer applications. Repeatedly entering the same information into multiple applications can be burdensome and time consuming.
Accordingly, a need exists for a method and a system that allows users to easily repeat tasks to streamline workflow and that also allows users to reduce the time wasted on redundant tasks.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprise,” “include,” “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly coupled in an electrical or non-electrical manner.


Field of the Invention and Related Art Statement
The present invention relates to a method of effecting an immunological analysis.
Due to recent progress in the medical field it has become possible to analyze very small amounts of biological substances, and this contributes to early stage diagnosis for various diseases. For instance, malignant tumors can be diagnosed at an early stage by measuring alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen. Further, immunological diseases can be diagnosed by measuring abnormal secretion of hormones such as insulin and thyroxine and immunoglobulin. Moreover, it has also become possible to effect monitoring during the course of medical treatment. Further analysis for low molecular hapten (incomplete antigen) such as medicines, contributes to plan a dose schedule of medicines.
Most of these biological substances have been analyzed by an immunological method utilizing the antigen-antibody reaction. There have been proposed various immunological analyzing methods. For instance, antigen or antibody is fixed on fine particles made of glass or synthetic resin and is reacted with a sample antibody or antigen, while labeling antibody or antigen labeled with a highly sensitive marker such as radio isotope, fluorescent substance, luminescent substance and enzyme is used to produce antigen-antibody complex. Then the antigen-antibody complex is detected to quantify the sample antigen or antibody.
FIG. 1 shows a reaction process of known enzyme immunological analysis utilizing an enzyme labeling reagent. On an outer surface of an insoluble carrier 1 there is fixed antibody 1A which is specifically reacted with antigen contained in a sample to be analyzed. If sample antibody instead of antigen is to be measured, antigen which is specifically reacted with the sample antibody has to be fixed onto the insoluble carrier 1. At first, the antibody 1A on the carrier 1 is reacted with antigen 2 contained in the sample. Then free antigen which has not been bound with the antibody 1A on the carrier 1 is separated from antigen 1A bound on the carrier 1 by means of washing. This separating process is generally called B-F separation. After that, the carrier 1 is reacted with a labeling reagent 3 comprising antibody 3A labeled with enzyme 3B, said antibody 3A being specifically reacted with the sample antigen 2. Next, the B-F separation is carried out again to separate free labeling reagent from labeling reagent bound with the sample antigen 2 reacted with the antibody 1A fixed on the carrier 1. Further, a color reagent is added to effect a color reaction under the existence of the enzyme 3B of the labeling reagent 3. Finally the reaction liquid is colorimetered to detect an enzyme activity. In this manner the sample substance 2 is quantified at a high sensitivity. The above mentioned immunological analyzing method has become widely practiced.
In the known immunological analyzing method using a labeling reagent containing antibody or antigen, after the antibody or antigen fixed on the carrier has been reacted with the sample antigen or antibody, the first B-F separation is performed, and then after the sample antigen or antibody has been reacted with the labeling reagent, the second B-F separation is carried out. Therefore, the analysis requires a larger number of steps and the analyzing process is liable to be complicated. Moreover, it is necessary to use various kinds of reagents and thus the running cost becomes expensive. It should be noted that an analyzer for effecting the known analysis becomes also complicated and expensive.
Further, since the substance to be analyzed is detected indirectly by using the labeling reagent as intermediate substance, the analysis is liable to be affected by slight change in external condition during the analyzing process. For instance, if the washing process is not carried out correctly, there might be produced measuring errors.
The immunological analysis has been also used to identify or determine a blood type. For instance, in German Patent No. 3,246,873, there is disclosed a method of determining the blood type by photoelectrically detecting a particle agglutination pattern. In this known method, blood cells are first separated by centrifuge, and then separated blood cells are dispersed in a saline solution to form a blood cell solution having a concentration of 2 to 5%. The blood cell solution is delivered into a reaction vessel having a conical bottom and a given antiserum is delivered into the reaction vessel. A particle pattern formed on the conical bottom is uniformly illuminated and is photoelectrically detected. A photoelectric output signal is processed to judge agglutinated or non-agglutinated particle pattern to determine the blood type.
In the above mentioned known blood type determining method, there are required various processes such as the centrifugal separation of blood cells, preparation of the blood cell suspension and the delivery of the antiserum. Therefore, the analyzing process is very cumbersome. Moreover, in order to form the particle pattern the reaction vessel has to remain still for a long time period. Further, in order to detect the particle pattern, there must be arranged correctly a light source, imaging lens, a plurality of light receiving elements, etc. Thus, the whole analyzing apparatus is liable to be large in size, complicated in construction and expensive in cost.


1. Field of the Disclosure
The subject disclosure relates generally to oilfield drilling, and more particularly to bottom hole assemblies and tools for orienting a bottom hole assembly (BHA).
2. Background of the Related Art
In conventional drilling, the BHA is lowered into the wellbore using jointed drill pipes or coiled tubing. Often the BHA includes a mud motor, directional drilling and measuring equipment, measurements-while-drilling tools, logging-while-drilling tools and other specialized devices. A simple BHA having a drill bit, various crossovers, and drill collars is relatively inexpensive, costing a few hundred thousand US dollars, while a complex BHA costs ten times or more than that amount.
Many drilling operations require directional control so as to position the well along a particular trajectory into a formation. Directional control, also referred to as “directional drilling,” is accomplished using special BHA configurations, instruments to measure the path of the wellbore in three-dimensional space, data links to communicate measurements taken downhole to the surface, mud motors, and special BHA components and drill bits. The directional driller can use drilling parameters such as weight-on-bit and rotary speed to deflect the bit away from the axis of the existing wellbore. In some cases, e.g. when drilling into steeply dipping formations or when experiencing an unpredictable deviation in conventional drilling operations, directional-drilling techniques may be employed to ensure that the hole is drilled vertically.
Direction control is most commonly accomplished through the use of a bend near the bit in a downhole steerable mud motor. The bend points the bit in a direction different from the axis of the wellbore when the entire drill string is not rotating. By pumping mud through the mud motor, the bit rotates though the drill string itself does not, allowing the bit alone to drill in the direction to which it points. When a particular wellbore direction is achieved, the new direction may be maintained by then rotating the entire drill string, including the bent section, so that the drill bit does not drill in a direction away from the intended wellbore axis, but instead sweeps around, bringing its direction in line with the existing wellbore. As it is well known by those skilled in the art, a drill bit has a tendency to stray from its intended drilling direction, a phenomenon known as “drill bit walk”. A device for addressing drill bit walk is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,970 to Sihler et al. issued Nov. 3, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The use of coiled tubing with downhole mud motors to turn the drill bit to deepen a wellbore is another form of drilling, one which proceeds quickly compared to using a jointed pipe drilling rig. By using coiled tubing, the connection time required with rotary drilling is eliminated. Coiled tube drilling is economical in several applications, such as drilling narrow wells, working in areas where a small rig footprint is essential, or when reentering wells for work-over operations.
In coiled tubing drilling, a BHA with a mud motor is attached to the end of a coiled tubing string. Typically, the mud motor has a fixed or adjustable bend housing in order to drill deviated holes. Because the coiled tubing is unable to rotate from surface, a so called orienter tool is used as part of the BHA to “orient” the bend of the mud motor into the desired direction. There exists a multitude of different designs for the drive systems of such tools. Some designs support continuous rotation such as electric motor and gearbox drives, while others only permit rotation by a certain limited angle. The orienter tool is typically a high-torque, low-speed device, wherein the design of the drive system provides a torque output which can at least match the reactive torque exerted by the drilling mud motor.
For example, some orienter tools have utilized planetary gears in an effort to drive the output shaft. Basically, creating a torque on an output shaft means that a tangential force has to be exerted. By way of example, an output torque of 1,000 ft-lbs from a 2-inch diameter shaft means a tangential force of 12,000 lbs. This amount of force will quickly yield any material unless the tangential force is evenly distributed over a sufficient area to reduce the stress levels. In a conventional planetary stage with a size constraint on the order of 3 inches in diameter, the limits of how much bending force the gear teeth can take, and how much stress the planet carrier is capable of supporting will be much below 1000 ft-lbs of torque.


Portable electronic still cameras are widely used, which convert an optical image of a subject to an electric image signal through a CCD (charge-coupled device) image sensor or the like, convert the image signal to digital image data, and write the image data in a memory. The memory is capable of storing several tens of frames of image data, and it is possible to read out the image data therefrom for displaying or reproducing the subject image on a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel that is mounted to the camera body, or on external apparatuses such as a monitor CRT and a personal computer.
As the memory for recording the image data therein is generally used a DRAM (dynamic random access memory) which is accessible at high speed, and is usually called a flash memory. Because the flash memory is able to delete or rewrite the image data, it is easy to delete unnecessary image data from the memory or revise the memory with new image data. Using the recording medium repeatedly is a feature of the electronic still camera that is advantageous over those cameras using photographic film. In addition to the flash memory or other built-in memories like hard discs, it is possible to use a card memory or a flexible magnetic sheet that is removably attachable to the electronic still camera.
Meanwhile, video printers have made it possible to make a hard copy of an image of a subject on the basis of image data written in the flash memory or the like. The video printers include Laser printer, thermal transfer printer, ink-jet printer and so forth. To make a hard copy, the image data read out from the flash memory of the electronic still camera is directly transferred to these printers, or is written in a recording medium like a card memory or a magnetic sheet, and then read out by the printers from the recording medium.
Since the conventional video printers mainly use heat energy for printing, they consume certain amount of electric power. Besides, the printer body is so large that it is unhandy to carry about. Therefore, not being able to get a hard copy of a photographed image instantly is disadvantage to the conventional electronic still camera.
In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic still camera having a printing device integrated therein that facilitates making a hard copy of a photographed image instantly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an instant printer for printing an image on an instant film at a high speed on the basis of digital image data, that is so small and consume less electric power that it is handy to carry about or for integration into a camera.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an instant film that is convenient for use in the instant printer of the present invention.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a developing device used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copier, a printer, a facsimile, and a composite apparatus having functions of those devices, and to an image forming apparatus provided with the developing device. In particular, the present invention relates to a developing device which replenishes a two-component developer including toner and carrier and discharges surplus developer and to an image forming apparatus provided with the developing device.
2. Description of Related Art
In image forming apparatuses, an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier including a photosensitive member and the like is developed by a developing device and visualized as a toner image. Examples of the developing device include one employing a two-component developing method in which a two-component developer is used. The developing device of this type includes a developing container in which a two-component developer including toner and carrier is stored, and there are arranged a developing roller for supplying the developer to the image carrier and a stirring member for supplying the developer in the developing container to the developing roller while stirring and conveying the developer.
In the developing device, the toner is consumed by a developing operation; meanwhile, the carrier remains in the developing device without being consumed. Accordingly, the carrier stirred together with the toner in the developing container is deteriorated in proportion to a stirring frequency. As a result, charging performance of the carrier with respect to the toner is gradually deteriorated.
In this context, there has been well-known a developing device according to a first related art in which deterioration of charging performance is suppressed by replenishment of developer including carrier into a developing container and discharge of surplus developer.
In the developing device according to the first related art, two stirring members each including a rotary shaft and a helical blade helically formed about an outer periphery of the rotary shaft are arranged in parallel with each other in respective conveyance paths. A partition portion is provided between the conveyance paths, and communication portions for exchanging developer are provided to both end portions of the partition portion. A developer discharge port is provided on a downstream side of the conveyance path with respect to a developer conveying direction. Between the stirring member and the developer discharge port, a reverse helical blade helically formed in a direction reverse to that of the helical blade of each of the stirring members is provided as a discharge regulating portion integrally with the rotary shaft. With this structure, when being replenished into the developing container, developer is conveyed to the downstream side of the conveyance path while being stirred by rotation of the stirring members. When being rotated in the same direction as that of the stirring members, the reverse helical blade imparts a conveyance force in a direction reverse to the developer conveying direction due to the stirring members to the developer. The developer is retained by the conveyance force in the reverse direction on the downstream side of the conveyance path and increased in height. As a result, surplus developer climbs over the reverse helical blade (discharge regulating portion) so as to move to the developer discharge port, with the result of being discharged outside.
However, in the developing device according to the first related art, even when new developer is not replenished, the developer conveyed by the helical blade of each of the stirring members moves to the downstream side of the conveyance path in an undulating manner in conformity with an outer periphery of the helical blade, with the result of colliding against the discharge regulating portion. When the developer collides against the discharge regulating portion, a height of the developer with respect to an outer periphery of the discharge regulating portion varies from each other in accordance with axial positions of the helical blade with respect to the discharge regulating portion. When the developer collides against the discharge regulating portion at a position at which the developer has height, the developer climbs over the discharge regulating portion so as to move into the developer discharge port by an impact of the collision. As a result, the developer is excessively discharged, which may lead to a risk of instability of the developer amount in the developing container. In particular, in an apparatus performing high-speed image formation, the stirring members are rotated at high speed together with the photosensitive member, and hence there prominently occurs an inconvenience of excessive discharge of the developer.


Natural gas is a widely available fuel which is primarily methane. The prices of natural gas has declined in recent years and are expected to possibly remain low for decades, natural gas has become a favored form of energy. As with any hydrocarbon based energy source, questions are raised about its contribution to greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gases are part of the ‘greenhouse effect’ that presents an environmental issue associated with the potential for global climate change. A number of gases in our atmosphere regulate the amount of heat retained close to the earth's surface. Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen oxides are the most common naturally occurring greenhouse gases. As the concentration of greenhouse gases increase, temperatures throughout the environment will rise significantly.
The continually increasing use of fossil fuels has caused an increase over the naturally occurring amounts of these gases and ways are sought to reduce the man-made influence in the generation of such gases. Carbon dioxide is seen as a major source of greenhouse gas. Even though carbon dioxide has less of an effect on trapping heat than the other naturally occurring gases, its prevalence from the increased reliance on hydrocarbons makes it suspect as a significant contributor to trapping of heat in global warming. For this reason those concerned with climate change are especially interested in limiting the generation of carbon dioxide.
From the standpoint of CO2 production from hydrocarbon usage, natural gas offers important environmental benefits relative to the combustion of other fossil fuels. In rough numbers combustion of treated and unconverted natural gas will produce 30% less CO2 emissions than oil and almost 45% less CO2 emissions than coal. However, methane in the form of an emission is over 20 fold more potent in its greenhouse gas effect than carbon dioxide.
While there are many applications for using natural gas as an energy source in its gas phase, attention has focused on how to utilize this energy source in the most efficient manner. Major drawbacks to the use of natural gas in traditional applications are problems of its storage and transportation as long as it remains in a gas form.
One way in which those seeking increased the natural gas utilization have attempted to overcome these problems is by employing processes for converting natural gas to denser and more easily transportable forms. Natural gas is typically converted into a liquid form by gas to liquid (GTL) processes, the primary of which either produces syncrude that directly converts the gas or produces synthesis gas that indirectly converts the natural gas. Although the combustion of natural gas in the unconverted gaseous form has green-house gas advantages, further processing of natural gas to liquids to transform it to more easily transported forms increases its greenhouse gas impact.
One solution to the problem of CO2 production from industrial processes is to sequester CO2 that is produced by such processes. Effecting carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and sequestration (CCS) has been proposed by various technologies that can reduce CO2 emissions from facilities such as coal-fired and gas-fired power plants, and large industrial sources. Most CCS technologies employ three steps. The first step will capture CO2 from oil refining operations, treatment of well head gas, powerplants, renewable fuel production or other industrial processes. Compression of the captured CO2 prepares it for transfer, in tanks, pipelines or via other means, to permanent sequestration facilities. These facilities usually comprise geologic formation located a mile more underground that hold the CO2 in a porous layer of rock situated beneath a gas impermeable layer of rock. The impermeable layer of rock prevents an upward migration of the CO2. This type of CO2 sequestration is expensive, used infrequently and impractical for major sources of CO2 emissions.
Another major source of CO2 emissions is in the use of hydrocarbons as motor fuels. An approach to reduce the effect of CO2 emissions from hydrocarbon fuel combustion is to produce motor fuels from renewable resources such as plant materials. This approach reduces the use of non-renewable, i.e. fossil, hydrocarbons that when combusted put carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by releasing the fossil hydrocarbons from their naturally sequestered state. In contrast, using renewable sources for feedstocks, i.e. plant materials, maintains a closed CO2 system where the carbon dioxide released by hydrocarbon combustion balances with the carbon dioxide captured by the plant material that goes into the feedstock for producing the fuels and chemicals.
Plant materials for use in such feedstocks can come from almost any plant source. One general type of plant material, such as corn, rice, cane, wheat, sorgum etc., have high carbohydrate concentrations that are readily converted to sugars. At this time essentially all of the production of ethanol for motor fuel purposes relies on the saccharization of plant materials into sugar and its fermentation to alcohols. These fermentations produce CO2 directly as a by-product of the fermentation process. In such processes the amount of CO2 produced directly can equal the mass of ethanol. Moreover, concerns about plant sources can arise since their use requires utilization of land and water resources for growth of these corps or trees and is subject to limitations posed by alternative uses of these land and water resources for food and other agricultural and forest product production.
Another way to produce alcohol motor fuels or other chemicals is by generating syngas from plant material or natural gas. In the case of plant material, its gasification will produce a syngas. In the case of natural gas it may be converted to reformed gas. The syngas obtained by gasification or by conversion of natural gas are suitable substrates for anaerobic fermentations of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Anaerobic fermentation processes involve the contact of the substrate gas in an aqueous fermentation menstruum with microorganisms capable of generating alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, i-butanol and n-butanol. The production of these alcohols requires significant amounts of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide together with hydrogen.
In addition to the aforementioned plant and natural gas sources, a suitable source of the substrate gas for carbon monoxide and hydrogen conversions can be derived from the gasification of carbonaceous materials other than those specifically mentioned such as the partial oxidation of natural gas, biogas from anaerobic digestion or landfill gas, coal coking and industrial steel manufacture. The substrate gas containing, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide, usually contains other components such as water vapor, nitrogen, methane, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and the like. (For purposes herein, all gas compositions are reported on a dry basis unless otherwise stated or clear from the context.)
In any of the above cases certain anaerobic bacteria, especially those from the genus Clostridium can produce various alcohols, particularly ethanol, from the resulting substrates comprising CO, CO2 and H2 via the acetyl CoA biochemical pathway. Different strains of Clostridium ljungdahlii that exemplify producing ethanol from gases are described in WO 00/68407, EP 117309, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,173,429, 5,593,886, and 6,368,819, WO 98/00558 and WO 02/08438. Abrini et al, Archives of Microbiology 161, pp 345-351 (1994)
The effectiveness of converting CO2 to other products will depend on the amount of CO and H2 that is present with the CO2 in the converted gas stream. For instance, the theoretical equations for the conversion of carbon monoxide and hydrogen to ethanol are:6CO+3H2O→C2H5OH+4CO2 6H2+2CO2→C2H5OH+3H2O.As can be seen, the conversion of carbon monoxide results in the generation of carbon dioxide. The conversion of hydrogen involves the consumption of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and this conversion is sometimes referred to as the H2/CO2 conversion. The microbiological processes that take place have been expressed for convenience in the formulas shown above. It is known that in the microbiological process the production of the alcohol requires a carbon source and a biological energy source. The formulas show that the biological energy source is the available electrons in the hydrogen and carbon monoxide of the substrate gases. As a result gas streams with high CO will produce more CO2 or those with low H2 will limit the conversion of CO2 and in either case may make the anaerobic process a net producer of CO2.
Regardless of originating source, the substrate gases are typically more expensive than equivalent heat content amounts of the carbonaceous feedstock fuel. Hence, a desire exists to use these gases efficiently to make higher value products. The financial viability of any conversion process, especially to commodity chemicals such as ethanol, will depend, in part, upon the costs of the feedstocks, conversion efficiency and operating and capital costs for generating the substrate gases; and upon the capital costs, the efficiency of conversion of the carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen to the sought products, the process energy costs and the extent of the electron availability and utilization to effect the conversion of the substrate gases to the higher value products.
In a bioreactor, hydrogen and carbon oxides pass from the gas phase to being dissolved in the aqueous menstruum, and then the dissolved hydrogen and carbon oxides contact the microorganisms for bioconversion. Due to the low solubilities of carbon monoxide and, especially, hydrogen in aqueous media, mass transfer can be a factor limiting rate and conversion in the bioconversion to alcohol.
The off gases from bioreactors contain substrate that was not bioconverted and diluents such as methane and nitrogen. Although off gases can be recycled to the bioreactor or passed to another bioreactor, challenges can exist. For instance, the substrate gases may contain diluents that, if recycled to a bioreactor, can build-up and reduce the partial pressure, thus reducing the driving forces for mass transfer of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to the aqueous menstruum.
Overall, the net effect of the processing as gas into liquids such as alcohol or hydrocarbons will produce an increase in the CO2 emissions when compared to a liquid to liquid conversion such as petroleum crude to gasoline. No one to date has disclosed a process that can improve the overall greenhouse gas emissions from the processing of natural gas to produce ethanol.
Bell in United States Published Patent Application No. 20100105118 discloses an integrated process for making alcohols from natural gas which provide a high bioconversions of carbon monoxide in fermentations in the absence of oxygen. Bell notes at paragraph 0013 that, in theory, carbon dioxide may be used as a reactant for the production of higher alcohols such as ethanol. However, he states that in practice the fermentation route to higher alcohols tends to be a net producer of carbon dioxide. In his disclosed process, the gas from the bioreactor which contains carbon dioxide is fed to a reaction section of a steam reformer. The reformer is either operated dry or with a mole ratio of water to carbon dioxide of less than 5:1. Bell confirms the low conversion of hydrogen in the examples. Although Bell may have reduced carbon dioxide emissions as compared to the use of autothermal reforming or traditional steam reforming, the low conversion of hydrogen detracts from the commercial viability of the disclosed process.
Processes are therefore sought that can reduce the carbon footprint in the utilization of the non-renewable resources.
Processes are also sought that can reduce emitted greenhouse gases by utilizing CO2 released in the fermentation of renewable resources.
Processes are also sought that can maximize the production and availability of electrons for microorganism growth and alcohol production while also reducing CO2 emissions for the production of alcohol in commercial-scale, continuous operations.


1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus for temporarily increasing the load-bearing capacity of bridge girders, of the kind used in bridge cranes or polar bridge cranes.
When heavy components are lifted, an installed load-bearing capacity of existing bridge girders is often less than a capacity which is actually required. Such a situation arises, for instance, in unusual conversion or repair provisions in a power house of a power plant or other industrial plants, for instance when generators or steam generators in nuclear power plants are being replaced. Until now, in order to lift heavy machine parts or when placing other unplanned stresses on bridge girders, relief devices such as central support masts that are each constructed for a particular application which is involved have been put in place, or else separate hoisting tools have been installed at high cost.
2.Summary of the Invention
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for temporarily increasing the load-bearing capacity of bridge girders, which overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type, which is universally usable and which is easily mounted.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an apparatus for temporarily increasing a load-bearing capacity of a bridge girder, comprising portable supports having deflection pulleys; a relief cable associated with the pulleys; the supports, the pulleys and the cable temporarily mounted above bracing points of a bridge girder on both sides of a support point; and a load-bearing element carried by the relief cable for relieving the bridge girder at the support point.
Therefore, the object of temporarily increasing the load-bearing capacity of crane bridges is attained according to the invention by using a portable cable structure to reinforce the bridge girder.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the relief cable has two ends and tensioning devices securing the two ends to the bracing points or to the bridge girder.
The supports are mounted on both ends of the bridge girder, above the bracing points and protrude upward beyond the bridge girder. The deflection pulleys that serve to receive the relief cable are associated with upper ends of the supports.
The supports are connected to one another by the relief cable, which passes over the two deflection pulleys. The relief cable is connected to the bridge girder at least at one point between the two supports, preferably in the middle of the girder. This is carried out, for instance, through the use of a load-bearing element having a lower end, for instance, which reaches under the bridge girder whose capacity is to be increased and supports it from below at this point. Thus an upwardly-directed vertical force, which engages the bridge girder at the support point, is generated from the height of the associated supports and the cable tension of the relief cable, which is tightened with the aid of the tensioning devices, such as hydraulic cylinders, or screw elements. The forces occurring as the relief cable is tightened can be favorably introduced advantageously and statically at end surfaces of the bridge girder through the use of an abutment that engages the bridge girder from below.
The load-bearing element associated with the relief cable acts like a center support that supports the bridge girder from below with a vertical force.
In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the bridge girder is disposed in a power house of a power plant or in a reactor building of a nuclear power plant.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an apparatus for temporarily increasing the load-bearing capacity of bridge girders, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.


This invention is in the field of haptic devices. Embodiments of the invention are more specifically directed to remote force management by operation of one or more haptic devices.
Conventional computer systems typically interface with their users, and with the “outside world” in general, by way of graphics and text. Even pointing devices (e.g., mouse, trackball, trackpad) operate in a graphical sense, by navigating a cursor among graphical elements. In the industrial context, additional interface approaches include the receiving of inputs from sensors and transducers, and the outputting of motor control signals in either of the digital and analog domains.
Haptic devices refer to those interface devices by way of which computers and computer systems mechanically interface with users or objects, by applying forces, vibrations, or motions from the device to the user or object. Examples of conventional haptic devices include robotic devices for handling or moving an object, for example as controlled by a haptic input device receiving motion inputs from a human user, vibrators in game controllers and other devices for issuing a sensation to the user at the appropriate times in a game or simulator, virtual reality systems by way of which user motion is directly interpreted as inputs, and by way of which the haptic device can receive physical feedback, and the like.
Conventional haptic devices operate according to a variety of mechanisms. A common type of haptic device includes actuators that cause mechanical motion in response to a signal stimulus. Conventional haptic input mechanisms include electroactive polymers for sensing the touch of a user, and actuators including piezoelectric, electrostatic, and subsonic audio wave elements for transducing touch or pressure to an electrical signal.
It is contemplated that multiple conventional haptic devices may operate in conjunction with one another by way of a shared motor mechanism, such as a lever. However, this shared motor mechanism necessarily enforces a practical limit as to how remote the devices can be from one another, and as to the response of the devices to one another.


The present invention relates to a method of controlling exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) particularly for an internal combustion engine having primary and secondary intake passages.
There have been known internal combustion engines which include a primary intake passage for supplying an air-fuel mixture under a full range of loads and a secondary intake passage for supplying an air-fuel mixture under high loads. The primary intake passage has a diameter that is small enough for it to be able to take care of the practical range of engine operation, and the secondary intake passage has a larger diameter such that it will come into operation only when the engine undergoes acceleration or is otherwise put under a higher load. Such a larger ratio between the cross-sectional areas of the primary and secondary intake passages is selected for more effective functioning of the internal combustion engine with primary and secondary intake passages. With the larger cross-sectional ratios of the primary and secondary passages, however, an EGR valve for the engine cannot be effectively actuated only by a vacuum introduced through a vacuum signal port from the primary intake passage, and hence a sufficient amount of EGR which is proportional to engine loads is not available.


The present invention generally relates to a game field and method for playing competitive paintball. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and set of rules for playing competitive paintball that increases the amount of game action and scoring to create a game that appeals to spectators.
The game of paintball generally includes two separate teams of players that each have paintball guns. The paintball guns use compressed gas to propel paint-filled gelatin or plastic shells at players from the opposing team. When a paintball strikes an opposing player, the shell breaks and leaves a splatter mark of paint on the player, indicating that the player has been eliminated.
Currently, paintball competitions are played using one of two basic formats --"center flag" or "dual flag". In a center flag competition, a single flag is hung at the middle of the playing field. Two competing teams start from different ends of the playing field and attempt to capture the flag and carry it to their opponent's flag station on the opposite end of the field. In the dual flag system, each of the opposing teams begins the game at opposite ends of the field with their team's flag hanging at their own flag station. The object of the game for each team is to capture the opposing team's flag and return it to their team's station while at the same time protecting their team's flag from capture from the opposing team. In each of these games, a team player is eliminated by being shot by a paintball fired from a member of the opposing team.
In the conventional paintball games described above, points are typically awarded for the number of opponents eliminated during the game and for the first team to grab the opponent's flag, with additional points being given to the first team to hang their opponent's flag in the proper station. Each paintball match is played until one of the teams captures their opponent's flag and returns it to the proper flag station, or until the game time expires. Since points are awarded to both teams based on the number of opponents eliminated, a premium is placed on avoiding elimination. As an illustrative example, if a player gets eliminated, the player is giving points to the opposing team, regardless of which team is successful in capturing the flag. This type of scoring places a burden on the individual players to avoid being eliminated by making risky moves or engaging in risky strategies of play. Therefore, paintball games typically evolve into a series of long-range shooting duels, frequently with little or no action for long periods of time.
Because players on each of the opposing teams in a conventional paintball competition tend to remain behind stationary bunkers or obstacles and engage in long-range shoot-outs, paintball competitions have not been able to attract a large number of spectators, either for live action events or televised broadcasts of competitive tournaments. Therefore, a need exists for a paintball game including a set of rules that encourages a fast-paced, high-scoring competition that allows viewers to follow the action and be entertained by risky and daring playing strategies.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of playing a paintball competition that rewards players for aggressive and risky movements between bunkers organized on a playing surface. It is an additional object of the invention to provide a scoring system that rewards the scoring team for scoring a goal, while determining the number of points awarded based upon the position of the opponent's flag when the scoring team scores. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a paintball game that includes various penalties for improper game play and removes a player from the game for committing one of specified penalties. It is an additional object of the present invention to place a time limit on the paintball game that is divided into several individual timed periods. Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a paintball game that returns each team to full strength after each score and upon completion of each period, thereby encouraging the players from each team to make daring moves and score as many points as possible during each period. Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a paintball game having a set time limit as opposed to prior games having a varying time limit.


This invention relates to an atomic force microscope for profiling the properties of a surface at nanometer resolution and for probing the properties of individual molecules attached to that surface.
The atomic force microscope utilizes a sharp probe which may be precisely positioned above a surface. The probe is attached to a positioning device via a soft (spring-like) cantilever. Interaction with the surface is indicated by motion of the probe end of the tip with respect to the driven end of the cantilever. In its common use for mapping the topography of a surface, this deflection is held constant by adjusting the probe to sample distance as the probe is scanned over the surface.
The interaction between the probe and the surface is of considerable interest in its own right. By sweeping the tip back and forth from the surface and monitoring the deflection of the probe relative to the driven end of the cantilever, so called force curves may be mapped out as taught by Elings et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,224,376; 5,237,859; and 5,329,808. These curves are valuable both for setting the operating point of the microscope and for mapping the elastic properties of a surface.
The scheme for obtaining force curves according to the prior art is set out in FIG. 1A. A piezoelectric actuator 1 is used to sweep the stiff end of a cantilever 2 by some amount (labeled X.sub.D) toward the sample S in FIG. 1A. The flexible cantilever 3 (having a stiffness k.sub.T) bends as the tip 4 indents the sample, represented in FIG. 1A by a spring 5 of stiffness k.sub.s. As a consequence, the displacement of the tip, X.sub.T, is generally less than the displacement of the stiff end of the cantilever, X.sub.D. This situation is represented in FIG. 1B which shows the arrangement of the two springs corresponding to the cantilever (k.sub.T) and the sample (k.sub.S) together with the displacement of the actuator (X.sub.D) and the tip (X.sub.T). In equilibrium, the force, F, along the mechanical path must be equal at all points and, far below resonant frequencies where the cantilever and sample behave as Hookean springs: ##EQU1## Here k.sub.eff is an effective spring constant describing the relationship between displacement and applied force at the point at which the force is applied. From Equation (2) we see that ##EQU2## Thus, in this method for measuring the stiffness, the effective spring constant is equivalent to a series combination of the two springs represented by k.sub.S and k.sub.T. In such a relationship, the weakest spring dominates the spring constant of the combination. Thus, this prior art scheme is of limited use for measuring the stiffness of soft samples, unless a correspondingly soft (i.e., having greater flexibility) cantilever is used. The use of soft cantilevers is often precluded by their increased propensity to jump into contact with the surface.
To make matters worse, the prior art method relies on sweeping either the entire sample up towards the tip, or the entire tip assembly (and scanning tube) down towards the sample. These massive components have a low resonant frequency by virtue of their mass, so this method is intrinsically slow, a disadvantage when it is desirable to obtain force curves rapidly.
A further disadvantage of this method of obtaining force curves lies with the piezoelectric material that is used as the displacement actuator. This material suffers from a considerable hysteresis. On reversing the direction of the applied voltage, the cantilever displacement usually lags the displacement at the same applied voltage but reached by scanning from the opposite direction. This is illustrated in FIG. 2 which shows a typical force curve. This is a plot of cantilever displacement versus distance moved towards or away from the surface. When the tip is far from the surface, the cantilever is not deflected so the plot is a flat horizontal line 6. When the tip is close enough to the surface, it often snaps uncontrollably into the surface (depicted at 7), remaining in contact and being pushed up by the surface (line 8). When the direction of the sweep is reversed, the tip comes down with the surface (line 9), but the scan is displaced by some amount .DELTA.z along the horizontal axis owing to piezoelectric hysteresis. The cantilever tip pulls off the surface again (depicted at 10), further displaced from the original contact point by adhesion between the tip and surface. The amount of the hysteresis depends upon the sweep rate and other characteristics of the piezoelectric actuator and its history. It is a poorly characterized quantity and the source of considerable uncertainty in obtaining force curves.
Another method for driving the tip has been described by Lindsay et al., "Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy Studies of Biomaterials at a Liquid-Solid Interface," J. Vac. Sci. Technol. 11:808-815 (1993); Lindsay, U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,518; and Lindsay, U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,719; and also by Florin et al., "Atomic Force Microscope with Magnetic Force Modulation," Review of Scientific Instruments 65:639-643 (1993) and O'Shea et al., "Atomic Force Microscopy of Local Compliance at Solid-Liquid Interfaces," Chemical Physics Letters 223:336-340 (1994). In this approach, a force is applied directly to the tip (as opposed to the rigid part of the cantilever holder) by fixing a magnetic particle or film on the tip and using an external magnetic field to drive the tip. This is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3A. Here, the actuator 1 is held in a fixed position, as is the rigid part of the cantilever assembly 2. The magnetic particle or film 12 is acted on by an external magnetic field so to exert a force F on the end of the flexible cantilever 3, pushing the tip 4 into the sample represented by the spring 11 of stiffness k.sub.S. In this case, referring to FIG. 3B, both the stiff end of the cantilever and the sample are fixed so EQU F=(k.sub.S +k.sub.T)X.sub.T =k.sub.ef X.sub.T (4)
where EQU k.sub.eff =k.sub.T +k.sub.S. (5)
So, in this case, the cantilever and sample act as springs in parallel. This method has the advantage that a soft surface (k.sub.S small) does not lower the resonant frequency of the assembly appreciably. Furthermore, because only the tip is being moved, and this has by far the smallest mass of all the microscope components, rapid operation is possible.
There are two methods for driving the tip magnetically. In one (FIG. 4A) a particle of a magnetic material 12 is placed on the end of the cantilever 13 with its magnetic moment M aligned along the direction of desired motion. A magnetic field gradient, dB/dz, 14 is applied along the same direction as the magnetic moment, resulting in a force, F.sub.z along the z direction ##EQU3## A second geometry (FIG. 4B) utilizes a film having its magnetic moment M (15) perpendicular to the direction of desired motion. A magnetic field B is applied in the direction of desired motion 16 so that a torque, n is generated on the cantilever according to EQU n=M.times. (7)
and, in the geometry shown, this is equivalent to a force on the end of the cantilever in the direction of desired motion F.sub.z given by ##EQU4## where l is the length of the cantilever. This latter method of operation has been described by Lindsay, U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,718 and verified by Han et al., "A Magnetically-Driven Oscillating Probe Microscope for Operation in Liquids," Applied Physics Letters 69:4111-4114 (1996). It is more sensitive than the former method which relies on the magnitude of dB/dz. Large magnetic field gradients are difficult to generate. In the second method, where a given B field produces a torque, this is translated into a large force by the shortness of the cantilever, as described by Equation 8.
This method is most sensitive when operated in an AC mode as taught by Lindsay and Han et al, supra, and as demonstrated by the force curves obtained by O'Shea et al., supra. This method of operation is outlined in FIGS. 5A and 5B. When the cantilever 20 is far from the surface 21 (FIG. 5A), the tip is oscillated with an amplitude X.sub.0. If the driving frequency is well below a resonance frequency of the tip, then ##EQU5## whereas, when the cantilever 20 is interacting with surface 21 (FIG. 5B) of stiffness k.sub.S , ##EQU6## As the surface is approached, k.sub.S becomes much bigger than k.sub.T so that the ratio X/X.sub.0 becomes 1/k.sub.S or equal to the compliance of the sample or surface. It should be noted that a relationship similar to Equation 11 can be derived for the ratio X.sub.T /X.sub.D for the case where the stiff end of the cantilever is driven. However, this is not experimentally useful because it is the quantity X.sub.T that is measured (referred to as X in equation 11). Where X.sub.T is far from the surface, it is not simply related to X.sub.D if the tip is driven in a medium such as a fluid, even if far from resonance.
For the case of direct-force driving of the tip near a surface, a plot of the quantity X/X.sub.0 as a function of distance from the surface reflects the relative compliance of the surface, (k.sub.S /k.sub.T).sup.-1. Such a curve might more appropriately be called a compliance curve to differentiate it from a force curve. The inherently greater sensitivity and information content of compliance curves is illustrated by the measurements of O'Shea et al., supra.
Finally, there is presently considerable interest in measuring the stiffness of individual molecules attached between the tip and the surface as illustrated in FIG. 6. Chemical means are used to attach one end of a macromolecule 30 to the tip 4, while the other end is attached to the surface 21 below the tip 4. The prior art has consisted of generating a force curve (like that shown in FIG. 2) as the molecule is stretched or compressed by motion of the piezoelectric actuator 1. An example of such a measurement is the recent work by Reif et al., "Reversible Unfolding of Individual Titin Immunoglobulin Domains by AFM," Science 276:1109-1112 (1997). Dramatic variations in stiffness were observed as particular domains of a protein were unfolded sequentially.
Accordingly, the need still exists in this art to provide an apparatus for measuring the compliance of samples on a nanometer scale as a function of the approach distance of a tip more rapidly and without the hysteresis problems of the prior art. There is also a need to provide a method for setting the operating point of an imaging microscope to a fixed value of surface compliance prior to scanning the tip over the surface.


The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for transmission of data over a network, and from point to point. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus and method for configuring a multi-purpose optical transmitter or transceiver for communication of video, audio, and data signals, each with differing protocols, on a fiber optic network capable of utilizing a single optical fiber to communicate any of the differing types of signals and protocols associated with it. Further, a software program is provided to allow users to configure or customize the system using menu-driven graphical interface screens and common configurable components.
With the ever-widening reach of public and private data networks used by the public, and especially by business and government, there continues to be an increase in the flow of electronic data over such networks. Such communications may be from remotely-located differing branches of government offices, or different divisions of a company. Further, such electronic communications may include video, audio or other types of data signals, each with its own communications protocols that must be followed in the transmission and reception of intelligible communications signals.
Additionally, with this rise in electronic traffic between remote locations worldwide, there is an ever-increasing demand for a transmission system that can both transport and accommodate increasing levels of bandwidth consisting of multiple channels of video, audio and/or data over long distances. The optimum solutions for this demand are systems which involve the least number of transmission mediums as possible and that are unaffected by environmental hazards from static and electrical disturbances.
Satellite communications, such as those involving the frequency band of 390 MHz to 2150 MHz (often called the L-band) provide significant bandwidth. Once the L-band signal is received, it is increasingly desirable to use a fiber optic communication network (which provides sufficient bandwidth to accommodate data through-put of the order produced by satellite communications) to transmit that data terrestrially.
In general, fiber optics serve as the best solution to the problem of environmental interference. Transmission of electronic signals for data of all types over fiber optic networks will eliminate EMI radiation, EMI susceptibility and other factors which would otherwise affect copper or other cable. Consequently, this makes fiber the choice for high quality video transmission as well as conventional data transmission.
However, as noted, there are a variety of video, audio and data signals, using protocols specific to the type of signal carried, that a multipurpose fiber optic transmission system may accommodate. Conventionally, for each of these signal types and their respective protocols, a generally unique transmission component is employed to generate the corresponding signal.
Because each user at each transmission and reception site may be employing any or all of the different electronic signals and protocols, it is a complex task to design and manufacture site-specific data transmission systems that will communicate with remote sites and which may be required to accommodate the same or other types of electronic data signals and associated protocols. Such differing types of data stream transmission and reception requirements (even between two remote locations of the same company or government department) can create logistical difficulties. Furthermore, designing a data transmission and reception system which will suit each customer's individualized needs can be complex and time consuming. In the case of satellite-derived transmissions, it may be desirable to transmit the signal across a fiberoptic communications network without changing the corresponding transmission protocol or otherwise changing the signal, together with video, audio or other data.
Currently, such designs may entail computers with multiple types of data transmission cards or components engaged to local and wide area networks. Generally, each type of data will require a corresponding card or component. Of course, each of the differing cards or components may also require software or drivers to allow it to communicate with the controller or computer with which it must send and receive signals according to the proper communications protocol. Further complications arise when signals originate over an Ethernet or satellite network, and must be converted to transmission over a fiber optic network for communication to the remote destination.
Therefore, it can be seen that there is a pressing need for an apparatus, and a corresponding method, that provides a single system to communicate the various data types that might originate in any highly-customized client venue location, and that allows for transmission of those signals to one or more remote locations using a fiber optic network. Such a system should allow for any type of conventionally-employed data protocol to be used by the originator and receiver of the signals, yet still allow the signals to be transmitted over a fiber optic network.
Still further, in a particularly preferred mode of the invention, a configuration of the manufactured system allows for customization by the buyer according to the existing communications streams and protocols being currently used by the buyer. The buyer is able to design a customized component, the component thereby being able to accommodate current communications data streams and protocols and to communicate them to remote locations using a single apparatus providing fiber optic transmission. Such customization, heretofore being hard to achieve if at all, allows users to maintain their current network communications types and protocols, while still being able to take advantage of the benefit of fiber optic network transmission. This eliminates any requirements for the users to upgrade and change all their systems and protocols before taking advantage of the benefit of fiber optic network communications, thereby eliminating the costs and inevitable problems that such an upgrade would entail.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important therefore that the claims be regarded as including equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the scope of the present invention.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a downhole oil and gas well completion tool which is operatively connectible to a lower section of tubing or a packer and configured to perform multiple completion-related functions.
2. Background Art
The harvesting of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation involves the deployment of a drilling tool into the earth. The drilling tool is driven into the earth from a drilling rig to create a wellbore through which hydrocarbons are passed. Once a predetermined well depth is reached, the formation is tested to evaluate and determine whether the well will be completed for production, or plugged and abandoned.
Completion of a well generally refers to the operations that prepare a well bore for producing oil or gas from the reservoir. The goal of these operations is to optimize the flow of the reservoir fluids into the well bore, up through the producing string, and into the surface collection system.
The well bore is typically lined (cased) with steel pipe, and the annulus between well bore and casing is filled with cement. Properly designed and cemented casing prevents collapse of the well bore and protects fresh-water aquifers above the oil and gas reservoirs from becoming contaminated with oil and gas and the oil reservoir brine. Similarly, the oil and gas reservoir is prevented from becoming invaded by extraneous water from aquifers that were penetrated above or below the productive reservoir.
The nature of the reservoir, evaluated from a core analysis, cuttings, or logs, or from experience with similar productive formations, determines the type of completion to be used. In a barefoot completion, the casing is set just above the producing formation, and the latter is drilled out and produced with no pipe set across it. Such a completion can be used for hard rock formations which are not friable and will not slough, and when there are no opportunities for producing from another, lower reservoir. Set-through and perforated completions are also employed for relatively well-consolidated formations from which the potential for sand production is small. However, the perforated completion is used when a long producing interval must be prevented from collapse, when multiple intervals are to be completed in the one borehole, or when intervening water sands within the oil-producing interval are to be shut off and the oil-saturated intervals selectively perforated.
A string of steel tubing is lowered into the casing string and serves as the conduit for the produced fluids. The tubing may be hung from the well-head or supported by a packer set above the producing zone. The packer is used when it is desirable to isolate the casing string from the produced fluids because of the latter's pressure, temperature, or corrosivity, or when such isolation may improve production characteristics. The string, which may be referred to herein as a tubing string, may comprise any number of components known in the art. Such components, in addition to tubulars, may include tools, joints, packers, etc.
To complete the well, casing is installed and cemented in the wellbore, then production tubing is installed in the casing, which is perforated so that hydrocarbons may pass from the formation into the wellbore, and up to the tubing string to the surface for collection. Often a series of tests are conducted as a part of this process, to confirm the integrity of the casing and tubing.
When carrying out testing or other operations in a wellbore, test equipment or other apparatus may be mounted on an end portion of a string of tubular sections, known as tubulars to form a tubing string. The equipment is lowered into the bore on the end of the string, the length of the string being increased by the addition of further tubulars, which are threaded together to define a continuous internal bore between the apparatus and the surface.
A number of traditional methods exist for testing completion of a well and tubing.
The most commonly used method involves the use of a wire-line retrievable plug. This process typically involves the hiring of a wire-line contractor to both run and pull the plug. The overall process is time-consuming, typically taking about 3-4 hours to set up the wire-line unit, and lower and set the plug by the wire-line. After setting the hydraulic packer and testing the completion and tubing, the wire-line operator will run the wire-line into the tubing again to retrieve the plug which might consume another 3-4 hours if no delays are encountered. Debris and impurities in the completion fluid and/or pressure trapped around the plug often result in sticking of the plug in the well. Retrieving a stuck plug can greatly increase the length of the process and may also lead to a loss of wire-line in the well, which will require the hiring of additional specialists to perform a fishing operation.
The use of the above-mentioned wire-line operation is typically feasible only if the well deviation is no greater than 70 degrees. If the testing location where the plug will need to be set is at a greater deviation, the wire-line method may not be practical and the operator must use another method of running the plug such as coiled tubing. A coiled tubing operation, once on location, takes about 5 hours to set up. Once all of the equipment is set up, running the plug by means of the coiled tubing can easily take at least 4 hours, depending on depth. The coiled tubing operation may easily cost tens of thousands of dollars in addition to the total time used to run and retrieve the plug which may exceed 10 hours, if no problems are encountered.
A more recently developed method for setting a hydraulic packer and testing the completion and tubing involves the use of a glass disc which is run inside a special pipe attached to the bottom of the tubing string. When using the glass disc method, the tubing cannot be self filled, which will require that the completions operator either manually fill the tubing via a water hose from the surface, requiring significant time, or the operator will need to add another piece of equipment to the tubing string known as a self-filling tool.
After setting the packer and testing the tubing the completions operator needs to break the glass disc in order to have the tubing opened and ready for production. If the well is not highly deviated, the wire line contractor can set up his equipment and run into the well with his tool string and break the glass disc. This operation will take around 4-5 hours.
If the well is highly deviated (more than 70 degrees) then the completions operator may need to use a coil tubing contractor to break the glass disc. Also this operation will take around 5 to 6 hours in addition to the coil tubing set up/rental cost.
Another method of setting the packer and testing the tubing is to use a pump out plug which is a special short pipe with a ball seat fixed in a seat with a number of shear screws. After running the tubing completely, a ball is dropped from the surface. It takes around 40-60 minutes until the ball seats on the ball seat, then surface pressure is applied against the ball to set the packer and test the tubing. After testing the tubing the surface pressure is increased to shear the ball seat shear screws and pump the seat and the ball down into the well bottom. This method holds pressure from above only and can not hold pressure from below. For this reason another plug/barrier is needed to be run at the bottom of the tubing while dismantling the rig blow out preventor (BOP) and mounting the Christmas tree. Also some problems can happen when shearing the shear screws of the pump out plug due to completion fluid pressure differential across the ball, that leads to inaccurate shear value (either more or less than the predetermined pressure for shearing).
Accordingly, a need exists for a tool capable of performing various completion-related operations without requiring repeated pulling of the tool, or hiring of one or more specialists.


1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a lens cap, more particularly to a sliding lens cap for a lens unit of a projector.
2. Description of the Related Art
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional lens cap 10 for covering and uncovering a lens unit 101 of a projector 100 is connected by a cord 11 to a housing of the projector 100 so that the lens cap 10 can be prevented from being misplaced when the lens cap 10 is removed from the lens unit 101. When operating the projector 100, the lens cap 10 is removed from the lens unit 101 and is suspended from the housing by the cord 11. After using the projector 100, the lens cap 10 is replaced on the lens unit 101 to cover the same. To retain the lens cap 10 covering the lens unit 101, the lens cap 10 is provided with an engaging mechanism to engage removably a periphery of the lens unit 101 such that a force is required to disengage the lens cap 10 from the lens unit 101, which results in inconvenience. Moreover, if an operator forgot to remove the lens cap 10 before operating the projector 100, the lens cap 10 will be subjected to a strong light from the projector 100 that can melt the lens cap 10.